GOOD' VIBRATIONS
Hall of Fame LB Carson: B.J. could be Giant leader
In a lost season, the best the Giants can hope for is to find some hidden gems tucked inside their roster, a young player or two worth keeping around for whoever is coaching the team in 2018.
B.J. Goodson does not exactly fit that profile as he plans his return from a high ankle sprain that up until now has ruined his second NFL season. There are, mercifully, just five games remaining before these Giants, as we know them, get blown up. Perhaps there is enough time for Goodson to get back onto the field and show that he is what everyone around the team expects from him, that he will be a quality middle linebacker and leader.
If it takes one to know one, Goodson is in good hands. Harry Carson, the Hall of Famer and former ferocious Giants inside linebacker, took a liking to Goodson as soon as he walked into the building as a rookie last year. Carson said he sees a little something of himself in Goodson, which is high praise, indeed.
“I’ve been talking to B.J. and I like him,’’ Carson recently told The Post. “I think he’s built a certain way, very humble, from the South. But he’s been hurt. I think he’s one of those guys that could be a really good leader, if that’s a role he chooses to do. You have to walk the walk and he has to keep things in perspective with his own life before he starts saying things to other guys.’’
Carson is not one of those former stars who injects his beliefs on the current players, but he does make it a point of speaking with Goodson as often as possible. Carson grew up in Florence, S.C., about 30 minutes from Lamar, S.C., where Goodson was raised. That shared background gives them something in common, other than the position Goodson plays and the team he plays for.
“We’re from the same neck of the woods,’’ Goodson told The Post. “Florence is like the city to us, where I’m from. It’s all country, but I’m like from the dirt country.’’
This 2-9 Giants season did not fly off the rails, as it never was on the right course. Goodson was a defensive standout in the season-opening 19-3 loss to the Cowboys, moving sidelineto-sideline en route to a career-high 18-tackle eruption, including 14 solo tackles. He came away with a shin injury and missed the next two games. He started the next three games, but did not make it out of the 24-7 loss to the Seahawks, suffering a high ankle sprain, and he has not been seen ever since, sitting four more games. He hopes to be ready to return for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Oakland.
Amid all the injuries and terrible play, Goodson’s absence is often overlooked. Even though he is only 24, the 2016 fourth-round pick from Clemson this season emerged as a respected voice, directing his older teammates. The injuries have robbed him of any onfield contributions in more than a month.
“I make sure my presence is felt, for sure, around the locker room,’’ Goodson said. “As far as my physical presence on the field, not being able to be out there, of course, but that is what it is, something I can’t control. My presence is for sure felt, though, by everybody.’’
Carson helps with this, as well.
“He comes in, he gives me advice on what he sees and what he thinks,’’ Goodson said. “We have a pretty good relationship.’’
Informed Carson views Goodson as a kindred spirit, two humble guys from the south, Goodson’s eyes widened a bit.
“Any time an older guy who’s had tons of success in this league says anything of that nature you have to take that and smile, and take it in stride,’’ Goodson said. “I appreciate it. I don’t feel any limitations on my game. Just trying to be the best I can possibly be. But those are huge words coming from him.
“Something I take great pride in is being humble. A lot of guys, they get to this point in their careers and that’s something that goes out of the window for a lot of guys. That’s something I take pride in. It helps me with being coachable.’’
Without Goodson, the middle of the Giants’ defense has been a revolving door, with undrafted rookie Calvin Munson and veteran Kelvin Sheppard — out of football before re-signing — forced into the starting role Goodson plans on securing, again, once he is healed.