Martin hits the ground running in old system

The most familiar face Kareem Martin saw upon arriving to the Giants is the one that mattered most.

Though nearly every player at the team’s minicamp is first learning the new offensive and defensive systems, the 26-yearold linebacker is well ahead of his teammates, having spent each of his first four seasons playing under new Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher.

Martin signed with the Giants just over a month ago as a free agent.

“It’s been really helpful, especially in the transition,” Martin said. “Coming from the West Coast to East, it can be really tough, especially trading teams, not really knowing anyone. But having coach here and having this defense, it takes a lot of pressure off myself, to having to learn people and learning a defense.

“I think it’ll be beneficial for the defense, me being a guy that they can lean on when they have questions about the defense or any of the schemes, I’m comfortable with answering any questions.”

Martin believes the system will be a perfect fit for the roster, as currently constructed.

“It’s a fun defense. We’re an attacking, heavypressure team,” Martin said. “We keep teams guessing. Make a lot of checks and we keep a lot of teams on their toes, we disguise a lot of things. It gets guys energized. You never know who’s coming, who’s dropping. I think that adds to it, to the success that we’ve had the past couple of years in Arizona. And we look to bring that here.

“I think what we have here will work great with this defense.”

Martin said he’s already helped out Olivier Vernon, the career defensive end, who is moving to outside linebacker in the Giants’ new 3-4 scheme. ➤ Defensive tackle Damon Harrison is one of just two healthy players to be absent from the team’s voluntary minicamp, but coach Pat Shur

mur said he has spoken with him, and said it isn’t a problem.

“I’m aware of why he wasn’t here,” Shurmur said. “So, there’s no real issues there. … I expect him back soon.” Shurmur has also spoken with

Ereck Flowers a “couple times,” and seemed to have a bigger issue with the recently demoted offensive lineman skipping the mini-camp.

“If they are not here, how much you can get done in a short phone call is not much,” Shurmur said.

➤ Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t participate in live drills, but ran at what appeared to be full speed while warming up with teammates. ... Davis Webb threw three touchdowns — including back-to-back strikes to tight end Jerell

Adams — in the team’s red-zone drill.