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New York Giants: Comparing Landon Collins and Lawrence Taylor

By John Franklin

Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) reacts after stopping the Philadelphia Eagles on fourth down during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) reacts after stopping the Philadelphia Eagles on fourth down during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) runs the ball as he is defended by New York Giants free safety Landon Collins (21) during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) runs the ball as he is defended by New York Giants free safety Landon Collins (21) during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Core Parts of a Great Giants Defense

The Giants drafted Taylor in 1980, and he became the main piece of a long era of great Giants defenses. Before Taylor got to New York, the Giants had gone just 4-12 in 1980, and ranked among the worst team defenses in the league.

After Taylor’s arrival in 1981, the Giants went 9-7, the team was ranked third in passing defense, and 10th in rushing defense. Clearly Taylor had an unbelievable impact in New York as rookie, winning rookie of the year, and becoming a part of a dynasty of defenses.

He was at the heart of two Super Bowl winning teams, and was the main piece in the Giants rebuild. Similarly, Collins has been the main piece of the Giants defensive rebuild in the last few years.

Collins didn’t have nearly the rookie impact that Taylor did. The Giants went 6-10 the year before Collins was on the team, and went 6-10 in his rookie year. Collins did receive praise, and many believed he would be the next big defensive player for the Giants.

In just his second season, Collins had a huge impact on the Giants defense. To be fair, Taylor was the second overall pick in the draft. He was expected to come in and perform at a high level. Collins on the other hand was drafted in the second round, and was speculated to be a great player after a few years of development.

Taylor was part of one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, and Collins is part of one of the best secondaries in the NFL.

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