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Your recollection of Giants history is a little hazy. The real difference-maker on that team was general manager George Young, who joined the team in 1979 under some pretty bizarre circumstances and promptly started building a team that would eventually become a dominant force in the NFC for more than a decade. Taylor was only one in a long series of draft picks that would play key roles on those teams -- starting with Phil Simms in 1979.

As far as players were concerned, I'd say the most important elements of those great Giants teams were not only the selection of Lawrence Taylor in 1981, but the emergence of a healthy Phil Simms in 1984, the development of Joe Morris as a legitimate top-tier NFL running back in 1985, and Young's ability to put together a great offensive line out of a group of unheralded draft picks and free agents from the USFL.

Starting in Taylor’s first season, the Giants began a 10-season streak in which they made the playoffs six times and won two Super Bowls.

You're right about that, but that's not a complete story. The Giants made the playoffs only once (1981) in Taylor's first three seasons. The team's rise to the top of the NFL began in 1984, and correlates almost precisely with the emergence of Bill Parcells as one of the best head coaches in the NFL. After the team went 3-12-1 in Parcells' first season at the helm, the Giants made the playoffs five times (and won two Super Bowls) in the next seven years -- the only two exceptions being the strike-shortened 1987 season and a 1988 season in which the team went 10-6 but failed to make the playoffs due to tiebreakers in a very strong NFC that included five 10-6 teams.

The team's decline after the 1990 Super Bowl season coincided with Parcells' departure from the team.

Football is a team game. You need 53 good players, good coaching, and supportive management. Drafting a great player like LT and putting him into a defensive scheme that capitalizes on his extraordiary abilities are certainly important. The same could be said for many great teams whether it is the Yankees, Bulls, Patriots, etc. My point is that LT is arguably the greatest player ever at his position. Extolling him does not diminish the accoumplishments of his other teammates or management.

Football is a team game. Even the greatest players need help. They can't win by themselves. MJ needed Pippin. Magic needed Karim and Worthy. Bird needed McHale and Parrish.

The team's rise to the top of the NFL began in 1984, and correlates almost precisely with the emergence of Bill Parcells as one of the best head coaches in the NFL. After the team went 3-12-1 in Parcells' first season at the helm, the Giants made the playoffs five times (and won two Super Bowls) in the next seven years -- the only two exceptions being the strike-shortened 1987 season and a 1988 season in which the team went 10-6 but failed to make the playoffs due to tiebreakers in a very strong NFC that included five 10-6 teams.

Don't forget Bill Belichick. In 1979, he joined the New York Giants and contributed to Super Bowl championships with the team in 1986-7 and 1990-91 as the team’s defensive coordinator. Parcels has not been as successful without Belichick, who has won three SBs on his own.

"What makes L.T. so great, what makes him so aggressive, is his total disregard for his body,"' said Bill Belichick, the Giants' defensive coordinator during Taylor's prime.

Phifer probably would be the best coverage linebacker of all those guys, maybe similar to Andy Headen of the Giants - although Phifer probably is a better coverage linebacker – maybe Headen was a blitzer,” Belichick said. “Lawrence Taylor set a standard there all its own. But McGinest and Vrabel have a similar playing style, a similar presence on the field. Colvin is a quicker and a little bit lighter rusher than any of those guys. He has a little different style, but is also a very effective player.

The team's decline after the 1990 Super Bowl season coincided with Parcells' departure from the team.

Belichick also departed then as well. The Giants were back in the Superbowl in the 200-2001 season.