Giants running backs embracing ‘opportunity to show ourselves’ in John Harbaugh’s system

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — If he really wants to set the mood for practice, the disc jockey stationed at the entrance to Giants training camp should consider adding 2008’s Billboard Hot 100 hit “Check Yes, Juliet” to the playlist.

“Run baby run / Don’t ever look back / They’ll tear us apart / If you give them the chance.” 

Let the song’s chorus serve as a reminder that an offense under head coach John Harbaugh is usually driven by the physicality and production of its blockers and rushers, so predictably the run game was a focus Monday as players donned pads for the first time on a rain-soaked field.

“We don’t see it as a lot of weight on our shoulders, we see it as opportunity,” said Tyrone Tracy Jr., who is coming off back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

“Opportunity to show ourselves, opportunity to really show the NFL who we are and what we can be. I think we can be a premier running back group.”

Cam Skattebo had one of the few long runs for the Giants on a day when Harbaugh estimated that “the defense probably got the better of the offense up front,” especially with rookie linebacker Arvell Reese closing holes. 

That’s a good sign for a defense accustomed to finishing near the bottom of the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game — four straight years ranked No. 26 or worse — but not the start envisioned by an offense with four returning starters on the line and a new 300-pound Pro Bowl fullback (Patrick Ricard) to lead the way for five returning running backs.

At least the top three of Tracy, Skattebo and Singletary, as well as Ricard, seemed to welcome contact and held the ball tight as arms reached in for the strip.

“With the type of offense we’re going to run this year, that’s going to be a huge quality that will help us in the long run,” right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said. “We’re not going to shy away from contact on any level — the offensive line, running backs, receivers. 

“We’re going to be a team that wears you out, and by the fourth quarter you probably don’t want to be in the game because we’re just going to keep going and keep going and keep going, taking those body shots. And then, when the fourth quarter comes, go for that knockout punch. That’s the type of team that we want to be, the team that Harbs is preaching.”

Harbaugh doesn’t have an equivalent proven workhorse of three-time Pro Bowler Ray Rice or future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry, but his Ravens still ranked No. 1 in the NFL in rushing attempts and No. 2 in yards with Gus Edwards as the leading rusher paired with quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“In practice, we run the ball a lot,” Skattebo said. “I think what they say is what they’re going to do … and me and the guys in the room with me are going to have a really good year.”

The 2018 Ravens assistant head coach — Greg Roman — is the Giants run game coordinator now.

“There’s really no gray area, and it’s not just one way to run the ball,” Tracy said. “He’s calling the same run, but out of different formations, different motions, different pullers. There’s a whole bunch of different stuff going on, but he’s making it very simple and easy for us to learn.”

The offense Monday was beset by pre-snap penalties, but the Giants’ run-game installation didn’t begin on the first day in pads — as is the case with some teams.

The identity was on display last week — before wrap-and-release tackling was allowed.

“I think in prior years, obviously, you don’t want to practice the run without full pads on,” Eluemunor said. “But this year, I think that we really opened up some of the run game. 

“And you can’t wait until the pads come on to really dig into that. You can work on your footwork, your technique, making sure your head is in the right place. Then you just focus on the big things like shedding the block, hitting, moving throughout the line of scrimmage. So, I think that the practice we put in is going to help us in the long run.”

The running-into-walls Skattebo joked that he is trying to create a “meaner” version of Tracy.

“As a running back, we want to be more physical, we want to be more aggressive,” Tracy said. “And that’s really our motto, that’s really one of our pillars going into this year. [Monday] was a good evaluation of where we’re at. [Tuesday] we’re going to take a step in the right direction.”