Five weeks into his maiden regular season, Evan Engram is the man at the center of attention on the Big Blue offense.
A forgettable season for the New York Giants is becoming excruciatingly unforgettable- with 12 long weeks still to go.
Sheer bewilderment towards a sharp decline for supposed Super Bowl contenders has since reformed into ugly uncertainty.
Head-scratching, eye-rolling and criticism, along with a four-game losing streak molded into outright misery on Sunday. Big Blue slumped to 0-5 by losing to the Los Angeles Chargers and saw any remaining playoff ambitions crushed by an injury crisis.
Odell Beckham Jr. is out for the season. Brandon Marshall is out for the season. Dwayne Harris is out for the season. Sterling Shepard banged up with an ankle issue. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie suspended after a bust-up with head coach Ben McAdoo. Doesn’t make for good reading, at all.
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An extreme measure of doom and gloom has, however, opened the floor for the brave, talented and aspiring to elevate themselves in East Rutherford.
A dreadful record may put jobs at risk, but it also gives the Giants the licence to let their young guns off the leash, not to mention taking a more fearless play-calling approach.
It’s an opportunity to consider and perhaps prepare for the future. An opportunity to distinguish between the capable long-term servants and those not cut out for the job. An insight into who wants it enough to fight and shine in a damning scenario.
Rise of the rookie…
Stepping into a role at centre stage is rookie tight end Evan Engram, who looks set to become the workhorse in New York over the coming months.
Engram’s transition into the NFL has been one of few positives to continue cropping up during the team’s less than torrid start to the season.
The first-round pick boasts the physical and technical tools to, partially, help him compensate for the traits that have been lost with big injuries.
He represents the vertical threat that Marshall was identified as in the Giants offense. He also offers the Beckham-style, safe-handling and power to gain yards after the catch. He likely has the ability to produce big plays in all areas of the field.
It would come as no surprise to see him feature as a wide receiver over the next few weeks, with his versatility likely to warrant him a drastic increase in targets.
Doing so would also invite coach McAdoo to utilise tight-end Rhett Ellison more often in aid of driving a running game that must continue progressing after a dent to Eli Manning’s receiving corps.
Engram cannot be burdened with the pressure of being direct replacements for key absentees, but he can be given more responsibility.
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In what promises to be a new-look offensive lineup, he is the man with a touch of momentum and the in-game rhythm that gives him the edge over his teammates.
A gruelling season could serve as an indication into how Engram can realistically be used moving forward, and how equipped he is to be a primary weapon for his quarterback.
His tally of 34 targets ranks him fifth in tight ends in the league and demonstrates the faith McAdoo has already placed in him.
The fact he was only targeted four times against the Los Angeles Chargers in week five makes it interesting see how productive he can go on to be as one of the main men.
Big Blue’s dynamic and multifaceted playmaker now has the freedom of the entire stage on which to make a memorable first-season impression.
Help is at hand…
It won’t be long before Engram has Shepard by his side to help give fans something to smile about.
The second-year Oklahoma product has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the Denver Broncos, but will return in good time as, arguably, his team’s No.1 receiver.
Shepard entered week five as the most productive slot receiver in the league having accumulated an impressive 244 yards.
He will be welcomed back by the New York Giants offense with open arms. If he can stay fit, Shepard will be the man likely to spearhead his team’s receiving statistics.
Both he and Engram will be assisted by wide receiver Tavarres King, who was recently re-signed, as well as Travis Rudolph and Ed Eagan, who were both promoted from the practice squad.
That’s not also forgetting Roger Lewis and the prominent role he will be expected to grow into as an “experienced” wideout on the roster.
Things could be about to get extremely interesting. It may not be pretty, but there will be plenty of storylines.
Let’s see what you’ve got, Evan Engram.