Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson called them “twins.”
Dexter Lawerence and Leonard Williams are two of the top defensive tackles in the league individually, but what makes them special is their ability to work off each other as a tandem.
“They can finish each other’s words, you know they know how to play off each other,” Patterson said. “And that’s why it’s great when they are both on the field together.”
When Lawrence and Williams are lined up together, their “twins” label can also be attributed to their production and ability to put pressure on an opposing offensive line.
The two combined for 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits last year, and those numbers are why Lawrence believes this defensive duo is the cream of the crop.
“We’re top-tier,” the second-team All-Pro tackle said. “We’ve been playing together four, going on five years now. Sometimes we look at each other and know what’s about to happen and know what we want to do in that play. So, I think, you know, we both stayed healthy and grow through this time off and come back in the best shape of our lives and do something special.”
Patterson also mentioned how rare it is to have a special pairing leading the defense up front.
“Yeah, I’ve had a couple times in my career with that type of combination,” Patterson, an NFL assistant for 19 seasons, said. “It doesn’t happen a lot, as far as a coach in this league and when you have it, you’re real happy that you do and you try and keep it together as long as you can.”
The pairing of Lawrence and Williams has been able to grow especially strong due to Patterson’s film sessions, where he hones in on a particular player each session and everyone gets to learn from that individual’s tape — both good and bad clips.
Before Tuesday’s practice, the defensive tackle group watched film of Williams, but it had a particular effect on the other tackles.
“Yeah, today we watched Leo, and seeing how he did certain things to win, how he wanted and why he wanted, it was good to see,” Lawrence said. “He took it outside today and worked on it in practice, so things like that helps us develop and grow as a group.”
With speculation surrounding what the Giants will do with Williams after his contract is up, his twin guaranteed that, at least in the tackle room, he is wanted.
“I think it’s really important just to keep the group together,” Lawrence said. “Keep the core together. He’s a great leader. He’s always been a great leader, and just to have him around is a breath of fresh air.”