It's no secret that defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence's season is off to a noticeable start; he's amassed three sacks over the course of five games and played nearly 90% of defensive snaps in the last two. Lawrence recently joined the Giants Huddle podcast to talk about his personal development within defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's scheme and what he considers to be the biggest challenge in facing the Baltimore Ravens this upcoming Sunday.
Lawrence first recapped his experience playing at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, encapsulated by his sack of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As Rodgers sought to increase his lead late in the third quarter, Lawrence collected a sack that knocked the Packers out of field goal range, he recounted. Martindale's notably position-less defense broadens the unit's horizons, and accordingly Lawrence described how safety Tony Jefferson created a diversion that enabled the 342-pound interior lineman to get to Rodgers. "It's a collective group. It's a collective thing to get a sack," he acknowledged.
Each off season, Lawrence has worked on his technique; and this one was no different. "I'm still trying to craft my technique. Sacks are just coming to me now," Lawrence chuckled. He admitted that the way Wink moves personnel around has made the unit as effective as it's been. In the absence of fellow lineman Leonard Williams, the next men up have risen to the occasion in a commendable way.
As the Giants continue to have success, Lawrence says it brings the team more confidence. "We want to play for each other. It's like a family here," he said about coming to work every day. The team – and especially the defense, he continued – will channel that mindset on Sunday afternoon when they are presented with a unique challenge: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. His uncanny ability to beat defenders with his arm and his legs is intimidating, Lawrence admitted, but also added that "the D-line up front, we take it as a challenge to keep him as buttered up as we can."
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*On Sunday, October 16, the Giants will be celebrating Latino Heritage Month in partnership with Ford and supported by Dunkin' and PNC Private Bank. Fans will be welcomed with several plaza festivities, including: Sampling of Latin cuisine, live DJ, Latin style dance exhibition, Super Bowl trophy on display (weather permitting), and more. The festivities will take place on the plaza between MetLife and Verizon gates.
For more details, visit: Giants.com/Los-Gigantes
