Bucky Brooks eats humble pie. You want a couple of slices?

[TD alt]

During parts of the season, you told me that Brian Burns was not the primary pass rusher on the Giants. I told you that that's not what the stats or the actual play were saying. Bucky Brooks was thinking something similar to you pre-season, and I'm pretty sure he wasnt still pontificating about Burns' play during the season, but here is what he's saying now:

 

"When the Giants traded for Burns two offseasons ago and immediately signed him to a new blockbuster deal (five years for $141 million with $87.5 million guaranteed), I questioned whether his performance would match the compensation. As a speed-rushing specialist with just one double-digit-sack season (12.5 in 2022) prior to his arrival in New York, Burns had not consistently dominated off the edge. However, the 27-year-old shut me up in 2025 with a spectacular season that featured 16.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. Wreaking such havoc on a four-win football team only underscored his individual dominance. Considering his numbers and impact as a playmaker in his third Pro Bowl season, Burns served me a slice of humble pie that I couldn't refuse."

 

Now, you can go to the old, stale take that he can't lead the D-line, but I will say that most everyone needs help. Burns is not generational like Julius Peppers, but he obviously has the skills and the motivation (after his payday, mind you) to be a force unto himself, if not a force multiplier. And, with John Harbaugh coming in, Burns will probably only get better as he will likely get put in a better situation to succeed, or at least sustain his success.

 

Speaking of being put into a better situation to succeed, I recall our buddy @Basbear mentioning this guy during preseason:

Devin Lloyd

"Last offseason, Jacksonville chose to decline the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option due to inconsistent production. Lloyd responded admirably, showing the football world that he’s a baller with elite playmaking skills. The impending free agent finished the season with six takeaways -- five interceptions (including a 99-yard pick-six of Patrick Mahomes) and a fumble recovery -- while also displaying outstanding range as a sideline-to-sideline defender. A resilient player who enjoyed the best season of his career following a sticky contract situation and training camp battle, Lloyd silenced the skeptics who questioned his big-play potential and overall game."

 

Now of course, our friend was talking in terms of possibly trading Jalen Coker for Lloyd. Many would still balk at that after Coker's big time breakout against the Rams, but the fact is is that it was a discussion worth having. Lloyd is a big time defender, though several of you tried to tell us that he was nothing special, notwithstanding solid stats even during the 2024 season. Lloyd looks to be a very nice 'backer for years to come, and he's likely gonna be paid highly. We probably can't afford him now, with all our needs and possible extensions (Coker being one, but a cheaper one), but fate apparently never had Lloyd in our cards to begin with. 

https://www.nfl.com/news/caleb-williams-george-pickens-and-tyler-shough-among-10-nfl-players-who-proved-me-wrong

 

[WarPanthers89]

Yeah we should never trade home grown pro bowl talent no matter what people on this board say. Burns and the CMC trade both turned out to be bad for us and I would take both on the team right now in a heartbeat. You can’t tell me we don’t miss someone who can get double digit sacks.

[Shocker]

The fitty years were a disaster.  Trading CMC and Burns for that comp was criminal 

[mrcompletely11]

Just now, Shocker said:

The fitty years were a disaster.  Trading CMC and Burns for that comp was criminal 

Bryce trade was 10x worse

[musicman]

A lot of players ball to get the contract or the first year of the big contract. Except for QBs, Max Crosby type players, you'll see less huge contracts in the future. One injury or they don't (or can't) live up to it. 

[Khyber53]

You've gotta quit crying about old girlfriends. Just move on. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that.

Truly, though, Burns found something in himself and it may well have been that he found himself as the senior member of a line with some high drafts, low performance guys and he began to lead by example. I believe he's put on some pounds, too, which had been a knock on him early on. Good for him and glad to see him develop... those stories don't always work out so well.

And yeah, we need some help at linebacker. 

[uncfan888]

17 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

Yeah we should never trade home grown pro bowl talent no matter what people on this board say. Burns and the CMC trade both turned out to be bad for us and I would take both on the team right now in a heartbeat. You can’t tell me we don’t miss someone who can get double digit sacks.

Bum ass fitterer should have taken the rams offer or extended burns immediately. Instead he didn't do either and we got fuged in the end. 

[TD alt]

1 minute ago, musicman said:

A lot of players ball to get the contract or the first year of the big contract. Except for QBs, Max Crosby type players, you'll see less huge contracts in the future. One injury or they don't (or can't) live up to it. 

I think you're going to continue to see huge contracts to players that you need, or that ones you think will get you over the hump. That's just the nature of the beast. What I think you'll see smart GMs balking at is overpaying marginal QBs whose play doesn't justify huge contracts. The league has seen how overpaying for glorified backups can hamstring franchises for years. Star players or perceived Star players are always going to get paid handsomely by someone. 

Moreover, if you're referring to Lloyd, he has arguably balled all along, it's just that coaches matter and systems matter in order for most players to reach their highest potential.

[mrcompletely11]

3 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

Bum ass fitterer should have taken the rams offer or extended burns immediately. Instead he didn't do either and we got fuged in the end. 

What if I told you Dan Morgan agreed with Fitterer about that trade?

[uncfan888]

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

What if I told you Dan Morgan agreed with Fitterer about that trade?

I still have my doubts about Morgan because of stuff he did with fitterer and his draft class last year

[TD alt]

11 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

What if I told you Dan Morgan agreed with Fitterer about that trade?

I'd say you're speculating big time. Assistants exist to support their bosses and the company line.

[TD alt]

12 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

I still have my doubts about Morgan because of stuff he did with fitterer and his draft class last year

Skepticism is fine, just not surety until proven.

[mrcompletely11]

5 minutes ago, TD alt said:

I'd say you're speculating big time. Assistants exist to support their bosses and the company line.

It was reported he wanted to keep Burns and turn the trade down.  The one guy that wanted the trade was Samir Suleiman.   Guess who was fired?

[TD alt]

3 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

It was reported he wanted to keep Burns and turn the trade down.  The one guy that wanted the trade was Samir Suleiman.   Guess who was fired?

You gotta give me a link or something. Plenty of stuff that's "reported" turns out to be more speculation than substantiation.