Adrien Robinson impressing tight ends coach Mike Pope

New York Giants tight ends coach Mike Pope has apparently been impressed by the work second-year player Adrien Robinson has done throughout OTAs. And Pope certainly has a unique way of expressing it.

"Adrien Robinson appears to have gone into the Land of the Believers," Pope said on Thursday. "The quarterback is starting to find him. He is hard to miss – he is the tallest tree in the forest out there. So he is a good target. But we are more than mildly pleased with the progress that he has made from an assignment standpoint."

Robinson, drafted in the fourth round a season ago, did not catch a pass as a rookie -- and played only three snaps on offense all season. He fell behind after missing much of OTAs and mini-camp due to his class at the University of Cinicnnati graduating late.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese referred to Robinson, under-used as a pass catcher in college, as the "JPP of tight ends" when the Giants drafted him. With Bear Pascoe filling in at fullback while Henry Hynoski recuperates from knee surgery, Pope admitted this is a "great opportunity" for Robinson.

Robinson recently spoke to Pat Traina and acknowledged that he feels he has made progress from a season ago.

"I think going through OTAs this year, seeing how slowly the coaches install the plays and understanding how everything feeds off each other, I realize that I did miss a lot last year by coming in so late and trying to jumpstart everything," Robinson said. "I've been here since the (offseason) program started, and it's a new year. I'm just trying to work my way up.

"The biggest thing I want to show the coaches is that I fully understand the offense," he said of his short-term goals. "I understand everything that's going on, and I want to earn their trust. Once they are confident that you know what you're doing, you'll get on the field."

The Giants certainly need Robinson to show them he is ready to do just that.