‘Frustrated’ Dexter Lawrence ready to dig in as…
Don’t misread Dexter Lawrence’s frustrations.
Yes, he’s drained of dropping week after week and yr after yr, however it’s not a scenario analogous to different NFL stars who see altering groups as the answer to their issues.
In the center of an NFL Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season looking down quarterbacks, Lawrence is also trying to find the suitable buttons to push to get issues rotated for the Giants (2-6) — a mission that, if achieved, would strengthen his likelihood to be remembered as one of the franchise’s icons in the Ring of Honor.
Dexter Lawrence talks to the media after observe in East Rutherford, N.J. on Oct. 30, 2024. Bill Kostroun / New York Post
“I do see myself having my name up there,” Lawrence advised The Post. “That means more to me than getting traded. In this organization, anybody would want to have their name up there.”
A passionate Lawrence stated after the Giants loss Monday to the Steelers — which dropped his profession report when on the sphere to 30-57-1 — that he was “extremely frustrated.” It is simple for followers to draw a nervous parallel between these emotions and Davante Adams’ phrases earlier than forcing his method from the Raiders to the Jets.
Lawrence was noticed urging his defensive back teammates on the sideline to play tougher after a Steelers landing go that was ultimately negated by replay, however “shouldn’t have happened” in the primary place.
“I’m not frustrated with being here as a player,” Lawrence stated. “It’s more just knowing that we can win and we’re not winning. We have to get better at doing the little stuff.”
In the primary yr after the departures of mainstays Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney and Leonard Williams — and with Daniel Jones’ future unsure and Malik Nabers nonetheless a rookie — Lawrence has develop into the face of the Giants.
“I feel like Dex is understanding that his voice has to grow when before he was more action-led,” stated veteran defensive sort out Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who’s in his second yr taking part in alongside Lawrence after publicity to Buccaneers star Lavonte David.
“Some leadership comes through as, ‘I’ll lead, you guys follow.’ Some situations require more, and in that sense Dex understands that not only does he have to ‘do.’ He has to sometimes ‘say.’ Guys are going to listen to a guy who is doing great things when he is asking other people to do it.”
Najee Harris is tackled by Brian Burns (0), Dexter Lawrence II (97) and Micah McFadden (41) of the Giants during the second half at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 28, 2024. Getty Images
It has added new tasks to Lawrence’s plate, together with placing the suitable word between calling out cornerback Deonte Banks’ “unacceptable” effort on a couple of performs whereas concurrently letting or not it’s recognized that “I got his back.”
Banks was mysteriously benched by the coaches quickly after Lawrence’s frustrations boiled over during Monday’s recreation.
“You kind of earn the role as a leader, and a lot of guys have earned that role besides myself,” Lawrence stated. “In that moment … I was just passionate. That’s not the first time that I’ve raised my voice or yelled or anything like that. I was just trying to lead.”
Lawrence is signed to a $90 million contract by means of 2027 — and his play already is making it appear to be a cut price for the Giants. He leads the NFL in sacks with 9 regardless of getting double-teamed on almost two-thirds of his go rushes — the highest-rate in the NFL, in accordance to NextGenStats.
“He is a unique player,” defensive position coach Andre Patterson stated. “The thing that tips him over is that there are a lot of big, strong, long guys in the NFL that play his spot, but they don’t have the quick feet that he has to be able to catch up, get on top of a guy and still make his move.”
Seven defensive tackles have topped $90 million in the 17 months since Lawrence re-signed, back when the Giants have been coming off a journey to the playoffs.
Saquon Barkley and Dexter Lawrence speak after the Giants’ Week 7 loss to the Eagles. Noah Okay. Murray-NY Post
Figuring out how to get back to that place is high of thoughts. Not business.
“I believe in servant leadership,” Lawrence stated, “and that’s what I’m going to do until I can’t no more.”
But Lawrence is encouraging others to converse up, too. The Giants usually are not simply “his” crew.
“As competitors, this whole team wants to get it turned around,” Lawrence stated. “I don’t think it’s on me individually. It’s on everybody. That’s what’s been expressed in a way.”
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