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New York Giants Top Ten Defensive Linemen of All-Time

By John Franklin

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Jun 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams former defensive tackle Rosey Grier (Roosevelt Grier) at NFL All-Access at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) leads the Giants onto the field before a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Six: George Martin (1975-88)

George Martin was drafted out of the University of Oregon in the 11th round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He was an absolute steal for the Giants with the 262nd pick because, in his 14-year career, Martin only missed six games. He recorded 46 sacks according to NFL statistics (the Giants credit him with 96), and an impressive seven touchdowns.

Martin held the record for touchdowns by a defensive end for 18 years, until Jason Taylor broke the record in 2006. One of his best interceptions for a touchdown came against the Denver Broncos when Martin returned a pick 76 yards to pay dirt. Head coach Bill Parcells called it, “One of the greatest football plays (he) has ever seen.”

His career highlight also came against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. Giants fans remember the play that Martin made as the turning point of the game. Just before halftime, Broncos quarterback John Elway dropped back into his own end zone, when Martin broke through the offensive line and dropped him for a safety. Those two points were the first of 26 unanswered points that the Giants scored in the game.

Martin was etched into Giants immortality when he was enshrined into the New York Giants Ring of Honor in 2010.

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