New York Giants fans are reeling from the team's 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in Week 1, but they're not the only ones caught up in a whirlwind of emotions.
Former players, including one of the franchise's legends, are also unhappy.
The Giants wore Century Red uniforms in celebration of the team's 100th season, and several legends were honored at the stadium among the franchise's 100 greatest Giants players.
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Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by Giants fans during Fan Fest celebrating the New York Giants' 100th season, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at MetLife Stadium. (image)
Among them were Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks, key members of the Giants teams that brought them Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991. Taylor was ranked No. 1 overall among the 100 greatest players in Giants history, while Banks was No. 17.
Speaking on the “Bleav in Giants” podcast, Banks revealed that Taylor wanted his pads put back on after watching the first half of the Giants-Vikings game.
“As I was lining up to be introduced as a Top 100 player, a guy named Lawrence Taylor, who doesn't really watch a lot of games so he rarely comments on the games, looked at me and said, this is a true story, guys, if you want to know what we (Giants' Greatest 100) were thinking at halftime, listen up,” Banks explained.
Vikings upset Daniel Jones; Giants falter in front of organizational legends
“Lawrence looked at me at halftime and said, 'Carl, I can go out there right now and pick 22 guys and play better than these guys. I can play in this game.' The youngest guy in that line was probably 50 years old. Lawrence Taylor looked at me and said, 'I can go out there right now and pick 22 guys and beat these guys.'”
The kind of winning pedigree seen during the 2011 NFL season hasn't shone in East Rutherford, N.J. for some time. The Giants have only made the playoffs twice since then, most recently in 2022 during head coach Brian Daboll's inaugural season.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones jogs off the field during the first half of a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
And after Sunday's disaster, the Giants' locker room didn't look like a team worthy of winning this season. Quarterback Daniel Jones and the Giants' offense were booed off the field after a dismal performance that saw them score zero touchdowns.
Jones has been a target for Giants fans since Week 1. He completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards, two interceptions and was sacked five times for a loss. Now in his sixth season and, more importantly, the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract he signed before last season, Jones is expected to lead the Giants to another playoff berth just like he did in 2022.
Instead, Jones appeared to fade in his first game after tearing his ACL midway through the 2023 season.
The Giants will have a chance to face the Washington Commanders in Week 2, who were coming off a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
But the game Taylor and a sold-out crowd at MetLife Stadium witnessed lacked grit and fighting spirit, highlighting the former linebacker's desire to help his old team.
New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor takes to the field before the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings game at MetLife Stadium. (Jon Jones-Imagn Images)
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“When you start the season like this on offense and defense, it looks like you're stuck in 2023,” Banks said.
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