Giants Daily Blitz Blog

FB Hynoski carves out role in run game

Amid the hundreds and hundreds of yards through the air, Henry Hynoski etched his own section into the record books on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

One rush, three yards.

It doesn’t look like a lot on paper, but it was much more than a short gain. It was the first time a Giants fullback had received a handoff since Madison Hedgecock in Week 16 of 2008. It also spoke to a growing confidence that the coaching staff has in Hynoski, now in his second year.

“It was actually a play that I didn’t even run in practice,” Hynoski said. “They called it, I was like, ‘Wait a second, am I supposed to be out here for this?’ But they sent me back out to run it. It was nice to see how they’re developing a little more trust in me to run the ball and do more things out of that one-back set, especially to protect Eli [Manning] and things of that sort. It’s just something I could do and hopefully get more involved with it as we go down the road.”

The rushing attempt came shortly after starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw injured his neck in the second quarter and did not return.

While Andre Brown took over the primary load on the ground, Hynoski was leaned on down the stretch to help the offensive front, which didn’t allow a sack despite Manning dropping back to pass 51 times.

“I think the coaches feel confident in Andre now, especially after his performance here last week,” Hynoski said after Tuesday’s practice, in which Bradshaw did not participate for the second straight day. “David [Wilson] and Da’Rel [Scott] know the offense well. I know more than just fullback. I can play tailback, too, if I need to. And last week, I didn’t even get any two-minute [drill] reps in practice, but I did last week in the game. So I can jump in any moment and play the tailback position if I need to.”

Meanwhile, Hynoski is utilizing every minute of the quick turnaround before Thursday’s game to prepare for the Panthers.

“They have talented linebackers and a good front four,” Hynoski said. “They don’t do anything crazy or anything out of hand. They’re going to line up and play hardnosed football. They’re downhill guys, but we’re downhill guys, too.”