Brandon Jacobs had the starting running-back job on lock down last season. He was only able to stay healthy for the first half of the first game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys.
His inability to stay healthy last year lead to the Giants' uncovering some hidden gems within their running-back unit. After Jacobs went down in Dallas, backup Derrick Ward entered the game. Ward would prove to be an above-average fill-in and played very well in Jacob's absence.
He played so well that many figured a time-share could come to fruition once Jacobs returned. That did indeed happen, for a couple of weeks, and they formed a nice backfield tandem at the time. They looked like a nice two-headed monster going forward, until Jacobs hurt his hamstring against the Lions.
Ward took over as the starter again, and he had his best game of the year in Chicago, until he suffered a broken leg late in that game. Reuben Droughns assumed the starting job; he was brought in as a veteran backup prior to the season. He merely kept the spot warm for Jacobs until he returned yet again.
Jacobs was having one of his best outings in Buffalo, when he sat out the final quarter on that game after sustaining a minor injury. That injury opened the gates for rookie Ahmad Bradshaw, who burst onto the scene, as he showed big-play potential.
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Bradshaw's talents were immediately implemented into the game for the remainder of the year.
Bradshaw and Jacobs came together in the playoffs as a nice combo of power and speed. Bradshaw proved to be the change-of-pace back the Giants were lacking. Ward was a pleasant surprise, but he was not as much a change of pace in relation to Jacob's style of running. Bradshaw had some flair to him, as he would bounce off tackles and make quick jukes.
The playoffs saw more of an even distribution of carries between the two running backs and that lead to the speculation that it would be a time-share for this coming season, but I see otherwise.
Jacobs is the unquestioned starter in my book and for good reason. He has really done nothing to lose his starter's share of the carries. He missed six games, and yet he still finished with over 1,000 yards on the ground. He proved to be very effective when he was constantly fed the rock. The more rushes he had, the more he would wear down a defense.
Jacobs is most effective when he racks up the carries in a game. The defense does not want to be tackling (or be tackled by) a 265-pound quick linebacker all game. As long as Jacobs stays on the field, health-wise, then I feel like he will still get approximately 60-75 percent of the workload.
The Giants might install the dreaded running-back-by-committee idea, but I hope they don't. It is nice to rotate your players and keep them fresh, but it is also nice to have your runner get into a groove rather than not knowing if he will be on the field for a given drive.
Bradshaw and Ward are very nice complements, but I think that's all they should be at this point. Bradshaw showed that he should be considered the third-down back and Ward can give a breather to either player throughout the game.
Jacobs had the best day of all the runners in the first preseason game. He juked CB Brian Kelly to the floor as he ripped off a 20-yard gain on his first carry. Jacobs is still light on his feet, and when he was tackled on the play, he lowered his shoulder to bring the pain.
He was also lifted after the first quarter, and that equates to starter status. Ward and Bradshaw struggled in the game, but I'm not worried about them. All I know is that people shouldn't get carried away with the Bradshaw craze in New York, but should remember that Jacobs is still the man for Big Blue...a rather large man for that matter.
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3 months ago
Well done in analyzing this situation, I'd say you got it right.
3 months ago
In the new NFL, where the feauture back gets less and less carries, I love the fact the Giants have three RB's I trust with the ball.
from 3 months ago
only three? I see 5. Jacobs, Bradshaw, Ward, Reuben Droughns, and Danny Ware.
3 months ago
reuben droughns is lucky if he makes the team this year and they do like danny ware a lot...it was reported that the falcons asked for and a draft pick for dj hall and the giants declined also due part to his lofty contract demands...but ware must be somehwat coveted
3 months ago
I think the writer pretty much nailed it. Jacobs is #1 and Bradshaw and Ward are 1A and 1B. I hope they cut Droughns because I don't want to see him take away any more short yardage carries from Jacobs. I don't know what the hell the Giants were thinking last year taking Jacobs off the field for short yardage as often as they did. Just because he's the #1 back doesn't mean he can't also be the #1 short yardage back too -- that's what he does better than anyone!
3 months ago
i really like Droughn's still on the roster he plays special teams, is a positive face in the locker room
from 3 months ago
it doesn't matter about his special teams play at this point or his face in the locker room he just doesn't have a real role on this team, they like danny ware better and his is certainly on the roster bubble. If yoru focus is on good special teams play then tyree should get the nod way before droughns as tyree is very much on the orster bubble also
3 months ago
Wait just a minute. Bradshaw was knocked down the charts after fumble in the second game of the year. If you watch the games closely at the end of the year, there is a difference, it's his quickness. The box between the backfield and the linebackers has 10 feet of width and there are few in the league that have the lateral movement of Bradshaw in the box. His ability to "hop" and change direction is unparalleled on this roster. Bradshaw should get the majority of the reps, specifically in the 1st half of the game. Once a defense has tired itself chasing him, then bring the muscle and heavy lumber.
from 3 months ago
sorry but I don't know if you really watch the Giants all too much but Bradshaw is not an every down back and and he will not get the majority of the carries as long as Jacobs is healthy. bradshaw is very shifty and has a solid burst but he hardly got any carries until the last game two games of the regular season and the playoffs, that's not that great of a sample size. Jacobs is a beast and our best running back plain and simple
3 months ago
The writer has got it all wrong. Yes Jacobs ran over 1000 yards last year but his inability to stay healthy is alarming. He is a great runner but was not a full time rb in college and is not in the nfl. He belongs in a system with even distribution of carries. This is where Bradshaw and Ward step in. Their ability to catch out of the backfield is far better and gives Eli a checkdown back especially with the loss of a great receiving Tight End in Jeremy Shcokey.
from 3 months ago
Ward and Droughns have often times looked just as bad as Jacobs catching passes out of the backfield...
I do agree that Eli needs someone (like Tiki) who has the ability to do this well. Just look at the first pre-season game, there were a ton of dropped balls by the running backs.
With that said, I like a tandem of Jacobs and Bradshaw primarily, that is real Thunder and Lightning!
3 months ago
Jacobs also has a tendency to fumble the ball close to the endzone. In fact, he loves it. He is a big boy, and runs well, but his size, which seems to be an asset, may actually be detrimental. He can't 'hide' behind linemen, doesnt shy away from contact...In other words, he's easy to find--so he gets injured.
I think he and Bradshaw should split, and I think Bradshaw should be the one carrying the ball for a TD within the redzone. This big back theory about pounding your way into the endzone doesnt work. Hide behind your linemen, look for a hole.
from 3 months ago
haha bradhsaw getting goaline carries???...sorry but that is absurd...bradshaw is tough to bring down for his size but he will do nothing when the defense has their goaline defense out there...jacobs is our short yardage back and starter...he did fumble last year but not always close to the end zone like you tried to say...he is very susceptible to injury but until that happens he should be getting the bulk of the carries...no1 wants to be tackling this dude for most of the game
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