Should RB Be A Priority This Offseason

we need to build on what's here, and that starts with the line. Jennings + Williams is fine, especially if we get Cruz back moderatley healthy with Beckham. Part of our problem has been no good WR's to double, and now that is changing.

Does Jennings remind you a lot of Derrick Ward?

If he were given 200 carries and 50 catches, he would be a valuable player. But making him a #1 RB, he becomes overexposed and miscast.

Jennings is made of glass. Willimas is a number 2. I would like to bring in a mark ingram, spiller or another FA. I wouldn't mind drafting a shifty rookie either. Can't go with the same backs next year.

to many injuries. Priority is youth, strengthen the OL, improve the back 7 play, and another playmaker on offense.

But there is definitely a need for some depth. I wouldn't bring in a big name unless you get them pretty cheap. Makes a lot of sense to draft a Bradshaw-type though.

Jennings is made of glass. Willimas is a number 2. I would like to bring in a mark ingram, spiller or another FA. I wouldn't mind drafting a shifty rookie either. Can't go with the same backs next year.

In comment 12037489 BigBlueinChicago said:

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Does Jennings remind you a lot of Derrick Ward? If he were given 200 carries and 50 catches, he would be a valuable player. But making him a #1 RB, he becomes overexposed and miscast.

Exactly. He's a ward clone. Not a knock...you need guys like Jennings(ward) but you also need impact players. We have one guy on offense that scares people. I'd be fine with adding a solid at WR and Guard and looking to add star power to the RB position. I think that element takes this offense to another level. Nothing covers up warts better than a star RB.

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need to pick up at least a couple of backs.we are putting too much stock into established vets such as Peyton Hillis and to a certain extent Jennings.While I don't think we should put too much focus in the higher rounds.I would be happy if we used both of our 7th round picks this coming draft on RB's.Reese did it once with Bradshaw.I have faith in him to do it again using later round selections.

have the worst running backs in the division. Want to win the division , or st least play at a similar level as the teams you face twice a year? Williams has limited vision & the Ron Dayne quality of just closing his eyes & slamming into the pile. Coughlin said they had been working on getting him to "be patient in the hole," as OJ Anderson used to say. Well he reverted Sun. Jennings is an average back who is now building an injury history. So, yeah, by all means , however you can. If he's fast even better.

Yes this is hindsight, but a bad FA signing by Reese if this guy was supposed to be a 15 carry/game guy. They guy never played a 16 game season, never started more than 9 games in a season, and has only carried the ball 15 times or more 11 times in 53 games.

So basically in his career he has shown he is not durable and has shown no ability to be a consistent workhorse-type back. This was either (1) bad planning by Reese, (2) bad usage by Coughlin, or both.

every other position group. That said, smart front offices can almost always find find productive RB's without having to spend a ton in free agency or use a high draft pick.

in the draft to take is Todd Gurley.

He would have been a no doubt top 10-12 pick had he simply not played the rest of the season at Georgia after that suspension for the autographs.

Instead, in his first game back, he ran the ball 29 or 30 times and unfortunately tore his ACL.

He's is still likely to go in the 2nd round or even the 3rd unless he blows his pro days and workouts out of the water.

If he returns and is the same player he was at Georgia pre-injury, he is the game changer.

Not sure how teams will look at him.

With a better line, alot of RBs will do well. I believe they'll take an RB but not before the 4th round unless there's a real special value pick.

In comment 12037606 BigBlueinChicago said:

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in the draft to take is Todd Gurley. He would have been a no doubt top 10-12 pick had he simply not played the rest of the season at Georgia after that suspension for the autographs. Instead, in his first game back, he ran the ball 29 or 30 times and unfortunately tore his ACL. He's is still likely to go in the 2nd round or even the 3rd unless he blows his pro days and workouts out of the water. If he returns and is the same player he was at Georgia pre-injury, he is the game changer. Not sure how teams will look at him.

Word is a lot of teams think he will go 15-20. Apparently there was no other damage to his knee than the ACL tear. Unlike Marcus Lattimore. Someone could get a steal since I think he's probably the best RB to come out since Adrian Peterson.

with some speed.

Shane Vereen might be a good fit. you get get one of these on a one- two year contract

I believe in Jennings as a 3 down back, he's part of the solution not the problem. And I'm still optimistic that Andre can be a solid back as part of a rotation. But we need depth because injuries always strike that unit, Jennings had his own nagging ones, a rb with homerun hitting ability would be huge for this offense. Wilson's skill set would be huge for the offense. Don't need to spend a top pick necessarily, but adding a playmaker at rb could go a long way for the offense. Need a rotation

in free agency. Him and Andre Williams would be a great tandem if Jennings gets hurt again

With a 4th round pick or higher or a cheap vet. The resources need to be spent elsewhere. And judging by how RB's have been devalued over the past few years in the draft, I think a decent one could be had in rounds 4-7. Preferably the quick\scat-back type.

They have to fix the OL first, including finding a TE or two who can actually block, then fix the RB situation.

Jennings is a very useful back but he misses time every season. Williams is a very raw prospect who need to develop blocking skills and learn to pick the right holes. Right now he's not much of an asset. Hillis gets the yardage that's there to get and that's all. He's better than some of the garbage they've had in the past but that's about all. Darkwa is an interesting prospect, but the emphasis is on prospect. Cox shows enough to bring him to camp again but he needs to step up this summer.

They need to sign a quality veteran to compliment Jennings and let the rest of them fight it out for the two backup spots.

and you don't have to worry about this.

We have guys that could really feast off decent blocking. You don't need to dream for a high-end RB.

Fix the O-line first and then upgrade RB. If the line is opening holes, you can plug in an average RB and do fine, and the Giants have two okay RBs now in Jennings and Williams.

If the O-line isn't opening holes, then even if you upgrade at RB you won't get the full benefit of that upgrade.

In comment 12037754 Mr. Nickels said:

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in free agency. Him and Andre Williams would be a great tandem if Jennings gets hurt again

Another back who gets injured?

They need a dynamic threat to help out Odell, whether it is a RB, TE, or another WR. It doesn't quite matter to be truthful.

Jennings isn't a bad FA pickup. It is unfortunate they haven't been able to run because of the weakness on the interior and at TE blocking. It also stinks that Wilson's career was cut short so suddenly because I feel McAdoo's offense would have suited him better.

in the 3rd, maybe some one like Tevin Coleman or TJ Yeldon if they last. We need to be able to run more effectively. That means not only fixing the OL but getting a real threat at RB. Jennings is a nice RB but he is not a long term answer. Williams I think is a more complimentary back than a feature back. I think if you can get a Coleman or Yeldon you can recreate Earth, Wind, and Fire. I still think that the 2008 running attack was one of the Giants most dominant ever.

(and not sure if he is under contract next year) but does Chris Johnson have anything left? He might be a nice change of pace, third down back, and might not be too expensive.

in an OL and a TE that can block

In comment 12037782 81_Great_Dane said:

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Fix the O-line first and then upgrade RB. If the line is opening holes, you can plug in an average RB and do fine, and the Giants have two okay RBs now in Jennings and Williams. If the O-line isn't opening holes, then even if you upgrade at RB you won't get the full benefit of that upgrade.

I've always wondered about that but would have to go through the history books.

Is there actual proof in the modern age of football of just an "average RB" who became a greater star because of his o-line that didn't himself have special natural talent?

Also, I think there are two different arguments behind had here...

One side is talking about making the running game simply productive as opposed to what we have seen the last 2 years. Taking 4 yard gains to grind out and consistently move the chains.

The other side (I'm in this camp) is talking about the running game in terms of explosion. Having a player in the backfield that stresses the hell out of defenses and completely change how the offense is defended on every snap. One play it can be 7 yards. The next play it can be 70 for a TD.

Coughlin (assuming he stays) will likely opt for the power game with the 2 backs and grind it out. So it probably eliminates the grand idea.

Do pretty good with average backs, they also do pretty good with average receivers. We need to address both the offensive and defensive lines. We also need another dependable receiver to go along with Beckham on the other side, that in my view is far more important, we also need a tight end that can block and be a threat in the passing game. I am not against adding another back, but you said priority, and to that I say NO WAY. Priority 1 is the offensive line, priority 2 is the defensive line. Priority 3 and 4 is wide receiver and tight end. Priority 5, 6, and 7 is safety, linebacker and tight end, in any order, so in my opinion it is pretty low.

I said tight end when I meant to say cornerback, as far as 5, 6, and 7.

We need a speedy scatback who can take it the distance

Just because he won 2 championships he thinks he knows what he is doing. He is too old now, he forgot all the good and is left with all the bad. That bastard and his power running game.

If a decent one is there after the 3rd round, or the price is right in FA, it could be a good addition.

I like Williams, but it seems amidst the big, power-back hype from both media, and early on, Coughlin, I see a RB who is often either indecisive or soft at the POA, and who SOMETIMES gets taken down surprisingly easy. He sometimes stops, and stops moving his feet. Compare him to Jenkins, or other good RB's who always finish runs. He often doesn't do this.

Before Jenkins got injured, I saw the coaches beginning to give more of the short yardage work to him, so I don't think I'm the only who saw this.

And Williams is a poor receiver. Can he be better? Probably, but if the Giants want a really good RB receiver, they need to go out and get one.

You are so dumb that you really do believe that Coughlin is no good and too old, then before you make a total jackass out of yourself, take a look at the Pats and what they have and what they are doing. If the Giants fix this OLine, they will be ready to contend.

It's hard for a GM to justify a 1st rd selection on a player still recuperating from an injury. He'd be a perfect 2nd rd choice for a rebuilding team like the Giants.

who can catch, sure, but they can be had later in the draft or free agency. The OL is thebig problem with the running game. I have repeatedly watched as out OL get shoved right back into the backfield leaving Williams with no place to go. Give him a decent OL to run behind that will create a few holes and just watch what Andre Williams can do! Our OL should be the priority followed closely by DL and LBs. I think with the players coming back from injury next year our secondary will be fine. Another WR would be a nice option as well as I just don't see Randle as the answer.

a year...wait, we don't?

Yeah, we need a better RB.

is how the Giants roster ended up as depleted as it is.

I would submit junking said Draft board and re-thinking things completely.

In comment 12037896 BigBlueinChicago said:

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In comment 12037782 81_Great_Dane said: Quote: Is there actual proof in the modern age of football of just an "average RB" who became a greater star because of his o-line that didn't himself have special natural talent?

Derrick Ward, I'd say. Just a journeyman back who shined behind a high level offensive line, and made some decent money off it too.

We need a body, ideally an athlete with play making ability. Whether that body is RB1 or RB2, there is an upgrade to be made if we can and it shouldn't matter if that takes carries away from Jennings/Williams. I don't even know how one could argue otherwise.

OL is #1 priority
DL is #2 priority

Take the best available in round 1 or trade down. After that focus on the lines ... especially the OL.

In comment 12038099 GP said:

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I don't even know how one could argue otherwise.

Argument is that the holes to run through are not there. This OL doesn't block for anybody.

Short of spending a 1st round pick on an Adrian Peterson, who might have the ability to make something out of nothing, you'll never get to where you want to be unless you get some blocking.

If Andre Williams gets a block, he can break a play. this OL made one run play all year, Andre's long TD against Tennessee.

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Argument is that the holes to run through are not there. This OL doesn't block for anybody.

Fair enough. I think it's definitely a priority, a top priority is another question. I'm a trenches guy so I agree, build up both lines before losing cap space or picks on a RB. However, I wouldn't be upset if the front office paid or drafted a RB as I see the need for an upgrade.

Can't trust Jennings from a health standpoint.

Pick up a veteran free agent who knows how to pass catch and pass block.

But we still need to add another veteran as insurance. I would focus on someone who could pass block and catch. Bradshaw will be a nice pickup as a 3rd rb if healthy.

I bigger priority will be to look for a dominant blocking tight end and a #2 receiver who could play the outside when cruz goes into the slot.

Not a top priority, but they definitely need another reliable RB

Andre Williams is not a bad runner. He is a quick forceful runner but he needs blocking up front to succeed. Add a road grader or two to the line and see how effective Williams will be. It starts with blocking.

So yes we need a RB this offseason and some new Guards to make them productive.

Makes no sense to find FA running backs though b/c the draft is filled with youthful talent waiting to be run into the ground.

However, we always pick the guys that can't learn how to catch and pass block so...

A priority? Yes, but not as big as the OL. Another offseason devoted to fixing the OL. I think Jennings & Williams can be a nice tandem, though I do worry about Jennings' health.

In comment 12037482 snumber6 said:

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In comment 12037333 ImaGiant86 said: Quote: Can the position be upgraded? Yes. Short, to the point and correct ... The stud RB isn't as important as it once was ...

Agreed- look at a team like Denver or New England for how an O-line can make average RBs look great.