Jerry Reese meant it as a compliment, but it’s starting to feel more like an albatross to Giants tight end Adrien Robinson.
Reese famously labeled Robinson “the JPP of tight ends” after drafting him in the fourth round out of Cincinnati in 2012. Big Blue’s general manager thought Robinson’s athletic ability for his 6-foot-4, 265-pound size compared favorably to the team’s then-rising defensive star, Jason Pierre-Paul.
But with zero catches and just three games played in his first two NFL seasons, Robinson now wishes Reese had never brought it up.
“I don’t think [Reese’s Pierre-Paul comparison] was a bad thing, but it brought a lot of extra attention and the media just kind of took it and ran with it,” Robinson told The Post on Wednesday. “I don’t like hearing it now, going into my third year. But it’s just something I’ve got to deal with.”
What’s funny is that Robinson might finally be in position to live up to that billing.
Coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday that Robinson’s strong performance in last week’s 27-26 preseason win over the Colts had earned him a longer look among the six competitors in the Giants’ wide-open race at tight end.
Robinson led the Giants in receiving yards with 58 (on two catches) against Indianapolis, including a 26-yard grab on fourth-and-16 on what ended up being the game-winning drive.
“He certainly has given himself an opportunity to play a little bit more, yeah,” Coughlin said.
Robinson said he realizes it is time to make Reese look smart for the Pierre Paul comparison.
“I definitely feel like it’s time for me to produce,” Robinson said. “It’s my third year, and it’s now or never. I definitely feel that pressure.”
Coughlin said the starters will play all or most of the first half Friday against the Jets.
“The move right now is to go from say 25 to 30 snaps, so I would stick pretty much to that,” Coughlin said.
Both sides of the ball have struggled in the preseason (particularly the offense), but Coughlin said a half of playing time for the starters in the fourth preseason game was “the plan all along.”
Safety Cooper Taylor’s season appears to be over before it even started.
Coughlin said Taylor has a sesamoid fracture in his foot that will require surgery, the result of a tackle attempt in last week’s win over the Colts that went awry.
Coughlin only would say that a season-ending spot on injured reserve is “a possibility,” but that appears to be the likeliest option.
Taylor also spent much of last season on injured reserve because of hamstring and shoulder injuries.
The NFL’s two-game experiment with moving extra-point attempts back to the 15-yard line is over, and Coughlin isn’t sorry to see it go.
“I didn’t think much of it when it was suggested,” he said. “You have to be aware of the fact that it’s a 33-yard field goal in November when the wind’s blowing and it’s snowing here and in Miami it’s 75 degrees. It’s a little different in different parts of the country.
“I would say probably the ball will stay at the [2-yard line] on extra points. But if you really want to make it interesting, put it at the 1.”