Loading ...The New York Giants finally have some exciting things going on in the running game: three 100-yard performances in the last four games, a healthy Ahmad Bradshaw, an exciting and explosive young up-and-comer in David Wilson, and a viable option in Andre Brown.
While Brown is just returning from a concussion, we're already day-dreaming of what this stable of guys could do if they all fit nicely into their roles, especially the way the offensive line is playing.
In Bradshaw, you have your workhorse. The Giants clearly trust him the most and he'll be the guy getting the most touches one way or another, as long as he's healthy.
In Wilson, you've got a a guy who has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is explosive: his kickoff return game is ace and he's ran for 5.8 yards per carry. The coaches have said they want to get him involved as quick as possible, and although it's been baby steps so far we're looking for Wilson's role to expand with every week.
In Brown, you have a guy who has proved he can be productive when his number's called. In the two games Bradshaw was hurt, he produced more than admirably and we don't think anyone around here doubts that he is talented enough to be productive in picking up any leftover carries. Worst case scenario, he's probably the Giants best option as a short yardage back and, if he can prove himself trustworthy in pass protection, as a 3rd down back as well.
Although it's not exactly clear what role each guy fits in to, it's clear that all three are capable of playing their part in the play. And we all know Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride are big fans of using three backs…especially if the offensive line keeps playing the way they've been playing.
Just think, we might go back to the days of watching Eli Manning throw 18-25 passes in a ballgame…and no one will complain about it.
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The day Eli plays a complete game and only throws 18 passes, the Giants probably win by 28.
+1
It’s a fantastic feeling, to have three great runners on the roster, all capable of producing 100-yard games (yes, even Wilson).
In a world without injuries, Bradshaw would get the lion’s share of the carries with Andre Brown coming in as that tough back that can fight for a few extra yards to convert on a third-down. But with Bradshaw’s injury history and the fact that his foot is acting up yet again, I think Brown and Bradshaw will eventually come to a point where they split carries by the end of the season. Certain games will be dominated by Bradshaw while other games will be dominated by Brown instead, but I think what will happen is what we saw a year or two ago: the Giants will eventually split carries between two backs depending on the situation and the health of these backs.
David Wilson is still a pup with tons of potential. But until he masters pass protection, his snaps will be few and far between. Nonetheless, he contributes more than enough with his ace return game. In fact, I can’t be the only one here that’s kind of shocked that he hasn’t returned a punt for a touchdown yet. I could think of at least two instances where he was one freaking guy away from successfully running the ball end to end.
Eli at this stage of his career with a consistent running game? I can’t even…
Last year around this exact same time, all the really smart people who get paid big $$ to enlighten us about all things NFL were breathlessly informing us that Cam Newton was having one of the most amazing seasons EVER for a rookie QB and that his future greatness was absolutely assured.
Fast forward one year: Many of those same folks have all but written off Cam as a pouty problem child and are now lavishing their praise on Danny Boy’s latest boy who is, reportedly, having one of the most amazing seasons EVER for a rookie QB and that his future greatness is absolutely assured.
They like to call him “RGIII.” But he’s still “Bob” to me. And “Bob” he will remain until he compiles a body of work that consists of more than six freakin’ regualr season games.
I believe that the meme of “expect rookie QBs to struggle” has been rendered outdated in an NFL that has so skewed its rules to enhance production in the passing game that it even gives a leg up to first year signal callers. I’d even argue that over the past several years, the opposite has been true. We’ve seen no small number of QBs who came into the league like gangbusters, only to subsequently regress once DCs around the league are able to get a “book” on their tendencies.
Right here, right now – Bob still has the “element of surprise” on his side. Six games in is not enough for anyone to have developed an accurate read on where his greatest limitations lie; the Achilles heel in his game that can be reliably exploited. So I’ve no doubt that Bob will present a problem for Fewell and the Giants’ D on Sunday. And I’ve no doubt that Bob will bust off at least a few highlight reel plays that will have the punditry guzzling his seed as if it were Pepsi Cola. Those are all givens.
But it’s also possible that the Giants may never again see a better Bob than the Bob they see on Sunday. Will he continue to improve once he no longer has the “element of surprise” on his side? Once he starts to feel the wear and tear of all the body blows that his style of play exposes him to? Or, most saliently, once he feels the weight of carrying a franchise run by one of the stupidest owners in professional sports? Only time will tell. But until it does, can we at least refrain from joining the punditry’s Amen Chorus in the singing of Hosannas for its latest “Flavor of the Month”?
“Danny Boy’s latest boy” should have read “Danny Boy’s latest toy”
Great point. I think the masses anoint and tear down too quickly. I porbably do it some at times but at least I try to think outside the box. I think it really helps that we faced Cam, Vick and Kaepernick so far this year. While the Washington offense will have different wrinkles we have already seen most of what RG3 will do so far this year. Plus we have 6 games of film on RG3 so I think we are in the best position of any team they have faced to come up with a game plan for RG3.
This is quite obviously correct, especially in regard to adjustments that film will show defensive coordinators can be made to slow this kid down AND in regard to his risking injury every time he takes off, and the certainty that enough running attempts WILL result in some body blows that will do damage.
But he’s quite dangerous now when combined with a good running game and a defense that has done a good job stopping the run this season so far. He can make big plays late against a tired defense both by running, and by retaining the threat to run that forces safeties up just enough to allow Moss by them.
Again, the simple answer is to run the ball enough to get reasonable possession time and rest for your defense, and to stop the Skins’ running game. Do that and Bob becomes an interesting sideshow that I am looking forward to seeing in person, but not a real threat to beat the better team.
Yeah. He’s X-the-unknown right now. Doing what college QBs always do … drop back to pass and then run. It will make for a very short career, and one that does not include a Superbowl.
Can he become a pocket passer? No, sorry … he can’t. He has shown nothing to indicate otherwise. His ceiling is Michael Vick … same for Cam Newton. If you want to watch a budding Superbowl QB watch Andrew Luck.
However can he make enough plays to beat you? Sure. He’s talented. He’s got amazing skills. They’re just not in the right combination to win consistently in the NFL. But damn, he’s going to be fun to watch … till he gets hurt.
I’m just wondering when teams are finally going to realize that running QBs do NOT win Super Bowls.
I would say that. He’s a pocket passer that can run. He just has to figure out when it’s smart to run. He’s more Steve Young than Mike Vick because he’s an accurate passer right now. Nothing is giving. I think those that are giving up on Cam are crazy. Eli took years to get it. Everyone wants microwave QBs and that usually doesn’t happen.
Bingo. Those jumping on Cam’s case this year for underperforming are no better than those that were jumping on his dong last year for his overperformance.
That said, Cam lacks the mental acuity to win a Super Bowl. So does Vick. RG3 on the other hand….
HA lol. It’s bad to crown Cam last year. It’s too early to jump on Cam this year. But it’s okay to crown RG3 after 6 games lol.
Nah, I agree that too many of these sportscasters and former players are worshipping RG3′s dong for not much reason. But he’ll have his eventually downfall soon enough, just like Cam and Josh Freeman.
However, I do think he has the mentality to bounce back. I can’t say the same about Cam Newton or Josh Freeman.
Besides, the sports media need people like RG3 to pull ratings. Nothing pulls ratings better than focusing on cult figures within the sport. Look at the media’s obsession with Tim Tebow last year….
Norm, you are the voice of reason and perspective on this blog. THANK YOU for articulating what would be obvious to a rational devotee of the NFL that isn’t caught up in the latest coronation of “the next best QB”. And let’s not forget that 2 short years ago many pundits were (and some on here) were saying the Josh Freeman was an elite QB…how did that work out?
And for all you BOB lovers, have you noticed that the Redskins aren’t running an NFL offense but Baylor’s? Why is that? In contrast, Andrew luck according to the Colts coaches has digested and understands their entire playbook. Luck isn’t as glitzy as Bob, but in the ends his talent, brain, judgment will take him much further than Bob’s fast feet.
Possible, but I’m not sure the skins have the receiving threat to run the passing offense that well. And with their running game firing on all cylinders with- yes- a running QB, that makes the style of offense they run pretty dangerous.
RGIII is probably overhyped, but I’ve seen nothing to indicate he won’t be:
A. a challenge on Sunday
B. A pretty decent QB one day
And honestly- I could care less if he ever makes it to the Super Bowl. Vick hasn’t done so hot in the playoffs either, but he can still beat us any week. That’s all any of us should be concerned about. Let the prognosticators slob the RGIII Super Bowl Heisman Mega Circus knob, all that counts is how dangerous RGIII is to our playoff chances.
True. And I add that the colelge offense that the Redskins are using has nothing to do with RG3′s lack of being able to learn a real pro offense. It has to do with the Redskins looking to win now. the offense they are using is a short term fix for lack of overall roster talent in trying to win now.
IMHO, if the Giants shut down the Skins running game, the game is over because their passing game (WRs, offensive line) are substantially below average. This will also expose Bob’s passing game inexperience. He will also be pressured by our defensive line which will lead to mistakes (incompletions and turnovers).
Yeah, agree. I view this gameplan as actually very similar in principle to the one we used against the niners. Early lead, run often, make the rookie for throws and force decisions.
Well, Andrew Luck IS the next great quarterback. He’ll be better than anyone in the younger generation of QBs except, maybe, Rodgers. But frankly I think he’ll be at least Rodgers’ equal within two years.
I’ve said that since I saw this kid play as a redshirt sophomore at Stanford. He was THAT good, THAT early.
I’m always going to be questioned on this, but I think the quarterbacks playing today who will eventually be deemed truly “great” are both Mannings, Andrew Luck, and perhaps Aaron Rodgers. Everyone will throw Brady at me but I think history may view him as “near-great”. Yeah, he has those titles, but one had nothing much to do with him and the other two may be tainted. Obviously, if he wins another trophy the argument is over, but as long as he keeps coming up against Eli in the post-season he may never get the ring. Brees? Maybe in the Marino category (although Brees isn’t half the QB that Dan Marino was) of “just-about-great-but-not-quite”.
I’m not buying the rest of them, but DO think that Griffen still has a chance if he learns to be a pocket quarterback who occasionally uses his legs (more like Rodgers than Vick). We’ll see.
I think we do have 3 capable backs. I still don’t think we will become a running team again. I think we are a passing team that now is becoming a quality running threat as well. But our the core of our offensive success still comes from being able to pass the ball at a high level. There might be more games like SF but don’t forget we threw the ball to get the lead then ran the ball to close it out.
But the running game like the SF game has as much to do with the defense as the offense. With our defense controling the game our offense played differently. If our defense gives more efforts like SF then we could see our passing attempts decrease. But if not our offense will continue to throw the ball a good deal.
This is what I said a few articles ago. I completely agree. We are still a passing team.
Not fully correct. We ran the rock to open up the passing game. The Giants first TD came off a play-action fake that stalled the 49ers defensive line long enough for Eli to get the ball to Cruz. The second TD came about thanks to a great punt return and good hard running from Bradshaw. We kept pounding the ball throughout the game.
We just ran the ball more frequently in the fourth quarter to chew clock. Coincidentally, we were also more effective in running the ball in that fourth quarter because the 49ers defense was getting gassed and demoralized.
Play action from the 5 yard line? That works if we run the ball or not, from the 5 yardline yo uhave to respect anyones run fake. Cruz still wasn’t that open, it was just a nice rout and a very accurate pass.
We ran the ball to keep them honest so they couldn’t tee off on our passing game. Any success we had running was due to them respecting the passing game until the 4th quarter.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. Eli Manning played a key role on that drive. But I still think the importance of our commitment to the run hasn’t been fully recognized yet in our win. Even if it sucked for the first half, it still kept the 49ers linemen honest and it afforded Eli extra time in the pocket.
We need to salute our coaches for gameplanning perfectly for the 49ers. Keep the defense honest with the run game, be willing to throw more short-yardage passes, and have Eli run around for a bit every now and then to delay the pass rush for as long as possible.
Oh, and don’t underestimate play-action from the 5 yard line. The 49ers have one of the league’s best rushing defenses, especially on their home field. The defensive line didn’t necessary have to respect the possibility of a run on that play, but they did, and it gave Eli enough time and peace of mind to make a tight throw to Cruz.
Hey, no matter WHAT our offensive game plans are, having three good running backs is a wonderful asset. And with Wilson as one of the legs of the stool I think we will actually be better off than we were with BJ, Bradshaw and Ward. None of those latter three were nearly as explosive as David Wilson. He is a game-changer.
Definitely agree. Can’t wait for them to incorporate him into the passing game.
I remember there were one or two plays where both Bradshaw and Wilson were on the field together. Though it was completely obvious the ball was going to Wilson
Norm – I think Bob is different. I do think he’s going to be really good. I base a lot of it on his character and ability and desire to be a student of the game.
You bring up a good point though. He will have to overcome growing up in a crappy organization.
Gameplan
1. Sell out to stop morris, Send Rolle from one side, and JPP from the other, meet at Bob G
2. Send most pressure from the right, like they did against Vick to the left, forcing Bob G to go left, at least make the throws more difficult. If he’s going to beat us, make him beat us with his arm, make his WRs catch the ball, force them to make decisions as opposed to dictating the pace. If he wants to roll out to the right, he’ll meet JPP with open arms.
3. Score early, make sure that the script this week is a guarantee. If they need to throw the ball to win, I have complete faith in this defense.
I think the BIGGEST player, wildcard, if you will is Eli Manning this week. Eli against this Defense (which has played relatively well for what they are working with) is the #1 biggest match up IMO. I believe this is a game for the offense to carry the defense.
In my opinion, the biggest match-up is JPP vs. Trent Williams. Man is a beastly offensive lineman that has provided great protection for RG3. If JPP wants to seal the edge and even sack RG3 a few times, he’ll need to be able to overpower Trent Williams.
Good point, I think we’ll line every one of our dlinemen up against him too (hopefully even canty with another outside of him), and I would like to have most pressure come from the opposite side of Williams, force BOBG to Williams’ side, make a decision from there.
Yeah right now Williams might be their best player. As well as Beatty has played Williams has been better.
Bobby boy’s a right-handed QB, right? If so, then I definitely agree, we have to force him to Williams’ side.
Come in off the ledge, fellas:
@JennyVrentas
Nicks is practicing for second straight day. After sitting out yesterday, Bradshaw also practicing today
More:
@JennyVrentas
Others practicing: Boley, Brown, Canty and Webster.
@TomRock_Newsday
Andre Brown and Chris Canty appear to be unimpeded in their progress.
?@JennyVrentas
Phillips on the bike. No sign of Bernard, Williams
Great news on all fronts. Well, except for Rocky…..
@6abc:
#BREAKING: Source: Garrett Reid died of accidental heroin overdose