Evan Engram working on limiting drops after second most among TEs in 2017
The low point of an otherwise impressive rookie campaign for New York Giants tight end Evan Engram last year came on Thanksgiving night against the Washington Redskins.cheap nike nfl jerseys free shipping
It was the third quarter of another impotent offensive performance during a miserable, lost season. The Giants, who failed to get a first down in the second half until the final minutes, were down 10-3 and Engram had a catchable ball clank off his hands on third down, stunting a potential drive. It was his second drop of the game -- maybe the third, if you’re a tough grader.
"Are they a concern? Tonight, yeah," Engram said after that contest. "A big concern."
Enough so that it stuck with Engram throughout the offseason, into the spring and through the summer. He has been on a mission to make sure it doesn’t become a chronic problem.
The key, according to Engram, is improving his focus. He considers most of his six drops last season -- second most in the league among tight ends -- a result of a lack of concentration.
It’s something Engram has worked on during offseason training, practices and training camp. Every day.
Every single pass that is thrown Engram’s way, even during warm-ups, he is trying to focus on securing the catch before anything else. Watch it until it’s completely nestled into his hands and tucked under his arm. Then he can begin to run. It’s all about training his mind and eyes.nike nfl jerseys wholesale cheap
“Literally every time I’m catching the ball -- my eyes all the way through,” said Engram, who suffered a concussion Aug. 24 against the New York Jets but has made progress and appears on pace to be ready for the Sept. 9 season opener at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “There are some times where I could be playing catch and not even really paying attention and creating bad habits. But anytime the ball is in the air and I’m getting catches, I’m just training my eyes, looking it all the way in.”
This, Engram believes, will lead to a better second season, even if his first was historically relevant. With 64 catches for 722 yards, he had the second-most catches and yards by a Giants rookie tight end, bettered only by Jeremy Shockey.
