[jwplayer BRqQ0NXf-ThvAeFxT]
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram may look familiar each time he steps onto the field, but when talking with him away from it, he sounds reformed.
Perhaps more than any other player on the team, Engram has fully embraced head coach Joe Judge’s Patriots-like approach to business. He’s not interested in chewing the fat, he’s not interested in providing newsworthy quotes and he’s not interested in making any kind of waves — the only thing he’s interested in is improving.
“I just try to show up each and every day and do what I’m asked,” Engram told reporters on Monday. “If that’s going to be physical in the run game, if that’s using my speed to get down field and get open in the passing game, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m just coming in, finding ways to get better and do whatever I’m asked for the team.
“For me, that’s just my mentality right now. Each day is a new day. Each day is an opportunity to get better and to attack and to empty the tank. It’s definitely exciting to talk to Coach and to continue to work to get better. Like I said, every day is a new opportunity. I just love to work each and every day.”
Expectations have never been higher for Engram, and even Judge is beginning to build that hype up a bit. The belief is that Engram can ascend to the elite tier of tight ends this season if he’s able to stay healthy, which should also lead to a substantial long-term contract.
Unsurprisingly however, Engram really isn’t interested in discussing that.
“I think it’s awesome for those guys. They’ve worked their butts off, they’re very talented guys and leaders of their team,” Engram said of the monster contracts given to Travis Kelce and George Kittle. “That’s kind of my motivation right now, is to just come in and continue to get better with my talents and to continue to push my team. I’m not going to worry about the numbers and the contracts. My focus right now is just becoming a better leader and a better teammate and a better football player.”
But what about… Nope. No buts, just work.
“I’m basically just going to come in and do what I’m asked every day. That’s being a complete football player. That’s being physical in the run game, that’s being dynamic and flexible in the pass game. We have a lot of talent on our team. I just need to come in and do my part, continue to work as a unit and to be successful on Sundays,” Engram said.
Say whatever you want Engram regarding his health history, but the 25-year-old has never been more laser focused than he is right now.
[lawrence-related id=654377,654201,654170]