Ahmad Bradshaw did not practice today and is sporting some new crutches to go with his boot. According to coach Coughlin Bradshaw has now injured his other foot and has an ankle sprain. Bradshaw may not even travel with the team to Denver, which would mean Danny would step into the number 2 role and Gartrell Johnson would be activated.

Ware has been praised for his blitz pickups, and due to his early injury he has fresh legs. Bradshaw is usually a home run threat but since his foot injury he has struggled to show any burst. This may be a blessing in disguise for Bradshaw who can rest his ailing foot while Ware most resembles last years number 2 back Derrick Ward, lets just hope he runs like him too.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this Sunday’s game against the Cowboys marked the first time in Giants history in which they had two different receivers have ten receptions each.

Just to refresh your memory.

Steve Smith: 10 receptions, 134 yards and a TD

Mario Manningham: 10 receptions, 150 yards, and a TD

Smith is currently tied for the league lead in both receptions and yards. He has 16 recepts, tied with Moss, and 214 yards, tied for first with Pittsburgh WR Santonio Holmes.

“We saw this even as he was running scout squad for us last year,” said Coach Tom Coughlin about the young Michigan alum. “ We saw some things that really excited us and he continued to develop during the offseason and then into the spring and into the summer. Certainly there have been some things that we were very pleased to see.”

With the explosion of vertical offense the Gmen exhibited, most people are kind of taking a back page approach to perhaps how disappointing the running game has been. It’s easy to rant and rave about the Eli and his connection with his young receivers (which is great don’t get me wrong) but where’s Brandon Jacobs.

Brandon Jacobs: (2 games) 33 carries, 104 yards, O TDs.

Ahmad Bradshaw: (2 games) 21 carries, 97 yards, 0 TDs.

Indeed the first two games have been a bit of a slow start for the Giants rushing attack…but perhaps now that they have officially established that a passing threat, it will open up the rushing attack for Jacobs and Bradshaw.

Look for both of them to have much improved games this Sunday.

DE Osi Umenyiora:

Q. Granted this is the preseason, but it must feel good to be back out there, making some nice plays.

A. It felt good, but that’s what I expect to do every time I go out there. You know the way the game is, some times you make those plays, some times you don’t. So I mean I’m happy with the way the team played and that I had an opportunity to be out there.

Q. The defense looked impressive out there, you guys forced five turnovers.

A. It’s a good thing, it’s one thing to do that in practice, but it’s nice to see it carry over to the actual game…it was very nice to see.

RB Danny Ware:

Q. Do you still feel like the number two spot is open, that it’s an open competition?

A. I still think it’s an open competition. You know they’ve been kind of looking at Ahmad (Bradshaw) as the number two right now, but we’ve still got a long way at camp to go and you never know what’s going to happen at the end. Right now he’s the number two and I’m just trying to come in and give everybody a change of pace.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

Q. Talk about the running backs group as a whole with the offensive line. How did you guys run the ball?

A. That is what I am saying. Our relationship with our lineman and our backs, I think it looked great. Just the guards getting up in the hole and different plays that we had, they looked pretty good.

Both Ware and Bradshaw looked good in last night’s game. Granted, Ware was playing against more of the bench, 2nd, 3rd string type of players, but I thought he showed a mental and physical toughness that can carry over to playing in real competition...it’s too bad we couldn’t see the rook Brown get a shot. At least, Ware’s play last night could somewhat help us to forget the loss of the rookie.

The Giants pride themselves on being a “run-first” team.

The last time the Giants did not have a 1,000-yard rusher was 2001. Last season they became part of an elite group when both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward both breached the 1, 000 yard mark.

2008 was perhaps the Giants’ best rushing season ever. They led the league in rushing yards with 2,518 and averaged an incredible 5.0 yards per carry.

This season, Ward is gone, a casualty of excess. He signed with Tampa Bay in the off-season. That means that more focus will be put on Jacobs. The Giants realize that Jacobs, who is known as “Earth”, is a tough inside runner who scares the bejesus out of defenses. They also know that even he can only bear so much of the load coming out of the backfield.

In years past, Ward, known as “Wind”, would relieve Jacobs and blanch defenses with his contrasting elusiveness. After Ward, usually later in contests, the Giants would ratchet up the speed with Ahmad Bradshaw, known as “Fire”.

Bradshaw has the ability to run through and by defenders, making them look statuesque. He was a luxury, a show of depth that demoralized opponents. Now he moves up the depth chart as Jacobs’ primary reliever.

Joining Bradshaw in the backfield is the talented, but widely untested Danny Ware and rookie Andre Brown, whose style resembles Ward. Their inexperience has raised questions whether the Giants will continue to dominate with their ground game.

Their past performance says they will. The offensive line is still intact. RB coach Jerald Ingram is still here. They withstood the loss of the great Tiki Barber and even won a championship without him. That being said, losing Ward may not be as great a hurdle as detractors are making it out to be.

The key is Bradshaw. He has been clamoring for more carries, and now he will get them. We could be on the precipice of a new era of offensive firepower. Bradshaw has shown flashes of greatness. Could we be looking at the next Giants’ superstar?

John Fennelly

With the growing popularity of the Wildcat offense being incorporated into NFL schemes, it begs the question, do/could the Giants have any use for this type of offensive package.

Firstly, you would have to take a look at the wide receivers and runningbacks on the team to see if there is any kind of ‘quarterbacking’ potential in them. For the wildcat to be used effectively, the person taking the snap has to at least give off the impression that there is a chance they will throw the ball.

The intital thought has to be that a guy like Bradshaw would be the one taking the snaps because of his quickness and elusiveness, but does he give off the threat of a potential pass?

As of now, I dont see anyone on the giants that would be ‘ideal’ to use in the wildcat formation. Maybe if they went out and picked up a guy like, I dont know, Michael Vick, they could pull something off but that’’s more of a long shot than Eli catching a TD this season.

To be honest, I’m not so sure how much I love the potential of the wildcat anyways. Stick to the gameplan, keep the ball in Eli’s hands, and don’t worry about this niche formation that, as of now, is just a fad.

Eli Manning’s rookie contract is up after this year and according to the New York Daily News Mannings representative will look to make Eli the highest paid player in all of football. Sources say the Giants and Manning are far apart in negotiations but neither side is panicking. While both sides wanted to get a deal done this spring both parties feel the deal will get done at some point in the near future, and the Giants have no intention of letting him hit free agency.

Bottom line, because Eli is a top 10 QB and his contract is up means he will certainly become one of the highest paid players in the game, as will any other QB in that class, including Philip Rivers whose teams of representatives is keeping a close eye on Eli’s negotiations. The QB spot is the most important position in all of the major four sports and they get paid that way. Eli will never be as good as his  big brother or Tom Brady, but he is about to get paid like he is.  

Jerry Reese confirmed that if Brandon Jacobs were to get hurt Ahmad Bradshaw would be the starting RB.

I am excited to see Bradshaw get more touches, every time he touches the ball it seems as though he has a chance to take it to the house. My bold prediction, Bradshaw will have a better career then Reggie Bush, yep I said it. If Jacobs were to go down clearly Bradshaw would share the load with Ware and Brown.

 The Giants have released TE George Wrighster and T Mike Fladell.

This leaves TE’s Kevin Boss, Darcy Johnson, Travis Beckum and Mike Mathews on the roster. It most directly affects Mathews who is the teams blocking TE and figures to remain so now that Wrighster is gone. Fladell spent time on the Giants practice squad as a local product from Rutgers.

This wouldn’t be news and notes without mentioning Plaxico Burress. According to ESPN Roger Goodell is initiate a probe to review all incidents involving Burress that fall under the personal conduct policy.

No doubt this will end in a suspension, regardless of what happens in court. Plax’s legal representation is claiming that unless he is found guilty he will not be up for suspension. I suppose Goodell didn’t get the memo and if he did he certainly does not care.

Earth and Fire Looking For A Mighty Wind

Running Backs Coach: Jerald Ingram
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Gilbride

Running Backs: Brandon Jacobs (Starter), Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, Andre Brown, Dwayne Wright
Fullback: Madison Hedgecock

Overview: the Giants are one of two teams that have had a 1,000-yard rusher each of the past two seasons (San Diego is the other). Ingram has been handling the backs since Tom Coughlin took over in 2004 and previously worked under Coughlin in both Jacksonville and at Boston College. He can be credited with turning Tiki Barber into a superstar, correcting his style to reduce turnovers, and transforming the Giants’ running game into the game’s best. Last season the combination of Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Bradshaw (known as “Earth, Wind and Fire”) generated almost 3000 yards from scrimmage. Ward left via free agency to Tampa Bay in March.

Brandon Jacobs (“Earth”): From the day he was drafted in 2005 to this very day, no one knows what will happen when Jacobs touches the ball. They only know they don’t want to be in his way when it happens. The 6′4″, 260 lb Jacobs is a punishing, vibrant force that wears down defenses. If he gets past the line of scrimmage, he immediately becomes the biggest player on the field and there is little defenses can do except for batten down the hatches. He has been the anchor of the Giants’ backfield since Barber’s departure in 2006 and has racked up 2518 total yards and 21 TDs in his first two seasons as the featured back.

Jacobs came into the league a bit raw and is only now beginning to fine tune his skills and realize his potential. Teams that play the Giants must prepare for a physical battle first and foremost because of his presence, which sets the table for the slew of fleet backs that follow.

Ahmad Bradshaw (“Fire”): With his legal troubles hopefully behind him, Bradshaw can concentrate on becoming more of a presence in the Giants’ running game. He is ‘a change-up’ back, meaning his style is vastly different to that of Jacobs. Bradshaw usually catches defenses flatfooted when he enters the game. A multi-talented player, “Fire” has the ability to run effectively both inside and out as well as receive passes out of the backfield.  He has a knack for making the first defensive responders miss, which has resulted in several big plays for the Giants.  The key this season is to see how Bradshaw responds to the expanded role he will be given.

Danny Ware: Ware is a potential “Wind ” candidate who comes highly touted by the coaches and GM Jerry Reese. The 6′1″, 220 lb Ware is a product of the University of Georgia (Herschel Walker, Rodney Hampton, Garrison Hearst, Terrell Davis, Knowshon Moreno) and could fit nicely into the role played by Derrick Ward the past few seasons.

Andre Brown: Brown was taken in the 4th round this April and according to draftniks his talents are very similar to that of Ward’s. He is proficient at catching the ball out of the backfield and is extremely versatile. He will be in a battle with the others to see playing time, so it is important for him to get off to a good start in training camp.

Madison Hedgecock: The big fullback from North Carolina has proved to be an invaluable asset to the Blue. At 6′3″, 266lbs, having Hedgecock in the backfield is like having another guard in the lineup. He rarely touches the ball, but he has made the Giants’ running and passing game more effective. He slams into the line on running plays and watches Eli Manning’s back on most pass plays. As Jerry Reese likes to say “We’re a power rushing team”, and Hedgecock is at the forefront of that group.

Outlook: EWF is out to prove they can succeed without Ward. The expanded role of Bradshaw and the addition of Ware and Brown could make the Giants’ running game deeper than before by providing more options. In a season where the passing game is going through a transition, this group will undoubtedly take some pressure of that unit.

On his own personal blog, Giants RB Danny Ware declares that he can and can’t replace Derrick Ward this coming season.

Immediately after RB Andre Brown was drafted in the 4th round, Ware had this to say:

I feel like I can replace Derrick Ward all day every day.

But today, Ware took a different approach, saying this:

For all of the fans who want to see who will replace Derrick Ward as Wind in the Earth, Wind & Fire backfield, I’ll tell you: I can’t replace Derrick and I don’t want to be known as the new Wind. Call me Water.

H2O is one of the most important resources known to man. I transform whenever my environment changes. When it’s hot, I’m in my liquid form and can move through any boundary. When it’s cold I freeze and turn to ice. And once I get rolling, nothing can stop me.

If it ever gets too hot, I evaporate, and it’s like I’m running on the clouds. But I never disappear because when it rains, it pours!

That’s who I am. Water.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Giants backfield situation shakes out.  Although Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to be Brandon Jacobs‘ change of pace back, nothing is written in stone.  Ware was impressive in the pre-season and he certainly has the confidence thing down.

While Plaxico Burress was not in attendance at today’s off-season workout, according to Newsday  Osi Umenyiora and Ahmad Bradshaw were. Bradshaw was finishing up a jail term stemming from a violation of a juvenile probation. Osi is coming off of knee surgery and according to coach Coughlin he is working with “some restrictions.” Of the 60 players in attendance the only free agent not to arrive is Rocky Bernard who is expected to be in attendance later this week.

Bradshaw is now free of his strange double 30 day sentence to be served in back to back  off-seasons. It must be nice to be rich and somewhat famous and get to decide how and when you will serve your jail time. I would have gone with 1 day a year for 60 years but I suppose Bradshaw has less to fear in jail then I would, considering he has muscles and I…well barely do. It’s also good to know that Osi, while limited, should be ready for training camp.

It is still hard to believe that the Giants season is over, but I am starting to come to terms with the fact that the Giants lacked some key components, and made some serious mistakes this past Sunday that led to their demise.

It is time to start to reflect on the past season and look at what deficiencies the team has and where they need to improve. I’ll start by doing a high level overview of these deficiencies and over the next few weeks drill into them in more detail.

Gilbride needs to do a better job at realizing what he is working with.

The Giants strength on offense is their rushing attack. Brandon Jacobs is the battering ram that allows other offensive weapons a path of least resistance by wearing down opposing defenses. Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride made a crucial mistake in the loss to the Eagles by using Jacobs just nine times in the first half of the game. When Plaxico Burress was still in the mix, it would have made sense to go to the air more often, but in his absence Gilbride needs to realize that a run first offense is imperitive. It seems that Gilbride needs to improve in his ability to make adjustments. If he can’t make them, perhaps someone else should.

The Giants need to get Plaxico back or replace him with a top receiver.

The Giants were a different team without Plaxico. His height, athleticism and ability to break big plays was crucial to giving the Giants a balanced offense. While the Giants strength is in their rushing game, having the ability to go to a receiver like Burress forces the defense to back off and give the Giants even more room to run. If Plaxico is given a jail sentance, then the Giants will have no choice but to look for a big ticket receiver. They might consider cutting him anyway and going after a player like T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Anquan Boldin. Both of them give the Giants the big play receiver they lacked when Burress shot himself, and consequently the Giants, in the foot.

Sign Brandon Jacobs, let Derrick Ward go.

While it would be nice to have both Jacobs and Derrick Ward, I don’t think the Giants can afford to bring them both back and replace Plaxico with a player like Houshmandzadah or Boldin. If they bring back Plaxico, then perhaps they can consider it. However I think it is more likely, and perhaps better in terms of having a more balanced offense to let Ward go and bring on Boldin or Houshmandzadah. Plaxico brings too much baggage and causes too many distractions. If I was Jerry Reese I would move on. Danny Ware is starting to come into his own and should be able to pick up the slack along with Ahmad Bradshaw.

I think right now these are the top three items on the Giants list. Adding some depth at linebacker is a concern as well, which I will address in a future post. I would love to hear your thoughts on these three items first though. Lets put together a plan of attack for the Giants offseason. Consider this a fans summit meeting. Post your ideas in the comment section.