Abdul Carter as a DPOY? Go for it!

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Abdul Carter leaped in the air after beating Andrew Thomas to force pressure on quarterback Jaxson Dart on Thursday. Dart escaped to throw a pass but it would’ve been a sack under normal conditions.

He jumped and yelled an expletive at the defensive sideline. It was the third straight pressure Carter brought and he was clearly fired up.

Call it bold, brash or early training camp exuberance. But the Giants need that production and energy from their second-year linebacker and he knows it.

Maybe that’s why he has a bold goal for Year 2.

“I want to be Defensive Player of the Year, for sure.” Carter said Friday.

One might pause and question Carter’s gumption. But remember, this is the same player who wanted Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 last season as a rookie and then appealed for Phil Simms’ No. 11, Carter’s college number.

OK, fine. This fits his style, having big goals. But we also remember people expected Carter to be Defensive Rookie of the Year. A reasonable goal as the No. 3 pick. A goal, however, that Carter didn’t reach partly because of his play and poor decision making that led to two first-quarter benchings.

It’s a reason to pump the brakes on any predictions. At the same time, Carter’s ambition is a good thing. He’s self-aware enough to be honest about where he must improve and he’s saying and doing the right things so far in camp.

“I learned a lot,” Carter said about his rookie year. “But I feel like everybody knows toward the end of the season, I started to really find my stride. I started to figure things out. I’m going to try to carry that out to Year 2.”

What did Carter figure out? How to get sacks. Starting with the Giants’ loss at the Patriots, the second game for which he was benched, he had a streak of four straight games with at least a half-sack.

Secondly, how to be a professional. Carter had no more incidents after being punished for being late to team meetings. After the Giants’ season-ending win over the Cowboys, he told the locker room that everyone should do what they can to avoid another 4-13 season.

Carter showed more maturity this offseason, responding to his social media denouncement of Dart introducing President Donald Trump at a rally. Carter didn’t back down from his words nor did he abandon his quarterback, whom he’s often praised for their strong relationship.

Whether you agree with Carter or Dart, you have to admire Carter’s poise. He didn’t hesitate or sound unsure of himself. He made clear points while focusing on team unity.

That’s the leadership you want in a first-round pick. Now more actions have to match words. Great practice plays must become great practice days. Find joy in repetition, not creating moments here and there.

So if he wants to chase Defensive Player of the Year, camp is where that starts. Games are where that’s proved. So far, Carter has earned positive reviews for his growth.

“He wants to be a good player, so when you have that drive, you just have to get it going in the right direction,” Thomas said.

“You just learn as you go. He’s a young kid, he’s going to learn, he’s going to get even better, so I’m excited to see him play.”

Coach John Harbaugh was impressed that Carter came to him and said he wants to be more consistent. Harbaugh responded by saying the Giants want to use him in more ways besides rushing the passer. Play the run. Cover for teammates when offensive players are in motion.

If Carter wants to be that guy next to All-Pro Brian Burns — prove it.

“Come out here every day and do everything well all the time,” Harbaugh said. “That’s what he’s chasing. Chase perfection. That’s what he’s chasing.

“Can you achieve perfection? Maybe not all the time, but you can certainly do it some of the time.”

And what does Carter think? Challenge accepted.

“Everybody knows who I can be as a pass rusher,” he said. “I feel like for me to really take that next step and be who I want to be is me being consistent and applying everything.”

For the record, only three players won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in their second season. Luke Kuechly, J.J. Watt and . . . Lawrence Taylor.

But if Carter wants the NFL’s top defensive honor — go for it. It’ll keep him motivated to improve on the field as a player and leader. It’ll also remind the Giants why they believed he’s their pass rusher of the future who can also impact the present.

“I know what I’m capable of,” Carter said.

“And I know if I put the work in and believe in myself, trusting myself, trust in my teammates, trust in my coaches, I can be whoever I want to be.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.