Cover 3: Pick any team in Giants history for a ‘Hard Knocks’ documentary – 1986? 2007? 1956?

Matt Citak: For me, the clear answer here is the 2007 Giants. Where do I start? There is no argument that Michael Strahan is not only one of the greatest Giants, but he is also one of the most talented pass rushers in NFL history. But he looked like he was heading into retirement following the 2006 season when he didn’t report to training camp and missed the entire preseason. While we obviously know he showed up before the start of the season and played a crucial role in the Super Bowl run, this sort of storyline would be gold in a “Hard Knocks” documentary. But wait, there’s more. Strahan opted in for one final season with the Giants, but running back Tiki Barber decided the 2006 campaign would be his final hurrah in the NFL. The Giants’ all-time leading rusher ran for over 1,500 yards and topped 2,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his final three seasons. Barber left football while still in his prime, having made three consecutive Pro Bowls and reaching at least 1,670 total yards from scrimmage in six of his final seven seasons. His retirement left a void not only in the backfield, but in the locker room, as well. Fortunately for the Giants, the running back’s decision led to Eli Manning truly stepping up as a team leader.

This was merely the drama leading up to the regular season. The ’07 Giants began 0-2, losing both games by double digits, before ripping off six consecutive victories, the final one being a win in the NFL’s first ever game in London. A back-and-forth second-half of the season, ending with the thrilling 38-35 loss to the undefeated New England Patriots, resulted in the team finishing 10-6 and earning the No. 5 seed in the NFC. They went on to win three consecutive road games, including the NFC Championship in Green Bay, which was one of the coldest games in NFL history, to clinch a spot in Super Bowl XLII and a rematch against the heavily-favored Patriots. As we all know, the ’07 Giants completed what is still widely regarded as one of the greatest Cinderella stories in both NFL and professional sports history with their 17-14 victory over the Patriots, which prevented Bill Belichick and Tom Brady from finishing their perfect season. This also allowed Strahan to ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl ring in tow. It would be difficult to create a more appealing storyline for a season than that of the 2007 Giants.

As for who would narrate this documentary, I’m going with the combination of Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon. The famous HBO series “Entourage” originally aired from 2004-2011. Ferrara and Dillon, who played Turtle and Drama, respectively, in the hit series, are both big Giants fans. Given the popularity of the show at the time, it’s only fitting that the two narrate the franchise’s most magical season.