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One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images)
Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Season
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 1986: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants looks on from the field during a National Football League game at Giants Stadium in December 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

New York Giants: Lawrence Taylor, EDGE

One of the biggest football stars in North Carolina history — if not the biggest — was Lawrence Taylor. A monster pass-rusher, Taylor was taken second overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and he helped them become one of the more legendary defenses in league hostory.

For the majority of his time with the Giants, his head coach was none other than Bill Parcells. As if having the ‘Big Tuna’ as the head coach wasn’t enough to turn an athletic phenomenon into a ferocious defender, Taylor also had Bill Belichick as his linebacker from 1981 through 1984 and his defensive coordinator from 1985 through 1990.

During that time, the Giants won two Super Bowls, Taylor won an NFL MVP award, and he was named to 10 Pro Bowls, 8 First-Team All-Pros, and two Second-Team All-Pros. In all, he was credited with 132.5 sacks (they didn’t count them as an official stat in his rookie season) and added 11 fumble recoveries, and nine interceptions for good measure.

New York is currently rebuilding their team and they have a solid defense right now. What could turn them into an elite one would be the return of Lawrence Taylor in his prime. His ability to destroy an offense’s game plan would make everyone’s job easier and would even take some of the pressure off of the offense since they wouldn’t need to score nearly as much to win games.

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