With contracts being worked out with running backs and people getting paid top dollar like Marion Barber and Micahel Turner where does Brandon Jacobs stand. Brandon Jacobs missed around 5 games last year and still produced a 1,000 yd season. He is a big part of our offense and showed flashes that he can handle the load. But he also showed fumbles and drop screen passes. My question is should the Giants pay him as being a featured back??? The Giants like to go to change of pace style of running in the second half. My opinion is to pay him now as a featured back since we can have Ahmad Bradshaw at a cheap price for now. I can see Brandon Jacobs being the next Eddie George before he got hurt. But the money going out to running backs that have yet to preimere running back on their team is outrageous.
Barber, a restricted free agent, received a $45 million, seven-year contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed bonuses. It's worth $21 million over the first three years, all of which puts him in the salary range of LaDainian Tomlinson, Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson -- heady stuff for a guy whose only career start came in his last game.
Wow great question, I really don't think he can get Barbers numbers, may be an increase of sorts. Like you said he has some problems with his game yet to be getting a big pay day. He needs to be more consistent with his play and health issue. Lets see what he can do this year, he really needs to prove that he can stay on the field. He could wind up being a role player in short yardage situations.
Bradshaw showed he can be tuff also, plus is very quick getting to the line of scrimmage. Ward is another capable back, a great lixury to have such good backs. All three backs have been injured last year.
I think Jacobs could get alot more if he could stay on the field. He's bigger than Barber, doesn't break as many tackles, but is actually faster (Jacobs can gallop). However, in the playoffs, aside from manhandling Charles Woodson (twice), he didn't do much. That 4th and 1 alone earns him some money, but his ypc average went from 5.1 to about 3.3. That's a huge drop - even if he was used against strong D's and in short yardage situations. By comparison, Bradshaw finished well over 4 (close to 5) facing the same teams.
Jacobs should still be the featured back, IMO, and will actually benefit from having a Ward, Bradshaw platoon. He may not see the huge money, but his career will last longer and he can be used effectively to wear down D's while Ward/Bradshaw deliver the knockout punch. Exciting times in Giantville =)
I think Marion Barber is a terrific back as much as I like Brandon Jacobs. But I think it was foolish of the Cowboys to have invested so much money for a long period of time on Barber. What we have in these two backs are Earl Campbell. Both hard runners, athletic and like to pound on the defense.
Look at what happened to Earl Campbell. He didn't have a long career and was plagued with injuries in the latter part of his career. Marion Barber's running style, unless he's super-human, will cause him injuries and a shortened career. Therefore, money down the drain for the cowboys, especially depending on the guaranteed money clause.
As far as Brandon Jacobs goes, I wouldn't give him more than a four year contract. With his running style and the beating he's gonna take, he'll last six years. If he could only learn how to not run so upright.
The one good thing that could come out of the abandonment of the CBA is that Jacobs will be easier to keep at low cost. Basically since 2010 will be an uncapped year if a new CBA isn't signed all 2005 draft picks will need 6 years of playing to be eligible for free agency rather than 4. This means that Barber would be a restricted free agent and we would hold right of first refusal as well as be compensated if another team successfully signs him. This same issue will affect Ronnie Brown, Shawne Merriman, Braylon Edwards, and the rest of the 2005 draft class. I have a feeling that unless a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed to all of these players' agents will be very busy trying to push deals through now rather than wait since they won't have any leverage after the season.
Tough, tough call. History and precedent indicate to us that 3 years from now Brandon Jacobs won't be playing football in the NFL any longer. Being far from your protypical NFL running back ( 5'11".....212 lbs) , the bigger backs of recent years appear to have even shorter careers. I hope this is not the case for Brandon Jacobs, but likely it will pan out that way. I guess the current flock of bigger than average backs bear out the dismal statistics once again. Stephen Jackson, Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander and Jacobs all fall into this category to a greater or lesser degree. GM's around the league do not lose sleep over RB contracts any longer as they are considered disposable and easily renewable assets. There are always exceptions, like Philly's Michael Westbrook. But then again, he's the entire Offensive Package for the team.
(Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be [ BIG] running backs.)
