Abdul Carter: See video of NY Giants rookie during practice
Get a closeup view of Abdul Carter during Giants practice in East Rutherford.
EAST RUTHERFORD – When D.J. Davidson left the New York Giants just days into training camp this summer, there was some apprehension on his part as to what his absence would mean for his future.
Davidson’s grandmother helped raised him in Arizona, so when she received devastating news of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in late July, the fragility of life suddenly proved overwhelming for a 6-foot-5, 320-pound defensive lineman whose comfort in his own reality was shaken in that moment.
On the doorstep of his fourth NFL season, Davidson needed to be with the heart and leader of his family. He talked to Giants brass and was encouraged to head home, take the personal time even as the competition for roster spots was just about to heat up.
“Seeing someone who was once living their life, living their dream day to day and then all of a sudden, their life is completely changed. I’m a Christian, my faith means a lot to me, and I was like, ‘What can I do in my life to make this all worth it?’” Davidson told NorthJersey.com and The Record last week.
“Because my grandmother’s always put me first, put me in a position to be successful and live out my dream. The people that I’m surrounded by every day, Dre [Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson] and B-Cox [assistant DL coach Bryan Cox], my teammates, they are there for me, and it switched in my head – I’m not just playing for myself. I’m playing for something bigger than me, so I just can’t keep doing the same old stuff. I have to change, and it’s not always going to be perfect. But I found my ‘why’ and I wanted to prove that when I got back.”
The 27-year-old Davidson spent several days with his grandmother, who began chemotherapy treatments in early August and her battle continues. They exchange text messages regularly and Davidson makes it a point to have a phone conversation once a week.
And it’s no coincidence Davidson took his play to another level upon his return to the Giants.
“She wants all of her grandbabies to live out their dreams,” Davidson added. “I know how much me being here means to her, and just knowing that makes me want this even more.”
Davidson had three-plus weeks to respond to the challenge in what was a crowded defensive line room.
When Davidson left the team, the 2022 fifth-round pick from Arizona State was on the roster bubble. He came back inspired even more emotionally and finished camp and the preseason strong, earning a spot on the 53-man roster and with that a game day role.
He played 15 snaps on defense and four more on special teams in Sunday’s 21-6 loss to Washington.
“There’s a sense of urgency going into this year with what we want to accomplish and seeing the guys around him, you realize you don’t wanna waste the opportunity,” teammate Rakeem Nunez-Roches said when asked about Davidson’s newfound belief in his game. “He just came back and put everything he already knew he could do and the confidence, you started to see that in his play. He’s always had it, but it’s about putting it together when it counts the most.”
The Giants want to ride the stars on their defensive line to alter opposing game plans, allowing for Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter to take the stage and showcase their undeniable talents with the score ultimately hanging in the balance.
There are layers to the depth chart, of course, and the Giants are wary of burning through their elite playmakers with the regular season still taking shape. In an ideal world, especially up front, Lawrence can take a series on the sideline without fighting double teams with “four hands on him” for 70 snaps a game, and that strategy ultimately depends on the effectiveness of players such as Davidson.
Because if Lawrence is not in the game and the Cowboys wind up gashing the Giants’ defense on the ground come Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, the pointed discussion will center on the drop off that must be minimal if the plan is to work.
“Knowing that they believe in me, just makes me fight harder for them,” Davidson said. “I just love Coach Dre, and if he believes in me, that’s all I need to go out there and fight. That’s allowed me to succeed to this point, and I have to keep pushing to get better.”
Davidson has not lost weight, but he’s transformed his body – “I didn’t cut down, just feel stronger” – to which Lawrence replied with a laugh: “He cut his hair, that’s what he did.”
“I’m in my fourth year, I keep telling myself, ‘I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to do better,’” Davidson said. “And I see the changes. I think the biggest change for me is confidence, believing in myself, and from Year 1 to Year 4, you have to keep growing. That hit me harder this summer. Because if you don’t, you’re not gonna be here. Either you grow or you go, you’re out. I appreciate everything I have right now, and it’s my job to go out there and earn it.”