10 Questions with New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?