GIANTS 101

As promised, we have a special treat here for you today on Giants 101.

Thanks in large part to the wonders of social networking, we’ve recently been able to reach out to various athletes, including New York Giants running back D.J. Ware.

Despite a busy schedule, D.J. set aside some time and answered a few questions for us here at G101.

Benton: “Although it’s probably the most common question you’re asked, I can’t resist repeating it. What separates you from Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown?”

Ware: “I think we all are great backs, but of course I have the confidence in myself to believe that I have great ability running between the tackles, catching the ball out of the backfield, and of course in pass protection.”

Benton: “In recent years, fans have been extremely critical of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride despite the offensive success. How much work does he put in on a daily basis and as a player in his offense, do you feel like he’s making the correct calls?”

Ware: “I think he makes the correct calls.  Sometimes people expect him to do one thing and he does the other and it makes him look bad but he makes an educated decision every time.  He spends a lot of time studying, breaking down the defenses and putting together the best combination’s to be successful.”

Benton: “There will be a lot of competition this coming season, but now that you’re fully healthy, where do you see yourself landing in the running back committee in 2010 and beyond?”

Ware: “I see myself landing somewhere in the middle.   I’m working hard to increase my game so hopefully it will be a big year for me.”

Benton: “Speaking of your injury, what was your mentality when you returned from the dislocated elbow last season? Were you a bit more hesitant or did you just jump right back in head first without any further thought?”

Ware: “I was a little hesitant.  It took me a couple weeks to forget about it and once I did, it was time for me to be a force again.”

Benton: “Which NFL running back, past or present, do you think most parallels your running style and form?”

Ware: “Eddie George—because of his size and the way we run.”

Benton: “As a young player, who do you see as your biggest mentor in the locker room?”

Ware: “Brandon Jacobs because he’s a leader and knows how to communicate with people.  He doesn’t get under your skin and knows how to effectively give advice.”

Benton: “It may be hard for some people to believe, but we’ve heard Eli Manning is quite the prankster. Has he ever pulled one over on you?”

Ware: “The only thing he’s ever done to me is put soap on my towel and after I got out I had soap all over me again.”

Benton: “As I was growing up, it seemed like athletes really valued their privacy and preferred to distance themselves from the fans. Here is the 21st century, however, it seems like you’re all hopping on the Twitter and Facebook bandwagon(s). Why do you think that is? And how much have you enjoyed the daily interaction with fans?”

Ware: “It’s cool to let people see sides that they don’t usually get to see.  It’s nice to give them the opportunity to have them follow us and have them see what it really takes to be an athlete and play this game.  It’s nice to share that with them.”

On behalf of Giants 101, I would like to thank D.J. Ware for taking the time to answer some questions. We wish him the best of luck this year and moving forward.

Please be sure to check out both his Facebook page and his Twitter page.

*SimonGC and Sean Carroll also contributed to this interview.*

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