Dexter Lawrence doesn’t know the exact term, but Leonard Williams resembles his older brother.
Sunday’s game against the Seahawks will mark the first time the Giants have faced Williams — and the second time they have faced Julian Love — as the two captain the 2022 playoff teams.
Williams is the No. 7-ranked defensive tackle and Love is the No. 2-ranked safety in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
Williams was traded to the Seahawks last October and re-signed to a three-year, $64.5 million contract to stay. The seven quarterbacks after three games (before missing Week 4 due to injury) were the most in the league.
The Giants used the second-round pick they acquired in the Williams trade as a safety to deal their own second-round pick for Brian Burns.
“He taught me mindset. He taught me to understand why I play the game even when times are tough,” Lawrence said. “He helped me grow in a way. There were a lot of them. That’s my friend.”
Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux echoed that sentiment.
“I learned from Leonard how to use interior rushers, and he gave me some tips with leverage and power,” Thibodeaux said. “If there’s anyone I’d like to model my career or my legacy on, he’s definitely one of those guys. What he does on the field, and he just strives to be happy.”
Lawrence and Williams played together for all or part of four seasons, from when Lawrence was a rookie to when he became a double-team game-wrecker today.
“If Leo is here, Dex will still be double-teamed. That’s an easy answer (to take pressure off Lawrence),” defensive line coach Andre Patterson said. “I love (coaching) Leo. Amazing guy, great football player.”
Love, who leaves the Giants as a free agent in 2023, made the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Seahawks and earned a three-year, $33 million extension. He is doubtful to play Sunday.
“He made an impact in this building,” defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said. “Contract stuff happens and guys come and go, but you still treat him differently than when you played him.”
Darius Slayton and Love are the Giants’ best Day 3 draft picks in years – both in the 2019 class.
“I’m glad he’s been successful all along,” Slayton said. “He was a very good player when he was here. He continued to show that when he went to Seattle. Obviously, I expect him to play very well two days from now, but it will be nice to see him there.
In addition to ruling out WR Malik Nabers (concussion), the Giants listed RB Devin Singletary (groin) as questionable, and LB Matt Adams (quad), CB Adoree’ Jackson (calf) and CB Dru Phillips (calf) as questionable.
Jackson and Phillips are “trending in the right direction,” head coach Brian Daboll said, after missing the last game. Adams could make his season debut.
Burns (groin) and WR Wan’Dale Robinson (heel) were limited in practice Friday.
Former first-round pick Evan Neal, who hasn’t played in a game this season, still isn’t practicing crosses in practice.
“I think Evan has done a great job to work in the right tackle position and put himself in position to help the team,” said offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. “He’s been doing extra (work). I think his natural position is interception. You want to see what he can do, what he can do.
