Call me ignorant about one’s self branding. To me a number is a number, but I get the journey Abdul Carter is on to figure out what number he will inevitably take.
The request for No. 56 by Carter was immediately stiff-armed by the immortal Lawrence Taylor and rightfully so. I outlined in a previous column here the insanity of the request, but I do see Carter’s point of view, it isn’t no until no is said.
Golik: Why Stephen A. Smith is Right On Abdul Carter Requesting No. 56
Then Carter saw a potential opening from former quarterback Phil Simms during Simms’ appearance on the Cousin Sal’s Winning Weekend when Simms openly said he wouldn’t mind Carter dawning the No. 11, saying “he hoped to make it better.”
Simms left a caveat saying it would need to “pass his family.” On Friday, Simms told New York Daily News writer Gary Myers that he was “outvoted by his family” slamming the door on Carter’s chances at No. 11.
I feel for Carter on many levels. I don’t feel Simms’ remarks were 100% genuine and Simms left that caveat in there to back out. I know his son Chris may back him up for it when he’s on Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio, I know that is what family is for. Ultimately, rewatching Simms’ posture on Cousin Sal, I will firmly believe he wasn’t ready to answer that question.
With that No. 11 and No. 56 out, what is Carter’s numbers targets? Let’s examine.
Numbers That Are 100% Out (Outside of No. 11 and No. 56):
No. 50 Ken Strong
No. 53 Harry Carson
No. 58 Carl Banks
No. 70 Sam Huff
No. 10 Eli Manning
No. 16 Frank Gifford
In the traditional numbering system the NFL instituted in 1973, linebackers are in the 50 to 59 range. No. 50 has been retired in honor of Ken Strong. Although the Giants have not officially retired No. 53, they should for Harry Carson.
Since Carson’s retirement in 1988, it’s been worn by several players – including former Penn State linebacker Brandon Short, who wore it for the Giants between 2000-2003. It is currently worn by linebacker Darius Muasau but Carter could pull strings but if he wanted to.
Similar situation with No. 58 for Carl Banks, who had an all time Super Bowl XXI performance and was as being named to the 1980’s NFL All-Decade Team. That number is currently worn by linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.I’ve always been perplexed that the Giants haven’t retired Sam Huff’s number, considering he was one of the most visible players in the 1950’s and key cog on six Giants teams that played for a NFL Championship between 1956 and 1963.
Another figure from Huff’s time that Carter should avoid requesting a number for is No. 16 – taking the 1 and 6 from 11 and 56 – that was worn by the versatile Frank Gifford. Gifford is in the same rare air as LT and for how iconic he was on and off the gridiron it wouldn’t work.
If Carter toiled with taking the No. 10, it was all-in-all worn by Crunch Bunch alum Brad Van Pelt, it has since been retired and worn by quarterback Eli Manning.
Top Number Targets
No. 4
No. 15
No. 55
No. 99
I feel like a politician at times when I talk about retired numbers – they should not be in circulation. Conversely, I do feel a Ring of Honor is appropriate to honor the immortals of your franchise while keeping numbers available for players so you don’t have a Carter situation.
I get the No. 4 is already retired for the Giants honoring fullback Tuffy Leemans, but it seems the Giants have given quarterback Russell Wilson No. 3, which was already honored for tackle Len Grant. The previous season the Giants unretired Ray Flaherty’s No. 1 for wide receiver Malik Nabers. When you begin to look at No. 0 is Brian Burns and No. 5 is Kayvon Thibodaux, it might make sense here for Carter.
While quarterback Tommy DeVito currently wears No. 15, DeVito has requested a trade since the drafting of former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round. Considering the Giants now have Wilson, Dart, and Jameis Winston on roster, I doubt the Giants will be retaining four quarterbacks.
Last is No. 99, while that is currently worn by veteran defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, I feel it could be traded for. The logic from a brand perspective is that it is the biggest number available in the biggest market. Mark Gastineau made it famous with the Jets, if Carter has the same presence the city would be filled with No. 99 jerseys.
