The New York Giants have scores of players who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio but there are others that fans soul love to see bestowed with the honor.
Here are eight players who are either eligible or past their eligibility that I feel should have (and still may) been considered for the Hall.
Greg Larson, center (1961-73)
Larson played 13 seasons for the Giants with his career beginning in the final years of the Giants’ golden era of the 1950s and 60s. He would play in 179 games as a Giant and was a mainstay at center from 1963 until his retirement in 1973, missing just three games over that period.
Larson was widely unsung due to the Giants’ nosedive as a franchise under Allie Sherman in the 1960s, but he did manage to make the Pro Bowl in 1968.
I’m not quite sure if he is Hall of Fame-worthy, but I’m sure he’s as good, if not better, than some of the centers who have been enshrined in Canton.
Dave Jennings, punter (1974-84)
A punter, really? The only true punter to ever get a gold jacket is Oakland’s Ray Guy, who was arguably the best punter in the history of the game.
Jennings was Guy’s NFC contemporary and Giant fans who suffered through the 1970s will attest he was not only the best punter in the conference, he was likely the most valuable player on the Giants during his time.
A class act and a great player, if they elect another punter into the Hall, Jennings should be at the top of the list.
Mark Bavaro, tight end (1985-90)
Like they always say, the legend is more interesting than the reality but with Bavaro, don’t be afraid to print both. The guy was a beast who could do everything well as a tight end.
Bavaro was a two-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champ. He was revered by Giant fans and feared by opponents for his physical play and dedication and teams today still use Bavaro as a model when scouting college tight ends.
Brad Van Pelt, linebacker (1973-83)
When the Giants selected Brad Van Pelt, a safety, in the second round out of Michigan State in 1973, they didn’t quite know what they had in him. They knew they had a superior athlete and competitor but didn’t find his niche as an outside linebacker until 1975 under assistant coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Van Pelt, along with Hall of Famer Harry Carson, were the linchpins of a staunch Giant defense during the Wliderness Years of the 1970s.
BVP was named to the Pro Bowl five times as was considered one of the best outside linebackers of his day.
Jimmy Patton, defensive back (1955-66)
Patton was an eighth round pick out of Ole Miss in 1955 and not much was expected out of the 5-foot-10, 180 pounder, but he delivered for Big Blue in a big way. He was the centerfielder on those great Giant defenses under first Tom Landry and then Harland Svare, who made him the secondary coach.
Patton was known for his aggressive and heady play and was named to five Pro Bowls. The Giants still do not have Patton, who died in an auto accident in 1972 at age 39, in their Ring of Honor. They need to fix that.
Phil Simms, quarterback (1979-93)
Simms had a rough first five seasons in the NFL, plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. He had very little help on offense until he mid-1980s when he became one of the best passers in the NFL.
Unfortunately for Simms, he was hamstrung by Bill Parcells’ conservative approach to offense and the swirling winds of the Meadowlands. He could sling with the best of them when afforded the chance, though, such as in his record-setting MVP performance in Super Bowl XXI.
Tiki Barber, running back (1997-2006)
Barber is as good as any all-purpose back in Canton, hands down. His issue is that he did not play long enough and the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007, the year after he retired. He is the Giants’ all-time leading rusher and second in franchise history in receptions.
Tiki’s final three seasons as a pro stack up with anyone’s as he gained over 2,000 all-purpose yards in each those years. He could conceivably end up in Canton but could use a promotional push from the Giants, but don’t count on that happening.
Carl Banks, linebacker (1984-1992)
Banks is a legitimate contender for the Hall as he was named a semifinalist in this year’s expanded “Centennial” class of 2020. He likely won’t get back on the ballot next year when the normal rules set in but that doesn’t mean he’s not deserving. Banks was a steady force on the great Giant defenses of the 80s but was overshadowed by Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson, two Hall of Famers.
Banks was the third overall selection in the 1984 NFL Draft and was a complete linebacker, playing the run and the pass with equal effectiveness.
Banks is a member of the Giants Ring of Honor and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. He was named first team All-Pro in 1987 and his outstanding play in two Super Bowls displayed what a clutch, heady and tough football player he was.
