During the 2012 season, Giants running backs coach Jerald Ingram hammered rookie running back David Wilson for not being a complete running back, with a particular emphasis on the need for Wilson to become a better pass blocker if he wanted to become a major part of the team’s running game.
Wilson did see more time in the final weeks of the regular season and Ahmad Bradshaw’s departure means that he’s in line for a lot of playing time in his second season. Ingram said that Wilson has “grown” during the offseason in terms of his understanding of the offense, including the vital role of keeping Eli Manning from being planted in the turf.
“There are some goals that he has to accomplish for us,” Ingram said, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. “He’s definitely on a better track than he was a year ago in understanding our protections and doing those kinds of things. I think we’ll take advantage of his natural ability as much as we can.”
Andre Brown is on hand to provide balance, Ingram referred to the tandem as a “thunder and lightning-type situation,” but Wilson’s playmaking ability will be tough to take off the field if he proves competent as a blocker. Ingram notes that you can’t tell much about blocking until everyone’s in pads, which means August will bring more of an idea of whether Wilson’s reached that level.
