It was a big day for the rookies on the Giants’ offense, as both Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger scored touchdowns in the Giants’ 24-20 win over the Ravens.
Robinson’s was his first in the NFL and Bellinger’s was his third, but what was big about the tight end’s was that it came right after the Ravens had made it 20-10 in the fourth quarter, and gave Big Blue a fighting chance in the final seven minutes.
“That's just the epitome of who we are as team. Not settling for three and getting a touchdown in that situation shapes how the Ravens are approaching the next drive, and shapes how we approach the next drive,” said safety Julian Love, whose interception minutes later would set up the eventual game-winning touchdown. “Great play, great catch. Our offense really stepped up for us in some key moments in this game.”
“Just how we are as a team – resilient. The players are resilient. We kept fighting. It wasn't perfect, but it got the job done,” Bellinger would add.
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The Giants’ offense doesn’t have anyone outside of Saquon Barkley that is a household name, and the team’s leading receiver through six games is either Saquon (21 catches) or Richie James (189 yards) depending on which metric you use.
But it’s guys like Bellinger, who has 15 grabs for 139 yards and two scores, who are making the most of opportunity.
“Coach Dabs always just preaches, 'If you know what to do and know how to do it, keep building that trust.' So as rookies, we just come in and do what he asks and make sure we know what to do so we can get on the field,” Bellinger said. “I think it comes down to keep going in that manner and just knowing what to do and how to do it. That’s what he preaches, and we just keep building that trust with the older guys and the vets. I think we have great leadership that helps us with that.”
Robinson played just nine snaps in Week 1 before a knee injury knocked him out until Sunday, so it’s really been Bellinger, the fourth-round pick out of San Diego State, who has been carrying that flag.
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“He’s found ways to make key plays here and there and heads up, instinctual, football plays. He's got a knack for getting open, finding space, and making key plays for us,” Daniel Jones said. “So, he deserves a lot of credit. We'll continue to try to get him the ball and let him make those plays.”
He wasn’t exactly known as an offensive force in college, which is something you can say about most of the guys on the Giants’ O right now, but he’s doing it with his hands both beyond and at the line of scrimmage.
“Honestly, I just have to keep making steps and making strides. There's some big plays, but there's a lot of stuff I can improve on,” Bellinger said. “And I love blocking, which is a big part of the game, and I think for tight ends, it's really important. It can really bring a hybrid to the game just helping our offense whether we need a big block on a run or a slip out for a pass.”
Just like the Giants, Bellinger never quits, gives it his all on every play, and never gets down.
“We're a resilient group. We work hard. We fight hard and when the tables are down, we just keep fighting,” he said. “That's what we do.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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