The Hynocerous 2.0 is leaner and meaner and he's looking to do something no Giants player has done since 2008.
But first, fullback Henry Hynoski had to put in the grunt work back home in Pennsylvania.
"I trained my butt off," the second-year University of Pittsburgh product said before Sunday's practice.
"I worked out five days a week, and I feel in the best shape of my life right now. I had two different trainers -- one for weight training and another one for a core, agility, plyometrics type conditioning and training. So I came in eight pounds lighter than last year and I feel better."
That will only add to his case for more touches this season after receiving a sizeable workload for an undrafted rookie in 2011. Hynoski played in 11 regular-season games (starting four) and appeared in all four playoff games, including starts against Green Bay, San Francisco, and New England in the Super Bowl.
Aside from his primary role as a blocker, Hynoski also showed he could help in the passing game, hauling in 12 catches last season (in addition to five in the playoffs). And once he had the ball in his hands, the instincts of Pennsylvania's sixth all-time leading rusher (he had more than 7,000 yards in high school) took over.
That led to the New Year's Day highlight when Hynoski hurdled cornerback Terrence Newman en route to the Giants clinching the NFC East title with the win over Dallas.
"I think that's something I want to be more involved in," Hynoski said. "I think that it's a plan for them to get me more involved. I think I showed last year I could not only catch the ball but run with it too, make plays after the catch. It's just something I'm looking forward to. I feel like I have a little more speed to me this year. So I think it's going to make a big difference."
Now for the historic question: when will a Giants fullback get a handoff?
It hasn't been done since Week 16 of 2008 when Madison Hedgecock took a carry for no gain against the Panthers. That was the former fullback's lone rushing attempt in four seasons under Kevin Gilbride, who has been the Giants offensive coordinator since 2007.
"Maybe we'll sneak a carry or two in there hopefully at some point," Hynoski said. "I don't know. I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm kind of hoping. But my main thing obviously is to block – that's why I'm here – and that's what I want to do."
](http://www.gopjn.com/t/R0BKRklDSEBLRkVESEBISEtERw)
