For the first time in over a decade, the New York Giants are playing to their strengths. It was the defensive line that played a pivotal role in each of their last two Super Bowls, and they’re returning to that formula. Year 2 of Shane Bowen’s defense boasts an improved secondary following the additions of Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo, but Big Blue is poised to maul up front.
Bowen’s scheme preaches speed and defensive versatility, and now the front line has a surplus of juice.
It’s hard not to salivate about New York’s best defensive line since the days of Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umeniyora. It’s their best unit on paper since those days, but it’s just that: on paper. The G-Men tied for eighth in the league with 45 sacks last season, and added first-round rookie Abdul Carter, who has looked like a man amongst boys in camp.
Bowen’s unit will also return Dexter Lawrence following his season-ending elbow injury and a contract year for Kavon Thibodeaux. Throw in the signings of veterans Roy Robertson-Harris and Chauncey Golston, and the selection of Toledo’s Darius Alexander in the third round of the 2025 Draft.
Even with those improvements, eyes should remain fixated on the here and now, not potential.
In spite of media hype often calling the group arguably the NFL’s best defensive line, one of the team’s stars is preaching patience. Brian Burns doesn’t want the fans to get too caught up in the buzz, because we’re still over a month away from Week 1 in our nation’s capital.
Brian Burns isn’t satisfied with potential, he’s clamoring for results
“We look great on paper, but we ain’t do sh*t yet,” the two-time Pro Bowler told Giants.com’s Madelyn Burke. “Nobody’s entitled to whatever hype that we do have.”
It’s a reality check from a guy who’s been through plenty of August hype tweets that didn’t translate to wins. After all, the 27-year-old pass rusher spent the entirety of his rookie contract in Carolina. By now, he knows potential doesn’t win games — production does.
Entering his second season in New York, the superhero fan will be tasked with leading the defense like some of his favorite comic book crime-fighters from his childhood.
But his words don't mean that the Giants won’t produce. Burns’ words could just serve as motivation from the room’s seasoned vet to motivate a young and hungry group.
Carter has looked like an MVP in Giants camp, and he should be ready to set up camp in the backfield by now. But he has been feasting against one of the league’s shakiest offensive lines (Andrew Thomas aside). After all, it is a bunch who surrendered 48 sacks last season– good for 11th-most in football.
The highly-touted pass rusher out of Penn State is still relatively new to being an EDGE rusher. Like another former Nittany Lion in Micah Parsons, he made the move from linebacker to defensive line to tap into his skill set at the NFL level.
Luckily, with upgraded coverage on the back end, the front seven could have even more time to get home.
But the real test comes Sept. 8 in Washington. Until then, the Giants will keep grinding to earn their flowers– and Burns will make sure no one crowns them prematurely. At least not until reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels gets a proper welcome in his sophomore campaign.