New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence continues to show improvement

New York Giants rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence isn’t versed in losing consistently, considering his track record with Clemson and National Championship victory in 2018.

Lawrence knows how to win, but he, unfortunately, cannot play every position by himself. Elevating his teammates’ play and continuing to improve is the only way to help the efficiency of the defense moving forward.

“I mean I have lost before,” said Lawrence. “It’s just not to keep letting it happen. It has to stop somewhere. It just takes everybody believing, the whole team in all three phases, special teams, offense and defense, believing that we can win and believing in each other. Getting a team morale and just going out there and playing football.”

Finishing his Clemson career with a 41-3 record, he has almost matched his loss total in two games as a professional athlete. However, the deficiencies on the team don’t land on him but rather the secondary and pass rush. Lawrence has done his job quite well — drawing double teams and wreaking havoc in the trenches.

The New York Giants need to see more from Dexter Lawrence:

Despite earning just two solo tackles and three assists, Dexter’s influence has been present. The pass-rush has been the process, and while the Giants expected the massive defensive tackle to help in that facet, there’s only so much he can do in year one.

Last week, cornerback Janoris Jenkins threw the pass-rush under the bus, stating that he cannot cover receivers for 10-seconds and he needs more support. Players like Markus Golden, Oshane Ximines, and Lorenzo Carter need to answer the call. Not that the secondary hasn’t been the catalyst for failure, but every unit on the defense needs to improve…quickly.

The entire defensive line has been sluggish, and Dexter knows how prepared he is to take on NFL-level opponents, it just boils down to him executing on his expectations.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think I’m pretty prepared just from what I’ve been going against in practice in the offseason. Those guys got me ready for the regular season. I feel like it’s just me going out there and just proving it and showing it.”

Losing 28-14 to the Buffalo Bills exposed even more weaknesses on the Giants’ defense. Miscommunications, lack of effort, youth, were all present against a far lesser opponent comparable to the Dallas Cowboys. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offer a weaker opponent on Sunday, which should give players like Dexter Lawrence the opportunity prove their worth.