Remember when there was an orneriness to the Giants defense?

For too long, reserved and orderly were the characteristics of a unit that played badly on the field and was milquetoast off it, other than a few flare-ups (Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple, Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison and Landon Collins are all elsewhere).

Maybe that is changing. Blake Martinez, the $10 million-a-year inside linebacker, has an edge to him that is a welcome addition to all the smoothed-out individuals of years past.

Martinez is playing quite well — just what the Giants envisioned and needed from a newcomer instantly voted in as a team captain. The defense had one OK game (Steelers), one great half (Bears), one stinker (49ers) and one excellent overall performance (Rams), other than one busted play.

“It’s a process,’’ Martinez said. “I think a lot of people write us off, think that something’s wrong, think they know how to fix everything.’’

No one knows how to fix everything. For a time, the Giants did not know how to fix anything. Martinez is helping with the renovation.