Skattebo admits 'dumb things,' tempers backflips
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- Cam Skattebo met with Giants coach John Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen after a backflip at Fanatics Fest, acknowledging 'I do some dumb things here or there, but I learn from it'
- Skattebo said backflips are 'off the field for now' but stopped short of ruling them out entirely: 'When game time comes around, we'll see when game time comes around'
- Skattebo is returning from an open fracture of his right ankle suffered in October and said he feels '99%,' with 100% coming when he can put shoulder pads on and hit someone
- The Giants have run Skattebo first during live drills the first three days of training camp, splitting first-team reps with last year's leading rusher Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- Past incidents cited include a WWE skit on 'Monday Night Raw' while on crutches, a CTE joke that drew an almost immediate apology, and a backflip after a home run at the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game in late May
- Skattebo pledged to stay 'the people's guy' — 'Keep giving kids high-fives... If a kid wants a backflip, he'll see a backflip when it's touchdown time'
Why it matters: The Giants are clearly invested in Skattebo as a feature back — running him first in live drills despite his October ankle fracture and a pattern of reckless off-field incidents — because his aggressive style fits Harbaugh's smashmouth identity. Skattebo now has a direct line from his coach to dial it back without losing himself, a tradeoff that matters because New York is relying on his health and availability, not just his highlights.
