|
The New York Giants, an NFL's National Football Conference, have qualified for the postseason seven times since 1994. With the retirement of Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor — two of the most important figures in franchise history – after the 1993 season, the Giants entered a new era. After a successful 1993 season, the Giants struggled under head coach Dan Reeves, and failed to reach the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. With the hiring of Jim Fassel as the team's new head coach in 1997, the Giants fortunes improved and they made the playoffs several times. Led by free agent acquisition quarterback Kerry Collins, the Fassel era included an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. Although there was success, the Fassel era was also marked by inconsistency, and he was fired after the 2003 season. Fassel was replaced by current coach Tom Coughlin who has coached the team since 2004, also to inconsistent results and media scrutiny. The Giants acquired their current starting quarterback Eli Manning via a draft day trade from the San Diego Chargers. Manning had been the quarterback at University of Mississippi, and was the first pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. During this period standout Giants players include defensive end Michael Strahan, who set the NFL single season record in sacks in 2001, and running back Tiki Barber, who set a team record in rushing yards in 2005. The Giants made the playoffs four consecutive seasons, from 2005–2008 (including a Super Bowl victory during the 2007 season), but missed the playoffs in 2009 and 2010. ==New era: 1994–1996 == After finishing 11–5 and reaching the second round of the playoffs in 1993, the Giants took a step backwards in 1994. Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor, the two biggest figures of the 1980s and early 1990s, both retired. Several other key starting players were dropped from the roster due to free agency. In the wake of Simms' retirement, head coach Dan Reeves named Dave Brown, who had been a No. 1 supplemental draft choice in 1992, as the Giants' new starting quarterback. Though Brown led the Giants to wins in their first three games of the season,〔(1994 New York Giants ), databasefootball.com, Retrieved March 20, 2007.〕 the Giants lost their next 7 in a row to drop to 3–7.〔 The poor play of Brown received much of the blame from fans and the media.〔Berkow, Ira. (Sports of The Times; Brown Hopes To Wear Out Giant Fans ), ''The New York Times'', October 25, 1994, Retrieved March 22, 2008.〕 However, the Giants recovered and won their last six games of the season, finishing with a 15–10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Giants Stadium. During this stretch they never allowed more than 20 points in a game, and the Giants ended the season with a record of 9–7.〔〔(New York Giants (1925 – ) ), databasefootball.com, Retrieved March 17, 2007.〕 The team's stars included Rodney Hampton, who had his 4th straight 1,000 yard rushing season;〔(Rodney Hampton ), databasefootball.com, Retrieved March 20, 2007.〕 second-year defensive lineman Michael Strahan, and linebackers Jessie Armstead and Michael Brooks. In 1995 the team regressed further, losing even more players to free agency and finished the season with a 5–11 record,〔(1995 New York Giants ), databasefootball.com, Retrieved March 20, 2007.〕 their worst since Bill Parcells' first season in 1983.〔 Quarterback Dave Brown was particularly disappointing, as he finished with just 2,814 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.〔 Reeves went public with his desire to have more of a say in personnel matters. He controlled the team's free agency decisions, but feuded with General manager (GM) George Young who chose the team's draft picks.〔Smith, Timothy W. (On Pro Football;As His Team Sinks, a Coach Talks of Jumping Ship ), ''The New York Times'', November 20, 1995, accessed December 6, 2010. * Pervin. pg. 124〕 Lowlights were a 35–0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Monday Night season opener,〔(History of the New York Giants ) www.sportsecyclopedia.com, Retrieved September 12, 2006.〕 and the fans pelting the Charger sideline with snowballs in the season's final game.〔〔Sandomir, Richard. (PRO FOOTBALL;Giants Will Confiscate Season Tickets ), ''The New York Times'', December 27, 1995, Retrieved March 22, 2008.〕 Though the defense still played well at times, the Giants sent no players to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year.〔(1995 New York Giants ), pro-football-reference.com, Retrieved March 22, 2007.〕 The Giants suffered through yet another poor season in 1996, finishing 6–10.〔 Though Brown again started every game for the Giants he turned in one of the worst seasons of any starting quarterback in the league that year, throwing for 12 touchdowns against 20 interceptions.〔(Dave Brown ), databasefootball.com, Retrieved March 18, 2007.〕 The Giants offense was one of the worst in the NFL and, unlike in previous years, the defense was unable to keep the offense afloat. After having one playoff appearance in four years, Reeves was dismissed after the 1996 season.〔Anderson, Dave. ('It Hasn't Worked Out' For Reeves ), ''New York Times'', December 22, 1996, Retrieved March 22, 2008.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「History of the New York Giants (1994–present)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|