WAYNE’S WORLD
The Giants made it into the playoffs last season, but their rookie running back, Wayne Gallman, adds something to the mix that few newcomers can provide.
“To bring that championship quality,’’ Gallman said at rookie minicamp. “I believe that I can help them win championships. The Super Bowl, of course.’’
Winning a Super Bowl with the Giants is the next frontier for Gallman, who certainly knows his way around winning at the collegiate level. He is coming off a national championship season with Clemson. The Tigers claiming the title with a stirring 35-31 victory over Alabama. One year earlier, Alabama edged Clemson, 45-40, to secure the 2015 championship.
Gallman was the starting running back and leading rusher on both of those Clemson teams. One of his 2017 draft classmates with the Giants, Dalvin Tomlinson, was an anchor for the Alabama defensive line in both of those classic title-game battles.
“We were just talking about that, as a matter of fact,” Tomlinson said. “It’s pretty crazy, simply because of our run defense, and their offense, and things like that. We were talking about things that we both could’ve done differently both of those years.”
Gallman does not have to do much differently to carve out a niche with the Giants. He is a big back at 6-foot, 214 pounds and knows his way around the end zone, with 34 rushing touchdowns in 37 starts at Clemson. The past two years, Gallman rushed for 30 touchdowns, an ingredient severely lacking on the Giants’ offensive résumé. Last season, they totaled an NFL-low (and fairly pathetic) six rushing touchdowns — and half of them were scored by Rashad Jennings, who is no longer on the roster.
Coach Ben McAdoo already has signaled the starting job vacated when Jennings was cut belongs to Paul Perkins, for as long as the second-year player can hold onto it. Clearly, the Giants are high on Perkins, viewing him as a do-everything type of running back who can stay on the field every down. Veteran Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa return, but Gallman brings more of a physical presence around the goal line.
Before he gets the call to get the ball, though, Gallman must figure out the difference between Clemson and the Giants.
“Learning this playbook,’’ he said. “It’s a really in-depth playbook. I see the difference. If you want to come and play here, of course, you have to play special teams, but before you make that contribution, you have to learn that playbook.’’
As a fourth-round draft pick, Gallman will have to do everything dreadfully to get cut, and his straightest path to the field is along the special teams route. He will be tried in many different capacities given his body type.
“Running backs have a good skillset for special teams,’’ said Tom Quinn, the Giants’ special teams coordinator. “They have the speed and the size. We like these running backs on special teams.’’
Gallman literally enjoyed his first taste of the NFL, wowed by the meatloaf served in the cafeteria at the Giants’ practice facility. He already has something of a relationship with Odell Beckham Jr., having connected with the star receiver “a couple of times last year’’ via Twitter.
“He gave me an inspirationtype thing,’’ Gallman said. “I didn’t even know he was watching me, but over time I’ve gotten real cool with him. It’s nothing on a major level.’’
Scouts describe Gallman as a jack of all trades and a master of none. It might not be the most flattering characterization, but versatility can help a young player hammer home a spot on his new NFL team.
“For my game, I just think I’m a guy that can do pretty much anything a team needs,’’ Gallman said. “Whether that’s contribut- ing on special teams or getting reps in at running back, I’m going to do the best I can at anything I do.’’
The Giants signed three players attending rookie camp on a tryout basis: running back Khalid Abdullah (James Madison), cornerback SaQwan Edwards (New Mexico) and safety Trey Robinson (Furman). To make room on the roster, they waived three undrafted free agents: cornerback Nigel Tribune, wide receiver Robert Wheelwright and running back Daryl Virgies.