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30 greatest NFL defensive players of all-time

By Daniel Tran

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants former players Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson listen to Michael Strahan (left) speak to fans after receiving his NFL Hall of Fame ring during half time ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants former players Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson listen to Michael Strahan (left) speak to fans after receiving his NFL Hall of Fame ring during half time ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Defensive Players
Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants former defensive lineman Michael Strahan prior to the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Michael Strahan, Defensive End

In the salary cap era where cash strapped teams let go of players at the first hint of underperforming and players bolt for teams that offer more cash, rarely do you see one player stick with a single team for the duration of his career. Michael Strahan was a rare exception.

The gap-toothed terror from Texas Southern University played his entire 15-season career with the New York Giants and won a Super Bowl with the team in his final season. The fearsome pressure that he brought in that game was the dessert of the defensive feast that he provided for New York for the length of his career.

Strahan finished his career with 141.5 total sacks, ranking fifth all-time in the NFL. In 2001, he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year on the strength of his record-breaking 22.5 sacks, the most sacks ever in a single season.

A seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-team All-Pro selection, Strahan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

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