Credit: John Munson/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports
In late July, rumors of the Giants contemplating a “Zero RB” approach hit the news wire. This design would require a tight end to line up in the backfield and undertake blocking technique outside the norm. A few shorts weeks later, however, the tight end candidates have been an outright disappointment, on all fronts. Kellen Davis has been taking 1st teams reps — that’s all you need to know.
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It appears the fortunes of the two positions have been reversed, as fullback Henry Hynoski has been seeing work at tight end. Hynoski, who re-signed on a one-year $1 million dollar deal following a shoulder injury in 2013, rightfully believes that the deeper your skill set, the more likely you are to carve out an NFL roster niche:
"“I’m really asked to do a lot,’’ Hynoski said. “Right now I can play fullback, obviously, running back, and tight end is something I feel I can do also. Getting into some routes, some inline blocking and that type of thing. In this league, the more you can do, the better. It certainly won’t hurt if I can expand my role a little bit more."
Crunching blocks will always be Hynoski’s bread and butter, but he’s down 8 lbs this offseason (257) from his average playing weight in an effort to better utilize his agility. In fact, the concept of setting up on the line is not completely foreign to Hynoski:
"“In college, I was used as an H-back a lot, a motion guy. I did all that kind of stuff. I know how to do it here. I know all the plays, so if they were to line me up, I’d be ready to go. I just like playing football and if it involves blocking, I like it especially. Anywhere I can line up and get to hit somebody, I guess I’ll be happy.’’"
So… it’s only a matter of time until we see John Conner motioning and running pass routes, right? Now that’s a frightful thought. Currently in the midst of shaking off concussion symptoms, Conner has to be viewed as a longshot to crack the 53-man roster on August 30th. A healthy Hynoski brings the power blocking element and possesses the versatility that Ben McAdoo craves. Conner is a one-trick pony.