Wilson excited to face Bears

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For the first time since the Super Bowl champion New York Giants reported to training camp, first-round draft pick David Wilson is nervous.

It's not the nervousness associated with the fear of failing, the running back from Virginia Tech is just excited heading into the third week of the preseason.

With veteran starter Ahmad Bradshaw limited by a bruised right hand, Wilson has been getting the majority of carries with the first team at practice. It doesn't mean he is going to start against the Chicago Bears on Friday night at home, but it is a very good indication he is going to get the ball a lot.

"Each week I look at it as an opportunity to prove yourself and move up on the depth chart," Wilson said Tuesday after practice. "This week, they moved me up tremendously and are giving me a shot, so you definitely want to take advantage of that."

The 32nd pick in the draft, Wilson came into training camp behind Bradshaw on the depth chart, and is probably heavily favored to beat out veteran D.J.Ware as the No. 2 back.

Wilson hasn't disappointed the Giants. After two preseason games, he leads the team in rushing with 69 yards on 15 carries, a 4.6 yard average.

Most of his yardage has come against the second and third teams of Jacksonville and the Jets, so this will be his chance to showcase himself against a front-line defense.

"I just want to go out there and be productive with the first-team offense and show I deserve more with the first-team offense," said Wilson, who rushed for a school-record 1,709 yards with the Hokies last season. "I'm a rookie and I'm learning, and the running back protecting the quarterback is a big role. They're not going to put you out there until they know you know your role and you've proven you're ready."

Wilson gave an indication that he could be trusted when he picked up a Jets' blitz against David Carr last weekend.