When the New York Giants drafted Paul Perkins in the fifth round during this year’s draft, they thought that he could be their running back of the future. With the Giants last in the league in rushing at just 70 yards a game, the future needs to be now.
Shane Vereen, who was lost for the season after suffering a triceps injury in Week 3, is still the Giants leading rusher with 147 yards. All of the other 31 teams in the league have a running back who has rushed for at least 217 yards.
Rashad Jennings, who is 31, has battled injuries during the season, is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry. Orleans Darkwa, who has started two games due to injuries to Jennings and Vereen, is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. So it’s time for the Giants to see if Perkins can jump start their running game.
The fact that he’s a rookie, Perkins obviously has the least experience of any of the Giants running backs, but he’s also their most explosive. Perkins showed his explosiveness in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings when he caught a short pass and scampered 67 yards down the field which was by far the biggest play by a Giants running back this season.
The Giants will need big time play from their running backs on Sunday if they’re going to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants can’t be one-dimensional against an improved Eagles defense. The Eagles love to blitz which means they’re susceptible to given up a big play.
With Perkins speed and power he can have a huge game running and catching the ball. The question remains: will head coach Ben McAdoo take a chance to see what this rookie can bring to the table?
