Nikita Whitlock's pass-rushing skills late in games give Giants the element of surprise
New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock #49 runs drills during the second day of minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Giants center Weston Richburg is not one to shy away from competition, but when he was asked about trying to block one of the team's top pass rushers, he simply said: "I've never done it and I hope I never have to do it."
That pass rusher is Nikita Whitlock, the team's starting fullback, who in the last two games has come in late to add a spark to the defensive line.
A nose tackle in college, Whitlock recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday when he had a late takedown of the Bills' Tyrod Taylor.
"I feel so bad for those guys who have to block that guy," Richburg said. "He's a mismatch when he gets in there, especially at the end of games when guys are tired. It's fun to watch him, though. I'm extremely happy for that guy. He does a great job."
Whitlock is listed at 5-10, which may be a liberal reading, and weighs about 250 pounds. So despite his NCAA pedigree -- he was an All-ACC defensive lineman as a senior at Wake Forest -- he does not make for an imposing figure when he trots onto the field with the defense.
"I think there could be definitely, definitely some underestimation when he comes out there," Richburg said, "but right when the ball snaps and you see him get off, you figure out real quick that he's not going to be easy to block."
Whitlock's best move seems to be a spin, which he used effectively against Washington last week and the Bills on Sunday.
It's unlikely Whitlock will see much of an increase in his workload. That probably would diminish his effectiveness. As with his stature, less is more. And when he comes in late in games against tired offensive linemen, he can really work his skill set.
"He's got leverage, he's got speed, his get-off is great," Richburg said. "I've never seen his college tape, but I heard in college he was a force to be reckoned with, so you can obviously see him get the sack. I mean, he doesn't play defense and he goes in and gets a sack. I was so happy to see that. Very proud of that guy."
And glad to be his teammate for myriad reasons.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
