#Carl Banks wants Lorenzo Carter to become ‘Giants linebacker’

I wanted to get the take of one of the greatest linebackers in Giants’ history on Lorenzo Carter, who’s entering his third season with the Giants and has yet to touch his potential.

Carter, drafted in the third round in 2018, has teased, showing flashes of the big-play linebacker he can be with 8.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits in two seasons. It just feels like there’s more there for him, bigger plays and more consistency. Stardom.

“It’s interesting that you called me about Lorenzo, because I was just putting some thoughts together about him,’’ Banks said. “I’m going to say this — it’s constructive and I would say this to him if I had the opportunity, so this is all coming from a place of love as if he were a brother, a teammate, a son — my message to Lorenzo Carter is that it’s time for him to become a Giants linebacker.

“There are a lot of players who have played linebacker for the Giants, but it’s been a long time since there’s been a Giants linebacker on the team. Lorenzo has the skill set to become what I consider a Giants linebacker in the tradition of Giants linebackers.’’

The Giants’ curious departure as an organization that was carried by star linebacker play — the era of Harry Carson and then Lawrence Taylor and Banks (who’s now a Giants radio analyst) — to a team without any, has been well-chronicled in recent years.

Linebacker has gone from a position that defined the organization to a forgotten position when it’s come to drafting and free-agent signings, a lost art, if you will.

And in Banks’ eyes, Carter has the chance to change that, become the first impact linebacker the Giants have had since Antonio Pierce (retired in 2009) and Jesse Armstead before him.

“I’ve seen a guy who’s got a lot of talent that has yet to put it all together,’’ Banks said.

It’s clear from speaking to Banks, who’s about as close to the Giants players as the coaches are, that he doesn’t view Carter as a player who’s been lazy or dogging it.

Banks just wants Carter to reach deeper within himself to find his potential. And he believes the Giants new coaching staff, beginning with head coach Joe Judge and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, may just be the impetus to push Carter.

“A guy like Lorenzo can really be a star in that defense,’’ Banks said. “He absolutely can be a difference-maker. He hasn’t gotten there yet. He hasn’t put it on the field yet, but he has that skill set and then some.’’

Banks said he read a recent interview conducted with new Giants linebackers coach Bret Bielema, and some of what he said concerned him.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean this in any way that was negative, but he said, ‘We’ve got a lot of good players, a lot of good guys who come to work every day [and] there are no stars in the group,’ ’’ Banks said. “If I’m a guy like Lorenzo Carter, I want to change that narrative. I want to show the coach that there are stars in the group.’’

Banks believes the previous Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher had a part in stunting the growth of young, impressionable players like Carter.

“They were fundamentally inept under Bettcher,’’ Banks said. “I don’t think that will be the case in this defense under Patrick Graham. They’re going to be very demanding. But in order to become a Giants linebacker, which I think Lorenzo should and is very capable of, he’s going to have to demand even more of himself.’’

Banks said he believes the poor coaching was “probably 40 percent’’ of the reason for Carter’s lack of consistency and that “the other 60 percent is on him.’’

One Giants player who believes Carter is ready to break out is second-year defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

“Zo is working really hard,’’ Lawrence said Tuesday. “He came in looking really good, in good shape. He’s looking stronger. We just put pads on, so you’ll be able to see that soon. He looks like he’s ready to go. He’s special.’’

Banks wants to see special, because he believes Carter can be exactly that.

“It takes more than just ability,’’ Banks said. “It takes a commitment to fundamentals each and every practice. There are very few guys that you get your hands on with his size, his athletic ability. He seems to love football. But you’ve got to ask more of yourself. I think he’ll be given the parameters by which he can become great in this system. And the rest of it comes down to him. It’s up to him.’’