NFL New York Giants

New York Giants’ Rookies Shine

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By @MuscleSportMag

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

As we reach the half way mark in the NFL season, the New York Giants enter their bye week down but certainly not out. It doesn’t get more inconsistent than losing two, winning three and then dropping two more. Injuries at two skill positions could have been the death knell for Big Blue, but Odell Beckham, Jr. and Andre Williams have joined fellow rookie Weston Richburg in the starting line-up to give the team a solid offense, regardless of the loss of veterans on that side of the ball.

New offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo not only had to endure a difficult learning process for his west coast offense, but then also having to replace the injured Rashad Jennings and Victor Cruz once everyone was finally on the same page.

Part of McAdoo’s early success was switching second round draft pick Richburg to left guard from center, a position that he started all 50 games at for Colorado State. The 6-foot-3, 298 pound player has been solid and started the Giants’ first seven games.

The Giants seemed to be set in the backfield with David Wilson as the starter, Jennings behind him and fourth-round pick Williams third on the depth chart. Even when Wilson had to retire due to a neck injury, Jennings had a good preseason and a breakout game in a Week 3 win over the Houston Texans with 34 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown.

But the five-year pro injured his left knee two weeks later and that opened the door for Williams, who was a workhorse in the second half in the victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He has become a dependable, if not flashy, running back.

“He is a tough, hard-nosed runner; that’s why he is here,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said after the Week 5 win. “That was his reputation and that is what his evaluation was. He dropped his shoulder and ran through someone to get in the end zone. He is a hard running ball carrier who can get himself low to the ground and has outstanding leg strength.”

Beckham, Jr. arrived amidst much fanfare since being selected 12th overall after a successful career at LSU. But a hamstring injury slowed down his progress and caused him to miss the first four games of the season. But he made an immediate impact against Atlanta with four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.

When Cruz injured his knee in Week 6, Beckham, Jr. was thrust into the starting line-up and hooked up with quarterback Eli Manning for two touchdowns in the Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

So when the second half of the campaign begins, the Giants need to lean on three rookies that are getting quality on-the-job training. And the grades have been positive so far.

Joe Pietaro is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MuscleSportMag, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. 

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