New York Giants rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter says every day at training camp is an opportunity to grow — and he’s making the most of it. “I’m learning a lot,” Carter said. “Every day, every practice, they’re out here teaching me new things trying to help me out. I’m just learning everything.”
Since arriving for rookie minicamp, Carter has noticed a big difference in his comfort level and chemistry with teammates. “Just getting more comfortable, I know my teammates more and just building that chemistry. I feel like that’s the most important thing,” he said.
He’s leaned on veterans for guidance, especially defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. “He sits right behind me in the meeting room so I’m always talking with him trying to get better. He helps me a lot,” Carter said.
Whether freelancing or sticking to assignments, Carter stresses the importance of each player executing their role. “Everybody has their job to do so wherever I’m at, wherever I’m lined up, I’m doing my own job and everybody else got to do their job and that’s how the play works,” he said.
Carter believes his ability to disrupt quarterbacks is the result of both physical talent and mental preparation. “Definitely both. It takes everything. Your preparation, your physical ability, your coaching, it takes everything,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the mentorship of former Penn State teammate Micah Parsons. “Yeah, that’s my brother. Ever since I been at Penn State, he took me under his wing, taught me a lot… I’ve learned so much from him in terms of on the field football things, and then off the field in terms of putting in the work, how to be prepared so I’m thankful for him.”
Carter has a unique reason for looking forward to his first NFL sack.
“That’s why I got the hood on, right now,” he said. “It won’t be like this for long.”
The rookie takes pride in being a defensive disruptor. “That’s what they brought me here to do so I take a lot of pride in that and that’s what I do best,” he said. But Carter is staying grounded despite early praise from both inside and outside the building. “It’s all cool but you can’t get into it too much… We got to get to the season and show that dominance before we can call ourselves anything.”
Carter also pointed to veteran Brian Burns as a model for work ethic and leadership. “If you want to pick a guy, like a perfect guy to watch… he’s a guy I’d say you watch,” Carter said, praising Burns’ “effort, his energy, his leadership.” Even when banged up, Burns’ example resonates. “Everybody’s going through something. Everybody’s hurt. Everybody’s banged up. You just have to come out here and push through it.”
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