The New York Giants season was the franchise's 69th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first under head coach Dan Reeves, who was hired by the Giants after being fired by the Denver Broncos in the off-season.
The Giants were looking to improve on their 6–10 mark from the previous year under former head coach Ray Handley and return to the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXV in January 1991. Under Reeves’ watch, the Giants did exactly that, finishing with an 11–5 record and qualifying for the playoffs as one of the three Wild Card teams in the NFC. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings at home 17–10, but were soundly defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 44–3 in the Divisional Playoffs.
After the season, star linebacker Lawrence Taylor announced his retirement from football. As Taylor was playing out his final season, another Giants defensive stalwart was entering the league; 1993 saw the debut of Texas Southern defensive end Michael Strahan in the team's lineup.
1993 was also the last season for veteran Giants quarterback Phil Simms; he was released following the season and after entertaining offers to continue his career, Simms elected to retire in 1994.
Offseason There was some significant roster turnover from 1992. Among the departures were veteran linebackers Carl Banks, who joined the Washington Redskins, and Pepper Johnson, who joined the Cleveland Browns; defensive end Leonard Marshall, who joined the New York Jets; and Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis Anderson, who retired.
Another major roster turnover move was at the quarterback position, which had been in flux since the end of the 1990 season. After Simms went down to an injury, Jeff Hostetler took over for him and led the Giants to their second Super Bowl victory. Handley had chosen Hostetler over Simms in 1991 to become the starter, but Simms eventually won the job back after Hostetler himself suffered an injury. Simms again assumed the position in 1992, but once again suffered a severe injury pressing Hostetler back into duty. Injuries also befell Hostetler, who recorded a winning record despite the team's 6-10 finish. When the season ended and Reeves took over, he chose Simms as his starter and Hostetler was released Smith, Timothy W. FOOTBALL; Giants Tell Simms That He's The Boss, The New York Times, June 16, 1993, accessed March 22, 2007.
Additions SubtractionsLB Michael Brooks (Broncos) QB Jeff Hostetler (Raiders)WR Mark Jackson (Broncos) LB Carl Banks (Redskins) LB Pepper Johnson (Browns) DE Leonard Marshall (Jets) RB Ottis Anderson (retired) CB Reyna Thompson (Patriots) WR Mark Ingram Sr. (Dolphins) DE Eric Dorsey (retired) P Sean Landeta (Rams)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents + 1993 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeHassan BaileyDefensive backKansasWalter BaileyDefensive backWashingtonWillie BeamonCornerbackNorthern IowaSteve BrannonDefensive endHamptonEric BruunPunterPurdueKeith CrawfordWide receiverHoward PayneJamie CrysdaleCenterCincinnatiTico DuckettRunning backMichigan StateBrian FoxQuarterbackFloridaJerold JeffcoatDefensive tackleTempleBrian KozlowskiTight endUConn
Personnel
Staff 1993 New York Giants staffHead coaches Head coach – Dan Reeves
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – George Henshaw Running backs – George Sefcik Wide receivers – Dick Rehbein Tight ends – James Daniel Offensive line – Pete Mangurian Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Mike Nolan Defensive line – Earl Leggett Linebackers – Don Blackmon Defensive backs – Zaven Yaralian
Special teams coaches Special teams – Joe DeCamillis
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Al Miller Asst.strength and conditioning/ offensive quality control – Kerry Goode
Roster
Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 at Cincinnati Bengals W 27–16 1–0 Riverfront Stadium 2 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–23 1–1 Giants Stadium 3 New York Jets W 14–13 2–1 Giants Stadium 4 at Miami Dolphins L 17–23 2–2 Joe Robbie Stadium
Regular season Simms started all 16 games in 1993, being one of only seven quarterbacks to do so, and led the Giants to a resurgent 11–5 season including a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs., databasefootball.com, accessed May 9, 2007. However, Simms underwent shoulder surgery after the 1993 season to repair a torn labrum. The surgery was successful, and team doctor Russell F. Warren's prognosis for recovery was excellent, and Simms was expected to be ready in time for training camp.PRO FOOTBALL; Simms's Surgery Goes Well, The New York Times, March 2, 1994, accessed 2007-01-01. However, later during that offseason, Simms was released by the Giants, and subsequently decided to retire. The Giants offense was coming off a sub-par 1992 season, so Dan Reeves and offensive coordinator George Henshaw added and adjusted schemes. The emphasis remained running the ball as the Full House and Power I formations were installed. Rodney Hampton and Phil Simms both made the pro bowl, each the driving force behind the offense. The Defense returned to its dominant ways; allowing an NFL-best 12.8 points per game, or 205 points all year. Lawrence Taylor would join Simms in retirement after the season, ending an era. The Giants finished the 1993 season first in overall defense and rushing offense.
The Giants played the Dolphins in Miami for the first time on December 5, only the fourth meeting between the clubs since the AFL-NFL merger. New York was scheduled to be the opponent for the Dolphins' first regular season game at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, but that game was cancelled by a players' strike.
The Giants qualified for the playoffs on December 12 with a win at Giants Stadium against the Colts, 35 years after the two teams met in "The Greatest Game Ever Played". However in week 18, the Cowboys and Giants met in the Meadowlands to conclude the regular season with huge stakes. The winner would win the NFC East and have home-field advantage as the NFC's #1 seed and have a week off, while the loser would have to play an extra week and host a wild card game against the Minnesota Vikings as the NFC's #4 seed. The Giants lost to the Cowboys 16–13 in overtime, making their road to the Super Bowl much harder.
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 5 at Chicago Bears W 26–20 1–0 Soldier Field Recap 2 September 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–7 2–0 Giants Stadium Recap 3 September 19 Los Angeles Rams W 20–10 3–0 Giants Stadium Recap 4 Bye 5 October 3 at Buffalo Bills L 14–17 3–1 Rich Stadium Recap 6 October 10 at Washington Redskins W 41–7 4–1 RFK Stadium Recap 7 October 17 Philadelphia Eagles W 21–10 5–1 Giants Stadium Recap 8 Bye 9 October 31 New York Jets L 6–10 5–2 Giants Stadium Recap 10 November 7 at Dallas Cowboys L 9–31 5–3 Texas Stadium Recap 11 November 14 Washington Redskins W 20–6 6–3 Giants Stadium Recap 12 November 21 at Philadelphia Eagles W 7–3 7–3 Veterans Stadium Recap 13 November 28 Phoenix Cardinals W 19–17 8–3 Giants Stadium Recap 14 December 5 at Miami Dolphins W 19–14 9–3 Joe Robbie Stadium Recap 15 December 12 Indianapolis Colts W 20–6 10–3 Giants Stadium Recap 16 at New Orleans Saints W 24–14 11–3 Louisiana Superdome Recap 17 December 26 at Phoenix Cardinals L 6–17 11–4 Sun Devil Stadium Recap 18 January 2, 1994 Dallas Cowboys L 13–16 (OT) 11–5 Giants Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 5: at Buffalo Bills
Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: vs. New York Jets
Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints
Week 17: at Phoenix Cardinals
Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Standings
Postseason
Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap Wild Card January 9 Minnesota Vikings (5) W 17–10 1–0 Giants Stadium Recap Divisional Round January 15 at San Francisco 49ers (2) L 3–44 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap
Game summaries NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Minnesota Vikings
A howling, gusting wind dominated the game as both teams could only score with the wind. However, the Giants managed to score two touchdowns, both by running back Rodney Hampton in the third quarter, to pull ahead for good.
This was both the first playoff game and the first playoff win for the Giants since Super Bowl XXV.
NFC Divisional Round: at (2) San Francisco 49ers
49ers running back Ricky Watters rushed for 118 yards, caught 5 passes for 46 yards, and scored an NFL playoff record 5 touchdowns as San Francisco crushed the Giants, 44–3. This was the final NFL game for both Giants legends Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.
See also List of New York Giants seasons
References
External links 1993 New York Giants at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1993 New York Giants on jt-sw.com