Fansided

Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 30
Next
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (R) is sacked by New York Giants Michael Strahan (L) during Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, 03 February 2008. The Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14. AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (R) is sacked by New York Giants Michael Strahan (L) during Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, 03 February 2008. The Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14. AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) /

29. Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan has made a pretty good career for himself in his post-football life, but nothing will top what he did on the field for the Giants over a 15 year span.

Strahan had his best years at the beginning of the 2000s. He had 9.5 sacks in 2000, and then had the greatest season for an edge rusher in NFL history. He put up an NFL record 22.5 sacks in 2001, a mark that has still yet to be topped. He also led the NFL with 24 tackles for loss that season. He was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl and named First-team All-Pro for the third time, while also winning Defensive Player of the Year.

Strahan was a Pro Bowler once again in 2002 after recording 11 sacks, and then had another amazing year in 2003. He recorded 18.5 sacks and was again named All-Pro. Strahan was without a ring going into the 2007 season, and that finally changed. The Giants upset the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in large part because of the pressure that Strahan and the Giants front seven put on Tom Brady. He went out as a Super Bowl champion and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Home/NFL