Giants coach Tom Coughlin wasn’t thrilled about defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul’s weight gain in 2011, but he might have a more positive reaction to running back David Wilson’s plan to add weight to his frame.
Wilson says he has put on a few pounds of muscle since the end of the season and hopes to play at a slightly heavier weight than he did in 2012. Wilson’s doing that because he wants to be a more effective pass blocker, a desire doubtlessly spurred by the Giants making it clear last season that Wilson’s playing time was limited because he hadn’t shown he was a “complete running back.”
Wilson eventually got more time after injuries gave the Giants little choice but to turn to their 2011 first-round pick, but Wilson doesn’t want to leave things up to chance this time around.
“Because at the end of the day, Eli is our quarterback in there,” Wilson said, via Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger. “And when the game is in a tough situation, the ball is going to be in his hands to make decisions. And when he makes those decisions, he’s got to be able to stand in the pocket.”
The Giants have said that Wilson, Andre Brown, Ryan Torain and Da’Rel Scott will compete for playing time in the backfield. If his pass protection work is up to snuff, Wilson’s ability to turn every touch into six points should put him in position to grab the top spot on the depth chart.