New York Giants Tight Ends
By Joe Tufaro
We now take time to examine the much discussed position of Tight End. Jake Ballard, from Ohio State, did a nice job last year for the G-Men, but he is now gone. He would not have played in 2012 anyway, so we move on to the other players.
Travis Beckum, who also was hurt in the Super Bowl, will probably be like Jake Ballard, and not be ready to start the season next year. Travis showed a little light at the end of the tunnel this year, but not enough to secure him a spot on the roster, or to excite too many fans about the promise he supposedly possesses.
Bear Pascoe will now move to at or near the head of the line. Bear was always held back because he was used as a fullback at times, and is not a prototypical Tight End. He struggles with his blocking, a key to being a Giants Tight End, and has yet to show his true potential either. The Bear did show a bit more in the post season, but in this era of Jimmy Graham (N.O.), Jermichael Finley (G.B.), and Antonio Gates (S.D.) the Giants could use a big play guy at this position.
Christian Hopkins 6’5″ 277 a second year man out of Toledo is the new project if you will. Jerry Reese says he has the tools, the hands, the size, to be a good Tight End. This we will have to see.
In free agency the Giants signed TE Martellus Bennett away from the Cowboys. They re-structured his contract to give him a one year try-out with the Giants. He stepping out of the shadow of one of the most productive tight ends of the last 10 years in Jason Witten. He says he is ready, we will see.
The Giants also took a young man on draft day in Adrien Robinson who is 6’4″ and 264 pounds. He is another raw talent for Mike Pope the tight ends coach to mold into a player. He fits the model of the new bigger athletic tight end in the NFL and it will be fun to watch him develop.
Also on the team and competing for a spot are: LArry Donnell 6’6″ 269 from Grambling, and Ryan Purvis at 6’4″ and 264, a four year man out of Boston College.
One thing most fans seem to forget is no one knew who Jake Ballard was before the season began. He made some nice strides and became a fast fan favorite. We didn’t lose a hall of fame tight end, and the position is not the most important the Giants need to fill for another run. I believe they have set themselves up well for the immediate future, and for the long term, as Jerry Reese often does.