Cam Skattebo wants to be associated with more than loud screams, backflips and angry runs.
He wants to be about winning, which means the Giants need to turn things around soon.
“Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve kind of been the rah-rah [guy] just because I’m loud and obnoxious, but we still went 4-13,” Skattebo said. “If you’re the face of the franchise and you’re not a good franchise, then there’s still an issue — and it’s not that big of a deal. But if I’m the face of the franchise when we’re winning the Super Bowl, then you can ask me that question in a year or two.”
One ingredient that would accelerate a Giants change of fates from the NFL’s second-worst record over the last three seasons would be Skattebo’s full return to health after an ankle dislocation and fractured fibula that required immediate surgery Oct. 26.
“Getting healthy, so that’s what matters,” Skattebo said during his first post-injury interview with beat reporters. “I’ve got about another week until I start moving around and upping my speed a little bit. Time is going to tell, but I’m taking it easy because we have plenty of time to get back to it.”
Skattebo said his “long goal” is to be on the field for the start of training camp, with a hope of participating in spring OTAs. He was in a walking boot for eight weeks, so regaining his dorsiflexion (upward movement of the foot at the ankle) is the first priority.
“He’s going to be ready,” quarterback Jaxson Dart said. “I feel like if they would’ve let Skatt play [Sunday], he would’ve played. He’s attacked it. He’s got a great plan in place for him to be ready, and he’s going to come back stronger than he was before.”
The rookie fourth-round pick rushed for 410 yards (4.1 per carry) and five touchdowns as a short burst of positivity and energy in a dreary season. He stole the starting job away from Tyrone Tracy Jr., but Tracy gained 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his second chance while Skattebo was sidelined so now the Giants have a reputable 1-2 punch going forward.
Assuming Skattebo recovers to 100 percent while going back and forth between Arizona and New York for rehab, that is.
“That’s not even a question,” Skattebo said. “I’m going to be back. I played seven games in the NFL and I got hurt. There’s a long road ahead, and that’s not going to stop me.”
Why were Skattebo and New York the perfect fit?
“Because New York’s crazy,” he told The Post. “If you drive down the street and don’t get honked at, there’s probably a problem with your driving.”
Skattebo is the same guy who tried to get to his feet and walk off the field with open fracture at his lower leg after a tackle against the Eagles.
“I saw it,” Skattebo said, “and then 30 seconds later it was straight again. In the moment, I didn’t really feel it until I got into the X-ray room.”
His next backflip will be a special one.
“I’m juiced to see what this franchise can be within the next five years,” Skattebo said.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
