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What: “Blue Diamond: 75 Years of Giants Football” video.

Price: $19.95 (USA Home Entertainment/NFL Films).

As NFL offenses go, the 1999 New York Giants are closer to a lump of coal than a diamond. But there was a time not so long ago. . . .

“Blue Diamond” is the history (or at least as much of it as the producers could jam into 75 minutes) of what some consider the NFL’s showcase franchise, told through interviews, still photos and the archives of NFL Films.

The video blasts through the early years, and despite the lack of footage, there are plenty of interesting details, such as:

* In 1925, the NFL sold the rights to the New York franchise for $500 to legal bookmaker Tim Mara, who said, “An empty store with chairs in it is worth more than $500 in New York.”

* Jim Thorpe was one of the Giants’ first players, and they tried unsuccessfully to sign Red Grange. When that failed, they persuaded Grange to play in an exhibition, a 19-7 Bear victory that drew 70,000 to the Polo Grounds. (The byline on the newspaper clip from the game: Damon Runyon.)

Of course, the glory days of the late ‘50s, when stars such as Frank Gifford, Sam Huff and Charley Conerly were the kings of the city and Coach Jim Lee Howell was more-than-ably assisted by an incredible pair of coordinators--Vince Lombardi on offense and Tom Landry on defense--get heavy play.

Also well-represented is the Bill Parcells era, when the Giants won both of their Super Bowl titles. But success didn’t come easily. Quarterback Phil Simms candidly discusses his often rocky relationship with Parcells--he told Parcells, “Get me out of here!” when he learned Parcells had chosen Scott Brunner as the starter in 1983. And while linebacker Lawrence Taylor is (correctly) celebrated as the best Giant player, more attention should have been paid to his drug problems, which threatened to destroy Taylor and the team.

But for the the most part, the video does not gloss over the rough times--the 1966 team that allowed a record 501 points while going 1-12-1, leaving Yankee Stadium for New Jersey, “the 18 years of the five-year rebuilding plan” and “the Fumble” by Joe Pisarcik and Larry Csonka that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against the Eagles in 1978. That’s fitting, because success is best savored with the taste of failure on the tongue.

If there’s a New York football Giant fan on your Christmas list this season, stick “Blue Diamond” in his stocking. Beats the heck out of a lump of coal.