A bye week can only solve so many problems.
There is no easy answer for the Giants’ league-worst ground game, no obvious solution to fix an attack averaging just 70.3 rushing yards per game.
“I don’t know,” rookie running back Paul Perkins said when asked if he knew the source of the struggles. “We’re a good team and we can run the ball, and we all know that. We just have to get back on track after the bye week.”
Earlier this week, coach Ben McAdoo said that 31-year-old Rashad Jennings would remain the starting running back despite averaging 2.7 yards per carry this season. Since missing three games with a thumb injury, Jennings is averaging just 1.8 yards per attempt in his past two games.
The first-year coach also said the team would evaluate “everything” during the break, including personnel and scheme, perhaps opening the door for the elusive Perkins to gain more opportunities in the second half of the season, and potentially give the offense much-needed balance.
Perkins, 21, has just 10 carries and six catches in five games, but the fifth-round pick out of UCLA has demonstrated an ability to create game-changing plays when he touches the ball. In Week 4 against the Vikings, Perkins recorded one of the team’s most explosive offensive plays of the season, turning a screen pass into a 67-yard gain after breaking tackles, cutting across the whole field and outrunning multiple players before falling just short of the end zone.
“Paul is a young player. He’s turned into a good special teamer for us,” McAdoo said. “We look forward to him growing as a runner as well.
“Everything is on the table. Everyone in the building wants to win and we have to do what’s best for the team, and whatever we have to do that’s bet for the team, we’ll look at.”
Perkins played 15 snaps in the most recent win over the Rams, trailing only Jennings for playing time in the backfield. The rookie was unsure if his role would expand when the Giants returned from the bye on Nov. 6 against the Eagles, but he is prepared if more opportunities arise.
“Whatever the coach has planned, that’s what I’m going to do,” Perkins said Tuesday. “Whatever he needs, run down a kickoff, recover kicks, whatever it is, I’ll go out there.”
Despite his quickness and vision, the 5-foot-11 back is aware that he still has much to improve upon, including his pass protection.
“Not making the little mistakes is the biggest thing,” Perkins said. “Keeping my assignment clean and, most importantly, keeping Eli [Manning] clean.”
In 2007, another shifty rookie running back – Ahmad Bradshaw – made minimal impact for much of the season and only had six carries until breaking out for 151 yards and a touchdown in a late-December win at Buffalo that helped propel the Giants into the postseason. Bradshaw then became the leading postseason rusher for the Super Bowl champions.
Perhaps a significant difference-maker is being hidden again.
“I’m definitely feeling my way through it, day in and day out, and learning from the older guys and taking things as they come,” Perkins said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity in the second half.”