By Steve Wyche - NFL.com 5/29/09
Friday, May 29, 2009
Die Hard's Running Back Preview
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Die Hard's Articles
With the loss of the Giants starting receivers of the past many years, the Giants are going to look to what has carried them to the playoffs over the past 4 seasons, the running game. Brandon Jacobs will be the man to carry the offensive load without any other proven players on offense outside of Eli Manning and Steve Smith. Eli Manning might be the captain of the Giants but Brandon Jacobs is going to looked to carry the load on the offense this season.
Even though no one really has been talking about it, the Giants are going to have a very different look to their backfield in 2009. The loss of Derrick Ward is a lot bigger than people have been speculating. Everyone seems to think that the Giants won't lose a step by putting in Ahmad Bradshaw as the backup to Brandon Jacobs. I think it will be a much harder transition than everyone realizes. Bradshaw is a very different player than Ward. Ward was a great 3rd down back that could not only play on 3rd and long but also make the tough yard on 3rd and 1 . Bradshaw is a big time home run threat. On any given play, he can break through the hole and be off the races. Right now the Giants need a backup who can come in and be an every down back in case Brandon gets worn down. At this point, we have no idea if Bradshaw will excel in this role. I happen to think Danny Ware is a better fit to come in for Brandon. Bradshaw seems like the perfect 3rd down running back to come in a make a play. I don't know if he is the right player to be the backup to Brandon. I hope I am wrong.
1. Brandon Jacobs: There are two words that come to mind when I say his name, THE BEAST. When healthy (keyword 'healthy'), Brandon is as good as any running back in the NFL. No one can compare to his size or strength. How many running backs can say that they are taller and weigh more than the starting Linebackers on the opposite team? Only The Beast himself. Now that Brandon has his long term deal, expect him to be one of the top rushers in the NFL this year.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw: This small and feisty running back has made a big name for himself over his first two seasons in the NFL. In his rookie season, Bradshaw helped start the run that took the Giants to the Super Bowl, when he broke for the 88 yard touchdown run in Buffalo. He has a lot on his shoulders this season. Bradshaw needs to show the Giants that he isn't just a backup player anymore. He needs to step up and become the next in line after Brandon Jacobs.
3. Danny Ware: One of my favorite players on the Giants is set to begin the 2009 season with as an x-factor and set to take on a new role with the Giants. He isn't going to be sitting on the bench or the practice squad any longer. Ware has the chance to prove to the Giants why they kept him on the roster for 2 seasons, while only playing as a special teams player. Training camp will show if Ware has taken that next step to challenge Bradshaw as the backup to Brandon Jacobs.
4. Andre Brown: The new kid on the block. Andre Brown was drafted to solidify an already fantastic running back core. The former NC State running back, was a very solid runner in college and has a great first step to fly past defenders. I can't wait to see what he has to offer when training camp comes around. He reminds me a lot of Ryan Grant, when Grant was in training camp with the Giants. I can only hope he can produce the way Grant has for the Green Bay Packers. He will be able to use his rookie season to learn from a fantastic core and develop as a reliable backup in the latter half of the season.
Gholston, others looking to rebound
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NFL Articles
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