10 Questions with New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs

Kyle Elston

Contributor Written on May 22, 2009

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants carries the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on October 19, 2008 at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman

(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

At 6'4", 264 pounds, New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is a mountain of a man.

His massive size, earning him the nickname "Earth," should help Jacobs entering the 2009 season, because he'll be asked to put even more of the Giants' hopes on his shoulders.

Last season, Jacobs combined with Derrick Ward to become only the fifth tandem in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards on the same team. But with Ward's departure to Tampa Bay, Jacobs will be expected to carry more of the load.

Jacobs certainly has the strength for the job, but what remains unclear is whether or not he can remain healthy for an entire season, something he's been unable to accomplish in his first two years as a starter.

This much, however, is clear. Jacobs is becoming a vocal leader for the Giants, and if the G-Men have any hopes of making another Super Bowl run, they'll do it by playing Giants football—which means a power running game, led by the league's premier power running back.

After a decorated high school and community college career, you enrolled at Auburn University in 2003. From a competitive standpoint, how difficult was it for you to share time with two other running backs?

ALBANY, NY - JULY 31: Brandon Jacobs #27 runs the ball during the New York Giants training camp on July 31, 2006 at the University at Albany in Albany, New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

At Auburn, Jacobs was part of talented backfield that included future first-round draft picks Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

After a year at Auburn, you were told you could be a backup running back or you could convert to linebacker. Did you ever consider switching over to defense, and do you think you would have made a good linebacker?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 05: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs against the Seattle Seahawks during their game on October 5, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Jacobs ultimately decided to transfer, heading to Southern Illinois University for the 2004 season.

Ten running backs, including your two former Auburn teammates, were selected before the Giants drafted you in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Was there a sense of payback being sought against all the teams that passed on you?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 16: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs the ball as Justin Bannan #94 of the Baltimore Ravens defends during their game on November 16, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/G

The 2005 NFL Draft featured some great late-round talent at the running back spot. Frank Gore was selected in the third round.

Jacobs, Marion Barber III and Darren Sproles were fourth-round picks. And Ryan Grant was an undrafted free agent.

Your first two years with the Giants were spent backing up Tiki Barber. What did the Giants' all-time leading rusher teach you about being a running back in the NFL?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 17: Tiki Barber #21of the New York Giants runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 17, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

From 2002 to 2006, Tiki Barber led the Giants in rushing for an NFL record 80 consecutive games.

The Giants' Super Bowl run in 2007, winning three straight road games and then beating the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl, seemed to be one of those magical runs. What did the team learn about itself during the 2007 postseason?

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Runningback Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants carries the ball in the first quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Co-owner John Mara described the Super Bowl win over the Patriots as the "greatest victory in the history of the franchise."

After winning the NFC East in 2008, how disappointing was the team's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagle

Philadelphia won the game 23-11.

With the departure of your friend Derrick Ward, what is that going to mean for you and the running game this season?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 21: Running back Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants celebrates with teammates Derrick Ward #34 and Shaun O'Hara #60 in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in over time on December 21,

The 2008 Giants were the fifth team to have two 1,000-yard rushers. The others were the '72 Dolphins, '76 Steelers, '85 Browns and the '06 Falcons.

You recently said that you were against the Giants trading for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, citing team chemistry. What are you expecting from this season's crop of wide receivers?

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 7: Braylon Edwards #17 of the Cleveland Browns points on the field during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 7, 2008 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Giants lost Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer in the offseason. They drafted Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden to help fill the void.

With all the talk about free agent additions on defense and the loss of Plaxico Burress on offense, are people underestimating the Giants' offense?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants celebrates a 35-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys after their game on November 2, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Giants finished the 2008-09 season with the 7th-ranked offense.

Just for fun: If you could do one job other than be a professional football player, what would it be?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 07: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 7, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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