The Redskins rank just below the league-worst Giants in average rushing yards this season, but don’t blame the meager stats (93.8 per game) on rookie Roy Helu. Since moving into the starting lineup three games ago, Helu has rushed for an NFC-best 334 yards, becoming the first Redskins rookie to gain at least 100 yards in three consecutive games.
“Roy is a fierce competitor,’’ said Giants rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara, a teammate of Helu’s at Nebraska and close friend.
“Very close,” Amukamara said. “Roy is considered a best friend of mine. I am looking forward to this. But if someone is in a different jersey then they are my enemy that day.’’
Amukamara can provide the Giants with a scouting report on Helu, who has 582 yards and is averaging 4.7 yards per rush.
“He’s a very smart competitor and he just runs real hard and he is athletic,’’ Amukamara said. “Roy always has been that type of back with the more carries he gets, the stronger gets.’’
* Seeing the Redskins again brings back a memory WR Victor Cruz would like to forget. Back in the season opener, Eli Manning, on the Giants’ first third down, targeted Cruz, who was wide open and was looking for his first NFL reception. Cruz dropped it. He didn’t see the ball again the rest of the game.
“How could I forget that one,’’ Cruz said. “I got a lot of grief for that one. I think I’ve come a long way since then.’’
* The running game has picked up and the pass protection has not faltered since the offensive line was reconfigured due to injuries, with David Diehl moving back to left tackle, Kevin Boothe moving in at center and second-year Mitch Petrus at left guard.
“If I thought earlier in the year that we would be playing with some of the bodies we’re playing with, I would’ve said, ‘Whoa,’ ’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “But they’re doing a terrific job.’’