Dexter Lawrence rips Carl Banks for 'delusional' comments - ESPN

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Dexter Lawrence handled criticism from New York Giants legend Carl Banks much like he does undersized offensive linemen.

He brushed it aside as if it barely existed, using brute force.

Banks, who is a radio analyst for the Giants, was extremely critical this week of Lawrence on his Bleav podcast with play-by-play announcer Bob Papa. Banks' comments came after New York's 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, when Lawrence had three tackles and was credited with half a sack.

«Dexter Lawrence, nobody respects you anymore. Nobody,» Banks said, before going on to say the star defensive lineman wasn't playing at the same level as previous seasons.

Lawrence strongly disagreed with Banks' assessment, noting that numbers don't always tell the full story and citing the rate at which he gets double-teamed. That alone spoke of the respect he receives.

«Those are strong words,» Lawrence said Wednesday when asked about Banks' criticism. «That's how he feels? F--- it!»

Lawrence is getting doubled at a league-high 74.9% rate on his pass rush opportunities this season. He was doubled-teamed at a 74.5% rate last year.

Banks won a pair of Super Bowls during his 1984-92 stint as a Giants linebacker. It didn't matter to Lawrence that those words came from a player with Banks' pedigree.

Why not?

«He's delusional,» Lawrence said.

Lawrence said he thought he was playing well this season. He has 20 tackles (1 for a loss), 0.5 sacks, an interception, 10 initial pressures and 4 quarterback hits. He has a pass rush win rate of 5.4% and run stop win rate of 36.3% through eight games.

The production doesn't quite match the previous season, when Lawrence had 44 tackles, 9 sacks, 18 initial pressures and 16