Should RB Be A Priority This Offseason

Can the position be upgraded? Yes.

and please tell Reese that!

But a mid-priced 3rd down back FA is certainly possible. T

we need linebackers.

Too much work if you ask me and not really reasonable to expect.

Instead, we should go out and get a Gale Sayers/Jim Brown/Barry Sanders type of guy.

I have confidence that Williams just needs more experience, vision and patience to find that little crease that Jennings often hits with authority. As the Oline gets better at run blocking, Williams will greatly improve.

Williams is a tough SOB to tackle once he gets moving. It's no wonder he was the leading college rusher in 2013. He will also get better at receiving. Right now, he can make the catch but it looks like me out there. He will get more fluid.

The Giants need to put their $ elsewhere.

and had 2 carries last week and 1 this week? So effectively 6 games missed. And he has never dressed for all 16 games. Do you think he will get healthier and stronger with age?

You bet your ass they need help at RB. Hillis will be gone, possibly Cox as well. Another 3rd through 5th round selection would make sense. Or a well rounded FA veteran.

but it's not a priority position at this time, pretty likely said player would be third string at best.

Fix the OL is priority #1, but it is a need. Jennings is 30 coming off an ankle, Williams is a fine #2.

In comment 12037370 JonC said:

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but it's not a priority position at this time, pretty likely said player would be third string at best.

This. Other more important priorities, although I do agree we need a speed back. The lack of speed on this team at so many positions is alarming.

In comment 12037372 drkenneth said:

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Fix the OL is priority #1, but it is a need. Jennings is 30 coming off an ankle, Williams is a fine #2.

Agree on OL. I think Williams could be a # 1 back. He is improving as a receiver and blocker. But they will nedd more quality depth there

but seems fragile

Jennings is that they get hit in the backfield or run into a stone wall far too often.

who has good speed and can catch the ball well to replace Hillis might add more balance to our group of rb's.

if there's an elixir for this team at one specific position, it's RB.

Giants have decent RBs now. Guys that can at least play but they need one big time RB. A guy that gets mentioned along with the greats. A prime McCoy, Charles, Peterson, Foster, Murray....whoever...we need that kind of player.

RB is not the weakest position on this team but it's the one position that can help ELi take this team to 11 wins next year if a stud was handed the keys.

Want to win 11 games? Get a RB in here worthy of NYG power football.

No idea how we get that guy...I doubt a FA springs free so it may have to come via the draft.

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"No, because we need (insert position here)." It is amazing that people think there is only one position a year that we can upgrade. It is amazing that people think the only way to upgrade the position is with a first round pick. It is amazing that when questions are asked that there is an automatic negative response.

Yes, the running back position needs to be addressed. Yes, the LB position needs to be addressed. Yes, the DL position needs to be addressed. Yes, the cornerback position needs to be addressed. Yes, the safety position needs to be addressed. Yes, the OL position needs to be addressed. Yes, the TE position needs to be addressed. And, yes, the WR position needs to be addressed.

I think that about covers it.

is nothing more than a solid NFL RB. He's never gonna carry this team for an extended period of time. HE's never gonna be the guy that spits out 200 all purpose yards against Dallas in week 13. HE's never gonna be the that takes a swing pass 67 yards late in the game to seal a victory.

Williams might be that guy but I don't see it.

I'd kill for a star RB on this team. We make the playoffs in 2012 with one. We don't lose 9 games in 2013 with one and we just might be in the postseason mix this year with one.

Wilson was a failure. Move on and try again. Don't be afraid to draft another HR hitting RB high just because Wilson didn't work out. Reese's head was in the right place in April 2012 even if the pick turned out to be a huge failure.

We can remedy that situation in more than one way, and it all starts upfront.

going to happen, but really the perfect pickup this offseason would be ray rice. he's going to come at a bargain given the baggage; but he's a veteran, in his prime, can play "beyond the xs and os" and if the giants are serious about making a run next year, he would add another dimension

the giants took a chance on christian peter who was a far worse character than rice, only he played in the pre-smartphone/social media age; they also rehabilitated the career of kerry collins and did everything they could to reform will hill.

RB is a need given the number of question marks about durability/ability, but not as big of a need as the OL/DL and secondary.

In comment 12037346 kepler20 said:

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we need linebackers.

WTF does that even mean?

On second thought, I agree. I think the Giants should draft 6 LBs and sign 4 FA LBs. Fuck the rest of the team.

usually more than once. The last few years I have lost count how many times a Giants RB left yards on the field.

When the RB runs into a brick wall at the LOS, that typicaly means a better RB finds the hole or breaks a tackle and gains 5 yards.

Great RBs make average OLs look great. Average RBs make average OLs look bad.

It stinks, mainly because Walton and Jerry are horrid, especially in the run game. Both are weak and easily pushed back.

more explosion at running back, and by that I mean a guy who can do things as a third down back (run, catch, make big plays).

We see how a Beckum can change the game with speed......our back now are solid, but we need another guy to make it dynamic.

The thing is, you can get a guy like this in the lower rounds, because size usually is an issue with guys as I am describing.

And we still need a hr hitting bad ass RB.

We need richburg at center and another FA guard. And add an OL talent in the draft for depth and added competition.

Star RB takes this offense to the next level.

In comment 12037393 djm said:

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if there's an elixir for this team at one specific position, it's RB. Giants have decent RBs now. Guys that can at least play but they need one big time RB. A guy that gets mentioned along with the greats. A prime McCoy, Charles, Peterson, Foster, Murray....whoever...we need that kind of player. RB is not the weakest position on this team but it's the one position that can help ELi take this team to 11 wins next year if a stud was handed the keys. Want to win 11 games? Get a RB in here worthy of NYG power football. No idea how we get that guy...I doubt a FA springs free so it may have to come via the draft.

Agreed.

The "explosion" in the running game is something that is sorely needed.

Jennings and Williams at their peak are nice "grinders," but neither put a fear into a defense.

Get a guy who can go either 6 yards or 60 on any given play puts incredible fear into the defense.

And now that we see what Odell can do and become in the future, you can really change how teams are forced to defend you.

You want to double Odell? You want to commit to stopping the "explosive, breakaway RB?"

Pick your poison. You can't cover everyone.

It opens up all possibilities. Add in a second WR with size who can go over the top of the defense and you are cooking with some gas.

The pass blocking isn't bad at all. The run blocking typically takes longer to mature but it's getting better.

Keep adding talent all over the roster including OL. But don't act like the rb position is fine and dandy. It's not.

that said Jennings is very good and versatile but clearly can't stay healthily - Williams is a number 2 change of pace back only - with not even average receiving skills. a first rounder would be nice at RB but OL is a priority. Any more Zack Martin's out there?

This roster has holes everywhere, you fill as many as you can via UFA, firstly.

In the draft, if a RB is BPA at any pick and there's one you want, grab him. There's no doubt the roster needs pop and playmaking ability at RB. Just don't reach for a position.

but Jennings is not very good. He's never been very good. He's the quintessential average NFL RB. If you trotted out the 2008 NYG OL he'd be fine but you'd be nervous about his health.

We can do a lot better at RB.

Maybe a smaller, speedier back.

In comment 12037333 ImaGiant86 said:

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Can the position be upgraded? Yes.

Short, to the point and correct ...

The stud RB isn't as important as it once was ...

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