There is no question that aside from Eli Manning that Brandon Jacobs is the most important single offensive weapon for the Giants.  I have no question that Ahmad Bradshaw is talented, but last year he wore down under increasing workload basically proving that he cannot be an every down back in the Giants system.  Danny Ware has been on the Giants for parts of three seasons now and he's been a superstar in August.  Performance in camp and the preseason means nothing because to quote Jim Mora he has done "diddly poo" in the regular season.  If you've ever hurt your Achilles you know how much of a bitch it is to even walk let alone run at full speed, so there has to be question as to whether Andre Brown can ever come back from such a devastating injury.  As for Gartrell Johnson.. you have to wonder why a running back needy team like the Chargers would give him up if he was anything better than replacement level.  

So, what must be done about this very much in flux situation at tailback? It's quite simple really, find a player with a physical running style similar to Jacobs. 

My Preferences:

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Anthony Dixon- Mississippi State: Doesn't have great timed speed but that doesn't mean that he is unable to break off a big run.  He also has very developed pass catching skills for a big back, something that you can't exactly say about Jacobs.  

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LeGarrette Blount- Oregon: Perhaps he'll never be able to shake the infamous incident in which he punched  Boise State defensive lineman Byron Hout, but Blount's physical tools alone warrant consideration despite his demons.  He's especially intriguing now because his value is extremely diminished and he will be had for a bargain basement price (kind of reminds me of Ahmad Bradshaw or Mario Manningham.)  The Giants are not afraid to take a player with character concerns because they know that they have a strong veteran presence in the locker room who will help a kid like this get on the right track.  

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Toby Gerhart- Stanford: I don't know what it is, but I just don't want Toby Gerhart to end up as a fullback because I think he's just typecast as slow because he is a white running back.  If he's available in the third round I wouldn't mind The Giants taking a stab at him.  

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Jonathan Dwyer- Georgia Tech: Another guy who is faster on the field than he is on a stopwatch.  He intrigues me because he ran out of the fullback position in the triple option and it would be interesting to see what he could do lining up a couple yards further back.  Another guy definitely worthy of a look.