Giants' Brian Burns returns after 'trying to set the standard'
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns at training camp on Monday. Credit: Ed Murray
Brian Burns wanted to make a statement on the play that knocked him out Friday. It just didn’t go the way the Giants linebacker planned.
Burns returned to practice Monday after being held out most of Sunday. He was relieved that he and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson were OK once they collided, but he took pride in what he did leading up to the play by chasing down tight end Greg Dulcich.
“It hurt. I was just trying to set the standard,” Burns said. “Trying to run to the ball, whip myself into shape for the season. I was rolling too. But yeah, I’m glad it wasn’t nothing too serious.”
There was no such concern Monday with the Giants practicing in pads for the first time in training camp. With more designed run plays in team drills, the hits were more frequent, even if tacklers didn’t bring ball-carriers to the ground.
But Burns, in his second year with the Giants, intended to prove a point he wants his teammates to follow: Be aggressive. After a 3-14 season where the Giants’ defense disappointed far too often, Burns isn’t just telling teammates to act different. He’s leading with his actions.
“If I’m gonna run to the ball, you better run to the ball,” Burns said. “I can’t sit here and preach run to the ball and get on people’s cases If I’m not doing it. There’s gonna be times where I’m not gonna do it and I need them to get on me . . . It’s holding each other accountable.”
It’s a message other defensive leaders have also mentioned. Dexter Lawrence reminded the defense before camp they haven’t done anything yet despite praise for adding depth with cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland.
Burns echoed that sentiment. His first year with the Giants was strong with a career-high 71 tackles, including 8.5 sacks, but it only means he'll work harder since it couldn’t stop the losses from adding up.
It also means ignore what might be said about the potential of their front seven with the arrival of rookie linebacker Abdul Carter.
“We look great on paper but we ain’t do [expletive] yet. It’s all on us,” Burns said. “Like, we could take this as far as we want to go. Everything looks good with the names that we have and the potential and this and that but until we put that [expletive] to stamp, ain’t really nothing to talk about.”
Fortunately, he believes the defense is listening and playing with that edge. Now that the pads are on and practice intensity is ramped up, he wants that attitude to continue. He’ll be the first to show it if needed.
Except if it means a practice collision similar to Friday's.
“Hell no, I’m not doing that again,” Burns said while laughing. “Trust me, I’ll be sure to throttle down before I hit anyone close to that again. That was scary.”
Cam Skattebo gets brief first-team run
On a day with the most run plays in camp so far, rookie running back Cam Skattebo got his first action with the first unit. He had four first-team snaps, including two in the first unit's final series, and all were handoffs for short gains.
It was a part of a solid day for the fourth-round pick, who also broke loose for a big run on his first touch with the second unit in team drills.
Giants sign Olszewski, place Ford-Wheaton on IR
The Giants signed receiver Gunner Olszewski on Monday, a day after Bryce Ford-Wheaton suffered a torn Achilles. Ford-Wheaton was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
“It’s just an unfortunate thing for Bryce, I feel terrible for him," coach Brian Daboll said. "I feel bad for our team because he was a good player for us in the kicking game and now other people are going to have to step up but, man, that was a tough one."
Olszewski played 10 games for the Giants in 2023, mostly on special teams. He didn’t play last season after injuring his groin warming up before the season opener.
Health update
Wan'Dale Robinson didn’t practice Monday after being kneed in the leg Sunday, Daboll said. Jalin Hyatt (cramps, lower-body tightness) was eased back into more individual drills but remained out of team drills.
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.
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