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Let's continue our comparison the the New York Giants Super Bowl-winning teams of 2007 and 2011 today by looking at the running backs.
Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw were members of both of these teams. We already knew, though, that the running games of the two teams were much, much different. The numbers back that up. The Giants of 2007 were dominant running the ball. The Giants of 2011 were a pass-first team that was pretty much happy to get help, any kind of help, from the running game.
The numbers are below.
2007 Regular Season
Brandon Jacobs -- 202 carries, 1,009 yards (5.0 yards per carry), 4 TDs; 23 receptions, 174 yards
Derrick Ward -- 125 carries, 602 yards (4.8 yards per carry), 3 TDs; 26 receptions, 179 yards
Reuben Droughns -- 85 carries, 275 yards (3.2 yards per carry), 6 TDs; 7 receptions, 49 yards
Ahmad Bradshaw -- 23 carries, 190 yards (8.3 yards per carry), 1 TD; 2 receptions, 12 yards
2011 Regular Season
Ahmad Bradshaw -- 171 carries, 659 yards (3.9 yards per carry), 9 TDs; 34 receptions, 267 yards
Brandon Jacobs -- 152 carries, 571 yards (3.8 yards per carrry), 7 TDs; 15 receptions, 128 yards
D.J. Ware -- 46 carries, 163 yards (3.5 yards per carry); 27 receptions, 170 yards
Conclusion
The Giants ran the ball way, way better in 2007. Jacobs was better than he is now. Derrick Ward provided a great complement, and Bradshaw found his way into the rotation for the playoffs.This one is clear. ADVANTAGE: 2007