BACKUP PLAN: Kregg Lumpkin, signed by the Giants on Tuesday along with Ryan Torain, prepares to take a handoff from Eli Manning at practice yesterday. (
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Ryan Torain was playing seven-on-seven football in Arizona. Kregg Lumpkin was considering the corporate world of mortgage financing. And David Wilson was plodding through the typical trials of an NFL rookie.
One serious running game injury later and all have decidedly different roles this week for the Giants, who are preparing to face the Redskins on Monday night in Washington.
Torain, who played three NFL seasons including the last two with the Redskins, and Lumpkin, a veteran of three teams, both were signed by the Giants on Tuesday after Andre Brown fractured his leg Sunday night against Green Bay. Wilson has been used sparingly as a rookie first-round pick out of Virginia Tech, but with Brown down, he must “ratchet it up,” according to Tom Coughlin.
“Andre went down. He’s a big part of our running game so it’s for me to be the next guy in line,” Wilson said. “He played a heavy role in our offense. Somebody’s got to step up. I’ve been working hard just being ready.”
And serving as teacher and mentor this week to the new guys vying for a chance to back up Ahmad Bradshaw.
“When they ask me questions, I have to provide answers. That [lets me do] the quiz that me and Henry [Hynoski, a fullback] do. It is like they quiz me too and now I am getting questions,” said Wilson, who has carried 24 times — including six against the Packers — in addition to his kick return duties, a job he wants to keep along with his added rushing responsibilities. “It’s like I’m getting quizzed when they ask me questions about the protections. They’re keeping me on my toes.”
Both Torain and Lumpkin tried to keep up with the league while they were living in the real world. Torain laughed about having to miss the championship game of the seven-on-seven football league in Chandler, Ariz., this week. A spot on an NFL roster is a legit reason to miss.
“I was in Arizona, training, playing a little seven-on-seven football. Running hills, staying in good shape, staying focused, not getting distracted,” said Torain, who rushed for 200 yards and a touchdown last season for the Redskins after a 742-yard, four-touchdown effort in 2010. “Nice little league. Just a group of guys, nothing too crazy. Definitely got to keep the cleats on.”
Lumpkin, a college teammate of former Giant D.J. Ware at Georgia, last played with Tampa Bay. He was exploring all options, even those in a business suit. Before the Giants called, he was working out and applying for jobs.
“Corporate jobs,” said Lumpkin, who got an offer from an Atlanta-based mortgage company. “I got a couple offers and then I got a call. I want to explore my NFL career and then when that time comes to get a corporate job, that’s where I’ll go.”
But finance and seven-on-seven games can wait. Coughlin said it was a “possibility” either of the two new guys might even get a shot to play Monday.
“They had outstanding workouts and we’re in a need at that position,” Coughlin said.