Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants running back David Wilson better exercise his short-term memory this week. After a disastrous debut last Sunday night, Wilson needs to move on and let the nightmare that was week one dissolve into thin air. If he lets his past performance hang over his head, he’s going to see his season slipping away from him.
Wilson fumbled twice in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The first came with the Giants in the red zone and put an abrupt end to a promising drive. The second fumble was just as costly, if not more so. Wilson coughed it up on the Giants’ first drive of the second half, and Dallas returned it all the way for a touchdown. Wilson finished the game with seven carries for 19 yards to go along with the two turnovers.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is a no-nonsense guy. He yanked Wilson from the game after his second fumble and let him think about it on the bench for the remainder of the contest. There’s no question it was the right move. Wilson cannot be on the field if he can’t hang on to the football.
However, Coughlin needs to give Wilson another chance to prove his worth. Wilson is New York’s best option at running back. He is a playmaker that can take over games with his speed and elusiveness. His pass-blocking is still a work in progress, but it has come a long way.
The Giants are so worried about Wilson that they brought in Brandon Jacobs this week. Jacobs spent his first seven years in the league with the Giants before signing with the San Francisco 49ers last season.
Nobody knows exactly how the Giants are going to shuffle their running backs this week. Jacobs and Da’Rel Scott will surely see time in the backfield, but Wilson should be the starter. Coughlin needs to show confidence in the young man and give him the opportunity to bounce back.
This could be a make or break game for Wilson. Saying that he will be on a “short leash” is a drastic understatement. Wilson has to protect the football because if he doesn’t, he’d better find a nice comfortable place on the bench.
Daniel Brennan covers the New York Giants for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @DBrennan30 and add him to your network on Google.
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