Dan Salomone

Brian Daboll is reaching into the past 100 seasons to help guide the 101st.

By now, you may have seen clips of Giants legends speaking to the current team on what seems like a daily basis this spring. In fact, 11 of the top 100 players in team history (as voted on by an independent committee last year to celebrate the 100th season), have walked through the halls of the Quest Diagnostics Training Center since the beginning of May.

It's not a new concept. Tiki Barber remembers Frank Gifford coming around the facility in his day and talking about what it means to have success in New York. Moments like those occur every day across sports leagues.

But the frequency is notable and the intention is deliberate.

"It's something I thought about at the end of the season, getting ready for this upcoming season, some of the things I wanted to do," Daboll said. "One of those was to bring some guys in, brought a number of them in. Give a good message about what it means to be a Giant for them and some different things that hopefully mean something to our players. Obviously, there are a lot of legends that have played the game for this organization and tremendous football players in the National Football League. I have a good relationship with a lot of those guys throughout my time here and they're willing to come in and talk to those young guys. I think it's beneficial for them."

The legendary list, so far, includes Lawrence Taylor (No. 1 onGiants' Top 100), Michael Strahan (No. 5), Eli Manning (No. 8), Tiki Barber (No. 14), Carl Banks (No. 17), Justin Tuck (No. 30), Chris Snee (No. 31), Victor Cruz (No. 59), Brandon Jacobs (No. 69), Howard Cross (No. 88), and Hakeem Nicks (No. 97). Their messages have ranged from what the organization means to them personally, the importance of holding each other accountable, outworking your division rivals in practice, protecting home field, and having an identity.

"We have conversations before they come," Daboll said. "But again, to hear from an LT or a Stray or a Tuck or Eli there's been a number of them I think it's good for these players that are playing for this organization to hear from guys that have done it at a high level, not just for the New York Giants but for the National Football League."

Below are some of the speeches the legends delivered to the 101st team in the history of the New York Football Giants.

Michael Strahan, May 9 (rookie minicamp)

Games as a Giant including postseason:226

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 5

"I'm proud to be here, man, to watch you guys on your first day here. You all are working hard and busting your a--. And this is that kind of business where this is what it takes every day. And I'll be honest with you, the more you do it, the easier it gets. But you've got a great coaching staff here. You've got coaches who care. You've got an organization that cares about you, an organization that's here for you, who wants you to succeed. And you've got guys like myself who are too old to do it anymore, but who come around because we want to see you guys and we want to be a part of what you're building for the future. We want to be a part of your greatness. So, when you guys are great, we can go, yeah, that's my boy. That's my team. And we take a lot of pride in being a New York Giant as we hope you do. So, come on in, all right. We're going to do Giants on three."

Eli Manning, May 12

Games as a Giant including postseason:248

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 8

"You're coming to a great organization whether you've been here for a few years, your first year here, you're a rookie this organization, they care about you. There's a saying in there: 'Once a Giant, Always a Giant.' That's not just a saying. They believe in that. They believe in that. And if you need anything for the rest of your life, they're going to be here for you in some way. Success only happens if everybody buys in. If everybody is working together for one common goal and that's to win a championship, if you can do that, special things happen. You'll handle the downs because they're going to happen in a season. You're going to lose a tough game. You're going to lose two in a row, maybe. But if you put in the work, you feel like, hey, we're doing the right things, we're doing everything together, we'll make a few little adjustments here, but the core of what we're doing is right. Then you can get back on page, you can make those runs. You can get hot at the right time. You can beat any team. And that's what it's all about. So, guys, I miss putting on this jersey. I miss the practices. I miss the locker room, the camaraderie, and I just feel blessed that I still get to be a part of it in some way and come talk to you. I'm always rooting for you. I'm at every game. I want y'all to win. I want everyone to win. If I can ever be a resource in any way for you, y'all got my number. You can get my number. I'm here for you. You see me in the cafeteria, come sit with me. I want to help out in any way. And let's get it, all right. We're going to break it down. Let's go. Big Blue on three."

Victor Cruz, May 19

Games as a Giant including postseason:75

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 59

"Like Coach said, I was an undrafted free agent, right. So, it takes another level of discipline, another level of work ethic to come in here and really make a mark on this organization. Work ethic was the biggest thing. You've got to live, sleep, eat, and breathe it out here, man, because it's not going to happen again. You're not going to be 22 again with this opportunity. You're not going to be a rookie again with this opportunity. Every time you line up on this football field, between these lines, you want to outwork any and everybody that's around you not just in this room, not just on this field, but everybody on all 32 teams. It's about what you bring to the table so these coaches can see it, access it, and put it to the highest of its ability out there on the football field. That was the biggest thing for me, right. And then lastly was character. I think the biggest thing in the New York Giants organization, when you look at the guys, the Super Bowl guys that have been around here, the guys that come back, saw a couple guys have already come here to speak to you. It's that character, man. They know how to carry themselves. They know how to greet people in this building. They know how to conduct themselves when they're outside of this building. They know how to greet people when they're at games, when they're at social activities, when they're just moving around life. They understand the magnitude of this opportunity to play for this organization and what that entails. And I knew that the very first day I walked in here. I was like, oh, this is a different beast. This is a different organization with a different set of standards. And you've got to hold yourself to that standard each and every day. Last but not least, man, have fun with this s---, dog. This is still a game. You're still playing a game. You're still a kid that's out here playing this game at the highest level. The stakes are a little bit higher, but it's still a game. Make sure you're having fun when you're in these lines, when you see your brothers out here going to war, going to battle each and every week. Have fun. Make sure you're taking it all in because I don't get it back. The biggest thing I miss is these grind days. Love the grind. You've got to love the grind. I loved coming out here, getting better, running routes. I'd be out here for hours if I got to, just to get better. Every route I feel like I got better. So, I just want to encourage y'all, man, to put your best foot forward. Continue to be great. Listen to these coaches, man. Daboll's got a great coaching staff around you guys. Continue to do your thing, and I'll be watching from afar and from within because this is family, right? I said this is family, right? All right, bring it in, guys. Let's do it. I appreciate y'all. Keep balling, keep being great. Giants on three."

Lawrence Taylor, May 21 (defensive meeting room)

Games as a Giant including postseason:199

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 1

"Giant defense. Giant defense. That's the most important thing. When I came into and sat in the room just like you guys are right now, when I first got here, it was real important for me to know what everybody is doing. Back in our day, I know what Leonard Marshall is going to do. I can depend on Leonard Marshall. Leonard Marshall can depend on me. I know what Harry Carson is going to do. I know what Brian Kelley's going to do. I know what the safety is going to do. I know what everybody is supposed to be doing in order to make our team, our defense, jell as one unit. So, you've got to know your position. If I do my job right, guess what? He becomes a better player. The guy beside me becomes a better player if I do my job right. See, I love the game of football. I wish I could still play, but I'm too g------- old. I can't do it no more. And you've have got to be one big unit, one unit. You work together. You play together. We used to go on Tuesdays, we'd go out together, meet at some restaurant and go over our plans and stuff like that so we can play as one unit. The New York Giants defense, man, we've got to do our job and go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs and have some fun. That's what I'm talking about. That's it for me."

Justin Tuck, May 22

Games as a Giant including postseason:137

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 30

"When I think about Giants, when I think about our defense and our offense but I'm more talking to our defense, I think about identity. What is your identity? What are you guys going to [do]? What is the opponent going to say about you? Because all you guys are fast. All you guys are strong. But guess what? Philadelphia's got fast and strong guys. Dallas has got fast and strong guys. What is going to separate you from the teams that you guys are going to see? Michael Strahan set a precedent. Osi Umenyiora set a precedent. Eli Manning set a precedent. Our standard had to be here. Whatever the standard is that you guys set, if the other 53 don't meet it, start the f------ practice over. Because if you keep up that, you've lost a day. Philly is not losing a day. Commanders are not losing a day. Cowboys are not losing a day. If you lose a day, I don't give a damn what you do on Sunday. It ain't going to show up. The standard that you set on this field, on those fields right there, that's what happens on Sunday. Because there's going to come some times as brothers, as men, that you're going to be in a battle. Sometimes there's going to be a guy next to you wavering. And you might be the guy wavering. Who's that guy in this locker room guys that's going to be able to know how to trigger you. I knew what triggered Davis Baas. I knew what triggered JPP. You ask me anything about Osi Umenyiora, I can tell you right now. That's what this is about. That's what separates all these teams that have talent, have speed, have strength, have good schemes. Have an identity for what it is that you want to be not as an individual, as a team. It's about us. It's not about me. So, gentlemen, have an identity. Practice you're a-- off. Practice should be so much harder than games. And then know your teammates. Know what's going to trigger them. Know what's going to put them back in that mode of, man, like when you've gotten punched in the mouth, how can I go pick that guy up? Get in here, guys. Listen, man, team on three."

Howard Cross, May 28

Games as a Giant including postseason:217

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 88

"First things first. Let's talk about home field. Never, ever let nobody come in your yard, nobody come in your house, nobody come anywhere. If you've got kids, you know. You protect your kids with your life. That's what this place is. It's your family. Don't' let them come up in here and do nothing. It means a lot to me when I watch you guys play. Never, ever. Second thing, the way I learned football is from this guy named Mike Shula. Mike Shula was my college quarterback. He taught me to study film. It became the most important thing I did. I know more stuff about more players when I played from the way they stood, what made them move back, what made them move forward. I studied everything about them in college. I did the same thing in the pros. I knew everything about every player I ever played against. Study at all times. If you don't know your stuff, then go home. It's the most important f------ you're doing right now. Last thing I'm going to say, remember I'm telling you this, you go to a lot of organizations all over the league, guys, if they chose you, they brought you here, ain't nothing more important than being here. I played 13 seasons. I missed one game. Nothing meant more to me than putting on my uniform and playing. I graded out at 90 percent or better every game I played in. And I played against everybody. My house, my place, my team. You never, ever let anybody come in your house, you study your s--- and you take pride in wearing your stuff. I want to see it, man. Go Giants, boy."

Ottis Anderson, June 1

Games as a Giant including postseason:90

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 51

"You guys are part of a unique family right now. You guys are all pros. It's easy to be a pro, but can you be a professional? See, that's the tricky part about all of this here. Can you be a professional? See, now to me, a pro is he's happy. He's on the team. 'Hey, I'm a pro! Hey, all my friends, everything, I'm a pro!' But a professional, he thinks differently. He thinks about God, family, team, and league. You represent a big family, just not your immediate family, this here. This is the game that when you were little wanted to play and wanted to be good at. And you made it to this level. You know how many people don't make it to this level? That's why when you're out here, you've got to take advantage of every opportunity. You want to be the best of the best. And you need to take advantage of it. You need to understand that when you're out here, it's all about work. A professional, to me, he's not going to be that player that's going to cost you 15 yards. He's not going to be that player that's going to get in a fight on the field. That's just my take on what a professional is. He's somebody who's going to think about, hey, it's not about me. It's about team. That's the Giant way. That's the Giant way. And last but not least, what do you think the NFL stands for? Not For Long. You better understand that. And I tell all the players that I talk to, alumni, the players that I see around, I say you will be alumni longer than you will be a current player. You're going to be on this side one day. Don't know when. But one day. So, you're here now. Take advantage of it. Giants on three."

Tiki Barber, June 2

Games as a Giant including postseason:161

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 14

"What it takes to be a Giant is one thing. That's effort. Work your a-- off every day. It's what the coaches demand. It's what your fans will demand. That's work you're a-- off. If you work hard and you fail, they'll forgive you, right, as long as you get back up and do it again. But what it means to be a Giant is something very different. This is a historic franchise, and when you guys put these uniforms on to play on a Sunday afternoon, you're one of about 2,500 that have done this in 100 years. And that means something, especially when you consider that most organizations aren't a family. The Giants literally are a family. There's a history that connects all of us for generations, right? Going back to Frank Gifford. He used to come around when I was young and give me advice about living in the city or what it took to be a Giant or what you're going to learn when you have success in this town. The Lawrence Taylors, who was out here a couple of weeks ago talking to you guys, when you put on your uniform and you become great as a New York Giant, you start stepping in those guys' footsteps. All of those guys support you. I support you. Former Giants support you. You are standing on our shoulders. And when you become a part of that, you become something special. The New York Giants are different than any organization. I know the success hasn't been here recently, but this organization is different. With the eight championships, four of them Super Bowls, you've got to believe that's what your goal is. It's what your destination is. It's where your journey is going to leave you. The only thing that you can do is give it your best. If it's not good enough, someone else will come do it. But give it your best because that's what this city, that's what this organization, demands. And history tells you, if you do it well, you'll be remembered forever. So, good luck to you guys. I'll be watching from near and from far. I'm excited for this team. You guys have got a lot of great players here, a lot of great opportunity, and I want to see it come to fruition. Giants on three."

Brandon Jacobs, June 3

Games as a Giant including postseason:118

Giants' Top 100 Players Ranking:No. 69

"When I was here, we prided ourselves on being tough, physical. But another thing we really prided ourselves off of is taking accountability for when you mess up something. The same guy wearing the same jersey as me, they were able to correct me when I was wrong. If your teammate can run and jump on you for something, you've got to take it. You've got to put your ego aside and you've got to take it and you've got to get better. You've got to get better every day. So, what we always wanted to do here is we wanted to compete against the defense and we wanted to hold each other accountable. But at the same time, we wanted to encourage each other. Just continue to encourage each other. Continue to have the discipline. This s--- got to mean something to you. This s--- got to mean something to you. A lot of you guys worked hard to get to this point. You've worked since you were 6 or 7 years old to get where you are now. Make every moment count. Physicality, hard hat, lunch pail, knowing that it ain't going to be perfect but don't get down when it's not perfect. Life is not perfect. I know a lot of you guys know that. A lot of you guys go in schools and have these same conversations. But we've got to get back to where we used to be. We've got to get back to where we used to be. And it's up to y'all. Ultimately, your coach can coach you and they can put you in a good situation, but you all got to do that s--- out there. Nobody else but y'all. New York Giants on me. New York Giants on three."

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