NEW YORK — In Saquon Barkley’s absence, new Giants receiver Parris Campbell did some individual work with the running backs during Wednesday’s final day of mandatory minicamp.
Campbell, a former Indianapolis Colt, took some handoffs on a delay and jet sweep and even ran as the pitch man on an option.
“I did it some in Indy,” Campbell said. “But it’s really my high school and my college background. It’s not new to me. It’s something I like to do because they’re using me in different ways. I feel like that’s something that I’m good at, too. Getting some reps back there is good.”
Campbell isn’t the only Giants receiver backfield versatility. Second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who is still rehabbing a torn ACL, was a standout high school running back who carried the ball plenty at Nebraska before transferring to Kentucky, too.
This is relevant because without Barkley, the Giants’ RB depth chart doesn’t present an obvious permanent solution at the position with Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Jashaun Corbin and fifth-round rookie Eric Gray.
But seeing Campbell work there, with the possibility that Robinson could get some touches there when healthy, too, might be shining a light on the kind of multiple creativity Brian Daboll could use to generate a running game, if necessary.
New running backs coach Jeff Nixon said Wednesday that a team ideally should be three to four backs deep, with at minimum two to three backs in a rotation that helps keep the No. 1 guy fresh.
He saw first-hand in Carolina when Christian McCaffrey got hurt, and eventually traded, how important it was to have players like D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard ready to go.
Nixon called Barkley an “exciting player” whose tape speaks for itself. He also said young guys like Corbin and Gray can push for roles by learning how to become “three-down backs.”
Nixon said the biggest challenge for a back in this system is learning the offense’s protection schemes and checkdown routes to ensure the coaches and quarterback know they can count on the player.
He said the coaching will be honest and firm, designed to help each player improve.
“We tell the guys the truth,” he said. “We’re not going to sugarcoat anything.”
That’s necessary, because every day the July 17 contract deadline for Barkley grows closer is another day for the Giants to consider alternatives if they’re not going to move towards a middle ground with their top back.
The preference is to have Barkley with the team at the start of training camp later next month. But he hasn’t signed his $10 million franchise tag tender. He made clear a holdout would be on the table as an option if he doesn’t get a multi-year deal by July 17 at 4 p.m.
And there is no resolution in sight.
