NFL

Giants using Wilson as ‘weapon’ in kick game

A rookie who is buried on the depth chart can either sulk about it or else try to make something happen on special teams as a way to ingratiate himself with the coaching staff. It is obvious which direction David Wilson is taking.

“He works hard every day,’’ Giants coach Tom Coughlin yesterday said of the rookie running back. “The kid…he works hard. He’s trying to get it all figured out. He wants you to know how much it means to him and how important it is to him. He’s gone out last night and proven a few things. I mean, yeah. Is there a place for a guy that can take it at five yards and run it the rest of the way? Yes.’’

Wilson didn’t take it the rest of the way Sunday night against the Eagles, but he came close. He had kickoff returns of 43 and 53 yards and his 35-yard return gave the Giants a shot at a last-gasp drive in their 19-17 loss.

“David Wilson as a weapon, it’s quite obvious now that people are going to really have to contend for that aspect of our game,’’ Coughlin said.

Wilson, the first-round pick from Virginia Tech, has had a rough rookie season. He lost a fumble on his second NFL rushing attempt and hasn’t been a part of the offense ever since. He seems to understand that making plays on kickoffs will get him back in good graces.

“Yeah, especially in my position as a running back,’’ Wilson said. “Catching kickoffs and running the ball, if you can make something happen there they feel like they can put you somewhere in the offense and have an impact.’’

His work on offense remains a work in progress. He only got one chance against the Eagles, in the first quarter, when on a play specially designed for him – a change of direction shovel pass fell incomplete. Eli Manning flipped the ball a bit too high and behind Wilson but he got his hands on it and could have held on.

Asked what he thought should have happened on that play, Coughlin thrust both arms into the air, signaling for a touchdown.

“It was an excellent call; it was at the right time,’’ Coughlin said. “It was well set up. There was no indication that that was coming whatsoever. They had been subject to the crack-block in previous games relatively effectively, and if I was a defensive player, I would play it the same way. They were looking for crack. Because they were looking for crack, it gave us a chance. I don’t know if it’s an exactly perfect flip, but it should be caught; it’s there. Catch it, put it away, and use your God-given ability.’’