Bill Belichick names Giants great that was the 'one exception' to his rookie rule
Belichick served as Giants assistant coach from 1979 to 1990
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}For the first time in a long time, veteran NFL head coach Bill Belichick will be observing the draft from the sidelines, or rather, the broadcast booth.
On Wednesday, former NFL kicker Pat McCafee announced on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the former longtime New England Patriots coach would co-host their draft special airing next week on ESPN+.
Belichick, who famously served as both coach and general manager, gave viewers on Wednesday an insight into what his commentary in Detroit will look like.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Giants Harry Carson, #53, Lawrence Taylor, #56, and defensive coach Bill Belichick, center, celebrate their victory with a water bucket during a game against the San Francisco 49ers in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Jan. 4, 1987. (Photo by Jerry Wachter/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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Discussing how he would grade draft picks, Belichick explained that in his experience, he judged whether a player would be considered a bust or not within one to two years into their NFL career.
"Brady didn’t play his rookie year," he said. "You judge Tom Brady after his first year and you have literally nothing. You’re talking about the greatest player that’s ever played."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, Belichick did have one exception – New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor.
Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor attends a game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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"Lawrence Taylor was a different story. Lawrence Taylor from day one impacted the team, showed he was the best player on the field, way better than everyone else and [we] built a defense around him from that point going forward."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He continued, "It’s usually not day one of his rookie year. I would say Lawrence Taylor would be the one exception to that rule."
Taylor, the second overall pick in the 1981 draft, wasted no time in becoming an NFL superstar. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Year three times, including in 1986, when he was also named league MVP.
He led the league in sacks that year and finished his career as an eight-time First-Team All Pro with 10 Pro Bowl nods.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, #56, is shown sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Craig Erickson during their Sept. 12, 1993 game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played in 10 Pro Bowls and led the Giants to two Super Bowl championships. (MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Belichick’s praise of the Giants great comes amid reports of a possible reunion. He was an assistant coach for the Giants from 1979 to 1990 under Ray Perkins and Bill Parcells before he took over as the Cleveland Browns head coach in 1991.
After not landing a job following his departure from New England, Belichick has not said if he is stepping away from coaching for good.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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