Giants running back Rodney Hampton stopped by to watch his old team practice last week and was paying particular attention to David Wilson. The organization’s lineage of running backs is a proud one, stemming from Frank Gifford to Joe Morris, Ottis Anderson, Hampton, Tiki Barber, Ahmad Bradshaw and now Wilson.
Before any of them ahead of Wilson became complete, they first had to learn how to block. It’s why Hampton wasn’t as interested in watching Wilson run the ball as he was to chart his progress picking up a blitzing defender.
“The blitz pick-up, you’ve got to do that to play here,” Hampton said. “It’s a part of every practice. I’m sure that’s what [Wilson] is thinking about. He’s not worried about catching the ball or running with it. He’s thinking about the blitz pick-up period and getting it right.”
Wilson needs to get it right Sunday night when the Giants open their season against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. In his second season, Wilson figures to be a prominent part of the Giants offense. Gifted with ridiculous speed, the 2012 first-round pick from Virginia Tech, figures to get more touches with Andre Brown out with a fractured leg. But if the Giants are to trust Wilson in passing situations, he will have to prove he can hold up against the league’s best pass rushers, including Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware.
“He’s getting better,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s done a nice job of recognition. He’s done a good job of chipping and helping in pass protection. He’s got to continue to do that.”
Wilson said he understands the challenge and worked all preseason to improve his blocking skills.
“It’s something you have to do on this level,” he said. “I want to be effective in all areas of the game at my position. It’s definitely an aspect I’ve focused on.”
The Giants have won all four games played at what was formerly known as Cowboys Stadium. In those games, the Dallas defense managed just two sacks. New defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin doesn’t have a reputation for exotic blitzes. But he is wise enough to know Dallas won’t win without putting pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning. That could mean more blitzing than expected from what figures to be an aggressive Cowboys defense.
Wilson said he’s ready.
“That’s what the preseason was for,” he said. “You try to get better at something every day. I’ve made strides. Everybody is looking forward to getting the season started.”
Hampton said it was a tip from former teammate David Meggett that helped him become a better blocker. Meggett was just 5-foot-7, but held up against some of the best rushers of the 1990s.
“I learned from Meggett if I stop too far back and the linebacker runs into me, he’s going to knock me into the quarterback,” Hampton said. “But if I step up and meet him closer to the line of scrimmage, I’m not going to get knocked back into the quarterback. And the closer, you are to the line, the more help you get from your linemen.”
Blocking against the likes of Carl Banks and Lawrence Taylor in practice helped build Hampton’s confidence. Wilson gets his best looks working against Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul.
Ultimately, Wilson’s biggest contribution will come with his legs, and game-breaking speed. His 84-yard touchdown run against the Jets was an appetizer.
“I thought he had a good preseason doing everything from the passing game to the blitz pickup to running the ball well,” Manning said. “It’s been a great start for him and he’s got to continue to grow and know there’s going to be good plays and there’s going to be bad plays. You’ve got to move on and put both behind you and play the next play and be ready for whatever is coming at him.”
Especially, if it’s DeMarcus Ware.