Tag: Dexter Lawrence

Giants’ Dexter Lawrence named to 2023 PFF All-Pro Team

New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has been named to the 2023 Pro Football Focus All-Pro Team.

Following his breakout campaign in 2022, Dexter Lawrence landed a lucrative contract from the New York Giants prior to the 2023 season.

The Giants’ nose tackle, nicknamed ‘Sexy Dexy,’ followed up his breakout season with another impressive performance throughout the 2023 regular season, which proved that last year was no fluke.

Lawrence’s season led to AP Second Team All-Pro honors, NFLPA First Team All-Pro honors, and being elected to his second straight Pro Bowl Games.

PFF has also recognized the Giants’ top defensive player naming him to their 2023 All-Pro team.

DI: DEXTER LAWRENCE, NEW YORK GIANTS; AARON DONALD, LOS ANGELES RAMS

Second Team: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets; Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers

Donald earns a first-team spot after another dominant season as a pass rusher, leading the position in quarterback pressures (84) and pass-rush win rate (22.3%). Lawrence was the best interior defender in football this season, though, ranking first with a 92.6 PFF pass-rushing grade and third with an 89.5 PFF run-defense grade.

Just like the Pro Bowl, Lawrence was the lone Giant to make the PFF’s list.

Being in the same class as Aaron Donald is some honor for the Giants star defensive lineman. However, it’s not crazy to think Lawrence was actually better than Donald over the last two seasons.

Lawrence is arguably the best player on the Giants’ roster and they are lucky to have him as a piece to build around for years to come.

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One voter’s 2023 AP First-Team All-Pro ballot

If you’ve ever wanted to see an official First-Team All-Pro ballot, we have you covered.

There are moments in your career where you think to yourself… “Yeah, this is a moment to remember.” Two years ago, when the Associated Press asked me to be one of the analysts responsible for voting for the First- and Second-Team All-Pro teams, as well as NFL Most Valuable Player and all other individual awards, that was certainly such a moment for me.

So, this is my second year of voting, and I wanted to share my first-team ballot with our readers. It’s an honor I take incredibly seriously, and this process involves a ton of advanced metrics, tape study, and reflections from a season of diving into both.

Some of these votes were easy; some were incredibly difficult. But it will give you a bit of insight into what happens with an All-Pro vote.

Giants’ Dexter Lawrence named AP Second Team All-Pro

New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has been named a 2023 Second Team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has been named an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro, the same honor he received in 2022.

Lawrence was beaten out for First Team honors by Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) and Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) despite being the second-highest-graded defender in the NFL and the highest-graded interior defender.

Joining Lawrence on the Second Team is Justin Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens.

In 16 games (all starts) this season, Lawrence recorded 53 tackles (23 solo, seven for a loss), two passes defensed, 21 QB hits and 4.5 sacks. He was routinely double-teamed but still dominated on nearly every snap.

Earlier this month, Lawrence received an endorsement from team captain and middle linebacker, Bobby Okereke, who said the nose tackle was the team’s best defensive player.

In addition to the Associated Press All-Pro honor, Lawrence was also named to the NFLPA All-Pro Team, as voted on by his fellow players, and earned a spot in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games for the second time.

Lawrence was the only Giant to receive an All-Pro nod.

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Giants 2023 season awards: MVP, Rookie of the Year and more

Giants Wire votes on and hands out 2023 season awards, including MVP and Rookie of the Year, for the New York Giants.

The New York Giants finished the 2023 regular season with a record of 6-11 which was a far cry from their playoff appearance (and single playoff win) a year ago.

Despite the regression, there were quite a few bright spots that deserved recognition.

While the NFL announces its official awards at a later date, we’ll be discussing who deserves the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards for the Giants in 2023.

Dexter Lawrence named an NFLPA First-Team All-Pro after a fantastic season

Once again, Dexter Lawrence was one of the best players in football.

There are many former great Clemson Tigers in the NFL playing excellent football and showing everyone that they are one of the best players in the game.

Of all the players from Clemson in the NFL right now, no one is playing better football than defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence has put together yet another fantastic season, where he was one of the best DT in the game and the best nose tackle. After another superstar-level season, Lawrence is being recognized by his fellow players.

The NFLPA recently released their All-Pro teams for this season, as voted by the players. Lawrence earned first-team honors as a nose tackle, continuing to show that he is the best player on the Giants roster.

While it wasn’t the season the Giants would have hoped for, Lawrence once again excelled. According to the NFL, he recorded 37 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss this season. As many of you know, stats don’t always tell the story for a nose tackle, even with how strong Lawrence’s is.

According to PFF, Lawrence was the highest-rated defensive lineman in football this season, ahead of names such as Aaron Donald and Quinnen Williams. Another superstar year for the former Tiger.

Giants’ Dexter Lawrence named a 2023 NFLPA First Team All-Pro

New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence has been named a 2023 NFLPA First Team All-Pro in addition to his 2024 Pro Bowl Games nod.

New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence was one of the few bright spots for the boys in blue this year. He’s consistent, he’s a leader and he is always on the field.

The rest of the league took notice, too, and named Lawrence to the 2023 NFLPA All-Pro Team as a First Teamer.

Lawrence has seen a ton of turnover in his time with the Giants, but he’s always been a guy the defense can count on. He steps up when it’s needed, specifically in the wake of Leonard Williams’ departure (trade) this year, always finding a way to get involved.

Even when he suffered an injury this season, Lawrence didn’t want to miss time on the field. His snaps were cut back, but he didn’t miss any games. He recorded 53 tackles (32 solo), 4.5 sacks, and two passes defensed, but his stats are no indication of what his presence on the field does to opposing offenses.

Lawrence’s ability to push through the line forces offenses to mitigate that, which then opens up avenues for the linebackers to get through.

This is a much-deserved honor for Lawrence. He also earned his second Pro Bowl selection this year.

The league is finally noticing what the Giants have known all along: Lawrence is a force to be reckoned with.

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Dexter Lawrence would be heartbroken if Giants fired Wink Martindale

Dexter Lawrence is hopeful the New York Giants and DC Wink Martindale can make things work and there’s no Black Monday separation.

Change is looming. It’s the inevitable end to every season and no team is immune. Come Black Monday, there will be firings and departures league-wide, and several of those could impact the New York Giants.

There’s been increasing speculation about the futures of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. And although both expect to be back, that doesn’t mean they will be.

If the Giants were to fire Martindale or embrace some sort of mutual parting of ways, the defense would be thrust into yet another rebuild. The current personnel was compiled to specifically fit Wink’s scheme and that would need to be undone.

For Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, that would be heartbreaking — from both a human standpoint and a football standpoint.

“It sucks learning a new scheme, if that is what happens,” Lawrence told reporters on Thursday. “So that probably would be the most heartbreaking thing, honestly, and him being just a good leader of men. Things like that would probably be the hardest thing to go about.”

One assistant who will almost certainly be back barring a promotion elsewhere is defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who is arguably the best in the business.

Lawrence credits Patterson with helping to take his game to the next level.

“He’s helped me craft things that I didn’t know I had or knew how to use. He helped me get into positions that usually when I get in, I get stuck or something. He’s been a big help. That’s my guy,” Lawrence said. “He’s just a coach of coaches, honestly. A ton of respect to him and how he just gets me to play and the whole d-line to play. He just knows how to relate to his players and gets us to go.”

Ultimately, Lawrence wants the combination of Martindale and Patterson to remain in place for the good of the team and his development individually.

“(Martindale) puts plays together to put me into some positions to win, and that’s kind of what his job is. Coach Dre’s job is to help me fight through those positions, to beat guys and things like that. Wink, he’s helped me a lot and he’s been scheming up things pretty well,” Lawrence said.

We’ll see if Lawrence gets his wish come Monday.

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Giants’ Dexter Lawrence named to 2024 Pro Bowl Games

New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence has been named to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games with two other Giants named alternates.

New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence didn’t receive a lot of love from the fans, not even cracking the top 10 at his position, but his fellow players and the league’s coaches have voted him into the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

For Lawrence, it will be his second consecutive appearance in the Pro Bowl Games — the first Giants’ defensive lineman to receive that honor since Jason Pierre-Paul (2011-2012).

Lawrence is also the first Giant with back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances since safety Landon Collins (2016-2018).

In 15 games this season, Lawrence has recorded 52 tackles (32 solo, seven for a loss), two passes defensed, 19 QB hits and 4.5 sacks. His 92.8 Pro Football Focus grade ranks first among all interior defenders.

Despite doing well in fan voting (outside of Lawrence), no other Giants were named starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

Running back Saquon Barkley was named a second alternate and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was named a third alternate.

The 2024 Pro Bowl Games will be held from Thursday, February 1 through Sunday, February 4 in Orlando, Florida.

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Bobby Okereke says Dexter Lawrence is best player on Giants

Some claim LB Bobby Okereke is the best player on the New York Giants this season, but he says it’s NT Dexter Lawrence.

The New York Giants may have only five wins this season, but that doesn’t mean nothing good has happened.

The Giants have several players who could find themselves receiving Pro Bowl honors, most specifically defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Okereke, who was signed as a free agent this past offseason, has worked out swimmingly for Big Blue. He leads the Giants with 142 total tackles over the first 16 games.

But Okereke’s success isn’t going to his head. He clearly believes that Lawrence is the Giants’ best player.

Lawrence hasn’t gotten a lot of love from Pro Bowl voters this season, despite being graded the highest-graded interior defender in the NFL this season by Pro Football Focus (92.8).

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Giants report card: How we graded Big Blue in Week 17 loss

The New York Giants fell to the Los Angeles Rams, 26-25, in Week 17 and the Giants Wire team grades reflect that performance.

The New York Giants were defeated once again, this time on New Year’s Eve by the Los Angeles Rams, 26-25.

The Giants nearly pulled off the upset but fell short twice — once on a late two-point conversion attempt and another time on a potential game-winning field goal. The Giants now fall to 5-11 and third in the NFC East.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we saw during the game and how we graded the Giants in this loss.