Moose on the Loose: Brian Burns

NEW YORK (PIX11) — There was a time, not that long ago, when the New York Giants were defined by two things: a great running game with a very good offensive line and an intimidating defense with a relentless pass rush. They included names like Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Earlier this week, the Giants acquired edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers, giving up a second and fifth round draft choice. Burns promptly then signed a five-year, $150 million extension, with more than $87 million guaranteed.

What should the Giants do in the NFL Draft?

Burns is just 25 years old and will be entering his sixth year in the NFL and has 46 sacks for his career. He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and is athletic and has been nicknamed “Gumby” because of the lean he is able to get coming off of the line of scrimmage. As he said when he was introduced, he is giddy.

Burns will be relentless and is a pro’s pro and is coming here to work. New Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen now has Burns, along with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence along the defensive front. To be a good defensive team in the NFL, you need to be able to generate pressure, without having to always blitz. The Giants now have a defensive front that is capable of doing just that.

You also invest in premium positions in the NFL, left tackles, quarterbacks and edge rushers, and that is exactly what Giants general manager Joe Schoen has done. I don’t know what Carolina is exactly doing, but the Giants are the benefactors. Burns is a foundational piece type of player. He was drafted 16th overall in 2019 out of Florida State. His stats this season were not jaw-dropping, but that had more to do with the team he played for. The Panthers were terrible and often trailing in most games.

The Giants now get a player who is in the prime of his career and ready to help raise the level of the Giants defense to when opponents feared going up against them.

The Giants lost key figures in free agency in running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney. But they did add an absolute stud in Burns, who will look great wearing blue for the foreseeable future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.