The New York Giants wrapped up two days of joint practices with the New York Jets this week, offering a glimpse into the growth, grit, and depth of a defense eager to make its mark in the 2025 season. While much of training camp has been a steady grind, these inter-squad matchups brought intensity and situational pressure that tested players in ways standard camp drills can’t replicate.
Brian Burns: Perfecting the Craft
Outside linebacker Brian Burns emerged from the two-day stint with a renewed sense of purpose. Burns, now in his sixth NFL season, has long relied on speed and finesse to pressure quarterbacks. Yet, as he explained, he’s intentionally adding another layer to his game.
“I’m just trying to take my game to a level it’s never been,” Burns said. “That requires me doing things I never did. I’ve been working with Dex quite a bit, talking to Dex about how to manipulate body positions and try to use my length and power more, not just speed and finesse. That’s been good to me so far, so I’m going to keep working on that.”
Burns’ emphasis on fundamentals—body positioning, leveraging length, and reading the offensive line—illustrates his focus on becoming a complete pass rusher. While sacks are the tangible measure of success, he stresses the process over the results. “If I can harass [the quarterback] all day, I’d rather do that than get a free-bee sack,” Burns said. “You just need to handle your food that’s on your plate.”
Despite being slightly nicked up, Burns remained in full practice, a testament to his work ethic and leadership. “That’s the Florida in me,” he said. “If I can go, I’m going to go, until I can’t anymore.”
Abdul Carter: A Rookie Finding His Footing
Linebacker Abdul Carter, one of the Giants’ younger talents, has spent the past months learning the intricacies of a veteran defense. Working closely with Burns and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Carter is already showing an understanding of the nuances that make an elite front seven.
“Every day, every practice, they’re teaching me new things,” Carter said. “I’m just learning everything… building chemistry. That’s the most important thing.”
Carter’s growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. He credits Burns for his professionalism and work ethic. “If you want to pick a guy to watch in terms of how you practice, how you prepare, and just how you play the game, he’s a guy I’d say you watch,” Carter said.
The rookie also embraces his role as a disruptor, taking pride in unsettling quarterbacks. “That’s what they brought me here to do, so I take a lot of pride in that,” Carter said.
Daboll’s Take: Growth Mindset and Resilience
Head coach Brian Daboll highlighted the purpose of back-to-back joint practices: testing continuity, situational awareness, and the team’s ability to respond to challenges.
“You look to have a growth mindset, to get better the next day, build off positives, correct negatives, and compete,” Daboll said. “You’re going to go through ups and downs in the season, whether it’s a game or a series. The ability to respond is important. You focus on the next play, your assignment, fundamentals, and execution.”
Daboll also offered insight on player availability, noting that several key contributors—including wide receivers Jalin Hyatt and Beaux Collins, as well as offensive lineman Evan Neal—were back on the field. Others, like cornerback Deonte Banks and tight end Chris Manhertz, sat out due to minor issues.
The coach praised the young offensive linemen navigating position switches, particularly Marcus Mbow stepping in after Jermaine Eluemunor welcomed a new child into his family. “He’s acquitted himself well. He’s done a nice job picking up our information and communicating,” Daboll said.
Takeaways: Defense Building Identity
Across both days, a theme emerged: the Giants’ defense is committed to learning, adjusting, and improving. Burns’ refinement of technique, Carter’s growing comfort with his role, and the overall communication within the front seven point to a group ready to make an impact.
As Burns said, “True testament is Week 1. Preseason, practice, joint practice, all that’s cool, but when the bullets are flying for real and the spotlight’s on us, that’s when we need to show.”
The Giants’ preparation against the Jets has given them a chance to evaluate matchups, experiment with schemes, and test resilience in a controlled environment. For fans, it’s a sign that the defense is not only capable but motivated to take its play to a higher level.
Key Observations
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Brian Burns’ Technique Upgrade: Burns’ work on manipulating offensive linemen’s body positions has elevated his pass-rush efficiency.
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Abdul Carter’s Growth: Carter is increasingly comfortable in his role, showing better anticipation on run and pass plays.
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Communication in the Front Seven: Defensive cohesion continues to improve; players are adjusting faster to offensive audibles and shifts.
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Offensive Line Adaptability: Marcus Mbow’s seamless rotation into the lineup shows depth and preparedness.
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Resilience Under Pressure: Young players responded well to situational drills, signaling mental readiness for the season
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