Ahmad Bradshaw: Giants Would Be Wise to Limit Star RB's Carries
If Ahmad Bradshaw has his way he is definitely playing against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He has told an ESPN radio station: "You can guarantee it, I'll be there," per Tom Rock of Long Island Newsday, but the New York Giants should still give Andre Brown the bulk of the carries.
Brown proved how effective he can be in the G-Men's victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. The six-foot, 227-pound, third-year back from North Carolina State ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
He is the Giants' best running back option now. His claim to that spot started in Week 2. Brown averaged 5.5 yards per attempt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had 71 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. If he gets the touches and the opportunity, he can shoulder the load.
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Bradshaw isn't exactly finished, but he has had injury problems the last two seasons. He missed four games last year, and this year he has a sprained neck. While the injury isn't career threatening, the Giants must consider preserving him for what they hope will be another long playoff run.
They are blessed with a little bit of depth at the position, although rookie David Wilson seems to have landed in Tom Coughlin's doghouse because of a Week 1 fumble. His carries have been scarce (six to be exact), but he still offers a change of pace, and game-breaking speed.
There is no reason to rush Bradshaw back, no matter how fired up he is to play. It is likely that Brown and Wilson are the future of the Giants' backfield. They could easily offer the same one-two punch that Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs did in New York for five years.
The Giants should ride the young guys for at least another week. Keeping Bradshaw healthy should create options late in the season.
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