James Franklin: Abdul Carter Adds ‘Controlled Chaos’ for Giants
Controlled Chaos is a complimentary term of the highest order.
It means the player is very disruptive but very much in control. That’s great if the guy in question plays for you. But trust me, if you’re unfortunate enough to be opposing this destructive entity, nothing about it looks controlled.
You can’t put a positive spin on incoming chaos. It’s chaos, complete and utter disorder and confusion.
To the offense, it just looks like Armageddon. Every. Single. Snap.
That’s the label that the New York Giants’ first-round pick, third overall, in last April’s draft, Abdul Carter, has garnered so far in his first NFL training camp..
“Abdul Carter will be an elite NFL defensive end because of his explosive first step, disruptive instincts and relentless pursuit,” Penn State head coach James Franklin told NFL reporter Matt Lombardo. “He brings controlled chaos off the edge that offenses fear. His ceiling in the NFL is sky-high as a game-wrecker with All-Pro upside. He’s very driven, very focused.”
Franklin’s words might have been bold at the time for a rookie, but now they’re looking downright prophetic.
Two weeks into New York Giants training camp, Carter is already one of the most buzzed-about names in the building. The rookie edge rusher has turned heads with his explosiveness, maturity, and relentless motor, traits Franklin praised, and Carter is now weaponizing at the pro level.
“He’s going to be great,” veteran offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor said after being beat by Carter multiple times in one-on-ones. “You can’t teach what he has. That twitch, that shiftiness off the line. I’ve only seen that from the best of the best.”
Eluemunor wasn’t alone in the praise. Defensive captain Kayvon Thibodeaux, who’s now lining up alongside Carter, added: “He’s a hard worker. He’s fast, he’s twitchy…he can play it all. He’s not just a rusher. He’s learning every aspect of the game.”
Giants Optimistic About Abdul Carter’s Ceiling
The early returns on Carter are promising. He started camp working with the second unit, but quickly earned more first-team reps by blowing past blockers and flashing elite traits. His first step has been compared to Micah Parsons’ and Brian Burns, while his motor never seems to stop running.
In one team session, Carter logged a would-be sack and drew oohs from the sideline after spinning around a veteran blocker like he was on roller skates.
“Controlled chaos,” Franklin called it. There’s that term.
Sclerotic but disciplined and purposeful. And that’s exactly what it looks like, explosive but calculated. Carter isn’t just reacting, he’s diagnosing, striking, and finishing.
“He’s got very, very good instincts,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters. When asked if Carter might play a significant role early on, Daboll smirked and replied, “You think?!”
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The Giants are already expanding his role. While Carter was drafted as an edge, he’s been seen taking snaps inside on passing downs, standing up off-ball, and even dropping into coverage. His versatility, coupled with that trademark motor, has created real buzz about his long-term ceiling.
“He’s a sponge,” said defensive line coach Andre Patterson. “You tell him something once, he applies it the next rep. You don’t see that often with rookies.”
NFL insiders are taking notice, too. One anonymous scout told Yahoo Sports: “Never have I seen a rookie make such a seamless transition to the NFL like Abdul Carter.”
With Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence already commanding attention up front, Carter is the kind of weapon who can thrive in a supporting role or quickly grow into something much more.
He brings something that “offenses fear,” Franklin said, which is an adjective used only on a select few at this level.
So far, Carter is bringing much more than that – disruption, hunger, and the kind of upside you don’t coach, you unleash.
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It was at PRISM where Staszak produced live games and began his career as an on-air reporter.
After a couple of brief stints with CBS-3, WB-17 and WGAL-8 in Lancaster, PA, Staszak began a 12 year stretch at FOX 29 where he became the lead sportscaster in 2007. It was there that Staszak found himself in the middle of Philadelphia Phillies World Series Championship coverage that earned him an Emmy nomination for best sports reporter in 2008.It was one of five Emmy nominations that Staszak earned over the course of his career.
All told Staszak covered three World Series, two Stanley Cup Finals, an NBA Finals and one Super Bowl during his television run.
Staszak left the TV business for 97.5 The Fanatic in 2013, where he enjoyed eight years bloviating his beliefs on how a professional football team should be run.In 2018 when he fortunate enough to be the first sports talk host in the city, along with cohort Zach Gelb, to provide post-game coverage of the first Super Bowl Championship for the city’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
Staszak was also a writer for 97.5 The Fanatic along with 4 Philly Sports and now covers Penn State athletics for NittanyCentral.com.