Abdul Carter hasn’t been in the NFL long enough to know that the preseason is designed for keeping secrets.
Will the rookie who has dominated Giants training camp keep a lid on his best pass-rush moves during his debut Saturday against the Bills so that they stay fresh for when the scores matter?
“No, I’m putting it all on film,” Carter said. “I’m going out there, I’m playing, I’m doing what I do best.”
There is a level of confidence in all of Carter’s answers that he earned by leading the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss at Penn State last season, becoming the No. 3 pick in the draft and causing fits for the Giants’ offensive line from multiple spots across the defensive line in practice.
Is he disappointed that he won’t get to make his mark out of the gate by pressuring quarterback Josh Allen? The reigning NFL MVP is sitting out the game as Mitch Trubisky starts for the Bills.
“It doesn’t matter who’s playing for me,” Carter said. “Definitely a good opportunity for me to get my routine down coming into a football game. I’m excited.”
Has transitioning to the NFL been more difficult than expected?
“No, nothing too complicated,” Carter said. “Obviously, college has detail, but I feel like at the NFL just a higher level of detail I have to be focused on. That’s the biggest difference.”
Carter has fit in seamlessly alongside pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux because of his versatility to line up at off-ball linebacker and three-technique defensive tackle as well as on the edge.
“The talent shows up out there on the field,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “I think he’s a very instinctive player – finds ways to get to the football.
“He’s got a natural feel to dip, to lean, to bend. It’s just a matter of making sure, as a coaching staff, we do a good job not overloading him.”
Carter’s spin move went viral online – and among teammates – during camp.
“It’s crazy watching Abdul go pull out some crazy spin move,” linebacker Darius Muasau said, “or something that you never expected.”
But there is more in Carter’s bag of tricks to be shown now that plays aren’t whistled dead before the quarterback is touched, the way that they are in practice.
“On the edge, you have more space to work with. Inside it is more constricted, but you just have to find different ways to win,” he said. “You also have quickness on the inside – just misdirection. I have power too, so I like to mix it up.”
Carter is one of just a handful of impact players expected to get in the game for the Giants despite head coach Brian Daboll’s refusal to reveal his playing-time plans for the starters. His teammates are expecting big things.
“I don’t really want to do too much talking about Abdul because he’ll show you,” Burns said. “I ain’t got to talk about him.”
The show starts now.