The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
The most iconic number in Giants history is 56.
John Schmeelk: Fact – When you close your eyes and think of a Giants jersey, you think of it with the number 56. It might not be that way for fans of a younger generation, but that's what it is for me. It's really that simple.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Put Lance in a No. 56 Giants jersey, and he will look more intimidating. Well, maybe not Lance. Let's try this again. Put anyone else in a No. 56 Giants jersey, and they will look more intimidating. That's the power of that number.
Lance Medow: Fact – It's hard to argue against one of the NFL's greatest players of all time. Lawrence Taylor is synonymous with the Giants and, by extension, so is his jersey number 56. When you look at all his highlights chasing down opposing quarterbacks and making his presence felt both literally and figuratively, you're guaranteed to see the number 56 front and center. I don't think you can say that about another player in franchise history.
Matt Citak: Fiction – Maybe it's because of my age and the fact that Lawrence Taylor's final season occurred when I was only a year old, but when it comes to the most iconic number in Giants history, it has to be No. 10. Taylor is undoubtedly the greatest defensive player to ever play in the NFL, let alone for the Giants, but Eli Manning is the all-time New York Giant. From his two Super Bowl MVPs to never missing a game due to injury, Manning truly encapsulated what it meant to be a Giant. His No. 10 will forever be enshrined in Big Blue history.
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
Zero is now the coolest jersey number to wear in the NFL.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – I prefer 00 to 0, and I hope they bring that back. But sorry, I don't think it is the coolest number to wear in the NFL. I think players will sill gravitate to No. 1 if they can. Who doesn't want to be No. 1? It means you're the best at what you do. Too many players will think zero can be a punch line if they have a bad game.
Dan Salomone: Fact – It resembles the Ohio State Block O, so it gets my vote. I have a feeling that was part of the thinking by Campbell, a former Buckeye and St. Vincent-St. Mary standout.
Lance Medow: Fiction – Let me preface my comments by making it clear: I'm the last person to get worked up over jersey numbers. From a broadcasting standpoint, as long as the numbers are clear to read, that's all that matters to me. Personally, I'd prefer to be associated with a jersey other than zero so I wouldn't claim that's the coolest number to showcase. When they approve a triple digit jersey, I'll make that proclamation.
Matt Citak: Fiction – In my eyes, zero is just another single-digit number for players to wear. I will say the coolest part of the new jersey number rules is easily the fact that linebackers can wear single-digit numbers. Kayvon Thibodeaux is the only Giants linebacker currently taking advantage of the new rules with his No. 5, and I'm all for it.
New uniform numbers have been revealed for the Giants.
Cornerback is shaping up to be the deepest position in the draft.
John Schmeelk: Fact – This is not a runaway answer, with close competition from edge rusher, tight end,and running back. There might be as many as a dozen cornerbacks selected on the first two days of the draft that have the ability to be starters at the NFL level. Edge rusher might get you close to that with different players at different shapes and sizes in the class, but the cornerback position has fewer projects. Tight end and running back might also be approaching double digits, but I'll stick with the tight end group. There could be as many as five or six taken in the first round alone, which might only be surpassed by the number of edge players.
Dan Salomone: Fact – While I do watch college football more than most, I don't claim to be a draft expert. But the ones I do trust all have a common theme: it's another deep cornerback class after 12 went in in the first three rounds last year.
Lance Medow: Fact – You can make a very strong case for cornerback depth in the first round alone as there's a good chance you could see as many as five go within the first 30 picks. It's clearly a passing game and to counter that, you need solid cover corners. The need combined with the caliber of talent in this year's class puts that position atop the list.
Matt Citak: Fact – This is an easy one. There could be five or six cornerbacks taken in the first round of this year's draft, including three in the first half of the round. While the class certainly features some strong talent at the top, there are also intriguing prospects expected to go on Day 2 and even Day 3. Someone like TCU's Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is expected to go in the middle rounds after being named First-Team All-American and the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award this past season. It is a good year to be targeting a cornerback in the draft.
Bobby Okereke will have more total tackles than the combined reception total of Darren Waller and Parris Campbell.
John Schmeelk: Fact – I'm simply going with the odds here. Bobby Okereke is never going to leave the field for the Giants and he has played in every game in all but one of his pro seasons. Darren Waller and Parris Campbell, on the other hand, have both dealt with injuries. I also don't know exactly what role Campbell will play in the offense. I'm very confident Okereke will get a minimum of 115 tackles. I'm more sure of that than Waller and Campbell combining for that many.
Dan Salomone: Fact – One of the things that stuck out in general manager Joe Schoen's media session at the NFL Annual Meeting was his response to a general question about the draft. He said, "It's much better to have a much better feel defensively – what [defensive coordinator] Wink [Martindale] wants. I had never worked with Wink before, whereas Dabs [Brian Daboll] and I … we'd worked together. So, that process was a little bit smoother in terms of what they were looking for. So, in terms of what exactly Wink wants in his defense and how he's going to utilize the personnel, I feel much better going into that." That sentiment also applies to the free agents they brought in. Okereke should post big tackle numbers again.
Lance Medow: Fact – Over the last two seasons, Bobby Okereke is averaging 142 tackles. In comparison, Parris Campbell had 63 receptions in 2022 but that was the first season in which he appeared in all 17 games after recording only 34 catches in his first three campaigns combined and Darren Waller is averaging 70 receptions over his last four seasons. Given we have yet to see Campbell consistently play a full season and Waller's numbers have also fluctuated, I'll lean toward Okereke finishing with more tackles than the two former players combined.
Matt Citak: Fact – This one was close, but I'm giving the slight edge to Okereke due to his ability to stay on the field. Over his first four seasons, the three-down linebacker missed just two games due to injury, a very impressive feat. He hasn't missed a game in the last two years while totaling 283 tackles during that span. On the flip side, Waller has missed 14 games total over the last two seasons, while Campbell played more games in 2022 (17) than his first three seasons combined (15). If Waller and Campbell can stay healthy though, then this one likely goes the other way. Okereke's highest tackle total is 151 (across 17 games in 2022), while the combined reception total of Waller and Campbell the last time they each played every game of a season is 170 (Waller had 107 in 2020, while Campbell had 63 in 2022).
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 offseason.
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Leonard Johnson - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
2023 Season Tickets Now Available
