Loading ...While many experts, pundits, beat writers, and the like may choose to focus on the struggles of Brandon Jacobs and the offensive line, the real key to The Giants having success running the ball once again is Ahmad Bradshaw.
Bradshaw is somewhat of a forgotten figure when examining The Giants’ offense this off- season. As I alluded to, most have fixed their eyes on the struggles of Brandon Jacobs and the offensive line, or the successes of Eli Manning, Steve Smith, and the passing game.
The truth is, the health and success of Ahmad Bradshaw is the key to New York’s offense.
Bradshaw has struggled with some type of injury below his knees nearly every year since he has been in the league. In 2009, to go along with whatever ankle injury he had already worked through, Bradshaw suffered breaks in both of his feet.
Based on this, there is no reason to presume that Bradshaw will be healthy in 2010.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t be productive.
In 2009, Bradshaw had 778 yards on 163 carries and 21 receptions for 207 yards.
Not bad for a guy with two broken feet.
When Bradshaw was making plays, The Giants saw success. Some people even view Bradshaw as one of the primary reasons that The Giants were able to win Superbowl XLII. He burst onto the scene in week 15 and changed the dynamic of the offense.
IF Bradshaw is healthy in 2010, The Giants offense will soar to even greater heights. It has been a number of years since The Giants had a back who could take it the distance on any given play. Bradshaw has incredible balance and elusiveness to go along with his speed, and this makes him dangerous. If injuries do not hamper him, he is a lock to have 1,100 yards in my mind.
The flashes that Bradshaw has shown over the years must come together this season.
Many Giant fans witnessed how successful the team can be with a balanced rushing attack in 2008. The combo of Jacobs and Ward killed the clock and dictated the game. Ahmad Bradshaw is the key to this.
Jacobs is who he is. He pounds the ball. He gets you 4-5 yards. If the hole is gaping, he occasionally trucks someone.
But thats not what makes the running game dangerous; its the ability to take advantage of a gassed defense with a Derrick Ward or Ahmad Bradshaw.
Though this may sound ridiculous to many Giant fans, my belief that this can work again in 2010 comes from Tom Coughlin.
Coughlin may have his issues as a coach, and his teams may fold down the stretch, or be injury prone, or have stale strategies. But the one thing Coughlin does well is fix issues within the team from one season to the next.
After Tiki Barber left people thought he could not be replaced. Sure enough in 2007 the running game was as good as ever.
After Strahan left, it was he who could not be replaced. Sure enough The Giants had a great defense (and no, not all the credit goes to Spagnuolo).
Heading into 2009, the passing game had no chance without Burress. We all know how that turned out.
Whether you want to call it “issues” or “replacing players”, Coughlin excels at helping the team overcome perceived roadblocks from one season to the next.
Hence my reason for cautious optimism.
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The selection of JPP was due to nothing else being on the table.
McClain was the choice plain and simple. It was and is the most glaring hole to be filled. I stop short of protraying the pick as a panic move (although I initially thought as much) because of the potencial of JPP. Not playing young talent is not a crime in it’s self.
Not playing young talent when they are ready to perform is.
Every young player needs to be introduced to the game.
Very few are able to handel the speed (physical) and mental
aspects of the game right out of the box.
It takes a shrude judge of talent, and of course a special player to be able to step in and just let it go. I wont waste time with examples. But most coaches KNOW that player when they see him.
They should also have a feel (based on experience) of a young players mental make up.
You are taking a chance, and you will live with some mistakes.
But you have got to be looking for those special kids.
And it does’nt matter if they came via the second round, or with a
pair of cleats and a jock strap to open tryout day.
This staff (TC) just casts a blind eye to the possibilities.
You have to blend the old school with the new. Keep the values, and the make sure they know they are not larger than the game.
But for God’s sake, if they can play…..let them. If you have a vet who can still give you someting, thats fine, but at least let the youngster in and let him taste what its like. It’s not like you can not have some control of when you play him. This is especially true defensively. And alos true of some offensive positions. And I think we are all smart enough to know which positions those are.
I would not reccomend putting a green left tackel in on third and seven vs the cowgirls in December. But what about as a TE on third and goal on the two yard line?
One thing that we may miss, when you show confidence in an individual, you start building and learning process. Most players respond to being given a chance.
It’s very simple. After the opportunity, confedence and talent usually kick in.
Jim, I’m not at all sure you’re correct about this team collapsing. This year’s version of the Giants has what appears to be more depth than any I’ve ever seen.
Tuck goes down? Osi and Kiwi are still there, as is JPP and the ability of Sintim to go to an in-the-dirt stance.
Phillips goes down or can’t go at 100%? Well, I sure feel a LOT better knowing Rolle and Grant are back there than I did when it was Michael Johnson and CC Brown.
Nicks? That would be a real loss, but it would also give Barden and Beckum a lot more snaps while Manningham got a chance to really step up (and we always have Steve Smith, Mr. Reliable, who I continue to insist hasn’t even shown everything he can do yet, which includes going deep).
I think it would take another plague of injuries to induce this team to give up as they appeared to do last season. And even then, Fewell won’t allow the confusion and dissension on the defensive side of the ball that Sheridan not only allowed but apparently helped cause in 2009.
A few key injuries could keep them from winning the NFC East, but I think absent a really bad string of them they will be competing for at least a playoff position all season. If they stay healthy I like their chances to get a ring. It’s always a crap shoot, but I think they’d have a shot (provided they don’t completely screw up their Special Teams, which they might).
According to standard value charts a move from pick #15 to pick #8 would have cost us our 2nd round selection. This assumes the team at #8 was willing to trade. There is no indication that they were since no one made an offer. Oakland didn’t shop the pick.
We need to understand that we didn’t get McClain because the front office somehow f’ucked up. You can’t force teams to trade. And the price was steep to begin with.
No one dropped the ball.
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