New York Giants rookie David Wilson earning praise

Jun 16, 2012, 6:30 PM UTC

May 11, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants first round draft pick running back David Wilson (34) works out during minicamp at the Timex Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

This time of year, minicamp season, is full of conjecture. Every rookie looks like a great pick and praise is heaped upon them. But when a veteran coach like New York Giants offensive coordinator offers that praise, it's worth noting. Gilbride spoke highly to reporters about rookie David Wilson on Thursday

“I don’t know if we’ve had a guy as explosive — regardless of the position — here,” Gilbride told reporters. “I think Da’Rel Scott gives you a guy that probably in a 100-yard dash may be able to beat him, but I don’t know that you see quite the darting, the explosiveness and short burst that you see with [Wilson].”

That explosiveness is what got Wilson drafted in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. At Virginia Tech, Wilson was a hot and cold runner. He’d have a game-breaking run that was preceded by plays of negative yards. If the Giants’ coaching staff can limit his negative plays, though, Wilson could develop into one of the bigger steals of this year’s draft. But before that can happen, Wilson will have to learn the team’s playbook.

"Obviously, he has the ability to run the ball and make some big plays, but unless he understands a lot of our checks and protections and change of protections, Until you have a great grasp of that, you’re not gonna be able to get on the field," Giants quarterback Eli Manning told reporters. "But it seems like he’s learning and picking up things."

If Wilson can quickly learn the playbook – and most importantly protection principles – he could overtake incumbent starter Ahmad Bradshaw. The sixth-year running back is coming back from a bizarre injury that required bone marrow to be taking from his hip and injected into his right foot. That troublesome right foot limited Bradshaw to just 659 yards rushing last year, and only a 3.9 yards per carry average.

So with Wilson getting all the carries to this point in the offseason and Bradshaw’s questionable health and future potential, the rookie should receive plenty of regular season carries.

For more on Wilson, read our scouting report here. Get the latest on the New York Giants from Big Blue View.

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