In 2025, rookie running back Cam Skattebo burst onto the scene and revived a New York Giants offense that was pronounced DOA several years earlier. He ran the ball with conviction, took on tacklers and won, and gained yard after yard. It was watching the Mark Bavaro Monday Night Football catch against San Francisco on a loop.
Fans were thrilled, and what made his performance even better was the way in which he celebrated and stoked the dying embers of a franchise that has fallen on hard times over the past decade.
As a football fan of over six decades who has seen every Super Bowl, this writer was among the observers who reveled in Skattebo's enthusiasm. It was good to see Giant fans finally have something to cheer for.
But for how long, was my
thought. I've seen players come and go, and I don't want to see this young man go. Not yet, anyway. His reckless disregard for his body, both on and off the field, is troubling. He has already suffered a serious injury to his lower leg that cost him the second half of his rookie season.
Skattebo isn't about to make any major changes to his game. Giants fans would hate that. But as the song goes, you can't always get what you want. Sometimes, you get what you need.
“Everyone loves to talk about me because I’m crazy and do a whole bunch of different things here and there,” Skattebo said. “I’m just going to continue to be the best football player that I can be. People can keep thinking what they want, but I think I’m a really good running back. I want to be the best one day, and that’s the goal. I’m going to continue to just keep being me and keep pushing.”I'm not the only one who is concerned. The Giants are, too. While Skattebo talks about gaining 2,000 yards, celebrating touchdowns with backflips, and devouring the football world in one gulp, the Giants have been adroitly adding running backs to their roster in preparation for life without Skattebo.
One addition, in particular, is former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Najee Harris, a direct handcuff to Skattebo and his skill set. He didn't sign with the Giants to stand on the sidelines. His style is conducive to the one the Giants will be running this year under coach Greg Roman.
The league is onto Skattebo now and will be ready for him. He's no longer going to sneak up on teams. They will look to use him more strategically rather than as a 'bellcow' back.
“People love him,” one long-time NFL talent evaluator told the New York Post, “but, as a player, he has limitations, and I think he’ll keep getting hurt, as well. The Giants know it — that’s why they were in on Jeremiyah [Love] and Kenneth [Walker]. He’s a rotational guy who adds value with the way he plays and the energy he brings. But to say, ‘This guy is going to go out there and put the team on his back and go win games,’ I don’t see that.”
Skattebo knows he may be in for an altered role going forward as his particular style has a short shelf life at this level. But what if he can't make the adjustments?
“I like to run through people instead of run around them,” Skattebo said. “Hopefully, you’ll see more running around people this year. If [opponents] think I’m not as good of a running back, they still have to play me that week. So, whether they think that or not, I guess we’ll see.”
Watching the Hall of Fame inductions and parade last week in Canton, Larry Csonka, who used to run people over with regularity like Skattebo, was walking slowly with a cane. The once unstoppable Earl Campbell was being pushed in a wheelchair. Granted, they are up in years, but you get the picture.
The Giants and Skattebo might have to settle for fewer highlights, fewer memes this year. Less is sometimes more. His star may have to hang a little lower in the sky. I know it's not exciting, but boring wins in the NFL. Look it up.
“He’s a battering ram, but they are not going to give him enough carries to reach that level,” a scout said. “Was Ahmad Bradshaw ever a No. 1 back? That’s a good Giants comp for what he is going to end up being. Maybe he gets 1,000 yards a couple times in his career, but does that equal his star power?”
No. But for a Giants fan base that is dying of thirst, they need to settle for the oasis rather than fall for the mirage.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Less is more: Why Giants' Cam Skattebo may need to alter his game
