2001 New York Giants season | |
---|---|
Owner | Wellington Mara Robert Tisch |
General manager | Ernie Accorsi |
Head coach | Jim Fassel |
Home field | Giants Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 7โ9 |
Division place | 3rd NFC East |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | G Ron Stone DE Michael Strahan LB Jessie Armstead |
Uniform | |
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The 2001 season was the New York Giants' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and the fifth under head coach Jim Fassel. They were returning as Super Bowl runners-up from the 2000 season, after losing Super Bowl XXXV to the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants tried to improve on their 12โ4 record from the previous year, instead they finished 7โ9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. However, Michael Strahan was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2001 season. He broke the NFL single season sack record with 22.5, surpassing Mark Gastineau's total of 22, by sacking Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers at Giants Stadium in the final regular-season game. Following the season, defensive coordinator John Fox left to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, a team he would take to the Super Bowl just two years later.