Linebacker Brian Burns entered New York Giants training camp focused on the details that build lasting success.
The veteran edge rusher welcomed the team's adjusted practice schedule, which balances work with recovery days.
“I think it’s good work,” Burns told reporters on Wednesday. “I mean, it all should be a balance to it. You never want to overdo it, but at the same time you want to get the work in. I think it’s a good balance of work and time to recover.”
His priorities in a new defensive system are clear. Burns wants to get into peak football shape, condition better than the opponent, and master the core calls that form the unit’s identity.
“There’s a good handful of calls that you’re going to have that you can always fall back on,” he explained.
“You need to be able to execute them against any look, any personnel that the offense may throw at you, and that’s kind of what you need to focus on.”
Burns said the defense’s identity will continue developing throughout camp, though he already has a firm sense of what it is.
That mindset aligns with the standard set by head coach John Harbaugh, whose intensity and clear expectations leave little room for shortcuts. Burns noted that camps are supposed to be hard and that Harbaugh demands players work, prepare and act like professionals.
Personally, Burns is raising his own bar after earning Second-Team All-Pro honors last season.
"I got something else to work towards, trying to get first team. Just the goals just keep getting higher," he said. "That's a great accomplishment; I appreciate you guys working for me or whatever, however that works, but there's still a lot of meat left on the bone, so you got to keep working."
For Burns, the early days of camp are about building the foundation—physical, mental and schematic—needed to meet those higher standards when the lights come on.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Brian Burns chasing greatness: 'Meat left on the bone'
