EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Dexter Lawrence dealt with criticism from New York Giants legend Carl Banks very like he does undersized offensive linemen.
He brushed it apart as if it barely existed, utilizing brute power.
Banks, who at present works as a radio analyst for the Giants, was extraordinarily vital this week of Lawrence on his BLEAV podcast with play-by-play announcer Bob Papa. Banks’ feedback got here after New York’s 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, when Lawrence had three tackles and was credited with half a sack.
“Dexter Lawrence, no person respects you anymore. No one,” Banks stated, earlier than persevering with that the star defensive lineman wasn’t taking part in on the identical degree as earlier seasons.
Lawrence strongly disagreed with Banks’ evaluation, noting that numbers do not at all times inform the complete story and citing the speed at which he will get double-teamed. That alone spoke of the respect he receives.
“These are sturdy phrases,” Lawrence stated Wednesday when requested about Banks’ criticism. “That is how he feels? F— it!”
Lawrence is getting doubled at a league-high 74.9% price on his go rush alternatives this season. He was doubled-teamed at a 74.5% price final yr.
Banks received a pair of Tremendous Bowls as a linebacker with the Giants from 1984-92. It did not matter to Lawrence that these phrases got here from a participant with Banks’ pedigree.
Why not?
“He is delusional,” Lawrence stated.
Lawrence stated he thought he was taking part in effectively this season. He has 20 tackles, one for a loss, 0.5 sacks, an interception, 10 preliminary pressures and 4 quarterback hits. He has a go rush win price of 5.4% and run cease win price of 36.3% by means of eight video games.
The manufacturing would not fairly match the earlier season, when Lawrence had 44 tackles, 9 sacks, 18 preliminary pressures and 16 quarterback hits in 12 video games earlier than struggling an elbow harm.
Lawrence is not utilizing the elbow or a lightweight summer season workload as an excuse.
“My elbow isn’t a difficulty,” he reiterated on a number of events.
The double-team numbers appear to point that Giants opponents are nonetheless placing loads of sources towards blocking Lawrence, which opens issues for different gamers. Giants edge rusher Brian Burns is tied for the NFL lead with 10 sacks.
Line of defense coach Andre Patterson took exception a number of weeks again to the concept that Lawrence wasn’t having the identical affect he had up to now.
“Name our opponents. Name all people we play and ask them if Dexter Lawrence remains to be taking part in like Dexter Lawrence,” Patterson stated. “There isn’t any different D-lineman on this league that will get as many double groups as he does. Not even shut. He will get them on passing downs. The explanation that [Burns] is getting the manufacturing he is getting and [Abdul Carter] is getting the manufacturing he is getting is as a result of they’re placing two dudes on Dex.
“So we obtained two guys getting 1-on-1s as a result of they’re placing two guys on Dex. And in order a soccer participant, and what he does on Sundays, he is taking part in like Dex.”
It was curious for the cruel phrases about Lawrence to come back from a former Giants participant and present worker.
It took Lawrence and loads of the Giants’ gamers without warning that Banks, who’s within the staff facility on a reasonably common foundation, selected his podcast because the platform to air the criticism.
“I imply, as an in-house man, perhaps it is like a coded message the place he is attempting to gentle a fireplace below Dex, you understand what I imply?” center linebacker Bobby Okereke stated. “However for a man who works in-house, it would not take a lot to discover a man and have a dialog with him 1-on-1 or get his cellphone quantity and name him.
“So I do not essentially assume there’s any in poor health intentions with it. Possibly he is simply attempting to gentle a fireplace or in his personal approach inspire Dex. However Dex, like I stated, is an unbelievable professional, and if anybody must be vital of his play, I feel he’d be the primary one to step up and do this if it is necessary. So I feel Dex is doing an awesome job, clearly unbelievable chief for us, evokes loads of us and he’ll maintain being him.”
Lawrence, 27, has been named to 3 Professional-Bowl and two All-Professional groups in his seven-year profession. He as soon as had quarterback Aaron Rodgers, then with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, publicly declare him probably the greatest gamers within the league.
Now, he is maybe getting coded messages from a former participant resembling Banks. If the dearth of manufacturing this season finally means fewer double groups, Lawrence is all for it.
“For example this, I hope individuals begin attempting to disrespect me,” he stated. “For example that.”