The New York Giants’ rushing attack is not quite as good as they had hoped it would be before the season got underway, so they are taking the proper steps to bolster its backfield before it’s too late.
What many had speculated would happen has happened… the team has announced that they have re-signed running back Brandon Jacobs. An eight-year veteran, Jacobs spent seven seasons with the Giants after being selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He left the team following their triumph over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI as the franchise’s record holder with 56 career rushing touchdowns. Now he can try to add to that number.
What to expect from Jacobs is difficult to pinpoint. He was on an obvious decline during the last few years of his Giants career. His role as the starting running back was given to Ahmad Bradshaw in 2010. After just five carries in two games while playing for the San Francisco 49ers a season ago, one has to wonder if he has anything left in the tank.
Apparently, the G-Men believe he might, and he will get his chance to prove himself as soon as this Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
“Brandon comes in at a time when the veteran running back with size is someone that can help us,” head coach Tom Coughlin said on Wednesday. “He has been out of football for a while and is very anxious to have another opportunity and is willing to do whatever we ask him to do in order to help our team.”
What the Giants will likely ask of him is obvious for a 265-pound running back: come in during short-yardage situations and pass block when necessary.
Fortunately, Jacobs is quite adept at both. According to Pro Football Focus, the 31-year-old converted 17 of 24 third downs for a first-down gain in 2011 (h/t Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon). His pass-blocking efficiency, also per PFF, was mediocre at best… but he’s more talented in that department than any of the Giants’ other options currently available.
Jacobs’ achievements inside the red zone will also be pivotal for the Giants. The team’s struggles inside the red zone have been well documented and they appeared again in the loss Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The G-Men are hopeful their former teammate will remedy that problem.
Jacobs made a career out of bulldozing opposing defenders en route to the end zone. As a Giant, he never rushed for fewer than four touchdowns in a season and posted a career best 15 during the 2008 season. In his last season with Big Blue, he was second on the team with seven.
Should one expect the same level of production? Absolutely not. It’s entirely possible Jacobs may not be with the team a week from now. But his potential — even at this point in his career — is intriguing.
One thing, to be sure, is that he will not be unseating incumbent starter David Wilson as the No. 1 back. But he will be taking some of his playing time.
While Jacobs is with the team, he could be a valuable asset in Wilson’s growth as a player. Wilson, who fumbled twice against the Cowboys in the season opener and was promptly removed from the game, needs some veteran leadership to help him along the way. There may not be a better player to be there for him than Jacobs, who has two Super Bowl rings to show for his time playing under Coughlin and his staff.
Unlike Wilson, Jacobs is known for having good ball security. He has turned the ball over just nine times over the course of his career.
A fan favorite who always enjoyed his time with Big Blue, he could not withhold his excitement for his return to the team.
“Today is a good day to be a GIANT!!! Hell everyday is a good day to be a GIANT!! Y’all have a blessed day…”
— Brandon Jacobs (@gatorboyrb) September 11, 2013
Jacobs is currently fourth on the Giants’ all-time rushing list with 4,856 yards and an average of 4.5 yards per carry over 1,078 attempts. During his seven years in New York, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark twice (2007 and 2008).
It’s unlikely he’ll post anywhere near 1,000 rushing yards this season, but his presence could be beneficial to the Giants. They will need some form of a running game in order to be successful in a feisty NFC East division that will surely come down to the wire. Jacobs does not guarantee them a championship, but he should help.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. All quotes were acquired first hand or via team press releases unless otherwise noted. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.