When the New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday, the box score told only part of the story. The Giants ran the ball 37 times for 165 yards, held possession for 36:40, and leaned on a blocking fullback who rarely carries or catches the ball. Patrick Ricard, a 300-pound fullback who followed head coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore in free agency, played 37 offensive snaps and helped set a tone that Dallas could not match.
A Fullback Who Lines Up Everywhere
Ricard’s value is not measured in touches. Against Dallas, he lined up 15 times at fullback, seven times as an inline tight end, 11 times in the slot, and four times out wide. That kind of deployment forces a defense to identify him on every play, and it creates mismatches because he is usually bigger than the man trying to block him or the defender tasked with covering him.
Harbaugh said after the game that those roles are built into the offense and that Ricard does things nobody else can. The coach also said Ricard helps define the team’s identity. For a Giants team that talked about physical football throughout the preseason, the win over Dallas was the first real proof that the approach can work.
From Undrafted Lineman to Full-Time Fullback
Ricard’s path to this role was anything but conventional. He entered the NFL as an undrafted defensive lineman and spent his first three seasons playing both offense and defense for the Ravens, including 225 snaps at defensive tackle. He also contributed on special teams. In 2020, he became a full-time fullback, and in 2022 he set a career high with 698 snaps.
Over 133 career regular-season games, Ricard has just 11 carries and 49 receptions. He does not demand the ball, and he said he will not ask for it from offensive coordinator Matt Nagy or quarterback Jaxson Dart. His job is to clear the way for others. “I do whatever the coaches ask,” Ricard said. “I don’t care about getting the ball. The guys with the ball in their hands are better with it than I am.”
That selflessness has earned him the nickname “Pancake Pat,” a nod to his habit of flattening defenders. Ricard said he enjoys pancaking opponents and springing blocks that free his teammates. He wants to impose his will on defenses, and he credits Greg Roman’s scheme for putting him in positions to succeed. Roman, now a senior offensive assistant after serving as run game coordinator and offensive coordinator, called Ricard the “secret sauce” of the offense. Ricard has his own description: sometimes he feels like spaghetti sauce, and sometimes his movement reminds him of Where’s Waldo because defenders struggle to find him before he arrives.
Giants Running Game Finds Its Footing
The Giants’ 165 rushing yards came on 37 attempts, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. That production helped keep the Cowboys’ offense off the field and allowed the Giants to control the clock. Dallas chief operating officer Stephen Jones admitted afterward that his team was outphysicaled, a rare concession from an opponent.
Ricard’s presence was a major reason. He played 274 snaps last season with Baltimore, but his role in New York is projected to grow to around 629 snaps over 17 games. If Sunday was any indication, he will be on the field for many of the Giants’ most important plays.
A Tradition of Fullbacks in New York
The Giants have a history of winning with fullbacks. Bill Parcells’ championship teams featured Maurice Carthon. Tom Coughlin’s title teams had Madison Hedgecock and Henry Hynoski. Those teams dominated the line of scrimmage, ran the ball effectively, and played gritty football that was not always pretty. Harbaugh’s smashmouth style is reminiscent of that era, and Ricard fits the mold.
Harbaugh brought several former Ravens with him to New York, and Ricard is one of the most prominent. New head coaches often bring favorite players from previous stops, and Ricard’s familiarity with Harbaugh and Roman has helped accelerate the installation of the offense.
Fan Support and a Hungry Locker Room
After the win over Dallas, Giants fans flooded social media with support for Ricard, calling him the MVP of the game. Ricard said he felt that support when he signed with the team, and it has only grown. One blog commenter even noted that Ricard was omitted from a “Kudos and Wet Willies” post, a sign that fans are paying close attention to his contributions.
Ricard praised his teammates as hungry and humble. He noted that players stayed in the locker room for two hours after workouts, a detail that speaks to their commitment. “I want to help this team keep winning,” Ricard said. “I’ll continue to play hard and do whatever it takes.”
What's Next for the Giants' Physical Identity
The Giants emphasized physical football in the preseason, and the win over Dallas showed they can execute that plan. Ricard’s versatility, blocking ability, and team-first attitude are central to the approach. If the Giants can sustain that style, they may have found an identity that carries them through the season.
For Ricard, the reward is not in statistics. It is in the wins, the pancake blocks, and the chance to impose his will on defenses. As long as the Giants keep winning, he will keep doing the dirty work that makes it possible.
