Markus Kuhn is healthy, has added significant muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame and is ready to pick up where he left off with the Giants after a lost 2013 season that saw him appear in only five games because of a torn ACL.
“Just get out there and perform every day, show the coaches and show myself what I can do,” the German-born defensive lineman said this week. “Be a great part of this team. Right now, I think we have an opportunity to do well at our position and it’s up to everybody to step up and show we’re a great defensive line unit.”
A seventh-round pick out of North Carolina State in 2012, the 28-year-old Kuhn missed most of last year after seeing action in 10 contests as a rookie in 2012.
He was a bright spot in his first season, getting one start and filling a void in the middle of the defensive line besieged by injuries before he suffered a torn ACL in a November loss to the Bengals. Kuhn likely will see a similar role this year, granted he can stay healthy.
“Every year is a new opportunity. You’re trying to work hard in the offseason and now during training camp,” he said. “You start fresh. Of course, there’s an opportunity to get more playing time and improve this team.”
Along with second-year pro Johnathan Hankins, Kuhn is part of rotation at defensive tackle behind starters Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins. Kuhn is likely to see a lot of time in the preseason and have a big role once the regular season begins, after defensive tackle Linval Joseph signed with the Vikings.
“I’m a big effort player,” said Kuhn, who’s up from 305 pounds last year to 315 this year. “I think I’m really good against stopping the run, which I’ve shown. I’m versatile. There are different spots I think I can play well. What I have to work on the most is rushing the passer.”
It already has been a fun summer for Kuhn, as he got to see his native Germany win the World Cup. Trash talking has been at a minimum in training camp, with the Giants not exactly teeming with soccer fans.
“I still sneak it in every now and then,” he said with a smile.