Dexter Lawrence pushing his teammates to get better

Don’t worry, New York Giants fans. Dexter Lawrence is okay.

The New York Giants’ star defensive tackle has been feeling sick with what he described as a bad cold or a little virus, but he states that he is “all good now.”

Lawrence spoke to the media following Friday’s practice. He talked about his goal to continue earning respect, how he goes about his daily business on the football field, what he does to help his offensive line improve, the style he didn’t expect from new teammate Brian Burns, and more.

Here are some of the highlights:

Continuing to earn respect

Those around the NFL know how valuable Dexter Lawrence is, as he’s regarded as a top-25 ranked player in the annual NFL Top 100 Players list for the 2024 season.

While Lawrence knows that he’s already respected by his peers, he knows that he must work hard to continue earning that same respect.

“You’ve got to keep earning that respect, and I think that’s what legends do. At this point, I want to keep earning those respects, and keep having people feel my dominance and see the type of player I am.”

Pushing others to improve

The Giants’ offensive line needs to improve in order for the organization to succeed, and Lawrence is pushing the players across from him.

“Just going out there and competing, not taking a day off. When I’m on the field or when I have plays out there, just attacking them and letting them feel what it feels like to give a block against a great player. I think that’s my role on this team, is to push everybody. I don’t want to be at the Pro Bowl by myself. That’s what I’ve been telling everybody. I wear some of my stuff, but I don’t want to be there by myself. I think the mindset for me is just to push everybody. If I’m on the field, run, push them. Just work hard and it translates to everybody.”

“He’s Spider-Man”

The Giants made a big-time addition this offseason as they acquired Brian Burns via trade with the Carolina Panthers.

With Burns in the mix, the Giants hope that he can help alleviate some of the attention that both Lawrence and fellow defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux draw from opposing offenses.

When asked about what Burns adds to the defense, Lawrence had some pretty interesting things to say about his new teammate.

“Just a lot of knowledge up front. He helps us all learn how to rush together and how to just be a dominant defense, really. He brings a mindset I didn’t think that he really had (laughs) to the defense. It’s this aggressive, attacking mindset. He’s flashy. He’s Spider-Man. I love this addition, and he’s going to be special.

“He’s a little flashy. I’ve known him for a while, but you don’t know somebody until they get in front (of you). You don’t know if you’re going to be a vocal guy, or you don’t know if he’s going to be in the shadows, but he’s really vocal, so that surprised me.”

Burns’ flashiness seems to have surprised Lawrence, as he didn’t expect his new teammate to be such a vocal leader, especially upon his arrival in East Rutherford.

Heir to the throne?

Aaron Donald, the player who had been regarded as the top defensive tackle in the sport, officially retired this offseason.

The question now is, who is next in line to be regarded as the best at the position?

Well, Lawrence can easily make a strong case for the title, but he doesn’t seem focused on people talking more about him more in this conversation.

“I wish I thought like that. I’m more of a ‘I got to do what I got to do,’ and then whatever I do is going to prove whether it’s worth it or not.”