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Giants Now: Lawrence Taylor named to The 33rd Team's best all-time defensive front 7

Jun 29, 2023 at 06:00 AM

Giants.com

Lawrence Taylor selected to The 33rd Team's best all-time front 7

When it comes to the top defensive players in NFL history, you'd be hard-pressed to find many analysts who would not select Lawrence Taylor among the best, if not the very best.

So, it should come as no surprise that when long-time NFL and collegiate coach Dave Wannstedt recently chose his best all-time defensive front seven, the Giants' all-time sack leader was the first name on the list.

"If we are talking edge rushers, it has got to be L.T," Wannstedt wrote. "Bill Belichick, the greatest coach of all-time, said he was the best player of all-time, and his statistics back this up. Taylor is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). That speaks for itself. But, more importantly, in my opinion, he played in that 3-4 New York Giants defense with Bill Parcells and Belichick, and he changed the game. People do not realize what a game-wrecker Taylor was as a pass rusher. That's how he made his living. So much so that when he would drop into coverage, offensive live coaches and coordinators would put a smile on their faces and clap.

"His dominance on the line forced offenses to turn protection to whichever side Taylor was on. Coordinators wanted to make sure you got a big offensive lineman blocking L.T. rather than running the opposite way and expecting a running back to block him. That's what most teams did. When L.T. was on the field, you must use the lineman to him to give you the best chance to slow him down."

Taylor's 142.0 career sacks are the most in franchise history, just a half-sack more than Michael Strahan (despite playing 32 fewer games).

His accolades include two-time Super Bowl Champion (XXI, XXV), three-time Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986), league MVP (1986), Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981), 10-time All-Pro selection (1981-1990), 10-time Pro Bowler (1981-1990), and an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just to name a few.

Here is everyone listed on Wannstedt's best all-time defensive front seven:

EDGE Lawrence Taylor
EDGE Reggie White
DT Joe Greene
DT Aaron Donald
LB Derrick Brooks
LB Ray Lewis
LB Junior Seau

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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LT at his Locker before his final home game 1993

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

Kathy Willens

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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)

Mel Evans/AP2009

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Lawrene Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the field at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 19, 1982.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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

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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

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants celebrates during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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..

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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..

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc.

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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

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Jerry Pinkus

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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

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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

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