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Pleasant Surprise #5: Bear Pascoe

by Rich Resch on February 23rd, 2011 at 9:59 am

5. Bear Pascoe

This one truly came out of nowhere.

In 2007, Jerry Reese scooped up Madison Hedgecock, a reject from the Rams’ organization.  Suddenly, this no-name fullback was a key to transforming the Giants’ running game into one of the league’s best.  This season, Hedgecock dealt with injuries, as well as relative ineffectiveness.  Enter Bear Pascoe, who was picked up in 2009 after being released by the 49ers.

Pascoe made little impact as a tight towards the end of the 2009 season, but showed the ability to be a solid backup/blocking tight end for the Giants in training camp.  Many were surprised when he was cut in September and signed to the practice squad, but his time there didn’t last long.  Kevin Boss’ week 1 concussion led to Pascoe’s addition to the active roster, but it wasn’t until Hedgecock went down with a hamstring injury in week 4 that Pascoe really made an impact.

The tight end was converted to fullback and thrust into the starting role.  Much to everyone’s surprised, he wasn’t bad.  He was actually pretty good, and his play revitalized the Giants’ running game.  As the season continued, Pascoe became more comfortable with his new position, and his work ethic led to Tom Coughlin calling him a “100-percenter.”

Whether or not he’ll return as the starting fullback or if he’ll be moved back to tight end is yet to be seen, but the contributions he made this season were far more than anyone could have ever imagined.

#6 Barry Cofield

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About Rich Resch

Rich is a graduate of University of Maryland and is currently the senior editor of Giants Football Blog. He is a former contributor to Hot Foot Blog, and a former featured columnist on Bleacher Report. Hear him live on "Giants Rush," Wednesday nights at 9 on Blog Talk Radio. Follow him @RichResch View all posts by Rich Resch →
  • Mickster

    What Pascoe’s 2010 effort tells me is that the Giants will be looking for other players like him that have the versatility to play FB, TE, or Slot-HB. With Boss’ future uncertain and Hedgecock being so one-dimensional when healthy, Pascoe clones will give Killdrive more viable options, where having this type of player in the game doesn’t tip our hand as to whether we’re calling a “pass” or “run”. At least I HOPE this is what they’re thinking.

    • Anonymous

      They might also be looking to charge up the troops. The current mix of players – these boy scouts – have been collapsing and accepting failure too easlily. Reese and Coughlin need some players to breathe life into the team or they might be shown the door….

      • Mickster

        “Boy Scouts” – right on the money, John! Maybe the Gmen and Bengals should exchange half their rosters. Not really, but a little less choirboy and a little more gangsta is in order here.

        • Anonymous

          well, maybe not the Bengals (I’d take Maualuga, though) but they take losing in stride. Unfortunately, the owners upped the stakes with the PSLs….the fans are no longer taking losing in stride, I’ll tell u that much. They want more passion

          • Mickster

            Out here in L.A. we loved Rey Rey, even Bruins like me!

  • Anonymous

    i honestly thought when they drafted beckham thats would be his backer backup tight end player. too fast for linebackers and our running backs is too dangerous not to have 3 or 4 lbs in there. hope he turns into the vision i see