The New York Giants’ release of running back Ahmad Bradshaw came as a bit of a surprise for most, but the impact of his departure will be represented by how well the rushing attack is able to flourish without him.
Remaining on the roster are two backs that combine for just 742 career rushing yards. Bradshaw rushed for 1,015 yards in this year alone. One of the backs — Andre Brown — has played for five different teams in four NFL seasons. The other — David Wilson — spent half of his 2012 rookie season in head coach Tom Coughlin’s doghouse because of a fumble in the season opener. But now the Giants appear to be hinging their hopes on the young duo in an effort to open up some cap room and trim the fat off of an aging team.
Wilson has the makeup to be a feature back in the league. The Giants would not have taken him in the first round of the draft if they didn’t believe he did.
The 21-year-old entered the NFL with a penchant for lightning-quick running and an underrated ability to break tackles. He confirmed this with an impressive stretch through the final four games of the regular season during which he rushed for 247 yards over 43 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
Wilson’s vision, acceleration, and long-distance speed make him a lethal weapon, capable of taking the football down the field on any given play. Nothing could have been greater proof of this than his record-breaking performance in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. In a breakthrough outing for Wilson, he eclipsed the Giants’ franchise record for all-purpose yards with 327 total (100 rushing with 227 that came on kick returns) including a 97-yard touchdown.
Brown, a Giants’ fourth-round pick in 2009, finally saw his first real stretch of playing time as an NFL player in 2012. He delivered with his best season to date, carrying the football 75 times for 384 yards (5.1 yards per carry) over the course of New York’s first 10 games.
Unfortunately, the North Carolina State alumnus had his season cut short by a broken fibula, but not before he showcased an undeniable talent as a power back. He thrived in the red zone, where he scored a team-high eight rushing touchdowns.
Can this duo excel for the Giants as another in a long line of “Thunder and Lightning” combos in recent team history?
If Wilson’s rookie season is any indication, he should develop into one of the league’s most lethal backs. If Brown can stay healthy, the Giants could boast one of the most potent running games in the NFL.
As added insurance, New York will likely seek to add another running back through free agency or April’s draft. But the job will be Brown’s to lose with Wilson starting his second year seeing most of the carries. Bradshaw could still return to the Giants in 2013, but it’s unlikely he will welcome an offer in the amount they might present to him.
The Giants’ release of Bradshaw reflects a belief that the team can do just fine without him. They believe Wilson is ready to take over in the starting role, and that Brown can be the back he showed himself to be in 10 games last season. Bradshaw was a valuable member of the G-Men for six seasons, but his best years are behind him. For New York, it’s time to move on.
Louis Musto is a contributor to the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.