Evan Engram geared up for second season with NY Giants

Alex Evans | NorthJersey

EAST RUTHERFORD — A year ago, Evan Engram was seemingly the last Giants receiver still standing following a slew of injuries that included Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard.

His role increased, and he was forced to play in different spots he might not have.

Now with a year of experience under his belt, the former first-round pick feels confident heading into his second training camp.



“The biggest thing for me was that the game slowed down,” Engram said Wednesday. “Everything slowing down allowed me to get better at certain things and apply them to the field."



Engram’s offseason was educational. He watched virtually the entire 2017 season to see what he did wrong, with a year’s worth of experience to aid him in analyzing his performance with a new perspective.

“I can tell where I looked sloppy and didn’t really look under control, but as the year went on I started seeing things progress,” he said.

The 240-pound tight end was critical of himself, noting the mistakes he made last season, including dropped passes and missed blocks.

Still, there’s always the opportunity to get better, and for Engram the opportunity to put himself in better position to succeed in 2018 lies in correcting the negatives, as well as watching good plays to remind himself of his potential.

“I think the small things make the big picture,” he said. “To know that I’ve learned from those mistakes, to know that more opportunity is going to come to make plays and be big and win ballgames, I’m really eager to get out there.”



Engram, who recorded 64 catches for 722 yards and six touchdowns in 2017, figures to be a main cog in the Giants’ passing game this season.



Eli Manning says Engram could be a tough matchup for opposing linebackers and defensive backs.

“He gives you a mismatch opportunity that you have to take advantage of,” Manning said.

Giants coach Pat Shurmur’s offense allows for a great deal of freedom, according to Engram, with the tight end position having the systematic versatility to line up anywhere on the field.

Combine Engram in a “really fun” offense with a healthy Beckham and Shepard, and the Giants' receiving corps has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.



“It’s a special group. It’s definitely exciting to think about [and] exciting to work for.”

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