Giants RB Tyrone Tracy sets ambitious goal: 1,500 yards

Tyrone Tracy Jr. was pleased with his rookie season after leading the Giants in rushing. Now he wants more in Year 2.

In June, Tracy told NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” that his goal is at least 1,500 rushing yards this season. That’s well beyond the 839 he had last year and might be difficult to achieve as he shares carries with Devin Singletary and perhaps rookie Cam Skattebo.

Yet Tracy this week doubled down on that goal as reasonable.

“I didn’t play until Game 5 [last season],” he said. “I had, like, 500 yards, you know, by Week 9 or our bye week. Obviously, everybody started getting hurt, so we played a mix-and-match with the O-line, so it makes it a little harder.

“But at the same time, I do believe in my skill set, I believe in our O-line, I believe in our coaching staff, that we can get the job done.”

It’s the latest sign of his growing confidence. How good can Tracy be in his career? He said as good “as the best player that y’all can ever think of.”

With the Giants raising their standards after a 3-14 season, Tracy believes he can set his personal aims higher in the name of winning, not boasting. Part of that comes from less doubt about his role.

Tracy had 12 total carries in his first four games before starting in Week 5 last season. Now he’s mostly taken first-team reps in training camp and is speaking up more in position meetings.

“He’s definitely opening up and that’s good,” Singletary said. “He’s definitely more vocal when it comes to leading this year, which is another step forward that I feel he took.”

Tracy had 516 yards in his first six starts before the Giants had their bye week. At that pace, 1,500 yards isn’t a stretch over a 17-game season.

It just depends on factors outside of his control. One of those is the versatility in his own room. All three backs are adept pass receivers and Skattebo flashed potential that could put him on the field this season.

Tracy had five fumbles last year and didn’t have more than 20 carries in a game. Coach Brian Daboll praised him for being bigger, quicker and faster but wouldn’t commit to giving him a heavier load just yet.

“I like our running back room, so we have a number of guys that I think can play,” Daboll said. “That’ll all sort itself out.”

Tracy showed he can be an all-around back last year with 1,123 scrimmage yards. With an offense that seeks to be more explosive with Russell Wilson under center, it’s fair to think Tracy can have a bigger impact.

But as he noted, individual statistics mean little without winning. He also understood that being great starts with being a better pro off the field and improving his ball security.

It brought Tracy back to where he started. Set high expectations and do it in the name of the Giants. Winning, he said, will make his second year a success more than just the numbers he hopes to reach.

“It’s cool to sit up here and talk about all your personal accolades and all your personal goals and all this and that,” Tracy said. “But at the end of the day, like, you got to win. You know what I’m saying? If you don’t win, none of that stuff really matters.”

Notes & quotes: Skattebo returned to team drills Friday after sitting them out the previous two practices, but he later left practice and went into the training room. Before practice, Daboll said the Giants are “managing” Skattebo but didn’t reveal what injury he’s dealing with .  .  . Tight end Thomas Fidone II also left practice early for the training room. Receiver Beaux Collins was held out of team drills and worked out on the sideline .  .  . Defensive tackle Elijah Chatman returned after missing Thursday’s practice, but defensive back Cor’Dale Flott was absent for an undisclosed reason. D.J. Davidson (personal), Greg Van Roten (birth of child) and Jordon Riley (undisclosed) also were out.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.