Brandon Jacobs and 5 Vets Who Will Not Play for New York Giants in 2011

Has Brandon Jacobs truly played his last down in a New York Giants uniform?

Both he and Ahmad Bradshaw have come out and said how much they enjoy playing with one another, together they are one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL. However, with Bradshaw set to make a huge pay day after a 1235 yard season, it may not be an option to keep both of them.

I assure you the Giants will do whatever they can to keep Jacobs—they love his style—but remember this is a delicate situation. Jacobs has been known to be set off quite easily.

Too many requests for him to take a salary cut and he could walk right out the door and demand a trade.

Bradshaw said earlier this year that he didn't think the Giants would be able to keep them both around financially. The team told him he is a first priority to re-sign, so what that means for Jacobs' future we don't know.

The lockout could actually help Jacobs stick around, since teams are not able to trade during this time. Too long of a lockout could deter teams from bringing in someone new.

The falling out Jacobs had in the locker room with photographers did not indicate how happy he was at the end of the 2010 season. He was the starter, he was getting the goal line touches, and he was dominating because he was so fresh.

He mentioned how that was the most fun he had in a long time. The incident when he cussed at reporters was a momentary lapse and should be attributed to frustration rather than ill will towards the team that has employed him his whole career.

With how many free agents the Giants are attempting to keep in house, he might be the odd man out and get traded to keep the Giants under the salary cap. Steve Smith, Mathias Kiwanuka, Barry Cofield, and Ahmad Bradshaw will all get multi-million dollar deals.

With the way he ran towards the end of the season it pains me to say it, but I think Jacobs may have played his last down for the Giants.

There are also a couple other, somewhat obvious guys I would like to point out, and here they are.

Kevin Boothe

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: Kevin Boothe #77 of the New York Giants in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their game on November 28, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kevin Boothe actually saw the most action he has seen in a Giants uniform in 2010, but there won't be room for him on next year's roster if the team plans on getting younger on the offensive line, which they will in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Boothe has been a nice backup in his career, but I fear his time is over. The Giants did make him a restricted free agent, but I'm sure they will not match any offer sheet for him, unless it's ridiculously low. 

The Giants currently have Mitch Petrus, Rich Seubert, and Chris Snee listed as guards, and Shawn Andrews and David Diehl could also play the position if need be. Boothe got his shot to prove himself this season, but didn't amaze anyone to make them think he's sticking around.

If, for some reason, the Giants don't stack up on offensive linemen, I still don't believe he will play another down for the Giants.

Gerris Wilkinson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 7: Gerris Wilkinson #59 of the New York Giants runs on the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on December 7, 2008 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Gerris Wilkinson snatched up Antonio Pierce's number 58 (not shown in the slide, for reasons about to be shared), but he never lived up to the former Giants leader.

I had high hopes for Wilkinson coming out of Georgia Tech, but injuries kept him off the field far too long and stunted his growth as a player.

The Giants are expected to draft more linebackers in this year's draft, and Wilkinson is an unrestricted free-agent. He won't be back.

Michael Johnson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 22: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons can't hold onto the ball as he is defended by Aaron Rouse #26, Michael Johnson #20, and Michael Boley #52 of the New York Giants on November 22, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Ru

It's been a long, tough road for Michael Johnson these past 18 months. He went from full-time starter in 2009 to bench warmer in 2010 when the Giants signed Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle and then got Deon Grant from the Seahawks.

Both proved to be huge acquisitions and if Chad Jones recovers from his devastating car accident, he will join the Giants as a younger player with much more upside, stealing Johnson's spot.

Johnson played in just two games in 2010 and recorded two tackles. Oh yea, and he is an unrestricted free agent as well.

Keith Bulluck

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Linebacker Keith Bulluck #53 of the New York Giants looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 41-7. (Photo by

I've wrote about this so much you're probably getting tired of hearing about it. Keith Bulluck will not return to the Giants unless he agrees to play in a similar limited role like he played last year. He has since said that he would rather "go fishin'" than do that.

With all the buzz surrounding the Giants taking a linebacker, I think Bulluck's last hoorah was in 2010.

Michael Clayton

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Michael Clayton #83 of the New York Giants fires up the crowd prior to the opening kick off against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by J

This one is pretty obvious. Not only did Michael Clayton suck in a Giants uniform—and pretty much any time before that aside from his rookie year—but the team has way too many younger, more talented players at the position.

He was signed as a short term replacement, nothing more.