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Jacobs Hopes to Be Giants Short-Yardage Solution
6-4, 265lb back hoping to bowl defenders over.
By Michael Eisen, Giants.com

May 6, 2005

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The object of everyone's attention at the Giants' annual rookie mini-camp is usually the team's top draft choice. Eli Manning's every step and arm movement were recorded and chronicled last year when the top pick in the 2004 NFL Draft stepped onto the practice field for the first time.

Of course, Jacobs is no ordinary running back. He is 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds - that's 25 pounds heavier than Antonio Pierce, the Giants' starting middle linebacker. It also makes him five inches taller and 65 pounds heavier than Tiki Barber, the franchise rushing record-holder he could spell as a reserve and in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

"I love it," Jacobs said of his size. "I think it's a major advantage for me, because of my stride and speed."

The Giants have stressed that they drafted Jacobs as an all-around halfback and not just a short-yardage specialist. But it's no secret they need help traveling short-distances. In 2004, they earned a first down only 13 times in 27 third-and-one situations, a 48 percent success rate. Barber was seven-for-14.

It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to conclude that a back as large as Jacobs could help remedy that situation.

"That is one of the reasons he is here," head coach Tom Coughlin said. "Again, he is capable of more, I think. We are just going to keep working toward that. He is in very good shape, takes real good care of himself. He is very interested. He is very anxious and wants to do things, wants to try, wants to take the reps. Those are all good signs."

So was his effort in today's non-contact practices. Jacobs took handoffs, blew through the hole and quickly reached the secondary. After passing the defensive backs, Jacobs would run an additional 20 or 30 yards.

Given an opportunity, Jacobs would sooner run over some of those defensive players instead of running around them, especially if he's near the goal line.

"It's six points no matter which way I choose to go," Jacobs said. "I think I'm going to go over him, though. You're on the goal line. Don't slow down, don't chitter-chatter. Just get in any way you can without slowing down. That's my natural instinct."

"He is not only tall, he is large," Coughlin said. "He is carrying a lot weight, but he is carrying it very well. His strength is outstanding and he has done a really good job with his body. So let's just see where we go with this thing. He is a big, strong athlete who has good speed and has the desire to want to be a football player and certainly he is going to have every opportunity."

Jacobs grew up in Napoleanville, La., where he led Assumption High School to the state Class 4A semi-finals as a senior when he rushed for 3,022 yards, scored 38 touchdowns and averaged 8.6 yards a carry.

Jacobs played at Auburn in 2003 and was part of a shuttle system at halfback, sharing time with Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams, who were two of the top five picks in this year's draft. He finished second on the team with 72 carries for 446 yards, a 6.2-yard average, and three touchdowns. Hoping to play more, Jacobs again transferred, this time to Division 1-AA Southern Illinois. He was again in a time-share - with Terry Jackson and Arkee Whitlock - but rushed for 992 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards a carry.

"I overpowered a bunch (of players at the 1-AA level)," Jacobs said. "Half the time I just ran away from them. It was great talent down there, but I was determined. I wanted to get here. I wanted it more than anybody else."

Jacobs believes he found the perfect fit with the Giants. So does Jerry Kill, his coach at Southern Illinois, who, like Coughlin, is disciplined and eager to challenge his players.

"I guarantee you this, and I don't go out on a limb too often, that's the best gamble a guy can make, what the Giants did with him," Kill said. "I sure in hell wouldn't want to be the guy who didn't take him. His best years are head of him. He's going to get stronger.

"New York's getting a hard-working, tough, good person, and actually a freak of nature. There are not too many guys who are 6-4, 265 pounds and run like he does. You just don't see 'em. Certainly not at tailback."

But that's where you'll see him with the Giants, vying with Mike Cloud and Derrick Ward for the backup role behind Barber. If his first impression is an accurate indication, Jacobs could make it a very interesting competition.

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