The New York Giants had a less than pleasant start to the 2013 NFL season, and are in deep trouble when it comes to their running back situation, bringing them to try and get something out of those remaining without a team, as Brandon Jacobs and Willis McGahee get their attention and possibly a contract if they impress in workouts.
McGahee and Jacobs aren’t the only players the Giants have been looking at since Sunday and their 31-36 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which came attached to six turnovers, including two by David Wilson. Andre Brown is injured, which means Tom Coughlin has only one back to use – David Wilson, but he’s not someone he trusts at the moment. Michael Cox and Da’Rel Scott aren’t seriously considered options.
So Jonathan Dwyer, Beanie Wells and others have been arriving to the Giants’ facilities in their frantic attempt to find a running back by Sunday, when they have to face the Denver Broncos at Metlife.
Jacobs is the healthier of options if it comes down to him and McGahee, but he ran only 5 times for the San Francisco 49ers last season before being released in December. Willis McGahee is coming off a torn knee ligament which caused him to be released by the Broncos in June, but he did run for 731 yards on 167 carries. He’s slightly older than Jacobs, but a bit more productive, if he’s bounced back well from his injury.
Jacobs is the more sentimental choice. He has been on the Giants squad from 2005 to 2011, running for over 1000 yards twice and being a part of two Super Bowl victories. However, the Giants didn’t really make too much of an effort to hold on to him after the 2011 season, and it’s hard to believe too much has changed since then, which should give McGahee the edge in the competition for the job.