For Brian Burns, his NY Giants presence on the practice field is all about perspective

EAST RUTHERFORD - Brian Burns refuses to stay on the sideline even when he's not supposed to be on the practice field, and the perspective gained is rewarding for the New York Giants and their star outside linebacker.

The 27-year-old is very intentional with where he stands when the Giants' first-team defense, of which he is a central figure, is not out there. He's always focused on the big picture, even more so when he is not out there.

That's what I learned when inquiring with Burns as to why he chooses to watch team drills from behind the offense, much closer to the coaches and the quarterbacks than the rest of his defensive teammates.

His answer speaks volumes about why the Giants view Burns as a defensive quarterback of sorts, a thoughtful combination of willing teacher and eager student with a desire to raise his game to another level.

"When I'm on the side, I could only see one end of the line of scrimmage," Burns told NorthJersey.com and The Record. "But if I'm watching from behind the ball, I can see both sides, both ends, the interior, and I can pick up things where I might be able to coach up some things. Defensively and offensively. I might talk to Russ [Wilson] or maybe one of the offensive linemen if I see something. It's my responsibility to get better individually with anything I can learn by watching my teammates, but it's also my responsibility to help my teammates get better any way I can."

This is an approach Burns adopted two years into his career with the Carolina Panthers. He was 22 years old that season and thrust into a leadership role, so in order to accelerate the learning curve, his perspective had to grow.

Now, Burns' presence has purpose in terms of how the Giants are functioning defensively. He offers the coaches and players another set of eyes to break down the performance, but does not wait until the staff puts the practice tape on the projector to dole out advice.

He also studies tendencies of the Giants' offense - not so he can win matchups in camp, but in order to contribute to making both sides of the ball can use the details to improve. He'd just as soon point out tips for Wilson and dynamic wide receiver Malik Nabers, for example, as he would pass rushing peers Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golsten and rookie Abdul Carter.

Because Burns expects to gain as a player through those observations and the lines of communication they open, too.

"I could either help my teammates or learn something from them," Burns added. "It's a win-win."

Burns joined the Giants last season in a trade with Carolina, and team brass signed him to a five-year, $141 million contract with $87.5 million guaranteed, making him the second-highest-paid pass rusher in the league at the time.

You can tell just by watching Burns that every move he makes between the lines is made with a plan. His combination of agility and burst jumps off the video and in practice, but his game is not solely built on finesse. Burns converts speed to power well and plays with great leverage, certainly drawing the attention of opposing coaches and players.

He has been a menace in practice sessions since training camp began this summer, and his maniacal hustle cost him early in camp by leading to a collision with wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson downfield as he chased a play.

"I mean, obviously, he's a freak athlete on the field. He shows that every day. A lot of guys with that type of talent, some of them might pick and choose when they're gonna show it, and he never does that," teammate and inside linebacker Micah McFadden told NorthJersey.com and The Record. "Even when the coaches and the strength staff says, 'OK, we've got to decrease the workload because Burns is going too hard,' you don't hear that often about one of your star athletes. He brings that type of energy every day. He's not the leader who's looking to get up in your face every single time if you do something wrong. But when there's something that needs to be said, he's one of the persons who will step up and say it."

Burns fought through the lack of continuity around him in Carolina, developing into one of the league's most underrated edge players. That continued in his first season with the Giants, and if everything clicks around him, Burns should wind up putting it all together and producing like the star he is being paid to be.

Chauncey Golston signed here after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Cowboys. Asked for his impression of Burns thus far,

"Most definitely, Burns sets the standard, and I don't think I've been around a talented player like him and who he is," Golston said. "There are a lot of flash plays - everyone has a flash play out there now and then. But, I don't know, you've got to have a flash movie for Burns. He's very consistent in what he does with the skill to go above that."

With the sensational Carter added to the defensive front, the Giants have the potential to remind their fans - and opponents - of what it was like to prepare for Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck during the Super Bowl XLII season and Umenyiora, Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul for the run to Super Bowl XLVI.

Even with All-Pro Dexter Lawrence as the centerpiece of this dominant group, Burns pressed pause on the hype - for now.

"Everybody feels encouraged and excited and hyped up at the beginning of the season," he said. "At the same time, we look great on paper, but we ain't do [expletive] yet, you understand? So, it's all on us. We can take this as far as we want to go. I mean, everything look good with the names that we have and the potential and this and that, but until we put that [expletive] to stamp, ain't really nothing to talk about."

Malik Nabers was asked to talk for and about the Giants over a good part of a disappointing 3-14 campaign and that revealed his character as a competitor and an ascending leader. His talent is undeniable, and that continues to show up in camp daily after he set a Giants record for most receptions last season, finishing with over 1,200 yards while catching passes from FOUR different quarterbacks.

The sky's the limit in Year 2 and beyond for Nabers, especially with teammates like Burns doing what he can to get his game to another level as well.

"Burns came over the other day, saying, 'Hey, if you could get a hit on Leek,' just to let him feel the physicality," McFadden said. "Obviously [Nabers is] one of our best players and no one wants to get him hurt, but at the same time, we want to help him get ready for game day in terms of the speed and the physicality of it. I think Burns just brings everybody's level of play up with that urgency. When there's something that needs to be said, he's always the first one to say it."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Brian Burns: His Giants presence in practice is all about perspective