Giants think TE Adrien Robinson can become big catch
Giants tight end Adrien Robinson practices during team training camp. (Aug. 2, 2013) Credit: James Escher
Adrien Robinson never caught more than 12 passes in any season in college and caught fewer than 40 in his high school career. But the Giants see a lot of potential in the 6-4, 264-pound second-year tight end -- so much so that they think he could be a big part of their passing attack. "We want to get Adrien on the field," tight ends coach Mike Pope said Saturday. "He's a terrific target and runs well."
Robinson was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 but spent most of his rookie season on the bench. He was active for two games and did not have any receptions. "It was a little frustrating, but I understood the reasons why it happened," he said. "I talked to coach Pope every week. He told me just try to learn something every day and there's something to watch for, and that's what I did, and in the big picture, I think it helped me out a lot."
Robinson has been running with the second team behind starter Brandon Myers thus far, and he's been making some impressive catches. He's still raw -- offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride chewed him out this past week for a sloppy release in a drill -- but all of his numbers tilt toward a player who can make an impact.
"Here are two guys that can jump like gazelles," Pope said of Robinson and another raw tight end with tantalizing size, Larry Donnell (6-6, 269). "So if the ball goes up, I'm going to take the bet that one of them has got a chance to get it . . . I think they can be very effective in the scoring zone."
Pugh did proper thing
Tom Coughlin provided further insight into the concussion suffered by rookie Justin Pugh in practice on Thursday.
"He didn't feel well when he got inside, and coming to the [post-practice] meeting was not an easy thing for him," Coughlin said. "But he did."
In recent years, players have become much more educated about concussions and aware of their symptoms and dangers, but Coughlin said Pugh's injury was one that would not have gone unchecked in any era.
"That was proper, that's the thing that he should have done," he said of Pugh's decision to report his symptoms.
Giant steps
Coughlin said WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) still is on track to return to practice Tuesday. CB Corey Webster (groin) missed a second day of practice, but Coughlin said he is doing better . . . LB Mark Herzlich made a diving interception in a two-minute drill near the end of practice, picking off a pass thrown by Ryan Nassib that was tipped. CB Laron Scott also intercepted Nassib in the hurry-up drill . . . Coughlin left the team after practice to fly to Canton for Bill Parcells' induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "We do throw this 'great' word around in common usage today much, much too often," Coughlin said before he left, "but Bill Parcells is a great football coach."
