A few more thoughts on the 10-1 Giants

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 1:00 PM EST in Kudos & Wet Willies

In today's 'Kudos & Wet Willies' comments, 'Simms-McConkey' brought up a great point I meant to delve into, but forgot about.

It basically discusses Brandon Jacobs' value to the Giants.

What I learned watching the game was the value of the two guys on the sideline. The Giants can pass just fine without a disgruntled Plaxico — they did it against Seattle and now against ’Zona — and that not having Jacobs really does diminish the running game. The O-Line makes all these guys good, sure, but Having Jacobs as the primary 1st-half back really does make Ward & Bradshaw better.

I agree completely with that sentiment. As well as the Giants moved the ball Sunday, Jacobs' value to the Giants offense was on full display.

Ward is a good, but not great. He probably could be a No. 1 back on many teams, but not teams with dominating run games. As for Bradshaw, as much as we as Giants fans love him, his limitations were also on display Sunday.

First, in the kick return game Domenik Hixon showed the burst Bradshaw has been unable to provide. In the rushing game, Bradshaw gained just nine yards on four carries. Without the bruising Jacobs to wear out the Cardinals' front four, Bradshaw was not nearly as elusive.

I think Sunday should have ended any argument about who the best running back on the Giants is. It's Jacobs, and it really isn't even arguable.

Now that the New York Jets have handed the Tennessee Titans their first loss, Ian O'Connor says it's time to crank up the Giants-Jets Super Bowl XLIII hype machine.
Yahoo! Sports throws more love at the Giants offensive line today.
The Giants haven't won anything yet, and Steve Wyche of NFL.com points out that they know it.

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Comments

those lineman pranks

are cold-blooded

by queler on Nov 24, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, that was nasty

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

i wonder

are we seeing the hogs 2.0

by Hoyadestroya85 on Nov 24, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

I refuse

to believe Jacobs makes this running attack GO. It’s the linemen as far as I’m concerned. Jacobs was in the Steelers game and we only rushed for 88 yrds or something low. To me it was the fact that Zona committed to stopping the run from the GO. Several times there were 8 or more in the box, which I firmly believe allowed Eli to shred their defense apart.

by ProudYankee on Nov 24, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions

But

even though I don’t believe Jacobs is our only reason for ground success, I do believe he is an integral part, and watching him smash opposing teams to the ground, never gets old. We should sign him.

by ProudYankee on Nov 24, 2008 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Jacobs is the best on the team

I dont really see how this is even debatable, they should retain Jacobs and Bradshaw and let Ward walk; hes the middle b/t the two extremes, so he should be easier to replace.

Obviously you can run more effectively with a stronger offensive line, thats a given, but Jacobs is top back and a really unique asset in the league

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 24, 2008 1:45 PM EST reply actions

yes

but people will use the earl campbell/eddie george argument that his running style is not conducive to a long career.. i disagree because Brandon has incredible feet

by Hoyadestroya85 on Nov 24, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Well he might not last a decade...

But theyve used him quite judiciously and Eddie George had 7 1000 yard seasons, five of which were over 1200….so Id take that career for Jacobs in a hearbeat.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Nov 24, 2008 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

I'm more with you than Ed on BJ, although I agree

with Ed that he’s a great back and our best one. Ed, I don’t think Bradshaw gets a fair shake based on 4 carries vs. a stacked D.

by george cronin on Nov 24, 2008 1:46 PM EST reply actions

Bradshaw

I know the guy is good, but I still see him as a change of pace type back. I just don’t see him as a 20-25 carry per game for 16 games guy. Jacobs with his power and speed does something no one else can do currently.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Okay, that clarifies it.

Based on what we’ve seen you’ve pinned the butterfly. Next year, if we can’t pay Ward what he deserves, ’shaw will have to carry more. I hope he proves he can be more than a change-of-pace guy, but a good back-up, like Ward.

by george cronin on Nov 24, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Some day

Bradshaw will get the opportunity to be No. 1. And I will be rooting like hell for him to prove that he can carry the load as top dog.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Don't forget about Ware

Even if Ward is gone after the season, it appears that the Giants will still have a 3-headed rushing attack because they are so high on Ware. I haven’t seen enough of Ware to know for sure, but I picture him being a Ward type back.

by potroast on Nov 24, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

people said that

about Tiki prior to 2000, remember.

Bradshaw has shown that he’s not ready for prime-time just yet, but I do think he has the talent to be a feature back. Maybe not a 20-25 carry a game guy, but definitely a 15-20 carry a game guy, ala Westrbook (not saying he’s as good as Westbrook, but you never know, he also wasn’t given a chance until his 3rd or 4th year in the league)

by cjmulrain on Nov 24, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Another thing about Bradshaw

OK it is possible that I am way off base on this, but what I see about Bradshaw is that his average is driven by a few really long runs. He doesn’t tend to get 3 or 4 yards, he gets 1 or 2, a bunch of times in a row, then 20 or 30

Yes, he has more success as a change of pace from Jacobs, but he is still young and developing.

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by NYERinSF on Nov 24, 2008 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

What are the Cardinal players thinking?

Most teams have given the “we’re going to punch the Giants in the mouth” line before they play them. Now this group is looking forward to getting the Giants in the playoffs so they can do it then. I don’t get it but, it’ll be good bulletin board material if that scenario comes to be. I guess Jacobs on the sideline wasn’t as intimidating as facing him live, but I’m hoping that scenario comes to be too, with the Giants at full strength.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Nov 24, 2008 1:56 PM EST reply actions

What else

are they supposed to say? It’s what the Giants said after losing to Dallas twice last year. It’s what they said after losing to the Pats in the last game of the season. Why should they be intimidated? The giants are good, but no one is going to forfeit.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

not only the players

but their fans, I don’t know what game they were watching but they are under the impression they hang with the big guys (GMEN) and if given another shot they will win.
I don’t know about that. I think we have a better impression against the pats in the last game, last season when we took them to the wire. This games was 34-19 with 4 minutes to go and if Ward makes that 3rd and 7 they don’t even get the ball back (and it pissed me off that he could not push for a couple of inches)

by Bajaserge on Nov 24, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

thing is

if they meet us again it will be in the Meadowlands, likely in bad weather. That, of course, is much more to the Giants liking than it would be to Arizona’s.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 24, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

Another big difference

between Jacobs and Burress was there sideline attitudes. Jacobs was very active and in the game, congratulating Eli and others; Burress almost seemed mopey. Whats up with the team spirit over there?

by maw150 on Nov 24, 2008 2:10 PM EST reply actions

Big difference

Good point! Brandon is the man.
I can’t diminish the value of Plax. He’s a top-tier receiving threat. He draws doubles. He’s the long threat. But it’s starting to look like the situation the Red Sox had in Boston with Manny. Is he great? Yes. Is he playing to potential? No.
I hope the money they threw at Plaxico isn’t restrictive, because he’s a good trade value after the season. Despite the talent, the Giants have proven they can do it without him. How about picking up another good linebacker in the offseason and throwing that Plax-money at Jacobs? He could be the heart of this team. I became a lifelong Jacobs fan last season in the playoffs at Dallas when Roy “Horse-Collar” Williams tried to take him down by the facemask. Brandon threw him down and towered over him. Sold.

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 24, 2008 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

Well

we should be able to have a clearer picture, as I assume Plax is hurt, w a bum hammy. That could sideline him for 4 weeks or so. I’m positive Moss and Manningham will get more looks due to this, and will take full advantage of their GOLDEN opp. especially Moss. He unlike Manningham will be fighting for another season w the Giants or any team for that matter. Its important he does well. I think he will.

by ProudYankee on Nov 24, 2008 4:31 PM EST reply actions

Secaucus in January

25 degrees, sleeting, happy to have the sunshine boys show up.

&
I couldn’t help myself, and had to watch this again,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNmcf4Y3lGM&eurl=http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/market-movers/2008/11/23/extra-credit-saturday-edition?tid=true

can’t wait for Sunday, December 14 2008 8;15

by The Pale Scot on Nov 24, 2008 8:21 PM EST reply actions

Ooopss... Sorry,

Totally wrong vid link up top,

try this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzYsiNZgZ7M

But if you follow the real estate market the first one is succinct.

by The Pale Scot on Nov 24, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions

True

But the lose of Jacobs just made our run game look more earth bound. They still reached 108 yards between the 2 of them plus I think 20-30 receiving. Which by and large is a good game for most teams.

by Woogie526 on Nov 25, 2008 7:19 AM EST reply actions