Former Giants running back Tiki Barber offered up some thoughts this week about how current Giants running back David Wilson can develop into a great player, and he said that overcoming a fear of blocking is a key part of it.
Barber admitted to ESPNNewYork.com that he was “horrible” at pass protection as a rookie and said that developing as a pass blocker is crucial for Wilson or any other young running back who wants to make it in the NFL.
“There’s two reasons why,” Barber said. “You don’t know how to do it and you are scared to do it. Unlike in college where you have smaller linebackers who are really designed to drop in the zone and cover wide receivers in the slot, in the NFL you get these linebackers who are 250 pounds and can do those things, as well. It is intimidating when you give up 50 pounds to a guy.”
Wilson showed a lot of promise with the ball in his hands last year, but the Giants hesitated to use him as their No. 1 running back in part because he hadn’t proven he could protect Eli Manning. Barber said that Wilson can become a “fantastic” all-around player if he figures out how to put it all together.
“He is as dynamic a player at that position that the Giants have ever had,” Barber said. “So it is just a matter of him learning those little intricacies of what it takes to be great.”
If Wilson can be as great on the field as Barber was, the Giants will be very pleased.