The New York Giants officially gave third-year running back David Wilson medical clearance today, though the positive news did get overshadowed by the official retirement announcement made by former star guard and future “Ring of Honor” member Chris Snee. While Snee’s retirement due to an injury is stinging news, Wilson’s clearance is certainly a joyous development, even if it was always expected. I mean, Wilson could have faced retirement due to injury himself, as the severe neck injury he suffered last year against the Philadelphia Eagles gave off a bleak outlook at one point. But he made huge strides since then, and every report pointed to him receiving the “go” signal today.
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That said, the New York Daily News’s Ebenezer Samuel reminds us that free-agent signing Rashad Jennings “should still” be the team’s No. 1 running back going into the 2014 season. Not only does his size and consistent rushing make him a better fit as the team’s feature back, but Wilson still has to ease back into things after last year’s injury scare. Samuel adds that even before the injury, Wilson didn’t prove that he could be a bellcow back in this league, and his speed, explosiveness, and home-run-threat playing style makes him better-suited for a feature back role.
Snee’s retirement could leave a hole at right guard if neither John Jerry nor Brandon Mosley can play well after winning the gig in a position battle, but the Giants line should still be much better than it was last year, when it was one of the worst in the NFL. Justin Pugh will be solid in his second year after a promising rookie season, Will Beatty should bounce back, Geoff Schwartz is a monster, and J.D. Walton should prove to be a nice upgrade at center. Combine that with a nice-looking trio of running backs in Jennings, Wilson, and rookie Andre Williams, and you have a solid rushing attack on paper.