Giants’ Arvell Reese puts on show as Lawrence Taylor has front
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
Lawrence Taylor doesn’t show up to watch a defense go through the motions. When No. 56 plants himself near the Giants sideline, the temperature changes.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
Lawrence Taylor got the chance to see what all the hype was about Sunday. The greatest defensive player in Giants history was at MetLife Stadium to see heavily hyped rookie linebacker Arvell Reese put together another sterling effort.
Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers. “Oh man, that means a lot, bro,” Reese said after the Giants improved to 3-1 with a 36-24 victory over the Cardinals. “With a guy like that in the building, him setting the standard for how that position is supposed to be played back in the day.
It definitely means a lot to play a decent game like that.” Yes, Reese’s standards are that high for himself. So while he was a menace again Sunday, notching the first interception of his career, along with nine solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and three passes defensed, the first-round pick wasn’t ready to celebrate this performance. “A bunch of plays I left out there,” he said.
At halftime, Taylor and the rest of the 1986 Giants were honored. By then, Reese was already making an impact, coming up with an interception and rushing Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett into another pick. “He is playing great,” Taylor said of Reese. “I think he’s a good player.” The two met briefly during minicamp.
Reese is hoping to build a relationship with the Hall of Famer. “Next time I see him, I have to have a good conversation with him,” Reese said. “He’s a legend.” The fifth overall pick out of Ohio State, Reese has really come on of late.
He was a monster in last Sunday’s win over the Titans, notching 13 tackles, and he was again all over the field in this latest victory. “He’s been playing out of his mind,” Abdul Carter said. “Even in the first half, he’s making play after play after play.
I told him, ‘Keep going, keep going, and finish strong.’” The last few weeks, the game has begun to slow down for Reese. It has enabled him to just play off instincts rather than overthinking. The results are telling.
It’s only motivating him to get better. “A game-changer, dominant player,” he said when asked about his personal goals. “But I don’t think I’m anywhere near my ceiling obviously. Dominant, game-changer, that’s what I’m chasing.”
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
Lawrence Taylor doesn’t show up to watch a defense go through the motions. When No. 56 plants himself near the Giants sideline, the temperature changes. Arvell Reese didn’t shrink from it. He ran through ball carriers, chased plays down, and gave LT the kind of show that used to be routine around here. LT’s approval is earned the old way: with speed, violence, and a nose for the ball. There’s no spreadsheet substitute for that.
Reese gave a legend a reason to stay in that seat. That matters for a franchise still hunting for an identity. It’s the old Giants standard, the one built on being physical and a little mean. One good afternoon doesn’t make a career, but you can see what a player is made of by how he acts when the spotlight gets hot. The kid plays like the game owes him nothing. That’s the dangerous kind of attitude, and the good kind.
Football is still a meritocracy, no matter how hard some people try to manage it into something safer and softer.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.