BLOCK & KEY

Engram looking to turn weakness into strength

Evan Engram said, “I don’t pay a lot of mind to it,’’ but he cannot entirely block out the criticism of his blocking.

He hears it, because it is impossible not to.

“That’s one of, I guess people would call a downfall under my game,’’ Engram said Friday after the Giants’ 10th and final organized team activity practice. “I’m willing to show my worth in that aspect and I think if I really become great in that aspect of the game and be a force with that I’ll just be a better all-around player.’’

There was a slight edge to Engram’s words, as if the widespread belief that he is a poor blocker is unfounded.

“I don’t pay any mind to it, I don’t take it personal,’’ Engram said, “but I put it in my tank when I go to work.’’

The work put in now should help the first-round pick from Mississippi blunt the talk about the one-dimensional nature of his skill-set. No one ever advertised him as a blocking-first tight end and the Giants take umbrage at those who say Engram’s size (6-foot-3, 234 pounds) and style of play make him more of a receiver than a tight end. Sure, he put up strong numbers as a senior — 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns — and no, he was not asked to do a ton of in-line blocking. His primary function will be as a pass-catcher in an offense that features plenty of firepower, but the Giants have no interest in splitting Engram out wide play after play and ignoring the more physical requirements of his position.

“It’s important to him,’’ tight ends coach Kevin M. Gilbride said of blocking. “He’s very functional in that area.’’

How functional Engram is as a blocker has yet to be determined. Reports from Pro Football Focus are not encouraging, citing “poor use of hands as both a run blocker and in pass protection,’’ and noting he was not asked often to serve as a pass-blocker. The conclusion from PFF: “Engram offers little as a blocker so until he bulks up and cleans up that aspect of his game, he could struggle to see the field.’’

Observing Engram for several weeks, Gilbride saw a rookie eager to improve an area deemed a weakness.

“I don’t see him backing down,’’ Gilbride said. “He has a toughness and a willingness to go against anyone on our defense and I’m hoping that remains through the course of this season.’’

Engram has already shown fluidity running routes and catching the ball and the element he will bring to the passing attack should greatly benefit Eli Manning.

This is the time for growing pains, though. Engram admits he has had some moments when he has had “a blank stare on my face — I don’t know what’s going on.’’ He described the OTAs as “a lot of learning. Some mistakes. A lot of capitalizing on those mistakes and just taking advantage out here with all these great guys.’’

The first few days, during the installation of the offense, Engram said he was “learning but I wasn’t really confident — I was thinking a lot, second-guessing myself.’’ Immediately, he sensed he needed to spend more time studying than he did in college.

“When I know what I’m doing I can play fast, that’s the biggest leap I’ve taken in these OTAs,’’ he said. “It’s a lot faster, you’re expected to know a lot more. It’s really a lot of accountability, more accountability outside, off the field, in the meeting rooms, in the classroom with the coaches and even in the hotel at night.’’

The blank stares, Engram says are “getting less and less each and every day.’’

Coach Ben McAdoo described Engram as having “a tremendous skill-set’’ and that he “shows that he is willing as a blocker.’’ A better test will come this summer when the pads go on and the hitting commences.

“He is a conscientious young man, he works hard at football and seems to enjoy it,’’ McAdoo said. “He does a nice job in the meetings at this point and I think that he will get better as time goes on.’’