Kayvon Thibodeaux hopes his third season with the Giants is one of redemption.
As New York gears up for its 100th year following a 6-11 showing in 2023, many Giants, including Daniel Jones and head coach Brian Daboll, will feel the walls against their backs as they look to prove the postseason trip two years prior more closely resembles what Big Blue is capable of accomplishing.
Thibodeaux, who's coming off a campaign in which he led the team with 11.5 sacks, knows such a success would be made easier by coming out of the gates with gusto.
"Resiliency. Physicality. Speed," Thibodeaux told 国产外流网Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Friday's The Insiders, in response to what statement he hopes the Giants make Week 1 against the Vikings. "We're gonna play with all the things we played with back in the day. This is the 100th year anniversary of the Giants, so hopefully we can let those superpowers from our ancestors come and take over."
Taking down the Vikings in a convincing manner would be a symbolic return to possible better days for the Giants, as the last time New York played Minnesota, it scored a Super Wild Card Weekend upset to continue its '22 season.
That Vikings team will have a far different roster than it did then, namely a new quarterback after Kirk Cousins' departure, but New York is much changed, too -- hopefully for the better.
The Giants could not overcome their failings on either side of the ball in 2023, as the offense ranked 30th in scoring and the defense finished 26th.
Jones, working his way back from an ACL tear with a potential out in his contract next year, will be most responsible for an offensive turnaround, especially after Saquon Barkley departed to the rival Eagles over the offseason. Thibodeaux noted that Jones has been a more vocal leader throughout the offseason program.
Defensively, much will be placed at the feet of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Thibodeaux and his newest pass-rushing partner, Brian Burns, who comes to New York from Carolina via blockbuster trade.
"It's exciting, man," Thibodeaux said about Burns' arrival. "It's exciting. Me and Brian, we have a similar body type. We have a similar style of play. But he's a little bit different. He's faster, he's quicker. He's obviously farther in his career than I am, so there's a lot of gems he's been giving me. And he's been able to help up my game a little bit, and I've been competing with him, giving him a few things I know, and it's been great so far. I'm excited to see what's all to come from that."
While Thibodeaux and Burns have been exchanging tips, they'd also benefit from soaking up anything they can from Lawrence Taylor, even if the franchise legend recently told Thibodeaux he already possesses everything he needs to succeed.
"You know what I think is funny, you go into these conversations and you're always looking for something," Thibodeaux said of speaking to Taylor at an event last week for Giants icons. "If they're a legend, you're like, 'What did you do? What was the secret sauce?' And I think it was funny, L.T., he looked at me crazy when I said, 'L.T., what's the secret sauce?' He was like, 'Now you know damn well there ain't no secret sauce.'
"It's just funny thinking that when you make it to this level, you make it on the same things that you're taught as a kid. Hard work. Integrity. Dedication. And there's nothing different. All that's different is you've got to be a little more dedicated and work a little harder, but other than that, we have the tools as athletes. You've just got to continue to apply them and do your best."
Thibodeaux and the rest of the Giants could very well have the tools after a spring of roster shuffling.
The countdown continues to whether or not they apply them in a way that gets them back to the playoffs.
