New York Giants tight end Jerome Cunningham, a standout thus far during OTAs, joined Pat Traina (Inside Football/Bleacher Report) and myself on the most recent 'Big Blue Chat' podcast.
Cunningham, who played collegiately at Division II Southern Connecticut State, was on the active roster for a pair of games last season. He spent most of the season on the practice squad, earning a spot despite not joining the Giants until training camp had already begun.
"I just ran with it," Cunningham said. "I took advantage of every opportunity."
Cunningham is trying to do that again. He is fighting with Adrien Robinson, Daniel Fells, Matt LaCosse and Will Tye for reserve spots behind Larry Donnell, and Cunningham knows he is in a "very competitive" situation.
The second-year tight end tries not to worry about the depth chart or the numbers game, saying "you just have to have fun with it."
Cunningham has impressed as a receiver during OTAs, running nice routes and catching the ball crisply. He was used exclusively as an inline, blocking tight end in college.
"I always had the ability to do all of these multiple sets," Cunningham said. "I wanted to do it but I was never granted the opportunity in college."
He has that chance now. Can he continue to stand out enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster? That remains to be seen, but he is off to a good start with his work this spring.
Other topics
Pat and I also discussed the Giants' injury situation, especially the Odell Beckham hamstring injury and Nat Berhe being sidelined with a calf problem, Corey Washington's impressive spring, the progress of the defense with Steve Spagnuolo in charge, and more.