New York Giants: Comparing Landon Collins and Lawrence Taylor

Landon Collins is an emerging star for the New York Giants. How does he compare to the great Lawrence Taylor?

This season, one of the brightest spots of the New York Giants elite pass defense was second year strong safety Landon Collins. Collins impressed players, coaches, and media from all around the league, but one thing Collins said created a large buzz amongst Giants fans.

“I want to be Lawrence Taylor great,” Collins said to Art Stapleton of the Record. “If the standard is wanting to be known as the best, known for being one of the best, you strive to beat the best or be known as the best. The best here is Lawrence Taylor. That name is still going around. You could go anywhere and he’s recognized for what he’s done on the field. A guy like him, I mean, the caliber of player he was, it’s astonishing.”

Collins has been a rock for the Giants secondary since he was drafted in the second round in 2015.  He has been a complete defensive back, capable of lining up anywhere on the defensive side of the football. This past season was his best of his first two, but how does he stack up against Giants great Lawrence Taylor?

Sure, Collins is a safety and Taylor was an outside linebacker, but the two might have more in common than everyone might think.