Roger Lewis, the New York Giants wide receiver who’s battling for a roster spot, has had a troubling journey on his way to the NFL. But at OTAs, he’s getting “real good feedback” from members of the Giants organization, including quarterback Eli Manning.
Lewis was a high school superstar and originally an Ohio State recruit, but was charged with two counts of rape before college. He was acquitted of one and sentenced to three years probation that ends this September.
During his tenure at Bowling Green, Lewis “produced some eyepopping deep ball numbers” in the MAC with 85 catches for 16 TDs. His 1,544 yards receiving ranked second in FBS, but character issues forced a drop in the draft. Originally projected in the fifth or sixth round, he dropped completely off the board.
Lewis maintains his personal problems are a non-issue. “I really don’t have character issues. I only had one run-in with the police and that was it. I feel like other people say, ‘character and this and that.’ But I’m not a bad guy at all.”
The Giants saw his potential on the field and, of their 14 undrafted free agent signings, Lewis got the largest signing bonus.
Now, he’s on the field trying to build a rapport with the starting quarterback. “I pick his brain all the time.” But their relationship isn’t a one-way street. Lewis says Manning “even comes up to me sometimes and asks me questions and practices hand signals and stuff… I think he sees the talent in me and what I can do.”
Making the final 53-man roster is an uphill battle for any undrafted free agent but Lewis seems to be on the right track. Ed Valentine of Big Blue View believes that of all the UDFAs, Lewis and cornerback Donte Deayon have “made themselves noticed” to the coaching staff.
Lewis has to impress the rest of the summer while he competes for playing time with Geremy Davis, Myles White, the Frenchman Anthony Dable and others. Lewis was in a spread offense at Bowling Green so he has much to learn about running a complete route tree, but early reviews have been good and, with Manning’s help, could make the transition.