New York Giants 2008 Positional Analysis: The Backfield

After this breakout moment, Bradshaw proved to be the most productive back during the playoff run. He even earned the role as the closer when running out the clock in the Wild Card game vs. Tampa Bay, an unheard of move by a Tom-Coughlin-coached team. Having the faith of Coughlin as a rookie to run out the clock is a testament to Bradshaw’s ability and his upside.  

What We Know

He has gamebreaking speed, the faith of the coach, and the moxie to tell his teammates that he is taking the ball 88-yards to the end zone (and then actually doing it). Bradshaw has a tremendous upside and is a fan favorite.

Every time Jacobs, Ward, or Droughns got stuffed on a run, it was a common for Giants fans to say, “What is Coughlin doing, put Bradshaw in the game”. We also know that Bradshaw has a troubled past, which has only recently become an issue.

Bradshaw is currently serving a 30-day jail sentence for an undisclosed reason (although Newsdays Tom Rock believes that this is an agreed upon sentence for a past probation violation). His ability to overcome this will be something to watch for later down the line.

What We Don’t Know

Will the league pursue suspending Bradshaw for this current jail sentence? Will this in any way change his perception in the eyes of coach Tom Coughlin? Will he suffer a sophomore slump? Can he produce on the level he did for the last few games of the season for a whole 16-game stretch?

Predictions

With these three, stellar running backs splitting time in the backfield, one of them going over 1,000 yards is not a guarantee. I would not be surprised however, if both Jacobs and Bradshaw approached and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark.

Jacobs and Ward’s history of injury lead me to believe that Ahmad Bradshaw is going to get a lot of touches and a lot of yards this year (assuming there are no penalties leveled against him).

With the emergence of Ward and Bradshaw, there had been some speculation that Jacobs could be expendable when his rookie contract expires after this season. Jacobs is said to have a new contract in the works however, so the likelihood of him being phased out of the offense is highly unlikely.

I will venture to say that Jacobs will enter the season as the No. 1 back and get around 50 percent of the touches. Ward will be the third-down back and Bradshaw will spell Jacobs for full series, and perhaps even serve as a short-yardage back.

The Giants have a very talented three-headed monster in the backfield, and I believe that it will prove to be one of the most troubling rushing attacks for opposing defenses to deal with.

Fullback

Madison Hedgecock

Well, there really is not much to say about Madison, other than thank God the Rams were dumb enough to release him last season. Hedgecock has proved to be the ideal fullback for the New York Giants, with his ability to level crushing-blocks, as well as having soft-enough hands to serve as a receiving threat.

What can you say about a guy that was brought in off of waivers and seems to do everything right. He was rewarded in season with a well-deserved long-term contract extension. I think he will be the fullback blocking for one of the best rushing attacks this coming season and for many years to come.

Prediction

He will continue to be good.

**This article is the first part of a series that will analyze the position-by-position state of the 2008 New York Giants, as they attempt to defend their Super Bowl title.

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