Fansided

Every NFL team’s biggest villain ever

By Sravan Gannavarapu

Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe answers questions at Media Day on January 26, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe answers questions at Media Day on January 26, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA – JANUARY 25: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor, #56 of the New York Giants, looks over to the sideline against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXlI at the Rose Bowl on January 25, 1987, in Pasadena, California. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20. (Photo by Nate Fine/Getty Images)
PASADENA – JANUARY 25: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor, #56 of the New York Giants, looks over to the sideline against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXlI at the Rose Bowl on January 25, 1987, in Pasadena, California. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20. (Photo by Nate Fine/Getty Images) /

New York Giants: LB Lawrence Taylor

Lord have mercy if you saw 56 lining up across from you. Not only was this Tar Heel as feared as Michael Jordan was on the basketball court, but he could intimidate you, scare you (Heath Shuler), and knock your quarterback into oblivion. There is a reason Bill Parcells, for as disciplined as he is, bent the rules a bit for LT and had no shame in doing so. Props to you, Coach.

When Taylor was drafted 2nd overall in 1981, teammate Harry Carson was a bit apprehensive because New York already had a strong linebacker core. What could Taylor do? How about three Defensive Player of the Year awards, an NFL MVP, two Super Bowl rings, ten Pro Bowls, and an appearance on the 75th and 100th-anniversary teams?

Taylor could not only play hard, but he also talked a good game. There’s a reason offensive tackles are at a premium because of what Taylor could do to an offensive game plan. New Orleans could have had him, but they chose George Rogers instead. New York is fortunate that the Big Easy sent Taylor to the Big Apple.

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