1994 New York Giants season

Last updated

1994 New York Giants season
Head coach Dan Reeves
Home stadium Giants Stadium
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd NFC East
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers None

The 1994 New York Giants season was the franchise's 70th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the second under head coach Dan Reeves. The Giants failed to improve on their 11–5 record from 1993 and finished 9–7 in 1994. [1] They were second in the National Football Conference East Division, three games behind the Dallas Cowboys. [2] [3]

Contents

In the 1994 NFL draft, the Giants selected wide receiver Thomas Lewis in the first round, with the 24th overall pick. [4] New York began the season with a three-game winning streak, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, and Washington Redskins. The Giants' first loss came in their fourth game, as the New Orleans Saints defeated them 27–22. [5] The next six games were also losses; after the Cardinals beat them 10–9 in week 11, New York's record was 3–7. [2] Against the Houston Oilers, the Giants snapped their seven-game losing streak by winning 13–10. The team won its next four games, moving into postseason contention following its second win over Philadelphia. In the final game of the regular season, against the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys, the Giants prevailed by five points, 15–10. They needed a Green Bay loss as well to make the playoffs; the Packers won their last game; ending the Giants' season. [5]

Rodney Hampton rushed for 1,075 yards and six touchdowns during the season; [2] he was seventh in the NFL in rushing yards in 1994. [6] The Giants' leading receiver statistically was Mike Sherrard, who caught 53 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns. Dave Brown started 15 of 16 games at quarterback, and threw 12 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. Defensively, Keith Hamilton and Erik Howard each had 6.5 sacks to lead the Giants, while John Booty and Phillippi Sparks each had a team-high three interceptions. [2]

Offseason

The Giants went through some roster changes after the 1993 season in free agency. Among the departures were Bart Oates, who was signed by the San Francisco 49ers; [7] Mark Collins, who the Kansas City Chiefs signed; [8] Myron Guyton, who joined former coach Bill Parcells with the New England Patriots; [9] and Perry Williams, who signed with the New York Jets. [10] Simms started all 16 games in 1993, being one of only seven quarterbacks to do so, [11] and was named a member of the Pro Bowl team for his performance, having led the Giants to an 11–5 season that included a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. [12] 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. Simms was expected to be ready in time for training camp. [13] However, later during that offseason, Simms was released by the Giants, and subsequently decided to retire. [14]

AdditionsSubtractions
S Jarvis Williams (Dolphins)QB Phil Simms (retirement)
S John Booty (Cardinals)LB Lawrence Taylor (retirement)
C Bart Oates (49ers)
CB Mark Collins (Chiefs)
S Myron Guyton (Patriots)
CB Perry Williams (Jets)

NFL Draft

1994 New York Giants draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
124 Thomas Lewis   WR Indiana
247 Thomas Randolph   CB Kansas State
259 Jason Sehorn   CB USC
395 Gary Downs   RB NC State
4128 Chris Maumalanga   DT Kansas
4Supplemental Tito Wooten   S Houston
5155 Chad Bratzke   DE Eastern Kentucky
6186 Jason Winrow   G Ohio State
      Made roster        Pro Football Hall of Fame     *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[15]

Personnel

Staff

1994 New York Giants staff

Front office

  • President/co-chief executive officer – Wellington Mara
  • Chairman/co-chief executive officer – Preston Robert Tisch
  • Executive vice president/general counsel – John Mara
  • Vice president/general manager – George Young
  • Assistant general manager – Harry Hulmes
  • Director of player personnel – Tom Boisture
  • Director of pro personnel – Tim Rooney
  • Assistant director of player personnel – Rick Donohue
  • Director of college scouting – Jerry Shay

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Al Miller
  • Asst. strength and conditioning – Kerry Goode

Roster

1994 New York Giants roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 3 reserve, 1 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenue
1July 30 Miami Dolphins L 19–200–1 Giants Stadium
2August 6 Cleveland Browns L 15–240–2Giants Stadium
3August 13at San Diego Chargers W 28–201–2 Olympiastadion (Berlin)
4August 20at New York Jets L 10–131–3Giants Stadium
5August 27at Chicago Bears L 21–271–4 Soldier Field

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1 September 4 Philadelphia Eagles W 28–231–0 Giants Stadium Recap
2 September 11at Arizona Cardinals W 20–172–0 Sun Devil Stadium Recap
3 September 18 Washington Redskins W 31–233–0Giants Stadium Recap
4 Bye
5 October 2at New Orleans Saints L 22–273–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap
6 October 10 Minnesota Vikings L 10–273–2Giants Stadium Recap
7 October 16at Los Angeles Rams L 10–173–3 Anaheim Stadium Recap
8 October 23 Pittsburgh Steelers L 6–103–4Giants Stadium Recap
9 October 30 Detroit Lions L 25–28 (OT)3–5Giants Stadium Recap
10 November 7at Dallas Cowboys L 10–383–6 Texas Stadium Recap
11 November 13 Arizona Cardinals L 9–103–7Giants Stadium Recap
12 November 21at Houston Oilers W 13–104–7 Houston Astrodome Recap
13 November 27at Washington Redskins W 21–195–7 RFK Stadium Recap
14 December 4at Cleveland Browns W 16–136–7 Cleveland Municipal Stadium Recap
15 December 11 Cincinnati Bengals W 27–207–7Giants Stadium Recap
16 December 18at Philadelphia Eagles W 16–138–7 Veterans Stadium Recap
17 December 24 Dallas Cowboys W 15–109–7Giants Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles01031023
Giants1477028

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals

Week 2: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants6140020
Cardinals370717

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT/6:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 87 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,066
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (TNT): Gary Bender and Pat Haden
Game information

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 3: Washington Redskins at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Redskins3170323
Giants1077731

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,298
  • Referee: Howard Roe
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 5: at New Orleans Saints

Week 5: New York Giants at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants3100922
Saints3143727

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 55,076
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Tim Green
Game information

Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 6: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings3714327
Giants0100010

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 7: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 7: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants730010
Rams1430017

at Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT/1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 40,747
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Game information

Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Steelers030710
Giants33006

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 9: Detroit Lions at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Lions26107328
Giants010015025

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,124
  • Referee: Gary Lane
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and Anthony Muñoz
Game information

Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 10: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants030710
Cowboys01421338

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,836
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
Game information

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals003710
Giants72009

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 71,719
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Tim Green
Game information

Week 12: at Houston Oilers

Week 12: New York Giants at Houston Oilers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants007613
Oilers007310

at Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 53,201
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
Game information

Week 13: at Washington Redskins

Week 13: New York Giants at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants777021
Redskins363719

at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Light rain, 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 43,384
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Tim Green
Game information

Week 14: at Cleveland Browns

Week 14: New York Giants at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants703616
Browns330713

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 56 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,068
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville
Game information

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals0731020
Giants0173727

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 45 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,530
  • Referee: Dale Hamer
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Paul Maguire
Game information

Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 16: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants0331016
Eagles733013

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly sunny, 44 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,540
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Week 17: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 17: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cowboys307010
Giants0102315

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,943
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and John Madden
Game information

Standings

NFC East
WLTPCTPFPASTK
(2) Dallas Cowboys 1240.750414248L1
New York Giants 970.563279305W6
Arizona Cardinals 880.500235267L1
Philadelphia Eagles 790.438308308L7
Washington Redskins 3130.188320412W1

References

  1. "New York Giants Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "1994 New York Giants". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  3. "1994 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  4. "History: 1994 – Round 1". National Football League. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Whittingham, Richard (2005). Illustrated History of the New York Giants. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 276. ISBN   1-57243-641-7.
  6. "1994 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  7. "Bart Oates Takes Big Pay Cut to Leave N.Y. and Play Center for San Francisco". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 16, 1994. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  8. "Chiefs sign Collins, a defensive back". United Press International. April 26, 1994. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  9. "Patriots sign free agent Myron Guyton". United Press International. February 28, 1994. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  10. Smith, Timothy W. (June 1, 1994). "Pro Football; Perry Williams Joins the Jets". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  11. "1993 NFL Passing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  12. Whittingham, p. 275.
  13. "Pro Football; Simms's Surgery Goes Well". The New York Times. March 2, 1994. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  14. Fennelly, John (February 9, 2021). "Retired Giants QB Phil Simms once considered a comeback with Bill Belichick". USA Today. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  15. "New York Giants NFL Draft History". National Football League. Retrieved April 2, 2010.