A notable conversation surfaced between Malik Nabors and Tyrone Tracy Jr. this week.
With both Giants rookies approaching 1,000 total yards from scrimmage, history is within reach.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only two rookie teammates have each gained more than 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season — Abner Haynes (1,451 yards) with the Dallas Texans (later to become Kansas) in 1960; ) and Johnny Robinson (1,069 yards). City Chiefs) and the 2006 Orleans Saints, Reggie Bush and Marquis Colston's new team.
A lot has gone wrong for the Giants this year, but at least they seem to have a combination of receivers and running backs to build around.
For a team with so little core, Nabors and Tracy will be the starters, at least on offense.
“I was very aware of that,” Nabors said after Wednesday's practice. “I asked [Tracy] How much does it take to achieve an almighty 1,000 today? [yards]. He said he hadn't seen it, but it brought up the topic to me.
“This shows how much we appreciate and how much effort we've put in throughout the season. Not everything is going our way, but our young players have stepped up big and we're here.” The guys are trying to make plays. And it's just a pat on the back for both of us.”
Neighbors is expected to be the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, with 90 catches for 901 yards and four touchdowns, one catch shy of matching Odell Beckham's franchise rookie receiving record.
Tracy was a rare positive surprise as a fifth-round pick after the Giants had already signed and planned to use Devin Singletary as their starting running back.
Tracy had 695 rushing yards, 220 receiving yards, 915 yards from scrimmage, and five total touchdowns.
“It means something to me. All the hard work I've put in all year and all offseason is paying off,” Tracy said Wednesday. “And the second thing is satisfaction.” [knowing] You're doing the right things, preparing the right way and playing the right way. And finally, it gives you the confidence to know that you belong. Just because you're new, you belong here. ”
Compared to his short college season, where he gained 253 scrimmage yards in the last four games, Tracy's performance has started to slow down as he adjusts to the full workload of the NFL.
If there's one thing he can prove and fans should take note of, it's that he can handle a full workload.
It's worth noting that this is only Tracy's second season as a running back. He started as a receiver in college and converted during his final two years at Purdue.
It gave him a versatile skill set, and perhaps most importantly, it gave him reason to believe he was just scratching the surface at the position.
“Just knowing that my skill set is valuable in this position and that what I can do will be utilized in this organization makes me feel good,” Tracy said. “I feel good and I'm confident because I feel like I have more to offer. I really do. I feel like I have a lot more to offer. I'm trying my best to play.” But there are some games where I don't play as freely as I need to, so I feel like I have a lot left on the field. That's because I'm new to the position and I'm still finding my way and playing. I am currently learning while doing so.
“I feel like we're just getting started. I think there's a lot more to come.”
Yes, there are two ways to look at Nabers and Tracy's work.
Certainly, the Giants' reliance on two rookies doesn't paint a good picture for the rest of the offense and talent on the roster. Yes, some of that may just be because the ball needs to go somewhere.
Either way, Nabors and Tracy were given enough playing time to accelerate their development. One of the youngest teams in the league, they are emerging as the leaders they need.
“I think that's amazing,” Tracy said. “When next year comes, we'll see what happens. … Nothing is surprising for us. When we go into games, when we get into certain situations in the game, we know a lot about ourselves in the first season. I feel like things have happened so later on when something happens they'll look to us to find the answer or to lead. Well, we're young, but at the same time it's us. It will definitely benefit us.”
