http://mondaymornqb.blogspot.com/2007/06/run-baby-run.html
Carl Banks: Brandon Jacobs Can Put Up Larry Johnson Type
Numbers
Posted Jul 6th 2007 11:14AM by Dan Benton Filed
under: NY
Giants, NFC
East, New
York
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Banks: Brandon Jacobs Can Put Up Larry Johnson Type Numbers
Can Brandon Jacobs
replace Tiki
Barber? That is a question you've probably heard about 1,000 times already
this offseason. Every where you turn, another media personality is pointing to
Jacobs, not Eli
Manning, as the guy who will make of break the Giants season.
However, when talking to former players or current teammates, the one thing they
seem least worried about is Brandon Jacobs. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora
believes "a
lot of teams will be in a lot of trouble" when the Giants run Jacobs. Tight
end Jeremy
Shockey went as far as to say "he
every intangible possible; I am excited to see him play." Even former Giants
superstar Frank
Gifford shared thoughts on Jacobs, saying "he
could be spectacular." That theme continued this morning on Sirius Satellite
Radio when former Giants linebacker Carl Banks added his two cents.
replace Tiki
Barber? That is a question you've probably heard about 1,000 times already
this offseason. Every where you turn, another media personality is pointing to
Jacobs, not Eli
Manning, as the guy who will make of break the Giants season.
However, when talking to former players or current teammates, the one thing they
seem least worried about is Brandon Jacobs. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora
believes "a
lot of teams will be in a lot of trouble" when the Giants run Jacobs. Tight
end Jeremy
Shockey went as far as to say "he
every intangible possible; I am excited to see him play." Even former Giants
superstar Frank
Gifford shared thoughts on Jacobs, saying "he
could be spectacular." That theme continued this morning on Sirius Satellite
Radio when former Giants linebacker Carl Banks added his two cents.
"[Brandon Jacobs] could bring Larry Johnson type numbers to the
Giants," Banks said.
Talk about high praise! Larry Johnson is
arguably the best running back in the NFL, so even being mentioned in the same
breath as him is impressive. And while I do not actually expect Johnson type
numbers, I've stated time and time again that 1,200-1,400 yards with 10-13
touchdowns is a very real possibility. Giants' fans have every reason to believe
in this guy; he's going to be quite a suitable replacement for Tiki Barber.
arguably the best running back in the NFL, so even being mentioned in the same
breath as him is impressive. And while I do not actually expect Johnson type
numbers, I've stated time and time again that 1,200-1,400 yards with 10-13
touchdowns is a very real possibility. Giants' fans have every reason to believe
in this guy; he's going to be quite a suitable replacement for Tiki Barber.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Just another reason why football is a stupid sport. Jacobs can easily
replace Tiki. Johnson easily replaced Priest Holmes. Stephen Jackson replaces
Faulk and on and on and on. There is no such thing as talent in football, just
parts. This doesn't happen in any other sport. Would Mikael Pietrus replace
J-Rich's 20ppg? Would Damien Wilkins all of a sudden replace Ray Allen? And
don't even get me started on rookies and the draft. Moss, one of the best WR
ever, for a 4th round pick?? The fact that late draft picks are worth more than
proven vets is ridiculous.
Posted at 11:52AM
on Jul 6th 2007 by sdp
2. Isn't Brandon Jacobs enormous for a running back? Larry Johnson is 6'1".
Tiki Barber is 5'10". Jacobs being 6'4" has to be an issue. That being said,
dude could rush for a lot of touchdowns.
Posted at 12:19PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by R.L.
3. there musn't be anything to write about in Giants land . . . this is the
third or fourth Brandon Jacobs blog in the last couple of weeks. #1 - no, he
will not come close to replacing Tiki #2 - yes, he will get short yardage
touchdowns #3 - nobody will be making a season out of it in New York. Tiki
pulled them through it, Strahan is washed up, and if Plex and Shockey don't stop
pointing the finger, the Giants may as well draft a full team from scratch next
year.
Posted at 12:30PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by dimckll
4. Jacobs seems to have a lot of assets: size; speed; toughness; a mean
streak; and intelligence. But no one has seen him carry the ball 25 times in an
NFL game, catch a pass out of the backfield and break a long play, or get a
crucial first down midway through the 4th quarter when a season is on the line.
Maybe he's another Larry Johnson, but let's see him a bit before he's annointed.
And I don't care if he's fantastic, he still has a long way to go before the
team won't miss Tiki Barber. You just don't replace someone good for over 2,000
total yards who can kill you in so many ways. I have great hopes for Jacobs, and
expect him to be a stud. I can imagine him (and don't forget Droughns)
exhausting a defense late in the game if the Giants have kept it close. I can
imagine the Giants breaking a team's will in the last 20 minutes of a game if
the Giants are ahead by sending Jacobs at them on every series. But let's not
fool ourselves into thinking that he and Tiki are interchangeable. I've watched
the Giants since 1952. Tiki Barber is the best back they had in those 55 years
and I don't think we'll see another like him for many years. If Jacobs can give
them 80% of what Tiki represented, that will be great, and probably enough to
build a winning team. But let's not go crazy here.
Posted at 12:38PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by fanfor55years
5. As someone who just made Jacobs the 2nd RB on his fantasy team, this is a
very good post.
Posted at 1:36PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by Jamie
Mottram
6. Why is it people feel the need to immediately replace Tiki? It took Tiki
years to become the Tiki we know. It wasn't automatic. Nobody goes to a new team
or is elevated to a starter and produces the kind of numbers that Tiki did. It's
asinine to even have this discussion. But since we are, another thing to think
about is that we really don't need to replace his production. The Giants simply
need to be consistent in the passing game. The running game will take care of
itself. So what if Jacobs and Droughns don't equal Tiki's production? Is that
the measure of a successful season? Last time I checked, it was wins and losses.
Tiki has already been replaced. Let's move on, shall we?
Posted at 3:16PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by T200
7. The only negative I have seen in Brandon, sometimes runs to erect. He's
easy to spot when running between the Tackles. One of his assets is, he runs
faster then he looks to be, very deceptive. He has done very well in the last
two years, I only see him getting better, now that he will be the Feature Back.
About putting up Larry Johnson numbers, It is possible, only because he will be
new to opposing Defenses. He runs at people, he should be learning how to slip
tackles instead of carrying 3 or 4 Defenders, while picking up those extra
yards. Comparing Backs is very difficult, each has their own way of getting the
job done but, if Brandon puts up LJ numbers, many Giant fans won't mind at all.
Posted at 3:48PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by David Rosenberg
8. T200, good points, but I don't think anyone is making exactly the point
you argued against. Of course the team has to move on. Tiki is gone. But my
point was that I'm not prepared to go goo-goo eyed over Jacobs until I see him
do something on the field that he hasn't yet done. Let's not anoint him a star
running back based on what his teammates say based on spring workouts. As for
the secrets to wins and losses, it's not the passing game. It's the execution of
the running game that sets up the passing game; the passing game that sets up
the running game; the defense that gains field position and takes pressure off
the offense; the special teams; the play-calling; etc. But most football people
will tell you that the core of any winning team is a good running game and a
strong defense. The Giants had the first but not the second last year. They
started to build toward the second by moving Kiwi and through the draft, but
still have to prove they now have the first and are still at least a year away
from a strong defense. Is there a chance that Jacobs and the kid from Marshall
give them a really good running game in the next few years? Of course. Is there
a chance that Jacobs is never going to be elusive enough to be the #1 back on a
championship team? Absolutely. It is way too soon to judge anything. Let's see
what he can do when defenses stack up against him. I hope he's great, but I will
definitely reserve judgment.
Posted at 6:30PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by fanfor55years
9. Jacobs certainly looked good at times last year, but I think the bigger
question for his success (and the Giants') is the offensive line. I'm staring at
the OL depth chart right now and I don't see much indication that they'll be
more than just average. I think Jacobs is a good back but if his blocking isn't
there you won't be able to tell.
Posted at 10:34PM
on Jul 6th 2007 by whitey
10. Giant Football Is on your ACE... do you think he will be able to put up
Gore type #'s though? In my opinion Gore of the 49ers will again be the RB to
conted with as far as any fantasy numbers go. Check out http://www.crazydaddy.net/
free winners - free contest- 1 in 100 recieve a Free Vegas Vacation haters not
allowed if you aint got game we dont want ya.
Posted at 3:24AM
on Jul 7th 2007 by CrazyDaddy.net
11. Fanfor55... Thanks for your post and thoughts. I was particularly arguing
against the notion that the Giants have to replace Barber and whether or not
Brandon Jacobs can do it. My point was very few first-time starting RBs have
exceptional years in their first year of starting. Asking whether Jacobs, in his
first year starting, can duplicate Tiki's numbers is just ridiculous to me. The
other point about the passing game and the running game was that, between the
two, the passing game needs more work. That needs to be the primary focus of the
offense as far as getting it to perform at an optimal level. With Jacobs,
Droughns, and Bradshaw, I think the running game is in far better shape than the
passing game. That's why I said the running game will take care of itself. Talk
about the Giants here: http://www.ny-footballgiants.com/ http://www.giantsfans.net/
Posted at 4:45PM
on Jul 7th 2007 by T200
12. Can't wait to see the pain on defenders faces while getting up after
tackling Jacobs!
Posted at 7:53PM
on Jul 7th 2007 by gdsteve
13. banks was right on carlso emmons
Posted at 1:12PM
on Jul 8th 2007 by bobby
14. JACOBS ISNT TIKI, part of what made tiki special was the fact he could
and would hide behind his OL being 5'8" although listed at 5'10" he had this
luxary to wait for blocks to develop and cut back aGAINST THE grain with his
superior vision , The G-MENS OL is not designed like KC's it's more like Denvers
and NOT for the power running game , I cant see Jacobs matching LJ's numbers let
alone Tiki's as he runs to high and being 6'5" how long did Eddie George last?
the other person that draws comparisons to Jacobs? from --> http://boards.giants.com/forums/1/367029/ShowThread.aspx ***WE
LOST NOT ONLY A GOOD PLAYER BUT A GREAT PLAYER IN TIKI**** WED BE 6-10 LAST YEAR
W/O TIKI LETS BE REAL NOW HE SINGLE HANDELY WON BOTH GAMES AGASINST WASHINGTON
AND ANOTHER I CANT THINK OF OFFHAND!!! **ALSO NOTE; EVEN WHEN TIKI DIDNT GET THE
BALL COMMING OUT OF THE BACKFIELD ON PASSROUTES HE DREW ATTENTION OFF SHOCKEY
AND DREW A SAFTEY'S ATTENTION, SHOCKEY WONT HAVE THAT LUXARY THIS YEAR???
Posted at 11:09PM
on Jul 8th 2007 by JINT
15. Great article Dan! As always you're grounded and realistic. Jacobs is
going to be a very sucessful back in the NFL. I call him 'The Beast Released'.
Jacobs is a monster. He's faster than Tiki. He's naturaly a brueser but he's
actually quite allusive when he wants to be. Jacobs has shown some great cuts if
you watch film. He will be just fine. Droughns will be nice because when he's in
there the defense wont get a break. Bradshaw will be a perfect scat style third
down back like Tiki was when he first was drafted. That's a solid RB core if you
ask me.
Posted at 12:35AM
on Jul 9th 2007 by gianthinker