The Rumor Mill: Who Will Serve as the Next Giants Defensive Coordinator

Former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left behind some pretty big shoes to fill, just ask former New York coach Bill Sheridan, who was fired earlier this week.

There’s no denying the Giants have the personnel to be one of the NFL’s elite defensive teams once again, but the problem doesn’t lie with the players, it falls squarely on whoever will take over as defensive coordinator.

As with all coaching vacancies in the NFL, candidates names will appear and disappear as fast as the seconds go by on a clock. Here are some names that have been appearing around the rumor mill lately.

Kicking off this year’s search for defensive coordinator will be Buffalo Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell. Fewell, who served as a former defensive backs coach under Tom Coughlin from 1998-2002 in Jacksonville, took over for Dick Jauron in Buffalo earlier this year and is expected to be interviewed as early as tomorrow.

One of the more interesting candidates is Romeo Crennel.  The former Cleveland Browns coach was a former defensive line coach with the Giants, Patriots, and Jets before he landed his own head coaching gig.

There is a major issue with Crennel, as he runs a 3-4 defense, and the Giants use a 4-3. While some players such as Clint Sintim and Chris Canty would prosper in the changeover, it would be a major rebuilding move and perhaps the end of some players’ tenure in a Giants uniform.

Another high-profile possible candidate is Jauron. Jauron served as the defensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin during their years in Jacksonville.

The former Bills and Bears head coach may have an inside track on the rest of the competition, but he would not be alone in that regard.

Former defensive coordinator Dom Capers also served under Coughlin, and could be considered as another strong candidate. Capers, however, is a less likely choice due to the fact that he is currently the defensive coordinator for the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers.

There are however some less high-profile coaches who have been linked to the Giants’ defensive vacancy.

According to the New York Daily News, former Giants linebacker and current Patriots line coach Pepper Johnson is “very interested” in the position. Johnson is a five-time Super Bowl champion—two as a player and three as a coach—and would demand “instant respect” according to Carl Banks.

While all these coordinators and former head coaches have an impressive track record, there is one assistant who has not been named yet that could be the sleeper pick.

New York Jets linebacker coach Bob Sutton has been reportedly targeted by the Giants, according to multiple media outlets.

Sutton, who was the Jets’ defensive coordinator from 2006-08, has survived four different head coaches since joining the Jets back in 2000.

A former head coach at Army, Sutton also worked with Coughlin back in 1974 with Syracuse.

While the rumor mill continues to turn on this story one thing is certain, there will be no shortage of candidates for this coveted position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One and Done: Giants Fire Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan

The New York Giants have parted ways with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan just hours after co-owner John Mara said there was to be “changes” to the coaching staff and player personnel according to ESPN.com. 

Under Sheridan the Giants defense was ranked No. 30 in the NFL in  points given up, with only St. Louis and Detroit ahead of them. Ironically, Steve Spagnuolo, the head coach of the Rams, is the same man who vacated the Giants defensive coordinator position last year.

New York gave up over 30 points seven times this season, a sharp contrast to last season when they only allowed that to happen twice.

While no replacement has been named, Mara has assured the public head coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese’s jobs were safe.

 

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The Race is On: Why Andre Johnson is on Pace to Pass Jerry Rice

Perhaps one of the least talked about stars in the NFL is Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Throughout the years the Texans star has turned heads and opened eyes, but what many people have not realized is the accumulation of his numbers over the past seven seasons have added up and are about to be record setting. 

Johnson, who is coming off a nine-reception, 196-yard performance against St. Louis, has found his name on a very exclusive list, one that includes the names of Tim Brown, Marvin Harrison, and the incomparable Jerry Rice.

In only 100 games played, Johnson is currently tied for third with Tim Brown for most games with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards with 13 total. The other two receivers ahead of Johnson are Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice, who have 14 and 15, respectively, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Rice played in 303 career games in the NFL and yet has accomplished this feat only twice more.

While all these stats are following the merger in 1970, enough cannot be said about what Johnson is accomplishing in such a short period of time.

In addition to his impending milestone, Johnson is also on the verge of leading the league in reception yards for back-to-back seasons—a feat only Jerry Rice has accomplished since 1970, this also according to McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans wide-out has 1433 yards on the year, more than 200 yards than the next receiver in Reggie Wayne, and with the Colts having locked everything up, Wayne will get less playing time in the weeks to come.

Along with Johnson, there are some receivers such as Wes Welker who have begun to creep up the all-time leader boards as well.

While Welker has put together an outstanding career since joining the New England Patriots, and has accumulated five of his own 10/100-yard performances this season alone, he has been accompanied by some of the greatest people to ever roam the field. Future Hall of Famer’s such as Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and Randy Moss, are certainly huge factors in Welker’s success. 

Not taking anything away from Welker and all the accomplishes he has obtained in New England, but he is the product of a well-oiled machine, while Johnson is more of a lone wolf.

Houston’s next game is at Miami. If history repeats itself, Johnson can expect to find himself one step closer to Rice, as last year he torched the Dolphins secondary for 178-yards on 10 catches.

 

 

 

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Connecting the Dots: Giants Stand to Gain from Potential Notre Dame Loss

The New York Giants’ loss Thursday night to the floundering Denver Broncos has finally put perspective on the roller coaster ride that is the Giants season—they’re not good.

Whether the bottom has fallen out of a team with unlimited potential, or they just never had it to start, is insignificant at this point because one thing has become apparent: The Giants offense is not the villain but the victim of head-scratching play calling.

It is easy to recognize the talent the Giants possess on the offensive side of the ball. Brandon Jacobs was one of the league’s top running backs last season, Eli Manning is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and Steve Smith is one of the league’s leading wide receivers, so the finger of blame does not point to the field, but rather to the sideline at the one and only Kevin Gilbride.

The offensive coordinator, who has donned the nickname Kevin Killdrive from disgruntled fans, put his weaknesses on national display this Thanksgiving when he was easily outmatched, out-thought, and continued to play for the field goal in the red zone as he has done all season.

But this article is not to point out Gilbride’s play-calling or question his packages, but rather to recognize that his era has reigned past its welcome in New York and the changing of the guard gears need to be put in motion.

While a midseason move would be a drastic measure and highly unlikely, the blueprint for the future needs an architect, and that architect’s name is Charlie Weis. 

The man who once served under Bill Belichick as an offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots tried to branch out and become his own boss; we all know how well that’s going for him down at Notre Dame. With his struggles a national story on a day to day basis, and three straight losses to Navy, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh, Weis may very well be looking at his last season with the Fighting Irish.

If there is any doubt this marriage could work, it would have to lie with his unavailability at the current moment and not with his qualifications. The former Bill Parcells assistant has been a successful offensive coordinator with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, helping the Jets to a fourth-ranked offense in 1997 and the Patriots to three championships from 2000-2004.

It is obvious he can perform at the highest level, and unlike at Notre Dame, he would not be asked to run the ship, but rather steer it in the right direction.

But the Giants don’t really have a track record of letting go coordinators. In years past New York’s assistants have gone on to bigger job opportunities such as John Fox and Steve Spagnuolo, and while Kevin Gilbride was a “finalist” for the Oakland Raiders position this season, it doesn’t seem as though he will be leaving New York on his own accord.

If the Giants are serious about putting points on the board on a consistent basis they will have to consider letting go of a Super Bowl-winning coordinator. 

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Giants-Saints: Inside the Battle for NFC Supremacy

It took six weeks for the Giants to finally play a team worth calling an opponent this season when they travel to New Orleans this Sunday to take on the Saints. While the Saints will be at home, there will not be any advantage against the Giants, as New York has gone 18-3 in their last 21 road games.

While cheese-heads, Vikings, and dirty-birds may disagree, the truth is, these two powerhouses will be competing all season for the number one spot in the NFC.  

Giants Offense vs. Saints Defense

The Giants offense has blown away any questions of concern over the departures of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Derrick Ward.

Since the beginning of the season, Eli Manning has utilized every weapon around him, and completed 63 percent of his passes with a quarterback rating of 104.1. This type of production will come in handy this weekend against a Saints secondary who has picked off 10 passes and is not afraid to challenge receivers. 

Since the Giants have established multiple threats at the receiver position in Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and Steve Smith, the Saints will be forced to keep the box light in order to have proper coverage down the field.

For most teams, keeping the extra safety out of the box against the Giants would be a recipe for disaster, but New Orleans has been very good against the run, ranking seventh in the league, and can afford to take some extra chances on defense.  Because of their ability to contain the run, the Saints will be able to use their safeties in numerous ways.

Darren Sharper, who plays safety for the Saints and has terrorized Manning in the past, will most likely be the guy who will have the most flexibility. Sharper, who has five interceptions already, is a complete ball hawk and also has the ability to blitz the passer. Because of his all-around talent, Sharper will be New Orleans’ key to keeping Eli Manning off balance and disoriented in the pocket.  

The best way to beat a player with Sharper’s ability is to keep the ball away from him by throwing screens and short passes. This year, Sharper only has one interception and one pass deflection with passing plays less than 10 yards. The less he is involved, the better the chances are of moving the ball down the field.

If the Giants happen to take some shots down the field against the Saints defense, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are going to have to work hard to keep New Orleans honest in order to set up the play action pass and keep Sharper on his heels.

Jacobs has struggled when you compare his numbers to last year, but his ability to dominate is still there. His success will be the key to allow Manning to prosper in a stadium that is very loud. The game plan on the offensive side of the football for the Giants is to have long sustained drives to keep Drew Brees on the sideline for as long as possible.

Giants Defense vs. Saints Offense

A defense that has been terrorized by the injury bug will be put to the test this week. The only other “high-powered” offense they faced was at Dallas, and that was by far their poorest outing.

Lead by Drew Brees, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL through the first quarter of the season, the Saints have managed to score consistently while maintaining turnovers, ranking them in a tie for first in give-and-take differential.

Although they have played the season with a thin secondary, the Giants defensive backs have been solid, ranking first in the league in pass defense.  And although they have been outstanding against mediocre teams, the Giants secondary will need to be even better to stop a passing attack that is relentless.

But if the secondary is going to be successful this week against Brees & Co. they’ll need more than their talent, they’ll need the big boys up front to lend them a hand.

When faced with four downed lineman, Brees has thrown two interceptions and sacked three times, and that’s with no extra help. When the blitz was on, however, Brees has made defenses pay with 228 yards and three touchdowns on only 16 pass attempts.

If the Giants can get enough pressure with their front four and drop their linebackers into coverage, the Giants’ secondary will suffocate the Saints’ wide receivers, as they’ve done all season.

Another key for the Giants defense is to stay fresh. The Saints have a ton of playmakers and a depth chart full of talent.

Do not be fooled by the individual production by the running backs down in New Orleans. The Saints have three backs with over 30 attempts each this season, and have all found the end zone. 

Running back Mike Bell, who has missed the past two games with a sprained MCL, will be available for Sunday.  New Orleans likes to use multiple backs during the game, and with Reggie Bush’s ability to play receiver, the Giants will have more talent to deal with than they’ve had all season.

What to Watch For

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup will be Antonio Pierce, should he draw the assignment, on Jeremy Shockey. The ex-Giant has had a productive season and it doesn’t take a mind-reader to know he wants revenge on his former club.

Prediction

This game is shaping up to be a classic. Two of the NFL’s powerhouses who stress opposite thoughts will collide for NFC supremacy.

The Giants, who have set the bar on the defensive side of the football, will put their pride on the line against a Saints team that has been lighting up scoreboards for two seasons straight.

In the end, defense wins games, and when the Giants need a stop, they will come up with it and the victory.

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Cleveland Deals Troubled Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards to New York Jets

The Cleveland Browns are rebuilding, and Braylon Edwards is no longer in the plans. 

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Browns traded their wide receiver to the New York Jets early Wednesday morning in exchange for special teams stud Jason Trusnik, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, and a couple of draft picks.

It was no secret the New York Jets were looking for a big-play wide out, and in Edwards they may have found their man.

While he has only had one legitimate season as a “big time” receiver, Edwards has shown the potential to dominate in the league. In 2007, Edwards caught 80 passes for 1289 yards and 16 touchdowns.

However, that was the past, and this season he has only caught 10 passes and has yet to find the end zone.

In addition to his struggles on the field, Edwards will be packing some extra baggage to New York because of an altercation that occurred between him and a friend of LeBron James. While Edwards faces no charges at the moment, police and the league are looking into the situation.

In return, the Jets sacrificed one of their better special teams players in Trusnik, who has forced and recovered a fumble already, and up-and-coming wide receiver Stuckey.

The Jets will also lose a third- and fifth-round pick in the deal, with the potential of losing their second. Based on performance, the conditional third-round pick could change to a second if Edwards lights up the stat sheet this season.

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A Giant Look Ahead: New York’s Most Intriguing Games of 2009

Every season there are those select few games in the schedule that get a little more attention than others. Division rivalries are always fun but the intriguing games are not the ones that fans get to see every year.

Last season the New York Giants played one of the most difficult and interesting schedules in the NFL. Six of the 16 teams (Eagles twice) the Giants played last season made it to the postseason in which New York finished 5-2 against. Ironically enough the Giants defeated both participants in last years Super Bowl, Pittsburgh and Arizona.

Looking ahead to the 2009 season the Giants have three games that carry some extra baggage to make for some exciting and intriguing pandemonium.

 

New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints

Sunday, Oct. 18 – Week 6

Jeremy Shockey did a lot of watching last season. He watched Kevin Boss take his spot, he watched the New York Giants win the Super Bowl, and he watched his former team celebrate down the New York City streets during the parade; how bad do you think he wants this game? 

While Shockey did not seem happy towards the end of his Giants career, he has to feel some sense of joy knowing he has the chance to stick it to his former club. With all the trash talking he did in his six years with the Giants, expect the bashing to start early and continue throughout the game.

The Saints should also prove to be a good measuring stick to see where the Giants are and how far they’ve come from the beginning of the season. Although the Saints missed the playoffs last season, they did have the number one offense in the league last year.

 

San Diego Chargers @ New York Giants

Sunday, Nov. 8 – Week 9

Eli Manning vs. Philip Rivers, is the jury still out on this one?

That question may never be answered, or perhaps it already has. None the less the two athletes were traded on draft day, and the two franchises have not been the same since. While Eli has a ring, Rivers has posted very impressive numbers, and has helped make the Chargers into an elite team in the NFL.

This game comes right before the Giants bye week this season. The last time the Giants had a late bye week was in 2007, which occurred in week 9 after their win over the Dolphins in London. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl that year.  

 

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

Sunday, Dec. 13 – Week 14

This is an intense and captivating game in and of itself, but this one is a little extra special.

The last time the Eagles came to East Rutherford they ended the dreams of a repeat championship; Giants fans haven’t forgotten.

Given the timing, this game may have huge division and playoff implications for both teams. Last season the two squads split the regular season series, each winning in the others teams house. It’s going to be cold, brutal, and NFC East intensified. 

This will be the second time the Giants will play the Eagles; the first will come in Week Eight on Nov. 1.

10 Questions for the King of the Coffin Corner

The man who might be the most important member of the New York Giants is also the least talked about. I am, of course, referencing none other than punter Jeff Feagles.

The master of the coffin corner has made a living in the NFL by keeping opponents pressed up against their own end zones for 21 years now. The 43 year old kicker has helped New York win the battle of field position with his precise and pristine kicks. Talk about your X-Factor, Feagles owns the NFL record for most punts inside the 20 with 508. 

Perhaps he should have his own theme song played throughout the stadium as the Yankees do for Mariano Rivera and his ever popular “Enter Sandman”. Maybe the Undertaker’s theme song from the WWE would suit him best.

Mr. Feagles:

1)You’re 43 years old, any thoughts of calling it quits when your contract ends after this season?

2) How important are offseason workouts and training for a veteran kicker like yourself?

3) If you could pick your own nickname, what would it be?

4) You’re stranded on an island, what three Giants teammates would you want with you and why? 

5) If you could be anyone else in the league who would it be and why?

6) Do you think you’re the best at what you do?

7) Which was more exciting, the birth of your children or winning a Super Bowl? 

8) The Yankees play “Enter Sandman” for Mariano Rivera to symbolize the opponent being rocked to sleep, if the Giants were to play a theme song for you to symbolize your coffin corner tactics, what would it be and why?

9) Looking back on your career, do have any regrets, or wish you had done some things differently during your 22 year career?

10) In all your years in the NFL who has been the one guy you’ve least wanted to punt to in fear of him returning it back for six?

 

The Top 25 NFL Draft Picks Since 1995

Love it or hate it, it’s the top 25 since ’95.

25) DeMarcus Ware—Entering his fifth season in the league, Ware makes it hard to ignore the incline in success he has had. Last season he almost broke the single season sack record. For a team in a constant flux, he is the one stable point on that defense.

24) Jonathan Ogden—The left tackle out of UCLA helped his team to a Super Bowl win with his size and power. Ogden missed only one game in 12 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and may be one of the greatest offensive lineman of all time.

23) Mike Alstott—The Buccaneers got all they could have hoped for and more with this pick. Alstott had the triple package in running, blocking, and catching.

22) Julius Peppers—Consider Peppers an older version of DeMarcus Ware. Considered one of the best pass rushers in the game today, Peppers has totaled 70.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers, can we say consistent?

21) Adrian Peterson—Before the NFL world forms a riot outside my door for keeping him so high, allow me to explain.

Peterson is by far one of, if not the best running back in the league today, but with only two seasons under his belt and a loss in the first round of the playoffs, he will need some more time before he can go ahead of Super Bowl winners, and consistent Pro Bowlers.

20) Terrell Davis—John Elway’s wingman found his way into the end zone often and had the potential to be one of the greatest backs of all time. His lack of longevity forces me to put him as high as he is.

19) Donovan McNabb—Say what you must about the Syracuse alum, but the man can play the game. The Eagles soared at one point making it to four consecutive conference championship games between 2001 and 2004 with McNabb at the helm. He still has some left in the tank, so never count out the Eagles as long as they have No. 5. 

18) Hines Ward—The undersized and undaunted Hines Ward has been the staple of the Pittsburgh Steelers since his draft day in 1998. Ward has helped the Steelers to two Super Bowl championships and has caught over 800 passes in his career. Ward is also an elite blocking receiver, which is remarkable because of his lack of size.

17) Orlando Pace—Although he will now be blocking for the Chicago Bears, Pace held down the offensive line in St. Louis for 12 years. He was the first offensive lineman taken with the first overall pick in almost 30 years, and was one of the main members of the “greatest show on turf.”

16) Shaun Alexander—The man once owned the record for most touchdowns and rushing touchdowns in a single season and was the MVP of the NFL in 2005.

15) Terrell Owens—For those who think T.O. should be lower on this list, you have valid point. While No. 81 is second all-time in career receiving touchdowns, the man is a headache, nay, a migraine.

Owens was so bad even Jerry Jones had to cut him loose. His lack of a championship ring and a franchise to link him to takes away from his on the field heroics.

14) Tiki Barber—In his short yet productive career, Tiki brought the New York Giants running game to new heights. Barber is one of only three payers to have over 10,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards receiving.

13) Carson Palmer—While Palmer may have not brought any postseason success to his team, the numbers don’t lie. Over 15,000 yards and more than 100 touchdowns in a little more than four seasons is enough to land him on this list.

12) Troy Polamalu—The man with the best and most feared hair in the league is the perfect combination of a run stopper and pass defender. Polamalu has over 300 solo tackles and 17 interceptions in only six seasons, and is the most important player on the Steelers defense, now that’s saying something.

11) Devin Hester—Maybe the best return man to ever grace the field. With a crisp flow and blinding speed, Hester forces the opponents head coach to sit in on special teams meetings to strategize for his game changing abilities.

10) Ronde Barber—Quite possibly the most complete cornerback to ever play the game. Ronde has revolutionized the position with his ability to blitz the passer, stop the run, and defend the pass.

9) Randy Moss—The man nicknamed the “freak” has had his fair share of freakish catches but can’t seem to get his hands on that elusive Lombardi trophy. Sometimes double teams can’t even seem to contain this monster; the man just cannot be covered.

8) Warren Sapp—The plug in the middle was an unstoppable force on the defensive line. If you think Albert Haynesworth is amazing, double his credibility and then you can get an idea of Mr. Sapp. But don’t be fooled by the 300 pounds, his smooth moves earned him a spot on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars.”

7) Ray Lewis—Probably the most feared athlete in all of sports. The stare of Jonathan Papelbon pales in comparison to the sole piercing eyes of Ray Ray.

As captain of one of the most dominant defenses in recent memory, Lewis is a consistent playmaker and was always found in the mix of the play. The ball doesn’t seem to find him; he goes out and seeks the ball. “All my dogs in the house!”

6) Marvin Harrison – Why no one in the league wants to sign a veteran receiver with all the knowledge and skill any one could have in the league is beyond me. Harrison has more than 14,000 career receiving yards and 128 total touchdowns.

In addition to his Super Bowl ring, Marvin also holds the record for most receptions in a single season and is the only player in NFL history to have four consecutive seasons with 100 receptions. His connection to Peyton will be mentioned later on.

5) LaDainian Tomlinson—What more could be said about the man who currently holds the record for most touchdowns and rushing touchdowns in a single season? L.T. is one of the most entertaining and confident runners to watch. If there was ever an all-time fantasy draft, you’d want Tomlinson as your back, trust me.

4) Tony Gonzalez—Perhaps the best tight end of all time. Gonzalez holds all the top tight end receiving records and is currently working at his 130 consecutive games with a reception.

3) Ben Roethlisberger—How does Big Ben get the nod over Marvin, L.T., and Ray Ray? It’s simple, two rings and an entire career ahead of him is your answer. Ben has accomplished so much in so little time that he had to be in the top three.

When people thought injuries would slow him down, he proved everyone wrong and won a second ring. The youngest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl is an undeniable Hall of Fame athlete in only his sixth year.

2) Peyton Manning—Arguably the smartest quarterback to ever throw a pigskin, Peyton is a flat out winner. His success translates throughout his team, and it shows every week.

Even when Peyton is off he’s still on. At any given moment he can make that perfect pass to turn the game around. As far as personal accomplishments go, Manning and Harrison own the record for most QB/WR hookups in both receptions and touchdowns.

1) Tom Brady—No surprise here. The man slipped every NFL teams radar, and managed to elude the all-knowing, ever-alert Mel Kiper Jr. Nine years later Brady has three Super Bowl rings, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and a supermodel wife, go figure.

Are The New York Giants Focusing on the Wrong Problem?

Perhaps the most interesting move the New York Giants made on draft day was not making one at all.

As trade rumors swirled around blogs and websites, Giants fans were on edge wondering if wide receivers Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin would be making their 09’ start at the Meadowlands in New Jersey; but that’s not the way the Giants do business.

Instead, the Giants kept their picks, their players, and perhaps even their pride, when they refused to go the extra mile to acquire a receiver with questionable hands.

As the announcement engulfed Radio City Music Hall, fans either stood up and cheered, or hung their heads in disappointment as Hakeem Nicks was introduced as the newest member of the New York Giants.

New York took their search for a Plaxico replacement one step further by enlisting the services of 6’6” Ramses Barden out of Cal Poly.

But while most Giants fans and draft analysts focused on closing the gaping hole left by sharp shooting Plaxico Burress, the other dilemma the Giants were faced with was trying to find a replacement for recently departed running back Derrick Ward. Since Tom Coughlin took over the team in 2004, the Giants stamp has always been to pound the ball first, throw it if necessary later; so why wasn’t finding a replacement for the man nicknamed “Wind” more of a concern?

Since Brandon Jacobs took over the starting job in 2007, he has missed eight games within the past two seasons, and has had his most success when the burden doesn’t fall squarely on him. Although he may be as big as your favorite linebacker, Jacobs is still susceptible to the wear and tear every running back goes through.

Last season the man known as “Earth” benefited from his teammates contrast of running styles. As defenses wore down from chasing Ward and Bradshaw, Jacobs was able to barrel over whatever was left from the onslaught of the three headed monster known as Earth, Wind, and Fire. 

The recently dethroned super bowl champions have had much success with the multiple running back system going back to “Thunder” and “Lighting”, or more commonly known as Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber, and have continued to utilize this system to its fullest.  So the question remains how do the Giants replace a man who ran for over 1,000 yards as a backup?

Ahmad Bradshaw who is entering his third season in the NFL is the most obvious choice. In only 67 attempts “Fire” ran for 355 yards including a breakout game against the Baltimore Ravens in which he fan for nearly 100 yards. Perhaps Bradshaw can step up and help share the load in the backfield or maybe someone new can step in and fill that role.

For those who were paying attention for the entire draft, you may have noticed the Giants selected running back Andre Brown out of NC State in the fourth round.

Brown is a versatile back with great power and game speed. His ability to come out of the backfield and catch passes is a huge bonus for Eli Manning who will need all the help he can get this upcoming season with no true number one wide receiver.

At this years senior bowl Brown rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown, he also caught two passes for 41 yards. His size and skill make him an interesting and intriguing combination at the pro level.

Perhaps the man who will be left out in the cold will be third year player Danny Ware. For those who are not familiar with him, don’t be ashamed, in the 2008 regular season he had only two rushing attempts for 15 yards, but I want to stress the words regular season in the sentence. During the 2008 preseason, Ware was the Giants leading rusher with 181 yards in four games.

Even in a place like New York, four backs would make the office behind Eli Manning too crowded and absurd. The New York Giants must find the right pieces to fit behind Brandon Jacobs, as they did last season. There’s no question the Giants have the talent, but will they utilize it to the maximum, or will talent suffer because of misuse of their ability?

While all three of the possibilities could turn out to be complete failures, the Giants could always do what they almost never do and trade for a running back to play behind Jacobs. Players such as Jerious Norwood, Chester Taylor, and LenDale White, are all expected to become free agents in 2010 as their contracts are coming due.   

The running game is a key component to most successful offenses, but is vital to the Giants, and even more important to the progression of Eli Manning.

Eli needs a supporting cast, he will not take over the game, and that support comes from the men who line up six yards behind the line of scrimmage.

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