2 weeks Ago
The New York Giants haven’t had a ton of things break their way in 2024. From quarterback Daniel Jones’ struggles to injuries to left tackle Andrew Thomas and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, a 2-6 start has New York back to square one. However, this season hasn’t been without bright spots.
On the offensive side of the ball, rookie receiver Malik Nabers has set the league on fire, and after a delayed start, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has joined him. The two are quickly emerging as building blocks for New York’s offense , with Tracy proving general manager Joe Schoen right in the wake of Saquon Barkley’s departure.
© Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports Tracy shined in Week 8, rushing for 145 yards and a score against an elite Pittsburgh defense. In doing so, he seemed to have locked down the starting running back job the rest of the way. Head coach Brian Daboll spoke on Friday about Tracy’s quick development.
“He's a good player,” Daboll said. “He's got size. He's got speed.
He's got power. He's got good vision. I think the plays have been blocked well, too.
He's made plays when they aren't blocked. That's what good running backs need to do too. Where it's not perfectly blocked and he can squirt through even if it's two or three (yards).
“But I think some of his power and explosiveness has shown up running through tacklers or making a guy miss in space. He's done a good job. He's earned his playing time.
And he'll continue to play. He's performing well, so he's earned what he's getting.” What he’s getting seems to be a starter’s worth of carries.
Despite sustaining a concussion in Week 8, Tracy progressed through concussion protocol in time to play on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. While there was some doubt that Singletary could creep back into the picture, having earned Daboll’s trust with the Buffalo Bills and offering a more steady hand in the backfield. Daboll’s words and Tracy’s recent momentum have done enough to put those worries to rest.
Tracy’s explosiveness and versatility has earned him a key role in New York’s offense. What makes Tracy’s emergence even more impressive is that it’s only his second year as a running back, having made the switch from receiver at Purdue. As such, there’s room to grow, meat left on the bone of his passing production, and reason to gawk at how instinctual he’s looked in Year 1.
“I just think the type of guy that he is,” Daboll said. “He does have all the right kind of off-field traits. The way he prepares, his intelligence, his commitment to the team and his character.
I think (Running Backs Coach) Joel Thomas has done a great job with him. He puts a lot of work into it. I think having (running back) Motor (Singletary) be there for a sounding board has helped him.
“Then again, you have to go out there and do it. You work hard in practice, you do all the preparation, and that's important, it's very important, but the most important is how you perform on game day. And he's performed.
And continues to perform like that.” Related: Giants Get Good News on Rising Star Simply put, the Giants couldn’t have asked for much more from their fifth-round rookie. Singletary isn’t a difference-maker, and in a lost season, there’s little reason not to let a rising rookie take on an increasing role in the offense.
Look for Tracy to make his mark against a feisty Commanders defense on Sunday. He’s going to be a focal point the rest of the way..
