Lorenzo Carter

New York Giants News, 7/28 – A positive from training camp

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Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

While Golden Tate earned a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PES rules, others were actively participating in practice and refining their skills.

Tate released a statement saying the failed drug test was a result of fertility treatments he was undergoing. Several other players have used this excuse before to no avail — unable to avoid the pending suspension. This time around, it’s tough to say whether Tate will find his way around the league’s internal legal system.

Worst case scenario, he serves the four-game suspension and still participates in training camp and pre-season.

However, the bright spot on the Giants so far has been sophomore pass rusher, Lorenzo Carter. The former Georgia Bulldog looks ready to break out and have a dominant 2019 season. His quickness off the line of scrimmage has been impressive and an athletic interception off Eli Manning on a screen pass attests to that.

In his second season, Carter will be tasked with replacing the production of Olivier Vernon, a tall task but a possible one given Vernon’s injury history. I anticipate a big year from Carter based on what he’s shown us so far.

Nonetheless–

Your top Giants news of the day!

Michael Eisen (Giants.com) – Hog Mollies rejoice as Giants put on the pads

Terez Paylor (Yahoo News) – Possible 400-touch year awaits Saquon Barkley as injuries, suspension and no Odell Beckham Jr, loom large for Giants

Dan Salomone (Giants.com) – Who stood out Saturday at Giants Training Camp?

Steve Serby (NY Post) – Evan Engram is Giants’ best answer to receiving turmoil

Alexander Wilson (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: 3 wide receivers to replace Corey Coleman

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New York Giants: Training Camp From A Different Perspective

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The New York Giants‘ first official day of training camp was yesterday, July 25th. I live in Florida, but am currently on vacation visiting family in New York, so I was able to make it to the opening day of New York Giants training camp.

I was born and raised in New York, but I have been living in Florida for almost ten years now. I always have been and always will be a die-hard New York Giants fan, so it was a really exciting opportunity for me to go to training camp.

This was my first time ever going to the New York Giants’ training camp, and it was fantastic. Rather than breaking down day one of practice today, I’ve decided that I’m going to share what this experience was like for me, a Floridian.

Feeling Giants Pride

There truly is no fan base in the world like Giants Nation. I live about an hour from the Miami Dolphins’ training camp, so I went to one practice last summer. Let me tell you, the fan representation was nothing compared to that of New York’s.

The line to get into the New York Giants’ training camp went out through the entire parking lot. It moved quickly, but I was still in line for about half an hour. Believe it or not, I showed up an hour early and the line was already that long.

Once I got inside the practice, I made my way to an already packed seating area and sat down to watch the Gmen get to work. Throughout the practice, Giants fans were loud and energetic and so excited to see their team back in action.

Giants fans received some unwarranted criticism last week from Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield subliminally said that Giants fans don’t show up to games, don’t care about the team, and don’t pack the stadium. This couldn’t be further from the truth.  This was not a game, it was training camp, and it was absolutely packed with fans happy to be there and full of care.

When Daniel Jones made a completion, you heard fans cheer like it was a touchdown pass on Sundays. When Lorenzo Carter made an incredible interception on a screen pass, Giants fans broke out into chants. As Saquon Barkley warmed up on the sideline, all you could hear was M-V-P chants for the best running back in the NFL.

Giants fans care. They care a lot. If you think any different, you are wrong. The Giants may not be one of the best teams in the league right now, but Giants Nation always has been and always will be absolutely filled with Giants Pride.

It Can Be Difficult To Interact With The Players

The players truly care about and appreciate all of the fans. The players are happy to wave at the fans and sign autographs. Unfortunately, the Quest Diagnostics Training Center does not make it too easy to do this.

This is the one area I would have to say that Miami does better than New York. Miami’s training camp allows you to get right up to the action with only one fence in the way. It gives fans the opportunity to chat with players and take selfies before and after practice. I was under the impression that New York would have a similar setup, but they, unfortunately, did not.

New York has the same type of single fence/gate around the practice field. But on top of that, they have a second set of fencing making it impossible for fans to get close enough to the players for a selfie. If you want to meet the players, you have to bring along a kid and head to the autograph zone.

They have an autograph zone in Miami, too, but not every player chose to go there or inside. Many of the players walked around the fencing and conversed with the fans. I wish that the Giants had the same opportunity, but the way that Quest Diagnostics is set up takes that opportunity away from the fans.

The Players Are Very Friendly

When you can finally manage to get near the players, they are so friendly. They are more than willing to sign autographs for every fan in the section. I managed to get into the autograph zone and meet multiple players who were all so appreciative of the fans.

Eli Manning must’ve signed 500 autographs today. He is a true class act. This is his 16th season in the league and he still takes the time to make sure every young fan has gotten his signature. Gotta love Eli.

His future successor, Daniel Jones, has continued to basically be a second-coming of Eli Manning. Daniel went through and signed autographs for every fan in the autograph section. He also took some time to chit chat with select fans and take pictures with whoever asked.

I was able to get a picture with Daniel Jones who was super kind and more than willing:

Overall, I had a great time at Giants’ training camp. It was a real treat for me, being that I live in Florida and only get to see the Giants every so often when they play in Tampa or Miami (luckily, they will be in Tampa this year, so I actually will get to see them again). It was great being surrounded by Giants fans and collectively watching our team sharpen iron with iron.

The team had a solid day of practice on both sides of the ball. I’m so happy that football is back and I can’t wait to watch Big Blue in action this season! Go, Giants!

New York Giants News, 7/26 – The good the bad and the ugly from training camp

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New York Giants, Eli Manning, Daniel Jones, Alex Tanney

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The start of training camp for the Giants didn’t go exactly as expected. Sterling Shepard fracturing his thumb surely won’t help in the development of the offense and his implementation, but he should be cleared prior to the start of the regular season.

Both Eli Manning and Daniel Jones looked shaky at times, but the rookie enjoyed some stellar throws, one of which was dropped in the endzone by Bennie Fowler. Manning looked in-shape and active despite throwing an ugly interception to Lorenzo Carter who made an athletic play on a screen to Saquon Barkley. This was a mistake a 16-year veteran cannot be making, simple as that.

Take a look for yourself below:

Overall, for the first day of training camp, there was some good plays and some very bad ones, just as expected. Moving forward, I expect to see both sides of the ball tighten up and progress steadily as the offseason moves along. Pre-season is only a few weeks away, so the team needs to come together quickly — luckily, a fair bunch have already played together for one season and the rookies are picking things up quickly.

One thing I was happy to see was the offensive line. The unit was built exactly as anticipated.

LT Nate Solder

LG Will Hernandez’

C Jon Halapio

RG Kevin Zeitler

RT Mike Remmers

This grouping should be far more effective for the Giants in 2019.

Nonetheless–

Your top Giants news of the day!

Pat Leonard (NY Daily News) – Daniel Jones has early jitters but Giants rookie QB finishes strong in first day of training camp

George Willis (NY Post) – Saquon Barkley is the face of the Giants now

Jordan Raanan (ESPN) – Giants WR S. Shepard out with fractured thumb

John Schmeelk (Giants.com) – Who stood out at Giants training camp?

Christian Morell (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: Breaking down the first practice and the bumps and bruises picked up along the way

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New York Giants: Could Lorenzo Carter Play Inside Linebacker?

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The New York Giants‘ defense was one of the worst in the NFL in 2018. The unit ranked 24th in the league allowing  371.4 yards per game. The Giants’ linebacker corps was one of the team’s biggest weak spots.

Alec Ogletree managed to put together a strong statistical season, but advanced stats and film reveal that he was less than impressive in 2018. He will need to improve in 2019 in order for the Giants’ defense to be better.

One main problem with the Giants’ linebackers is their poor play in pass coverage. Often times, the Giants get ripped apart by tight ends and running backs matched up against linebackers.

The Giants have a darkhorse candidate on their roster to fix that problem in their linebacker corps. Edge rusher Lorenzo Carter’s underrated coverage skills could make him a solid linebacker in the Giants’ struggling defense.

How Other Edge Defenders Have Transitioned:

Edge defenders are not typically known to have advanced coverage skills. Most edge rushers are given the role of strictly rushing the passer. This has been Lorenzo Carter’s role on the majority of his defensive snaps.

However, occasionally, edge defenders are asked to drop back into coverage, similar to an inside linebacker. This usually results in a mismatch in the offense’s favor as edge defenders typically have poor coverage skills.

But some edge defenders do not have poor coverage skills. Some are actually quite skilled in coverage. Anthony Barr is a prime example of a talented collegiate pass-rusher who transitioned to linebacker in the NFL thanks to his coverage skills.

Coming out of college, Barr was considered a top-ten talent for his pass-rushing abilities. His NFL.com draft profile by Nolan Nawrocki described Barr as “a highly disruptive, athletic specimen with the pass-rush potential to effortlessly emerge as a double-digit sack producer.”

We are five seasons into Anthony Barr’s career and he has only totaled 13.5 sacks with a season-high of 4. This has not hurt Anthony’s career at all though, because of his transition to linebacker. Barr is now one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL since transitioning to an off-ball position and proving himself to be a solid coverage linebacker.

Lorenzo Carter’s Underrated Coverage Skills:

Lorenzo Carter is very similar to Anthony Barr. Carter is a skilled young pass-rusher with tons of raw potential. Lorenzo totaled 4 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in his 2018 rookie campaign. He also recorded 43 combined tackles and 7 tackles for loss.

But Carter’s coverage abilities make him an extra special talent. Lorenzo started to prove himself to be a solid coverage guy in the 2018 preseason. According to Pro Football Focus, Carter had the top coverage grade (89.4) among edge defenders in the preseason with a minimum of 5 coverage snaps.

Lorenzo then continued to flash his great coverage abilities in the regular season. Pro Football Focus states that Carter finished the season with a coverage grade over 80.0. He was one of two rookie edge defenders to reach this threshold.

Carter’s most impressive game in coverage came against the San Fransico 49ers in week 10 of the 2018 season. Lorenzo Carter had himself a day against the 49ers. His 88.5 coverage grade on Monday Night was the highest coverage grade of any ED targeted at least twice in Week 10 (Pro Football Focus).

Lorenzo Carter has the size, length, and speed to match up against tight ends in coverage. He has been doing it since college:

Lorenzo Carter has tons of potential as a pass-rusher off the edge, so he should continue to play that position. However, the Giants’ linebacker corps struggles in pass-coverage. The Giants should start using Lorenzo Carter in coverage more often, moving him to inside linebacker occasionally to take advantage of his excellent coverage skills.

New York Giants News, 6/25 – Lorenzo Carter primed for big 2019

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New York Giants, Lorenzo Carter

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The Giants did very little to supplement the loss of pass-rusher Olivier Vernon this offseason. Drafting Oshane Ximines and signing Markus Golden, a player that hasn’t seen a productive season in three years, ultimately creates more question marks than bonafide answers.

However, one player that really intrigues me is Lorenzo Carter. Going into his second season, there’s reason to believe 2019 could be a breakout year for the former Georgia Bulldog.

After earning four sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and seven tackles for a loss last season, the expectations for the lanky pass-rusher have grown. His elite athleticism and bend around the edge give him a unique advantage, but he will need to further develop his moves to fully reach his potential.

The 2019 season should give him the perfect opportunity to show what he’s learned after a year of NFL experience. The Giants are hoping he can at least replicate the production of Vernon and the 11 games he played last year. If Carter could collect seven sacks, 21 QB hits, and five tackles for a loss, I would say it would have been a successful campaign.

Nonetheless–

Your Giants top news of the day!

Ed Valentine (Big Blue View) – Lorenzo Carter better be a breakout pass rusher

Bryan Perez (With the first pick) – Tiki Barber says Daniel Jones will be a star in New York

Mike Moraitis (Giants Wire) – Giants’ Tae Davis ready to slide into larger role

Kevin Patra (NFL.com) – Cody Latimer: Giants WR corps can be ‘dominant’

Anthony Rivardo (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: Can Janoris Jenkins Be A Shutdown Corner Again?

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Check out the best news from yesterday!

New York Giants News, 6/24 – Nate Solder healthy for training camp

New York Giants: Lorenzo Carter Is Ready To Make A Leap

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One of the New York Giants‘ biggest positional weaknesses is at the edge rusher position. The Giants knew this heading into the 2019 NFL Draft but passed up on the chance to draft elite pass-rusher, Josh Allen.

The Giants were in need of pass rushers heading into the 2019 offseason but ended up trading Olivier Vernon anyway. This leaves the Giants defense with a minimal number of talented pass-rushers. One pass-rusher that the Giants will need to improve is Lorenzo Carter.

Thanks to the Olivier Vernon trade, Lorenzo Carter will likely be placed in a starting role with the New York Giants. After flashing potential in his rookie season, Lorenzo Carter looks ready to make a leap in 2019.

Lorenzo Carter Stats And Highlights

Lorenzo Carter was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd-round (with the 66th overall pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Carter was an underrated prospect coming out of college and the Giants were lucky to get him in the 3rd-round.

Carter is a fast, uber-athletic edge-rusher. He demonstrated elite explosiveness at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, setting a record for the longest broad jump ever by an edge rusher at 10 feet and 10 inches. He also ran an impressive 4.5s 40-yard dash time.

Lorenzo Carter saw minimal playing time as a rookie, playing in 15 games but starting in only 2 games, yet he still flashed true potential. He posted a 65.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2018, which they consider being “above-average.” That was also one of the highest grades among rookie edge defenders.

Lorenzo totaled 4 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in his 2018 rookie campaign. He also recorded 43 combined tackles and 7 tackles for loss. Additionally, Carter played surprisingly well in pass defense, finishing the season with 4 pass breakups.

These statistics are even more impressive when considering that Carter was held to playing only 40 percent of defensive snaps last season. That percentage is likely to increase drastically in the 2019 season. Lorenzo Carter will take a leap as a starter on the Giants’ defense this season.

New York Giants: DC James Bettcher Talks About Young Defense

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New York Giants, James Bettcher

With the second mandatory minicamp practice in the books, we can see slightly more about the current state of the New York Giants. The team’s defense is young this year following the departure of a number of veteran players including Landon Collins, Olivier Vernon, and Damon Harrison, but so far through the first two days, it’s been getting praise. That’s not just from head coach Pat Shurmur but from James Bettcher, the team’s defensive coordinator.

“They are working extremely hard and doing everything they are asked to do. Very aware of things they need to improve on,” Bettcher said about the team’s young players up front. “I think I said it before, we are really big on writing prescriptions for our players. The thing they individually need to improve on, we include our players in those conversations as well.”

Bettcher also claims that some of the more inexperienced players from last season are moving into a different role after picking up that experience. “When you talk about two or three of those guys that are young but not young anymore, they are veteran players. B.J. is a veteran player now. He played a full season and he started games, he is a veteran player now. Those guys are really aware.”

“When you see him rush, a year ago he was trying to get off the ball as quick as he could and use his hands when he could. Now, you see a guy that is aware of how he wants to rush, aware of techniques that he wants to rush with,” Bettcher also said on the subject of outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter. “The second thing, he is practicing as hard as anyone on the field right now. He is running around and has been a great example that we have been able to show defensively of just straining and effort, finish.”

Lorenzo Carter is expected to have a larger role this season with the departure of Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns. With Vernon having a disappointing season last year, the expectations are on Carter to give the Giants better performances from the position.

Training camp will begin near the end of July after minicamp is over, which means there’s still time for players to learn and grow this offseason. However, it’s mostly been smooth sailing so far.

New York Giants: 3 biggest position battles of 2019

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New York Giants, JJ Watt

As the New York Giants progress through the OTA period, position battles are starting to catch fire and some unexpected ones have taken shape. The defense will be one of the more prominent units full of competition and opportunity, as the amount of rookies and younger players has increased exponentially this offseason.

Adding players like DeAndre Baker, Julian Love, Jabrill Peppers, Corey Ballentine and more, have made the outcome of the starting team a bit more murky, which is a positive thing.

Nonetheless–

New York Giants top 3 position battles:

1.) No. 2 cornerback spot

The assumed No. 1 corner for the Giants is Janoris Jenkins, but the second spot opposite the veteran is the position up for grabs. Heading into pre-season it was expected the DeAndre Baker has the starting job all but locked up, however, 2019 Supplemental Draft pick Sam Beal has shown he can compete at a high level.

Beal has shown his range and ability in coverage thus far in OTAs, tipping a pass with his recently surgically repaired shoulder that resulted in an interception by Peppers. This will be one of the more exciting battles of the early summer, as the two are fierce competitors with solid attributes.

2.) Pass rusher

Some might have Lorenzo Carter and Markus Golden penciled on the defensive line, but I’m not so quick to give them the starting jobs. The Giants recently drafted pass-rusher Oshane Ximines out of Old Dominion. Coming from a small school certainly doesn’t present the best chances in terms of an immediate impact for Ximines, but he has proved to be quick and active so far in camp.

Oshane has advanced moves for a product of a smaller school – GM Dave Gettleman was especially impressed with his counter-punch. I expect Carter to earn a starting role, but Golden is three years removed from his best season, a 12.5 sack effort in 2016. He’s coming off a significant knee injury and shouldn’t be considered a starter just yet, Ximines could steal the job with a bit of development.

3.) Right tackle

Mike Remmers was recently signed to a one-year deal to solidify the right tackle position for the Giants. I do not consider him the legitimate starter until he has proven that his surgically repaired back isn’t a hindrance to his abilities. Chad Wheeler was the starter at RT last year and will fight for his right to stay put.

I expect both Wheeler and Remmers to battle it out over the course of the summer. “Big George” out of Kentucky could also be in the mix, but I believe he will need a bit more development before he can withstand premium NFL edge-rushers.

It’s fair to remember, though, that Remmers was forced to play out of position with the Minnesota Vikings, so returning to his natural spot at right tackle should help him find his normal self.

The New York Giants Should Sign This Young Pass Rusher

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Should the New York Giants look into linebacker, Shane Ray?

The New York Giants had one of the league’s worst defenses in 2018. The defense ranked 24th in the league, allowing 371.4 yards per game. Their pass rush was one of the league’s worst, ranking 30th in the NFL with only 30 total team sacks.

Despite this, the Giants did not really commit to improving the pass rush in the 2019 offseason. They only drafted one pass-rusher, Oshane Ximines, in the 2019 NFL Draft. It looks like the team will rely heavily on the young, unproven duo of Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter.

However, there is still a solid, young option in free agency if the Giants want to add more potential pass-rushers to this defense.

Shane Ray Stats And Highlights

Shane Ray was a 1st round pick for the Denver Broncos in 2015, but he never panned out in Denver. The team decided to part ways with Shane Ray this offseason, thanks to the addition of Bradley Chubb in 2018.

Ray never reached his full potential in Denver. He has never started 16 games in a season and has only played in 16 games one time. Interestingly enough, in that one season (2016) where Shane Ray played all 16 games, he recorded a career-high sack total with 8 sacks on the season.

In 2018, Shane Ray did not start a single game for the Broncos. He only played in 11 games. It is hard to tell whether Shane Ray’s lack of playing time and production is his own fault or the fault of the Broncos.

Shane has had some injury troubles in his career, but that is not the only reason his playing time has been limited. The Broncos already have talent at Shane Ray’s position. Extreme talent. Von Miller is one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers and it would be silly to give him less playing time for anyone, let alone Shane Ray.

Shane Ray would not be a full-time starter with the Giants. Instead, he would be a situational pass-rusher. For example, on passing downs, such as third and long, the Giants could put in Shane Ray instead of a run-stuffing lineman and have a little bit extra pass rush.

He never reached his full potential in Denver, but he did flash it every so often. Shane Ray is a speedy edge rusher that can throw a strong bull-rush in the mix at any time. The Giants should sign Shane Ray as a situational pass rusher to give them an edge in the critical moments of close games.

New York Giants: Lorenzo Carter Gives Take On Sacks, Drafting Pass Rusher

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The New York Giants were an objectively bad team in the pass rush department last year. They managed to finish 31st in the league in sacks and the only team that had a worse number was the Oakland Raiders, who finished with 13.

Jason Pierre-Paul being traded was something that had to happen, but replacing that production was something that the Giants couldn’t pull off in one year. And of course, Olivier Vernon was largely a disappointment as a pass rusher, even when not missing time with injury.

But one player on the defensive line believes that the team’s sack problem is something that’s being over-analyzed. That player happens to be Lorenzo Carter, who himself contributed four sacks during a good rookie season last year.

“There were not a lot of NFL sacks out there and if we draft someone, that won’t increase the number of NFL sacks either. It doesn’t matter. I don’t think about stuff like that. I just think about how I can make myself and my team better,” Carter told reporters when asked about the possibility of the Giants adding another pass rusher in the draft, one which could end up competing with him at outside linebacker.

“Sacks are going to come. Sacks are the things that people over analyze and like to look at a lot. If we play the way we are suppose to play and work fast and hard, it is going to come. Everything will fall into place. I am not worried about trying to add sacks to the team. It will come,” Carter restated.

Carter also claims that the actual talent on the Giants roster is better than what outsiders are predicting. “People on the outside think that, but I know what we have. I am in the locker room and the gym with these guys. That is why it is so busy getting back into the building with these guys. It is nice to see that everyone has been working. No one has really taken time off.”

But optimism and feel good sentiments about the locker room didn’t help the Giants out before Pat Shurmur’s debut season as head coach, when many fans and players were confident about making a turnaround from the disastrous McAdoo era. We’ll just have to wait and see if things turn around this season, but if Lorenzo Carter is to be believed, the defense isn’t the area of the team that needs work desperately.