Dan Salomone: I’ve written enough about Arvell Reese and Tremaine Edmunds this spring, so I went outside the box for this one. The new inside linebackers will only be enhanced by the players on the edge, and vice versa. One of them is Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has built a lot of momentum heading into a pivotal season.
In a public setting at the Giants Town Hall, Thibodeaux acknowledged the challenge of playing for John Harbaugh. And, by all accounts, he has risen to it.
“He is the number one question-asker in all the meetings,” the head coach said. “Did you guys know that? Top question-asker.”
“I’m so proud of Thibs, dog,” said Brian Burns, a three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker and team captain. “And I don’t want to sound all sentimental or whatever, but just the man he is and he’s becoming, like the way he handles his business, is something that’s really inspirational. He’s doing everything right. He’s leaving no stones unturned, and that’s something that I really commend him on because he is put in tough situations at times, and he’s handled it like a pro. I definitely wish the best and expect the best out of him this year. He’s been playing his best ball for the past two years, and I expect him to have a great year, honestly. Yeah, man, I’m really proud of Thibs, for sure.”
Following a sophomore campaign in which he recorded 11.5 sacks and started all 17 games, Thibodeaux has eight sacks over the past two seasons while missing 12 contests. It was not for lack of trying.
“Even last year, he’s been the hardest worker on the defense,” Burns said. “And I can say that humbly speaking. But I can say that like he’s really — he’s outworked a lot of guys, day in and day out, including myself. And that’s kind of what inspires me because he’s pushing me as well, because it’s a friendly battle in our room all the time. Just him being able to work that hard, going through the trade speculations and all that stuff that’s going on, it’s just something that a man would do. I’ve got the utmost respect for that. I will say that.”
No. 5 certainly seems to be a man on a mission heading into season No. 5.
“I would say, when you are self-aware, man, you can be honest,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m not crazy, I know why fans feel the way they feel. We’ve been losing. I didn’t have 10 sacks, 15 sacks. I had it one year, but it’s consistency, it’s greatness. I live for greatness. For me, I’ve never worried about what people think because I want to be great, too. If it ain’t great, trust me, I know.
“As far as everything around me, I’m on a mission, and I’m aware enough to know what I’ve got to continue to get better at, and I’m humble enough to say, hey, help me. Help me find what things I can do to get better or how I can do it. It’s been great for me. I’m happy I’m in a position where, you know, if I go play great, God is good. If I don’t go play great, God is still good. I’ve been able to accomplish my dream by being here, and now it’s time to go take everything I deserve.”