Once upon a time, Wayne Gallman appeared to be in position to take over as the New York Giants’ starting running back. However, multiple coaching changes led to him falling out of favor and essentially vanishing under Pat Shurmur.
Of course, the Giants drafted superstar Saquon Barkley during that same span, which certainly didn’t help Gallman’s standing.
Yet as the Giants usher in yet another new head coach and yet another new era, Gallman has somehow managed to hang on. And despite his previous adversity, he finds himself excelling.
Part of the reason for that, Gallman says, was being called out by first-time head coach Joe Judge.
“I really appreciate Coach Judge calling me out, challenging me. Now I’m going to accept it,” Gallman said. “I view it just as an opportunity that I just need to take for myself personally. Just to come out really focused and finding something to get better at every day. That’s basically all I took from it.”
Gallman could have sulked and he could have quit, but he didn’t. He realized you can only hang your head for so long before you’ve got to pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and continue pressing forward.
It just so happens that Judge appreciates and respects that sort of attitude, which turned what was an ugly situation in 2018 and 2019 into nothing more than a learning experience.
“That’s in the past now. But looking at that, I can honestly say it got me way more mentally prepared for this challenge, for this season, and just any challenges ahead. It made me better as a person. It made me better mentally,” Gallman said.
With a fresh start ahead of him, Gallman attacked this offseason with veracity and prepared as if he was coming in to start.
“First impression is everything. If there’s a new coaching staff, of course you want to make sure you’re on your Ps and Qs, make sure that you’re doing the right things, and also just being focused. Just coming to work every day with the mindset of just being great,” Gallman said. “I really took it to myself this offseason, as every other offseason, to just prepare as a starter. I always go into it, no matter if I’m at the bottom of the depth chart or the top, I always am focused to come in prepared and just be the best Wayne Gallman I can be.”
Gallman has done so well for himself this offseason that he not only appears to be a lock to make the roster, but could end up playing a significant role on offense.
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