Credit: BOBBY O’HARA/ PureSportsNY
As the Giants beat the Steelers Saturday night 20-16 one thing was clear, the offense continues to be a work in progress. If I’m a Giant fan, knowing this is the pre-season I would not look as much into the score, but into how fluid the team was running through the motions. With that being said, the Giant’s looked slow and on a few plays never seemed to be on the same page as each other. Recently acquired offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo, supposedly is bringing in a new scheme to open up the passing game. That very same scheme I just mentioned seemed non-existent in this game. Eli was a horrendous 0-2 Saturday and never really established a rhythm to get the ball moving. I’m still having trouble seeing much improvement on the aerial attack from last season with this team, but then again, this is just the pre-season.
Now, I’m not writing this to bring more bad news to Giant’s Nation or overkill the state of the G-men’s passing game. I’m actually writing this to give you some of my thoughts on something you will continue to see into the regular season. That is Rashad Jennings carrying the football. Whether it be practice, pre-season, or a game, one thing I will never get tired of watching is Rashad Jennings carrying the football. The man is simply a treat for any football fan no matter what team you root for come Sunday. Jennings is just one of those guys that you watch run the ball and it never looks like their feet don’t touch the ground and if it does, it’s usually because he just planted his foot deep into the grass in order to shake a defensive player out of his shoes. Now, before you say anything and say “He’s not known for being fast,” I’m not saying he doesn’t look like he touches the ground because he’s fast, but because he is just so good in between the tackles that he almost seems to fly through it. I don’t know what it is but the man has been doing it for years and now that I’ve had a chance to see him practice closely I can honestly say I don’t think there is a day in practice that he doesn’t break one for a huge gain.
On Saturday he stuck again! Through all the slow and non-progressive plays, Jennings broke loose for a 73 yard TD run on a 1st-and-10 from their own 27 early in the first quarter versus the Steelers. He provided all but two yards for the men in blue in the first quarter and once again showed his worth, yet again, to hold down the starting running back job on a highly running based team.
Jennings finished the season with 733 yards on 163 carries and six touchdowns in eight starts last season for the Raiders. It was enough for New York to sign him to a four year deal for 14 million dollars and three million guaranteed on March 12 this year. I think it was a well spent contract for the Giants and he will do more than win over the fans in his first season with the team. He is just he kind of shifty back that will pair nicely with rookie back Andre Williams.
Credit: BOBBY O’HARA/ PureSportsNY
Reasons I Love Rashad Jennings:
1: He is an IDEAL SIZE for the position. 6’1″ and 231 pounds is a good size for a NFL running back. He isn’t too tall which provides him a lower center of gravity than back taller than him and has the bulk to handle the hits while powering his way for extra yardage.
2: Can CATCH THE FOOBALL. He has 746 receiving yards in his 4 year playing career. That includes games that he didn’t even start. A running back that can catch the football adds another threat to the defense and more power to the offense. In a Giants system that is struggling to pass the ball. He will be a valuable guy to go to if Eli needs to get rid of the ball quickly.
3. He DOESN’T FUMBLE. Do you know how many times he’s fumbled in his NFL career? 3, Yea this man is like a basket made of steel. Drop it into his gut and let him keep the ball in the offense’s hands. In 387 attempts and 97 receptions he’s dropped the ball 3 times. This is a guy I’d love to have in clock management situations come time for the season.
4. He IS USED TO SHARING CARRIES AND CARRYING THE LOAD:
What I mean by this is he is used to coming into games from the bench and establishing a rhythm quickly. That could prove vital if the team wants to create a two headed backfield with himself and Hillis or Williams. He also showed that he is capable of handling over 20 plus carries in one game as he did last year multiple times.
All in all I was a huge fan of this signing from the beginning and believe that Rashad Jennings could become a superstar this year and has all the assets of becoming one. His build, body control, athleticism, and versatility provide him with everything he will need to become a well known player for the Giants and the NFL. One thing is for sure…I can’t wait for the season to start.
Bobby O’Hara: PureSportsNY