Not that Da’Rel Scott was producing much anyway, but his release earlier this week means it’s time for David Wilson to step up and start producing like a number one running back.
Wilson had by far his best game of the year last week in Kansas City, rushing 13 times for 55 yards and even catching two passes for eight yards. It was the first time all season that he averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry.
A more encouraging sign for the Giants is that Wilson amassed the season-high rushing yards total without the help of any exceptionally long rushes – his longest was 15 yards.
Now, while a speedy running back like Wilson should be able to break runs of 20-or-more yards, the consistency that he showed last week in continually being able to pick up 3-4 yards in between longer rushes is something that bodes well for a featured back.
With Scott out of the picture, expect to see Wilson’s touches increase this week, as they have in each of the past three weeks (7 in Week 2, 11 in Week 3, 15 in Week 4).
The only problem for Wilson is that sometimes his head limits the results on the field. Take the kickoff return from last week’s game for example. Wilson had daylight if he kept the ball to the outside and could’ve picked up an easy 10-15 extra yards. Instead, he decided to make an ill-advised cut to the interior and was quickly swallowed up by two Chiefs defenders.
If Wilson could simply stop thinking so much and just run to where there’s daylight, big runs will follow, and with it the confidence of the second-year running back should rise.
If the Giants are to contain the Philadelphia Eagles and their high-tempo offense, there is a need to control the ball via a strong running game.
In my broadcasting career, I’ve seen teams who run a Chip Kelly-style offense fail time and time again when the opposing offense plays a ball-control style of play, keeping the opposing defense on the field as long as possible.
The high tempo of the offense then doesn’t allow the defense to rest for long enough and the problem compounds itself.
A balanced rushing attack between a confident Wilson and Brandon Jacobs should go a long way towards defeating the Eagles.
Joe’s Prediction:
18 carries, 75 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 catch, 4 yards, 0 touchdowns
Check back Tuesday for a recap of how Wilson and the rest of the Giants offense performed.
Joe Vasile | Featured Columnist
Joe Vasile is a play-by-play announcer for Widener Pride football and host of “Ball Four” on WTSR in Trenton. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeVasilePBP.