Giants legend Lawrence Taylor spoke to the team — or at least to its defensive players — on Thursday, as coach Brian Daboll‘s fourth (and perhaps final) group continues with spring workouts.
The Giants posted a video of the moment on Twitter. As Lawrence walked toward the front of the room to deliver his casual speech, he greeted players, and Daboll introduced him as “the greatest NFL player.”
“Hey, guys,” Taylor said to players as he walked by. “What’s happening?”
Then, from somewhere off camera, Daboll couldn’t resist making a wisecrack directed at his prized rookie pass rusher.
“Abdul, you know this guy?” Daboll said.
Everyone laughed.
Taylor smiled, stopped for a bit, turned to his right and shook Abdul Carter’s hand. Carter also smiled and chuckled.
Then Daboll introduced “Mr. Lawrence Taylor,” and Taylor spoke to the players from the front of the room.
Daboll’s wisecrack comes in the wake of Carter — an outside linebacker whom the Giants just drafted third overall, out of Penn State — attempting to wear Taylor’s retired No. 56 and then Phil Simms’ retired No. 11. (Carter wore No. 11 at Penn State, like Micah Parsons did.)
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Both Taylor and Simms (through a vote by his family) wisely said no. Carter will wear No. 51 — a decision he made before rookie minicamp.
Bottom line: Unretiring a retired number — as the Giants did last year, with No. 1, for prized rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers — is foolish.
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Darryl Slater may be reached atdslater@njadvancemedia.com.