Veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader has joined the New York Giants and expressed his commitment to bolstering the team's run defense, stating his intention to make "Exit 98 always closed." In an interview with The Post, Reader detailed his approach to the game, emphasizing his physical and mental toughness.
Reader, who signed as a free agent, aims to make a significant impact, particularly against the run. "I put a tremendous amount of pressure on myself as a player, especially in the run game," Reader said. He acknowledged the pressure to help replace Dexter Lawrence but asserted his confidence in his own abilities. "Not gonna be that player, not looking to be Dex, he plays the game a little bit different than the way I play it, but I feel like we both do it effectively," he stated. Reader described himself as a physical player committed to the system and willing to "play his ass off."
His toughness is evident, he claims, in his willingness to engage in double teams and hold his ground against blocks, even after two knee injuries. "You don’t see me going backwards too often. You see the way I hold in on double teams, the way I hold in on single blocks, all those things, I’m in there," Reader explained. He also highlighted his mental fortitude, recalling playing through a shoulder injury in Chicago and maintaining calm amidst game chaos. "I find peace in chaos. I find peace when everything’s flying, things are moving around," he added.
Reader described his on-field mentality as "smart, hard-nose, just tough." He reiterated his commitment to controlling the middle of the defense, using the analogy, "Exit 98’s always closed, man. I’m always there. Can’t get off on Exit 98, no car’s passing there."
Regarding the Giants' defense, Reader expressed optimism about their ability to stop the run. "Yeah, I confidently believe so. We gotta go out there and do it, but I believe so," he said. He also touched on a lifetime of being doubted, citing an instance at age 9 where he was told he wasn't athletic enough for a baseball team. This, he explained, fueled his self-confidence and resilience.
Reader is driven by the work he and his late father put in, which instilled in him a strong sense of competitiveness. He also aims to be a positive role model for his two sons, ages 6 and three months.
Looking ahead, Reader expressed his strong desire to win a Super Bowl, having experienced it once with the Bengals in 2021. He believes the current Giants roster possesses the talent and coaching to be a playoff team. "Yes. … We got the players and coaches to do it. Now it’s just we gotta do it. But we got a special roster."