What happened to him?
Rules of engagement - no Daniel Jones answers allowed. 😊
He had a very promising start to his rookie season last year. Looked to be a solid receiving option with sneaky good athleticism. Then he had a tough eye injury and he kind of limped to the finish a bit.
Fast forward to this year - Jints got Waller and Bellinger became an afterthought; used primarily as a blocking tight end. With Waller’s injury he’s starting to get more looks but it’s been a disappointing second season overall. He’s struggled with his blocking role and folks here seem to think he’s a second tight end at best. I thought last year he could be more than that..what’s gone wrong? Any thoughts?
There were folks who were pretty high on him:
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Schoen and Daboll both spoke very highly of him last season. In last season's bye week Schoen said Bellinger being out really impacted the run game against Seattle as a example. Daboll said it hurt losing one of your better players when he was injured last season. Then complimented both Mara/Brown who were the two banging the table to draft him.
This year a big drop off.
Waller completely changed his use.
If you watch Bellinger he was not asked to run his customary routes. He was primarily used as an H back and inline blocker.
Waller was given the lion's share of the seam, crossing, sideline, and hooks.
The Giants ran 21 personnel with Bellinger as H back, some 12, 11,and 10 groupings. They did not run a lot of three Tes or 13 personnel.So when Bellinger was on the field he was asked to help the porous ol.
It is not surprising that since Waller went down that Bellinger's use has increased. Not the personnel groupings have changed just the pecking order and Bellinger's role.
Bellinger has to stay in to block on most downs which severely limited his chances for running routes.
As we build the team, I think TE is very important. So, we need to know if he’s a core piece, or just an easily replaceable TE2. I like to think he can still be a core piece, but he just hasn’t looked like the same player. Hoping he closes out the year strong; looks like Waller is not for long with the Giants since he can’t stay on the field.
But the Giants still need improvement at the TE position.
I think Waller gets cut after this year, if he doesn't take a pay cut, just my feeling.
But the Giants still need improvement at the TE position.
I think Waller gets cut after this year, if he doesn't take a pay cut, just my feeling.
Agree, think Waller is gone next year. Just concerned that maybe the eye injury derailed his career arc.
What's the limited skillset?
Actually, coming out of San Diego St. he was very much a blocking TE prospect.
Agree. Chipping tackles and in-line blocking is not his strength but I like that he's doing the job they're asking of him without complaining. He won't be an all-pro but he'll continue to be a productive player for us. We could do a lot worse with a 4th round pick. I still believe that with an improved O-line, the combination of Waller, Barkley and Bellinger is an extremely tough matchup for defenses.
Seems so long ago, almost like we were playing in Yankee Stadium.
I had high expectations for him too. Was concerned that in addition to the Waller acquisition, his eye injury may have had a huge negative impact. Hope that’s not so, thought he could be a really good player.