Robert Martin of Rutgers might be one of the biggest surprises in the New York Giants' training camp.

No one expected much from the running back when the team reported in the last week of July. The 22-year-old from Harrisburg http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/darren-woodson-jersey , Pennsylvania, didn't start for the Scarlet Knights last season and had to attend a tryout after the draft to get an invite to camp.

Less than three weeks into camp, Martin has opened some eyes. He has continually broken some big runs during the practices. He did it again on Thursday night in the second half of the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, picking up 39 yards on five carries with a long run of 19 yards.

The only Giant who did better was No. 2 overall draft pick Saquon Barkley, who had 43 yards on five carries, including a game-opening 39-yard run.

"I know what I am bringing to the team," Martin said Sunday after practice. "I had a rocky college experience, different coaches, different running backs coaches Mike Daniels Jersey , a lot of ups and downs. It helped me. It formed my character, but at the end of the day I always knew I could play football. Given the chance and opportunity, playing with the best of the best in the NFL, I would be able to show my talent."

Martin says he put in a lot of work to get to this point. While taking courses this spring, he worked on his pass routes and running back drills. He also did a lot of film preparation, watching the Vikings' offense that new Giants coach Pat Shurmur was bringing to the Meadowlands.

"When I got up here I just wanted to show what I could do," Martin said.

The road to football has never been simple for Martin. His mother, Deborah Hill, never wanted him to play. His brother http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/dion-sims-jersey , Steven Smith, had to persuade her to let him try after he excelled on the playgrounds.

He eventually made it to Rutgers and carried 448 times for 2,256 yards and 18 touchdowns, finishing 10th in school history for career yards rushing. His senior year was disappointing because he was the No. 2 back to graduate transfer Gus Edwards of Miami. Martin gained 434 yards on 99 carries with three touchdowns.

The Giants still gave him a tryout, and so far he was made the most of it, competing against Barkley, veteran Jonathan Stewart and second-year backs Wayne Gallman, Shane Smith and Jalen Simmons.

"I think they all had their moments of good play," Shurmur said of his running backs in the 20-10 loss to the Browns. "I thought Stewart didn't have as many snaps as the others. I thought Gallman had a couple nice runs. I think they all kind of stood out in my mind in making a play or two here http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/connor-williams-jersey , but Jalen did a good job. There were some nice hard runs in there, and then we've seen Rob obviously, we've seen him in practice have some good runs and he's a hard physical runner and it showed up in the game."

NOTES: Defensive coordinator James Bettcher was in Indiana this weekend to attend services for his mother, who died last week. He will rejoin the team Tuesday in Detroit for practices with the Lions. Secondary coach Lou Anarumo called the plays for the defense Sunday. ... Giants T Nate Solder is ready to go against the Lions and their new coach, Matt Patricia, who was the Patriots' defensive coordinator when Solder was in New England. "I think they will expose some things we need to work on, it will show some of the areas we are strong in," Solder said. ... Veteran LB Connor Barwin was nicked in the preseason opener and did not practice. S Darian Thompson also was out with a hamstring injury.
The San Francisco 49ers are easing linebacker Reuben Foster back into the system after he missed the start of the offseason program while dealing with a domestic violence case that was eventually dropped.

Foster was not allowed to participate in the offseason program until a judge ruled last week that he wouldn't have to stand trial on domestic violence charges. The judge determined there was no evidence that Foster ever hit his ex-girlfriend.

Foster rejoined the Niners last Thursday but has been held out of team drills as he gets back into form after missing more than five weeks of the offseason program while waiting for his case to be resolved.

He took part in individual drills during organized team activities but spent the time during team drills doing conditioning or watching teammates.

"Getting him up to speed won't take as long," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. "I can promise you that when he gets out there Richard Dent Jersey , he'll be like a fireball. It will be cool to see."

Foster had a trying offseason following an arrest in February on charges of beating up his girlfriend. He was charged in April with felony domestic violence, forcefully attempting to dissuade a witness and felony possession of an assault weapon.

That led to the decision by the 49ers to keep him away from the offseason program and general manager John Lynch said Foster would be cut if it was proven he hit his girlfriend.

But the case quickly fell apart. The accuser, Elissa Ennis, recanted her accusations two days after telling police she was hit in the head eight to 10 times by Foster. She testified at a preliminary hearing earlier this month that the injuries were caused by a fight with another woman and she gave prosecutors video of that fight. She said she lied initially because she wanted retribution after Foster tried to end their relationship.

Judge Nona Klippen said recantations aren't uncommon in domestic violence cases but said there was no supporting evidence in this case that Foster had attacked Ennis and dropped the domestic violence charges. Foster still faces a misdemeanor weapons charge for having a Sig Sauer 516 short-barreled rifle in his home that was legally registered in Alabama.

Foster also had a misdemeanor marijuana case dismissed in Alabama this month when he completed a pretrial diversion program.

"Reuben is in a good spot right now," 49ers defensive assistant Johnny Holland said. "He's been through a lot in the offseason. Going through court cases you never know what's going to happen. He still has a long road to go but he's excited to be back out here. He's family. We wanted to keep him encouraged while he was away and we welcomed him back."

The 49ers drafted Foster 31st overall last year after questions about his health and character caused him to drop from being a possible top 10 pick.

Foster delivered on the field, ranking second on the team with 72 tackles despite being limited to 10 games as a rookie because of injuries. He is being counted on now to be a key part of San Francisco's defensive future.

"For the 10 games he played in, I thought he was outstanding," Holland said. "His ceiling is very high. He's going to be better this year. We're excited to have him back and hopefully he can come back at full speed and his health is not a factor and he can be an outstanding football player."
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