NFL Network analysts vote LT greatest defensive player of all-time
NFL Network recently asked 10 of its analysts a simple question- "Who are the top three defensive players of all time, as YOU see it?"
Most of the analysts listed many of the same players. Reggie White was a popular choice, as were Aaron Donald and Deion Sanders.
But the one and only name included on all 10 lists, and in the top spot on nine of the 10 lists, was none other than Lawrence Taylor.
"This is a nearly impossible exercise (I had to leave off Joe Greene!) except for my No. 1: unquestionably Lawrence Taylor, who merely changed the outside linebacker position and, in the process, made offensive tackle a premier football position," writes Judy Bautista. "Nobody had any idea how to block Taylor (he was the league's Defensive Player of the Year in each of his first two seasons), and all you need to know about his dominance is that he was the league's MVP in 1986, when he had 20.5 sacks in the Giants' first Super Bowl season -- the last defensive player to win the award."
Taylor was named either First- or Second-Team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl in 10 consecutive seasons, taking home three Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NFL MVP during that stretch. His 142.0 career sacks just narrowly beats Michael Strahan's 141.5 for the most in franchise history.
Here is what a few of the other NFL Network analysts had to say about Taylor's success compared to some of the other all-time defensive greats.
Jeffri Chadiha - "Taylor altered defensive schemes and turned left tackle into a marquee position. The league didn't even keep sacks as an official statistic until he became a dominant force. Edge rushers everywhere owe L.T. plenty."
Brian Baldinger - "L.T. had the perfect combination of speed, power and toughness with an instinct that could take him to the ball faster than anyone else on the field. Every team had to adjust its entire protection scheme to try to corral him. L.T. constantly changed the game."
Chad Reuter - "The phrase 'he changed the game' is thrown around too easily -- but not in the case of L.T. His ability to wreak havoc in the backfield made teams change the way they protected their passers, and he also stopped the run and moved like a safety in coverage. The first true 'edge defender,' Taylor's going to be tough to knock off the top of this mountain."
Adam Rank - "Taylor ... well, he's in the conversation for greatest player in NFL history. He changed the game forever when he came into the league, and there still hasn't been another player like him since."
James Jones - "There's no disputing the best offensive player in NFL history (Tom Brady). If we're all being honest with ourselves, the best defensive player of all time is clear cut as well. It's Lawrence Taylor. It's unheard of for a non-quarterback to win the MVP award, let alone a defensive player. Well, he did it and was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He changed the game."
The best photos of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, left, shares a laugh linebacker Pepper Johnson during the team's training camp on July 31, 1993 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is congregated by Mark Collins (25) and Carl Banks (58) after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass in the second quarter on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. at Giants stadium. The interception helped the Giants beat the San Francisco 49 ers 49-3 in their NFL playoff game. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
FILE - In a Jan. 20, 1991 file photo New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor runs after recovering a 49ers fumble in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship game to help win the game 15-13 in San Francisco. The two teams will meet again Sunday Jan. 22, 2012 to vie for the NFC championship. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli/file)
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1987, file phot, New York Giants defense Lawrence Taylor (56), Erik Howard (74) and Leonard Marshall (70) celebrate over Denver broncos quarterback John Elway after he was sacked by George Martin (75) for safety in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants forces Tampa Bay Buccaneer Quarterback Steve DeBerg to throw an incomplete pass to prevent a fourth quarter sack on Sunday, Sept. 24, 1984 game at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
LT at his Locker before his final home game 1993
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, dressed in shorts, heads for plane to Honolulu at Los Angeles International airport on Monday, Jan. 26, 1987. Taylor will participate in the Pro Bowl. Giants won Super Bowl Sunday with a 39-20 victory over Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Bob Gablraith)
The defense of the New York Giants football team shown with their new poster,"The Crunch Bunch" subtitled, "The Board of De-Wreckers," in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982. From left: Lawrence Taylor, Captain Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelly. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, left, and Harry Carson open gifts and fan mail in the Giants locker room in East Rutherford after practice on Friday, Jan. 16, 1987. The Giants leave Sunday for Pasadena, California were they will face the Denver Broncos on January, 25 in Super Bowl XXI. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
New York Giants, from left, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Burt, Carl Banks, and Eric Dorsey pause during practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y. on Monday, August 4, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants star linebacker Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by reporters' microphones as he answers their questions during the morning press conferences on Jan. 22, 1987 in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells, left, holds the Super Bowl XXV trophy while joining former linebacker Lawrence Taylor on stage during a 25 year anniversary celebration at halftime of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor waves to the crowd during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
This Oct. 25, 2009, file photo shows Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor gesturing to the crowd during a pregame ceremony before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
Former New York Giants Lawrence Taylor shows off his Hall of Fame ring that he received during a half time ceremony at Giants Stadium Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor talks to the crowd during half time of the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants game at night on Monday, Oct. 10, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Taylor's old number was retired in his honor by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Gatorade drenched New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, right, hugs his top linebacker Lawrence Taylor after the Giants clinched the NFC Eastern championship of the NFL with a 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 24, 1989. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Lawrence Taylor speaks to reporters during a news conference held for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest members in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999. Taylor, a New York Giants linebacker and the dominant defensive player of his time, was elected in his first year of eligibility. He was joined by running back Eric Dickerson, tight end Ozzie Newsome and guards Tom Mack and Billy Shaw. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski is sacked by New York Giants Lawrence Taylor for a four-yard loss during second quarter action at Philadelphia's Veterans' Stadium, Nov. 10, 1986. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Lawrene Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the field at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 19, 1982.
New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after winning the Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor bites on a cigar as he signs an autograph on a football for a fan in the lobby of the team's Costa Mesa, California, hotel on Sunday, Jan. 19, 1987. The Giants arrived to begin workouts for next week's Superbowl. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Washington Redskins Gerald Riggs tries to break free from New York Giants' Greg Jackson, on ground, as Giants' Lawrence Taylor, right, moves in to cap the play during first quarter action at RFK Stadium in Washington, Sept. 11, 1989. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, (56), is hauled down by Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, (52), after recovering a fumble by Steeler quarterback Mark Malone during the third quarter of NFL exhibition game in Pittsburgh at night on Friday, August 31, 1985. The Giants won the game 24-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler rolls backward into a handstand as Lawrence Taylor (56) hugs kicker Matt Bahr after game-winning field goal in final second of NFC championship game in San Francisco, Jan. 20, 1991. Hostetler held the ball then rolled into the handstand. Giants go to Super Bowl with 15-13 victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 19-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 8, 1991
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Troy Aikman (8) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 15-0 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 16, 1989.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 30, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants dumps Gatorade during a game from the Giants 1989 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 35-7 win over the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 24, 1989
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Steve Pelluer (16) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 28-21 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 6, 1988.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 28-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 11, 1988
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 24-14 win over the Washington Redskins at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pursues Stump Mitchell (30) of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Giants 27-7 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 14, 1986.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants returns an interception for a touchdown during the Giants 49-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 4, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 39-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on January 25, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants celebrates during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56), Gary Reasons (55) and Kenny Hill (48) of the New York Giants purées Art Monk (81) of the Washington Redskins during the Giants 17-0 win in the NFC Championship Game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 11, 1987.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 17-3 win over the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 20, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Ron Jaworski (7) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the Giants 17-13 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 10, 1985..
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 17-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Dan Fouts (14) of the San Diego Chargers during the Giants 41-34 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 2, 1983.
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 15-14 loss to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on December 19, 1982
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 23-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 9, 1990
Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991
Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari named Giants' best duo
The Giants' defensive line certainly looks like it could be a strength of the team's defense in 2022.
Between Leonard Williams, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari and Dexter Lawrence, Wink Martindale has four talented starters to deploy in his defensive scheme.
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr recently looked at all 32 rosters across the league and chose each team's most talented duo. The qualifications for his selections were that the players must play on the same side of the ball and must contribute to the team's offensive or defensive success. For the Giants, he went with Williams and Ojulari.
As Kerr writes, "Williams had 43 pressures and 6.5 sacks in 2021 after a career-year with the Giants in 2020, but is still a consistent force off the edge. Ojulari had 38 pressures and eight sacks in his rookie season for the Giants while adding 13 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. The Giants are relying on Ojulari to take the next step in 2022 as the team's top pass rusher.Â
"Wink Martindale's scheme is expected to make Ojulari and Williams even better, as the two will be relied upon to consistently get to the quarterback. Those two will be vital toward New York turning its defense around."
Over his last two full seasons with the Giants, Williams has recorded a total of 18.0 sacks and 44 quarterback hits. Meanwhile, Ojulari set a new franchise rookie record with his 8.0 sacks in 2021.
View the best photos from mandatory minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
QB Daniel Jones
WR Richie James
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Alex Bachman (81)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Prince
WR Austin Proehl (87)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
S Julian Love (20)2
WR David Sills V (84)
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Prince, Brian Daboll Head Coach
WR Austin Proehl (87)
LB Tae Crowder (48)2
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Prince
K Graham Gano (9)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Henry Black (24)
Sam Prince
RB Saquon Barkley (26)2
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR C.J. Board (18), WR Alex Bachman (81), WR David Sills V (84), WR Richie James, WR Collin Johnson (15), WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Dane Belton (36)
QB Daniel Jones (8), Sam Prince, DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
DB Michael Jacquet (23)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
WR Alex Bachman (81)
WR Alex Bachman (81)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR David Sills V (84)
S Trenton Thompson (39)
WR David Sills V (84)
S Yusuf Corker (21)
S Yusuf Corker (21)
K Graham Gano (9)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Julian Love (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Yusuf Corker (21)
WR Austin Proehl (87), WR Alex Bachman (81)
S Trenton Thompson (39)
S Yusuf Corker (21)
LB Cam Brown (47)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Robert Foster (82)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Richie James (80)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
RB Antonio Williams (21)
Sam Prince, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
RB Antonio Williams (21)
WR Robert Foster (82)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
RB Antonio Williams (21)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Sam Prince
Sam Prince
CB Adoree' Jackson (22), CB Khalil Dorsey (31)
RB Saquon Barkley (26), Sam Prince
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Sam Prince
Sam Prince
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DL Leonard Williams (99), DL D.J. Davidson (98)
RB Saquon Barkley (26), S Xavier McKinney (29)
Sam Prince
DL Leonard Williams (99)
Sam Prince
DL David Moa (96), DL Leonard Williams (99)
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Prince, Brian Daboll Head Coach
WR Austin Proehl (87)
RB Matt Breida (31)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
TE Jordan Akins (88)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
FB Jeremiah Hall (27)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (83)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
FB Jeremiah Hall (27)
TE Jordan Akins (88)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
FB Jeremiah Hall (27)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
WR Austin Proehl (87)
WR Travis Toivonen (13)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Antonio Williams (21)
RB Sandro Platzgummer (34)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
RB Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Prince
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Giants sign WR Keelan Doss, waive LB T.J. Brunson
The Giants made a roster move on Friday as they signed wide receiver Keelan Doss and waived linebacker T.J. Brunson.
Doss had been with the Giants on a tryout basis for their minicamp last week. In nine career games with the Raiders, the 26-year-old receiver has 11 receptions for 133 yards.
Brunson was a seventh-round pick by the Giants back in 2020. In five games during his rookie season, he registered three combined tackles. Brunson tore his ACL in the team's first preseason game last year, which led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Check out the gallery below to view the Giants' updated roster in photos.
View photos of the New York Giants' 2022 roster as it currently stands.
OL Jack Anderson
DL Ryder Anderson
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
G Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Cam Brown
TE Lawrence Cager
S Landon Collins
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Jarrad Davis
G Wyatt Davis
DL Justin Ellis
OL Jon Feliciano
CB Cor'Dale Flott
OLB Tomon Fox
K Graham Gano
OL Nick Gates
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Richie James
S Tony Jefferson
WR Marcus Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
S Julian Love
CB Nick McCloud
LB Micah McFadden
S Xavier McKinney
DL Henry Mondeaux
CB Fabian Moreau
T Evan Neal
OLB Azeez Ojulari
T Matt Peart
OL Tyre Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
WR Darius Slayton
ILB Jaylon Smith
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
T Andrew Thomas
TE Nick Vannett
OLB Jihad Ward
DL Leonard Williams
CB Rodarius Williams
LB Oshane Ximines
