New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns will face the team that drafted him 16th overall in the 2019 draft for the first time this Sunday when the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.
Barnes spent five seasons with the Panthers, establishing himself as a top pass rusher. At Carolina, Barnes recorded 59 tackles, 46 sacks and 13 passes defended in 80 games. He recorded at least 7.5 sacks every season in Carolina.
This offseason, the Giants traded Barnes and signed him to a five-year contract extension. He’s now a Giant, but acknowledged his days in Carolina during Monday’s media session.
Asked if the Panthers had any unfinished business, Barnes said, “No, like I said, business is business.” “Business happened. I’m happy to be here now. I’m blessed.”
Barnes admitted that the trade wasn’t what he asked for, but he felt it would happen after the team decided to rebuild.
“Surprise? Not surprising,” he said. “I think I kind of had a sense of the direction it was going in. But it’s not. Just to answer your question, I didn’t ask for a trade.”
He holds no ill will toward the team that drafted him.
“I respect the people in that building, in that organization. Like I said, I’m blessed. I don’t have much to say. I’m happy with where I’m at right now and I’m happy with this team. “I’m just trying to win,” he said.
Burns said she left Carolina without saying a proper goodbye to people and said she looks forward to seeing many of them.
“There are a lot of people I didn’t get to talk to before I left. Over the course of five years, I build bonds with a lot of people in different ways,” he said. “I have a special connection with some of the equipment staff, the training staff, the lunch staff. There’s a connection all over that building. So I can’t wait to meet them.”
The Panthers won a total of 24 games during Barnes’ five seasons in Carolina, but Barnes’ transfer from there to East Rutherford was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire while the Giants’ record wasn’t as good. Some people see it as something.
“I’m not going to make it bigger than the line and everything about it. It’s just another game for me. I’m going to prepare the same way and try to get a win in Germany as well,” he said.
It’s a much-needed win for this Giants team.
