Giant Football Blog

Bradshaw's presence worth something for Giants

Ahmad Bradshaw took the swing pass from Eli Manning on the game’s first play from scrimmage on Sunday and showed what the Giants' offense had been the missing for four games.

Four yards downfield, the running back met Green Bay Packers defenders but kept his feet — one of which he fractured in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins — moving, and fought through four Packers for an extra 3 yards.

Although it was a pass play, it foreshadowed what followed for the Giants running backs and rushing game, which accumulated 100 yards in the 38-35 loss against the Packers — the team’s first 100-yard game since rushing for 111 against the New England Patriots on Nov. 6.

“Ahmad played well and obviously (the) first play hitting a pass to him probably should only be a 2-yard gain, but he makes guys miss and we get 7 yards,” quarterback Eli Manning said. “The next play (was) a run play they had pretty good defense (on), but he was still able to get the first down. I thought he ran hard and obviously when you have that mix with Ahmad and Brandon (Jacobs), I think that throws the defense off a little bit. You have a shifty guy and all of a sudden you bring in Brandon who’s running downhill and powerful.” (continue)

 

Bradshaw looking at Saints game for return to action

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has been held out of practice all week and though it's unlikely he'll suit up against the Eagles Sunday night, he didn't it rule it out completely today.

"I probably could now," Bradshaw said when asked when he would be able to test out his fractured right foot. "But I want to rest it as a much as I can. Maybe there’s a chance I can get out there this week, maybe not."

While Bradshaw remains optimistic, it's more likely he gives it a go against New Orleans the Monday after Thanksgiving.

"Yeah, definitely," Bradshaw said about the possibility of giving it a try next week. "Everyday it’s getting better. We’re going to take it day-by-day. Like I said, I feel good this week, but next week is a different story. I think I’ll be able to jump out there and at least use all my weight on my foot." (continue)

 

Bradshaw hurting

Brandon Jacobs wanted more carries. It seems he’s about to get them because of some bad news on Ahmad Bradshaw.

Tests on Bradshaw's sore right foot this week revealed yet another stress fracture near one of the screws inserted during a previous surgery to alleviate the same issue.

The Giants running back, who briefly left Sunday’s victory over the Miami Dolphins when he aggravated the issue, has missed the past two days of practice and his status for this weekend’s game against the New England Patriots, and beyond, is unclear at this point.

“He’s okay, he’s doing good,” said Jacobs, who is likely to see an increased role even if Bradshaw plays. “We still really don’t know what exactly is wrong with him. I didn’t go into depth, I just felt bad for him. I just wish it could heal and he could get back out there.” (continue)

Bradshaw getting the short yardage work

Twice on Opening Day the Giants needed one little yard to keep a drive alive, and twice they couldn't get it. Both times they handed the ball to 5-10, 214-pound running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

Both times, the 6-4, 264-pound Brandon Jacobs watched helplessly from the sidelines.

So why not send in one of the biggest running backs in the league? Why not let him plow straight up the middle and take the first down by force?

"Unfortunately you've seen it not work, haven't you?" said Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "That's your answer."

It's true, despite a huge running back and a powerful offensive line, the short-yardage game has been a problem for the Giants for the last several years. It's why they took the job from Jacobs last year and gave it to Bradshaw in the first place. Despite Jacobs' size, one yard sometimes seemed like a mile. (continue)

Giants sign Bradshaw to a four year deal

It only took a week, but the Giants have finally completed their priority of the frenzied free agency period and agreed to terms with Ahmad Bradshaw. The running back will return to the Giants under a four-year deal, although other terms were not immediately available. Sources confirmed the agreement.

Bradshaw had been courted by other teams during his availability, including the Dolphins, Redskins and Bengals. He was scheduled to visit the Bengals on Monday, but they re-signed Cedric Benson before Bradshaw traveled to Cincinnati

The Giants had made an offer to Bradshaw early in free agency and may have upped the ante -- if not the offer -- by bringing free agent running back Jason Snelling in for a visit today. Snelling was in the building when the Giants agreed to terms with Bradshaw, and it is not believed that the Giants will pursue him further. The Giants also reworked a contract with running back Brandon Jacobs, trimming some of his base salary to create more cap space to sign Bradshaw. (continue)

Will Jacobs restructure for Bradshaw?

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs spent last season splitting carries. If they hope to do so this year, they may have to split some money.

While the Giants pursue Bradshaw, an unrestricted free agent coming off a well-timed career season, they have spent time the last two days talking to Jacobs about restructuring his contract. Jacobs has two years remaining and is due $4.65 million in base salary in 2011. He has said in the past he would be agreeable to a slight reduction in that number.

The Giants might need it if they hope to retain Bradshaw. With DeAngelo Williamsagreeing to return to the Panthers Wednesday on a deal that will reportedly pay him $21 million in guaranteed money, the price tag for a 1,000-yard rusher was established. (continue)

Giants have upper hand with Bradshaw

Ahmad Bradshaw’s interview on a Miami radio station this afternoon was like one of his runs: it involved multiple changes of direction.

The Giants’ free agent running back gave mixed signals as to whether he’ll return to the team that drafted him in the seventh round four years ago. On the one hand, he talked up a return to the Giants, praised the New York-New Jersey area and showed love for Tom Coughlin. But on the other, he fanned the flames of talk he’ll soon be a Dolphin by saying it would "look good" to be in a Miami uniform and that he would like to play for Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

Of course, Bradshaw realizes the Giants will have first crack.

“It’s all in the Giants’ hands. I want to be a Football Giant, I love the Giants’ organization,” Bradshaw said during an interview with WQAM's Sid Rosenberg. “It’s all a process, it’s a business, man. I just have to go with the flow and see what happens. (continue)

Bradshaw stirring the pot (or at least his agent is)

The Giants' biggest priority in free agency is re-signing running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who is coming off a career year with 1,235 yards and eight touchdowns.

Well, there could be some competition.

Bradshaw's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said in a radio interview yesterday that Bradshaw could be in the running to join the Miami Dolphins.

"I represent Ahmad. He's training here in Miami and would be very interested in the Dolphins," Bradshaw's agent Drew Rosenhaus told Sports Xtra, per Omar Kelly on Twitter. "If they (Dolphins) are interested in Ahmad (Bradshaw), we're interested back." (continue)

 

Bradshaw surgery went well

Ahmad Bradshaw underwent yet another ankle surgery this past weekend. This one was to clean up his left ankle — one year after he had a procedure on his right ankle.

Bradshaw said during a session with reporters at the Super Bowl the surgery was to be performed on Feb. 12 and it appears that was the case.

"Wish me luck" he wrote on his Twitter account on Saturday. The following day, he tweeted, "Everything went great thanks for the well wishes!" (Ledger)

Bradshaw hurting but will play

Ahmad Bradshaw is not worried that the wrist injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday will affect him Sunday against the Vikings. The running back said that he fell on it sometime during the Giants win over the Redskins Sunday, but he felt well enough to practice Thursday.

"It's good. No problems, I feel good today," Bradshaw said after practice. "I fell on it a little bit, just a sore wrist, we fall a lot, put it down a lot, they both hurt, so nothing different."

Bradshaw already had trouble holding the ball. He's fumbled six times this season, but did not seem concerned a sore wrist could hinder his ability to hold the ball. (News)