Lorenzo Carter: Athletic EDGE and classical music aficionado

The New York Giants are excited about their draft. Not only did they get they player they felt was the best in the draft, but then get an unlikely steal with their second pick. They also got a player that many are calling a steal with their (first) third round pick as well. Lorenzo Carter made waves with an impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where the 6’5”, 245 pound outside linebacker proved to be an elite athlete.

Carter knows just what kind of athlete he is, and thinks that he can help the Giants’ defense.

“I feel I bring a lot of athleticism, versatility,” he said. “I can do a lot of things out there, and just energy. I’m young, I have a lot of energy. I want to soak it all in, soak it in from the vets, soak it in from the coaches and just be a sponge.”

Being a sponge is important, as Carter will have to adjust from college to the NFL, and is expected to be a major contributor on the Giants’ defense.

About that adjustment, he said, “I think the biggest challenge has been getting in the playbook, making sure I understand all the adjustments we need to make and learning the terminology. Everywhere you go, it’s going to be different terminology, so you just want to be speaking the same language as the coaches.”

Head coach Pat Shurmur agreed that the terminology, the “language” of the defense, but also maintains that the defense’s alingment will be familiar

“The terminology is different,” Shurmur said, “but for the most part, how we align and how he lines up is similar to what he did at Georgia.”

That aligns with an observation made by Landon Collins earlier in the season. Collins noted that James Bettcher’s defense “feels like home” and was similar to the defense he played in which he played at Alabama. Kirby Smart, who is now Georgia’s head coach, was Collins’ defensive coordinator for all three years under Nick Saban at Alabama.

“The main similarity when you come out here,” Carter said, “it’s time to go to work. We can have fun, but keep the main thing the main thing. Be where your feet are. We are out here to work and get better and that’s what we are going to do every day. The coaches are going to be on you from the first whistle to the last one.”

Carter’s press conference also had a lighter moment as Carter revealed that he is a big fan of Classical music. When asked if the Giants would play Classical during practices, Carter said, “I might have to talk to somebody about that. I don’t know if that would be a great time for classical music. I would be down with it.”

Although, he clarified that Classical is more of a post-game music choice for him.

(Speaking personally, I think you could make a decent pre-game playlist with Gustav Holst’s Mars, Winter and Summer (presto) from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” suite, and the third movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and of the “Apassionata”.)

Carter said that he got in to Classical early in life, saying, “In elementary school, fifth grade, I started to play the cello and it stuck with me. I love the sound of wood instruments, and I just fell in love with classical music.”

A reporter noted that Dalvin Tomlinson is a multi-instrumentalist as well, and that the two should form a band. Carter seemed to like the idea, saying, “I see what you’re talking about. We can get a band together real quick.”