So Long, Sean!
-
- March
- 6
Well, even though it doesn’t impact the league like Brett Favre’s retirement announcement two days ago, this one should hit home for a lot of Giants fans. Punter Sean Landeta, a Giants fixture from 1985-93 before a short stint in 2006, formally called it quits today at age 46, 25 years to the day after he began his pro career with the Philadelphia Stars of the defunct USFL. Landeta becomes the last player to retire from that league.
But it was his Giants career he’ll be remembered for most of all. A straight-ahead punter, he was as reliable as the calendar, unless maybe you count that whiff in windy Chicago in that 1985 playoff loss. Give him credit, though. He always looked back on that in a typical good-natured manner.
He was one of the good guys in the locker room, too. Always there to answer a question, give an opinion, or offer some perspective. Very colorful guy who could recite the stats of every punter in the league.
Landeta leaves with an unmatched streak of 17 straight seasons with a punting average of 42 yards or better, and is second only to Rohn Stark on the NFL’s all-time list with a 43.3-yard career average. He was one of only eight players to be named to the All-Decade teams of the 1980s and ‘90s.
He still shows up at Giants Stadium, a lot grayer than in his heyday, but still with that great personality. He’s a guy who never took his career, or the benefits it afforded him, for granted.
“The Giants organization is where I spent most of my time as a professional,” Landeta said. “Their ownership, front office, and fans were so instrumental in many of the great things that happened to me then, and even to this day.
“To be part of two Super Bowl winning teams, with a franchise that has their history, is special to me.”
Landeta played with six NFL teams, but had been out of the league since a five-game stint with the Eagles in 2005. Now he’s hanging them up for good.
Pretty nice run.
Ciao for now.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 10:48 am by Ernie Palladino. 
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Ernie Palladino
Ernie – I still remember the fake punt call for a Giants first down in SB 21…Landeta went into motion as qb Jeff Rutledge got the yards over right guard.
I often wondered if Parcells had a play designed for Landeta to get the ball on a fake punt….??? maybe you could ask Sean if the team ever practiced a fake punt where he ended up with the ball.
one more question….does Landeta have the Giants record for most downed punts within the 5 yard line in a game? I know Feagles is great at getting the coffin corner, and he may indeed hold the Giants record in a game…. but I think Landeta did that feat an astounding 5 times vs the Rams in LA in 1990 ?
Russ:
Than’s an interesting question, the last one. I’m not sure, but with a coverage guy like Reyna Thompson, I wouldn’t be surprised. I also wouldn’t be surprised if most of those came far from the sideline, since Sean wasn’t exactly a directional guy like Feagles.
Had the pleasure of meeting Sean last year. Great guy and so easy to talk to.
I remember seeing him out at the bars in Pleasantville when the Giants held camp at Pace in the 80’s. I kid you not, Sean got better looking gals than anyone else on that team!