(Confirmed) Giants trade for Reuben Droughns

[Oldskool]

http://www.kffl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199842

Tim Carter for R. Droughns.

Per Sirius NFL radio.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2793305

Filling their need for a proven running back to team with youngster Brandon Jacobs, the New York Giants on Friday acquired Reuben Droughns from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for wide receiver Tim Carter, ESPN.com has learned.

Cleveland has been shopping Droughns in trade talks since signing unrestricted free agent tailback Jamal Lewis to a one-year contract earlier this week. The Giants were seeking a tailback to replace the retired Tiki Barber.

Droughns, 28, should provide the Giants a solid insurance policy and a veteran and tested back who can share the ball-carrying chores with Jacobs, a two-year veteran. Jacobs has been the complementary back to Barber, playing mostly in short-yardage and goal-line situations in his two NFL seasons.

[sableholic]

interesting, so the Browns must be really comfortable with Lewis. That or they are still taking Peterson.

[ceviker]

Interesting. I'm ok with seeing RD twice a year - I don't think he's much of anything.

[ceviker]

interesting, so the Browns must be really comfortable with Lewis. That or they are still taking Peterson.

They're 100% taking Peterson. They only signed lewis for 1 year. I think the reason they signed Lewis is because there is talk of the Lions trading down and a team going ahead of the Browns to take Peterson before them. Just my :2cents:

[lovetoaster]

If I were a Giants fan, this move would not really get me excited. I am not much on Droughns, although they would not be giving up much in this deal.


I thought they would try to get a quicker back to compliment Jacobs, not one that has a similar skill set.

[The Burgundy Rhino]

I think if nobody trades for him, the Browns would just outright release him.

[nightbird]

Meh, this doesn't scare me.

Droughns showed some stuff in Denver, but who hasn't? Plus he's no spring chicken either

[deejaydana]

For a moment I though that opening post said "Tom Carter" was that guy a CB bust or what?

[Blue Hefner 58]

Droughns doesn't scare you...But who's starting? B. Jacobs :D

[OWUeagleMD]

Droughns doesn't scare you...But who's starting? B. Jacobs :D

Neither of them scare me. And their essentially the same player. Bizzarre move if true.

[bubba9497]

Droughns doesn't scare you...But who's starting? B. Jacobs :D



nope, no fear

[InTikiITrust]

GREAT move for the Giants. Love it.

[Dirk Diggler]

The Browns have boxed themselves in with the Lewis signing and won't be able to get much for Droughns. He has a roster bonus due in a week and every team but New York and Green Bay has their backfields set. A player that in my mind has 3rd to 4th round value can now be had for next to nothing.

Droughns has proven ability and could get you 1200 yards per year over the next 2-3 years. He's the consummate hard-nosed pro who will get what's there, pick up the blitz, and play hurt.

Tim Carter is complete garbage - he looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. He had the opportunity to step up (in his 5th season now) when Amani Toomer went down last year and couldn't get it done. He's like a bigger version of Taylor Jacobs.

This is robbery if it goes down.

[TC4]

It's up on ESPNews now too

[lovetoaster]

The Browns have boxed themselves in with the Lewis signing and won't be able to get much for Droughns. He has a roster bonus due in a week and every team but New York and Green Bay has their backfields set. A player that in my mind has 3rd to 4th round value can now be had for next to nothing.

Droughns has proven ability and could get you 1200 yards per year over the next 2-3 years. He's the consummate hard-nosed pro who will get what's there, pick up the blitz, and play hurt.

Tim Carter is complete garbage - he looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. He had the opportunity to step up (in his 5th season now) when Amani Toomer went down last year and couldn't get it done. He's like a bigger version of Taylor Jacobs.

This is robbery if it goes down.

Excellent assessment Dirk. But it would still seem to me that he would be a better fit GB than with the Giants. But I guess the G-Men made a better offer. What could be a worse offer than Carter?

Maybe a boatload of that cheesehead-type apparel that never caught on. Some ties maybe?

http://www.cheesehead.com/imageresize.asp?path=cheese04.jpg

[Arsenic]

I think the two Giants I fear most have already left the team (or are about to leave the team) Tiki + Strahan.

[Arsenic]

GREAT move for the Giants. Love it.

"If you get McGahee or not, he is infinitely better than Brandon Jacobs. The fact you called him a just a change of pace for Jacobs makes me question all of your football knowledge."

I agree with Westbrook about this. You guys should have traded for Mcgahee. Since when did Brandon Jacobs become a #1 option?

[InTikiITrust]

"If you get McGahee or not, he is infinitely better than Brandon Jacobs. The fact you called him a just a change of pace for Jacobs makes me question all of your football knowledge."

I agree with Westbrook about this. You guys should have traded for Mcgahee. Since when did Brandon Jacobs become a #1 option?

Why give up 3 picks for a guy who is extremely average in terms of production?

And since Tiki Barber retired.

[Arsenic]

Why give up 3 picks for a guy who is extremely average in terms of production?

And since Tiki Barber retired.

I know he hasn't been given the opportunity to be the #1 guy, but he also hasn't proven himself yet. Mcgahee has proven to be a good starter in this league; all Brandon Jacobs has proven is that he's a decent-good goalline back, who benefited from Tikis work, how many touchdowns did Jacobs take from Tiki? How many touchdowns did Tiki have?

[No_Pressure]

It's a good move, its just...well...the only thing that could kill us repeatedly no matter what was Tiki Barber. He is gone. Everything else just seems like a good thing for our defense.

[Fifty Gut]

:laugh: Jacobs and Droughns? are you ****ing kidding me?

[Arsenic]

:laugh: Jacobs and Droughns? are you ****ing kidding me?

Droughs Averaged 3.4 yards a carry last year and had 4 TDs :laugh: We're supposed to be frightened? :rolleyes:

[CalSkinsFan]

Another thing worth mentioning is that both Droughns and Jacobs aren't backs that create their own holes and yards like Tiki. They both are pretty much straight ahead types, and need a top notch o-line to put up the great numbers.

I don't see the Giants as having such a line.

Mcgahee can at least can create on his own a bit, still not in Tiki's class tho, few backs are.

:2cents:

[ptr77]

Droughs Averaged 3.4 yards a carry last year and had 4 TDs :laugh: We're supposed to be frightened? :rolleyes:


LOL, you guys are all looking at this trade 100% wrong. The giants traded their 4th wr, who is a bust and has bad hands and runs bad routes. They traded him for a proven 1200 yard rusher twice in his career who can handle playing a full season. This does not mean the giants are not still looking at rhodes to split time with BJ or that they aren't going to draft guys like pittman, walker, booker, lynch, wolfe, etc... Tim Carter was a likely cut (moss drafted to play and carter is a bust) and droughns was a likely cut, by doing this trade the two teams just traded two guys who weren't succeeding in their present locations. Its not a big move and its not the solution to tiki retiring, but if BJ goes down or the giants don't get a smaller shiftier back, droughns and jacobs can combine for an average rushing attack at the very least behind the giants oline. The cleveland oline droughns had is not even comparable to the giants oline imo, and he did gain 1200 yards a season ago with over 4 ypc.

[ptr77]

Another thing worth mentioning is that both Droughns and Jacobs aren't backs that create their own holes and yards like Tiki. They both are pretty much straight ahead types, and need a top notch o-line to put up the great numbers.

I don't see the Giants as having such a line.

Mcgahee can at least can create on his own a bit, still not in Tiki's class tho, few backs are.

:2cents:

I totally disagree about Jacobs. Check his ypc, pretty dang good for a short yardage and goallline back. Droughns you are right though, he needs a hole to hit, but once he is through he gains tough yards. Droughns needs a head of steam and a hole to be effective, Jacobs has been running in short yardage and goalline with teams knowing he's coming, I'd say he can make his own holes. Tiki NEVER made his own holes, he cut back to an alternate opening or changed his direction entirely.

[McMetal]

LOL, you guys are all looking at this trade 100% wrong. The giants traded their 4th wr, who is a bust and has bad hands and runs bad routes. They traded him for a proven 1200 yard rusher twice in his career who can handle playing a full season. This does not mean the giants are not still looking at rhodes to split time with BJ or that they aren't going to draft guys like pittman, walker, booker, lynch, wolfe, etc... Tim Carter was a likely cut (moss drafted to play and carter is a bust) and droughns was a likely cut, by doing this trade the two teams just traded two guys who weren't succeeding in their present locations. Its not a big move and its not the solution to tiki retiring, but if BJ goes down or the giants don't get a smaller shiftier back, droughns and jacobs can combine for an average rushing attack at the very least behind the giants oline. The cleveland oline droughns had is not even comparable to the giants oline imo, and he did gain 1200 yards a season ago with over 4 ypc.


Sounds like that ill-fated Mike Rumph/Taylor Jacobs trade that helped neither team...just swapping garbage.

[Arsenic]

This does not mean the giants are not still looking at rhodes to split time with BJ

Didn't Rhodes get snatched up by the Raiders? You guys might have to give up some draft picks to get him, they're not gonna sign the guy and then just trade em' to the Giants for nothing.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/OAK/10050730

I think you most certianly have to draft a guy - I would expect Droughns to be a short term option.

[ptr77]

Sounds like that ill-fated Mike Rumph/Taylor Jacobs trade that helped neither team...just swapping garbage.

It is a lot like that. But Droughns, if healthy for a season behind an average oline can gain 1200 yards at 4 yards a pop, and Tim Carter can really stretch the field, its just whether his hands and eyes are working. I would of much rather had rhodes and drafted booker or pittman. I think the giants draft a shifty back, because right now they have 3 north south runners who aren't great pass catchers.

[pjfootballer]

The Giants did themselves a favor by picking this guy up. He'll be the workhorse before Jacobs. Jacobs is too big, runs too upright and too straight ahead to be a 25 carry back. Plus with you guys losing your best blocker IMO Petitgout, Jacobs would have been stopped for 2 yard gains. The guy shows flashes and is a great back to have around the goal line, but if you guys were really counting on him to be an everydown back, you were just fooling yourselves. Good move for the Giants until they can draft/buy a stud RB.

[ptr77]

Didn't Rhodes get snatched up by the Raiders? You guys might have to give up some draft picks to get him, they're not gonna sign the guy and then just trade em' to the Giants for nothing.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/OAK/10050730

I think you most certianly have to draft a guy - I would expect Droughns to be a short term option.

Thanks for the update, never saw that. Did this happen before the droughns trade? That would make a lot of sense to why reese did this.

[twenty-eight]

Good move by the Giantsp; getting something for nothing.

Whats Droughns contract like? Didnt he get a new deal when he got to Clev?

[ptr77]

Good move by the Giantsp; getting something for nothing.

Whats Droughns contract like? Didnt he get a new deal when he got to Clev?

I have read it is 1.25 mill for this year. Carters would be less than a mill i think.

[twenty-eight]

I know Carter is considred a bust, and he had a hard time staying healthy...but wasnt he playing well last season?


Or was that just against the skins??:doh:

And the browns are gonna cut him, right? They have enough ****ty recievers

[ptr77]

I know Carter is considred a bust, and he had a hard time staying healthy...but wasnt he playing well last season?


Or was that just against the skins??:doh:

No he never played well against anyone in the nfl ever, imo.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302183

Remember he was the #2 wr last year as soon after toomer went down. He just can't run routes and he lacks concentration. He has world class speed and is/was ripped like nobody's business though.

[twenty-eight]

Yeah he caught a td against us. Didnt do much else though....I remember him dropping a sure TD or something:whoknows:

[CalSkinsFan]

I totally disagree about Jacobs. Check his ypc, pretty dang good for a short yardage and goallline back. Droughns you are right though, he needs a hole to hit, but once he is through he gains tough yards. Droughns needs a head of steam and a hole to be effective, Jacobs has been running in short yardage and goalline with teams knowing he's coming, I'd say he can make his own holes. Tiki NEVER made his own holes, he cut back to an alternate opening or changed his direction entirely.

I took your advice and looked up Jacobs' numbers. You are correct, he has a solid 4.4 ypc, but that is while only averaging 6 carries per game. I would suspect that maintaining that average while carrying the rock 15-20 times for a full 16 games would be significantly tougher.

I'm not knocking Droughns so much, a solid back and he came cheaply enough, but I think spending the extra picks/money to get someone like Mcgahee with some break away speed would have been a better choice. Even more so when you consider how shakey Eli has been recently ... a more dominant running game would help him immensly.

And of course that is what I meant by Tiki "creating" his own. It will be near impossible, at least in the short term, to replace Tiki and everything he meant to that offence, rushing and receiving. I certainly won't miss him :D .

[HeHateMe]

No chance Droughns plays in all 16 games.

I'm taking Portis/Betts and Jones/Barber over this duo every day of the week.

I'll reserve judgment on whether the Eagle tandem is better until they land a #2 RB.

[ptr77]

No chance Droughns plays in all 16 games.

I'm taking Portis/Betts and Jones/Barber over this duo every day of the week.

I'll reserve judgment on whether the Eagle tandem is better until they land a #2 RB.

Good for you. Call me when Julius jones gains over 1100 yards. Or is marion barber sooo much better than Jacobs because he plays for the cowboys?

[twenty-eight]

Good for you. Call me when Julius jones gains over 1100 yards. Or is marion barber sooo much better than Jacobs because he plays for the cowboys?

You serious?

Barber > Jacobs

Jones>Droughns


Jacobs/Droughns are pretty much the same kind of back. Reuben was a FB in Denver before being moved to RB

[ptr77]

You serious?

Barber > Jacobs

Jones>Droughns


Jacobs/Droughns are pretty much the same kind of back. Reuben was a FB in Denver before being moved to RB

[Arsenic]

You serious?

Barber > Jacobs

Jones>Droughns


Jacobs/Droughns are pretty much the same kind of back. Reuben was a FB in Denver before being moved to RB

I would have to agree. I would take Jones and Barber over Droughns and Jacobs, any day of the week - even on Saturdays, when I'm drinking heavily and not thinking so clearly.

[ptr77]

You serious?

Barber > Jacobs

Jones>Droughns


Jacobs/Droughns are pretty much the same kind of back. Reuben was a FB in Denver before being moved to RB

I wasn't saying Droughns is better than jones or jacobs is better than barber, the cowboy fan just seems to think it is soooo far apart. Julius Jones has been a disappointment and Droughns has been more productive for Jones's entire career. Droughns career ypc is 3.9, jones's is 4.0. I don't know why you are sticking up for jones, the guy averages .1 more yard per carry than denver's former 2nd string fullback. Jones has 1 season over 1000 yards the last 3 years, Droughns has 2 season over 1200 the last 3 years. Droughns also wasn't running behind pro bowlers like gurode and flozell adams and former probowlers like rivera and allen. The cleveland line sucked. To say barber and jacobs are comparable is not a stretch, and to say jones and drouhgns are comparable is not stretch either. I suppose Jones is a "breakaway threat" but his career 4.0 ypc and career 13 20+ runs don't make him out to be one (droughns has 16 the last 3 years). Jones's career long is 77 and droughns's is 75 (with the browns). Droughns even beats jones as a receiving threat. I believe when healthy he can play like he did a year ago behind a bad cleveland line, and if he can't he is still good depth.

[twenty-eight]

You also have to look at them as a tandem. Droughns and Jacobs are very similar, Giants need to get a change of pace/third down back. Droughns had two good years, one with clevland, I dont pay much attention to the year he had with denver. He was banged up last season and almost lost his job to Jerome Harrison & Jason Wright

[ptr77]

You also have to look at them as a tandem. Droughns and Jacobs are very similar, Giants need to get a change of pace/third down back. Droughns had two good years, one with clevland, I dont pay much attention to the year he had with denver. He was banged up last season and almost lost his job to Jerome Harrison & Jason Wright


You can look at them as the same back, but jacobs can bust out some long gains, so can droughns (more than jones can actually). Droughns is a good pass catcher, and pass blocker, jacobs has been very good as pass blocking. You can also look at it as an oppurtunity for the giants. When Jacobs or droughns is in and toomer, moss, shockey, and burress are on the field teams must respect the deep ball and shockey can't be covered just by a linebacker, and both droughns and jacobs can run with 8 men in the box. There will be less big gains that tiki would of got, but i would expect if they both do start there would be a lot more consistent 4 and 5 yard gains and moving the chains. I could see these guys wearing teams down and moving the chains slowly but consistently. I don't see them ever coming close to tiki's big breakaways though. When teams limited tiki from the big gains, the offense sputtered because they couldn't muster consistent positive yardage on the ground. I'm hoping they draft booker or pittman and slowly bring him along like they did with tiki.

[HeHateMe]

Good for you. Call me when Julius jones gains over 1100 yards. Or is marion barber sooo much better than Jacobs because he plays for the cowboys?

Call me when Droughns and Jacobs put up the numbers Jones and Barber did last season.

[ptr77]

Call me when Droughns and Jacobs put up the numbers Jones and Barber did last season.

I will give you a shout if/when that happens. You don't think they can put up 1700 yards? Thats not exactly some high standard you are setting for them. If droughns and jacobs start and play the full season i would think they could gain 1700 yards between them, unless ward and a draft pick takes some carries.

[HeHateMe]

I wasn't saying Droughns is better than jones or jacobs is better than barber, the cowboy fan just seems to think it is soooo far apart.

Infer that all you want. I didnt say it.

Your insecurity at the RB position and satisfaction with the overall Giant offseason has clouded your thoughts.

I, like even the biggest Cowboy haters on this site, are taking the Dallas RB tandem over the Giants one.

Plain and simple.

It's ok to be satisfied with those two RBs, theyre decent, for sure. But the running game in New York right now is battling with Philly for the 3rd spot in the NFCE.

[HeHateMe]

I will give you a shout if/when that happens. You don't think they can put up 1700 yards? Thats not exactly some high standard you are setting for them. If droughns and jacobs start and play the full season i would think they could gain 1700 yards between them, unless ward and a draft pick takes some carries.

They can and probably will break the 1,700 yard barrier combined.

But 18 rushing TDs combined? And 20 total TDs combined?

I highly doubt it.

Droughns had 4 rushing TDs last season, and 2 the year before.

And he was the only RB that Cleveland had.

[ptr77]

They can and probably will break the 1,700 yard barrier combined.

But 18 rushing TDs combined? And 20 total TDs combined?

I highly doubt it.

I would agree there. The giants love passing in the redzone, i hope that would change now that Jacobs and droughns are the two top backs. Tiki never had the power for running inside the 20.

[HeHateMe]

I would agree there. The giants love passing in the redzone, i hope that would change now that Jacobs and droughns are the two top backs. Tiki never had the power for running inside the 20.

I'm not saying Droughns isnt a viable RB.

But check his numbers since Denver.

He peaked behind the best run blocking offensive line in the NFL.

Since then his numbers have steadily declined behind a line which wasnt nearly as good.

And the Giants line run blocking wise, is a lot closer to Cleveland's than it is to Denver's.

[ptr77]

I'm not saying Droughns isnt a viable RB.

But check his numbers since Denver.

He peaked behind the best run blocking offensive line in the NFL.

Since then his numbers have steadily declined behind a line which wasnt nearly as good.

And the Giants line run blocking wise, is a lot closer to Cleveland's than it is to Denver's.

Remind me again how the giants run game has been the last three years? I'd say the giants oline isnt alot closer to cleveland's than denver's. He had 1200 yards behind the cleveland line in 05 and then he was injured and the line was in flux all of 06. I can't wait for you to tell me how tiki made the oline look good, even with horrible kurt warner and eli "bust" manning.

[KDawg]

Between the Dallas RBs and the NYG RBs I'm taking Jones/Barber all day. I think Marion Barber is extremely underrated and is an opportunity away from being big time.

I'd put Jones on par with a Reuben Droughns. Although, I'd have to say the edge goes to Jones when being compared with Droughns. And Barber is a much better all around back than Brandon Jacobs.

Now, if we're talking goal line? I'd take the Giants combo over the Cowboy combo...

[ptr77]

Between the Dallas RBs and the NYG RBs I'm taking Jones/Barber all day. I think Marion Barber is extremely underrated and is an opportunity away from being big time.

I'd put Jones on par with a Reuben Droughns. Although, I'd have to say the edge goes to Jones when being compared with Droughns. And Barber is a much better all around back than Brandon Jacobs.

Now, if we're talking goal line? I'd take the Giants combo over the Cowboy combo...

Why is Barber much better all around than Jacobs? I agree Barber is proven more because he has 140 more carries than Jacobs and plays better jones (who can get 1000 yards), but Jacobs is one heck of a pass blocker and I have read the reason parcells continued to use jones was because barber couldn't recognize blitzes well enough or pass block well enough. Barber had 15 more receptions last year for 50 more yards than Jacobs so neither is amazing as pass catchers, but Jacobs rarely was usually blocking, running, or on the bench. Tiki was the giants pass catching back. If the cowboys go to barber all game i could see him putting up 1500 yards as long as he stays healthy. Jones is the thing holding barber back. I think Jacobs potential is just as high as barber's as long as he stays healthy, that is the only question with Jacobs. Neither back has carried the load yet and neither has had the oppurtunity, sadly for both i doubt they get the oppurtunity next year.

[HeHateMe]

Now, if we're talking goal line? I'd take the Giants combo over the Cowboy combo...

I dont even know if combined Droughns and Jacobs will get 14 rushing TDs next season.

[Skins4481]

Although Droughns isn't anything special, it was a good move by the Giants getting a back who has produced in the past for nothing. Are they better than Jones/Barber? Not even close, IMO. Jones can take it to the house on any play and Barber can gain the tough yards and always seems to find the endzone. Droughns is a slightly better back than Jones but Barber is a much better back than Jacobs.

RB duos in the NFC East
1.CP/Betts :)
2.Westbrook/whoever
3.JJ/Barber
4.Droughns/Jacobs

[IronMike]

This is a good signing by the NYG. They get a big veteran back who can put up decent numbers. He may be a short term player, but he gives them a very good option in their tandem running game. And he buys them time to draft and groom a top-notch replacement for Tiki. Note how almost all the teams are now transitioning to 2-back offenses.

:gaintsuck

[InTikiITrust]

Some major Brandon Jacobs hate going on here...

[HeHateMe]

Some major Brandon Jacobs hate going on here...

Not hate.

He just hasnt proved anything to anyone except being a viable 3rd down/goal line back who can carry the ball 5-10 times a game.

He'll get his due if and when he earns it.

But it shows a lot when the Giants go out and get an RB like Droughns who is a #1 RB that is a workhorse.

Two-headed monsters at the RB spot are great. Trust me, I know.

But when you supposedly have the future at RB, and you bring in another RB who will probably get more carries and be more involved in the offense, it does say something about the general consensus of that RB of the future.

[bulldog]

the truth is that Barber was the anchor of the Giants offense. Not only was he the leading rusher but also was one of the better receiving backs in the league. Droughns and Jacobs are standard, single skill backs that can be defensed. Barber was a guy that even when the right defense was called could get out in space and make you look silly with great one on one ability.

That will be missed in NY in 2007 believe me.

[Tom [Giants fan]]

If I'm not mistaken, not too many people were scared of Tiki Barber before he became the Giants every down back. And now people are saying the same thing about Jacobs. Droughns is going to be a solid backup. I have every confidence in Jacobs being the go to guy and being spelled by Droughns. Doubt it all you want. I hope it is Tiki Barber biting other teams and their fans in the a**es again.

[HeHateMe]

']If I'm not mistaken, not too many people were scared of Tiki Barber before he became the Giants every down back. And now people are saying the same thing about Jacobs. Droughns is going to be a solid backup. I have every confidence in Jacobs being the go to guy and being spelled by Droughns. Doubt it all you want. I hope it is Tiki Barber biting other teams and their fans in the a**es again.

Problem is that Droughns is the better back right now and as long as he's given his fair shake at the starting gig, he should outproduce Jacobs.

[ptr77]

Problem is that Droughns is the better back right now and as long as he's given his fair shake at the starting gig, he should outproduce Jacobs.

WTF????

So in your opinion julius jones is better than marion barber, or was he not given a fair shake? So droughns is better than barber too? And all starters in the league are better than barber? I want to see you try to explain how your biasness doesn't affect your view opinion of Jacobs.

[HeHateMe]

WTF????

So in your opinion julius jones is better than marion barber, or was he not given a fair shake? So droughns is better than barber too? And all starters in the league are better than barber? I want to see you try to explain how your biasness doesn't affect your view opinion of Jacobs.

No, Barber wasnt drafted to compete with Jones for the starting RB spot.

His role is 3rd down/goal line/change of pace back.

It always has been. I have reservations myself as to whether he could handle the load of 20-25 carries a game and be as effective as he is now.

He is what he is right now and is successful at it. So why change? Maybe, at some point, he will be called upon to be the starting back. And I'll be interested then to see if he can handle it.

But until then, I like the system Dallas has utilized. And I think they do too considering the results.

Droughns is supposedly being brought in to compete for the starting RB spot.

I can assure you he isnt heading into camp with the mentality that hes going to backup an inferior RB.

[ptr77]

No, Barber wasnt drafted to compete with Jones for the starting RB spot.

His role is 3rd down/goal line/change of pace back.

It always has been. I have reservations myself as to whether he could handle the load of 20-25 carries a game and be as effective as he is now.

He is what he is right now and is successful at it. So why change? Maybe, at some point, he will be called upon to be the starting back. And I'll be interested then to see if he can handle it.

But until then, I like the system Dallas has utilized. And I think they do too considering the results.

Droughns is supposedly being brought in to compete for the starting RB spot.

I can assure you he isnt heading into camp with the mentality that hes going to backup an inferior RB.

Of course droughns doesn't think that, but you do realize the giants traded him for their 4th wr, he was brought in because at the very least he adds more depth and ability at rb than carter ever added at wr. I doubt either wins the "starter" role because i think BJ will get all short yardage and goalline and droughns will get 10-15 carries a game if all goes well. Its kind of obvious the giants plan is a two running back style, even if jacobs doesn't win the "starter" role, imo you can expect him to get 250 carries next year.

[KingGibbs]

GREAT move for the Giants. Love it.

Yes. I'm sure you were praying to the football Gods to bring Rueben freaking Droughns to the Giants. :rolleyes:

[InTikiITrust]

Yes. I'm sure you were praying to the football Gods to bring Rueben freaking Droughns to the Giants. :rolleyes:

I would have traded a bag of footballs and a helmet for Tim Carter, and after I completed that trade, I probably would have thought I came out on top of the deal.

[Ingtar]

The big problem with Jacobs is his height and how he runs. He runs very upright, leaving his legs too open for big hits. Tall guys have to bend a bit more to protect their legs and I don't see him doing that, which makes me think he would not hold up every down unless they really work on his form when he runs.

I am not saying the guy is bad or anything. I might be a Skins fan, but I am not silly enough to claim that every player on each NFC East team is bad. I will say he is unproven though, so saying we should be scared is a bit premature.

[Westbrook36]

Giants RB position is simply a mess. It goes from being THE STRENGTH of the offense to a considerable weakness. I can't wait to see Sheli try to play without a top 5 NFL RB to fall back on.

Jacobs is so good that the Giants are falling all over themselves trying to find RB after RB to come in and save the guy.

Too funny.

[Skins4481]

Two-headed monsters at the RB spot are great. Trust me, I know.


Are you implying that the Jones/Barber duo is a two-headed monster? :laugh: Please. They're good but not THAT good. Jones is an average RB with really good speed and MBIII is one of the better #2's/goal line backs in the league but to call them a two-headed monster is a tad bit much.

Now if you guys would've drafted Steven Jackson...

[InTikiITrust]

Giants RB position is simply a mess. It goes from being THE STRENGTH of the offense to a considerable weakness. I can't wait to see Sheli try to play without a top 5 NFL RB to fall back on.

Jacobs is so good that the Giants are falling all over themselves trying to find RB after RB to come in and save the guy.

Too funny.

Because the Giants actually know a two-running back offense is important in today's NFL. Colts did it, Pats did it, Cowboys do it well, Redskins do, a couple other teams have good duos.

And don't be shocked if the Giants draft a running back. They know Droughns isn't a long term solution.

[ptr77]

Because the Giants actually know a two-running back offense is important in today's NFL. Colts did it, Pats did it, Cowboys do it well, Redskins do, a couple other teams have good duos.

And don't be shocked if the Giants draft a running back. They know Droughns isn't a long term solution.


I love how westbrook thinks that since the giants have a guy a year removed from 2 1200 yard seasons and a great short yardage/goalline back with unknown potential the giants are obviously screwed. Everyone and their mother knows the giants are going to draft or pick up a FA back that is smaller and speedier. Both Jacobs and droughns can catch the ball and pass block, both have power, and both can bust out big gains if given a hole to hit. Droughns could play like he did his first year in cleveland or he could get injured again, but the one thing i do know is he will be running behind a much better oline in NY. Droughns himself even mentioned in the interview how he was coming to a two back system and how successful it is in the nfl, he knows he is very likely taking equal carries with Jacobs (at best for droughns). Even droughns knows whats going down, apparently westbrook can't read.

[HeHateMe]

Now if you guys would've drafted Steven Jackson...

We wouldnt have Marcus Spears.

[HeHateMe]

Are you implying that the Jones/Barber duo is a two-headed monster? :laugh: Please. They're good but not THAT good. Jones is an average RB with really good speed and MBIII is one of the better #2's/goal line backs in the league but to call them a two-headed monster is a tad bit much.

Any RB tandem that produces roughly 1800 yards and 20 TDs is pretty damn good.

[ptr77]

We wouldnt have Marcus Spears.

Chubby checker + Jones does not equal Steven Jackson imo. Jackson is a top 10 back.

[HeHateMe]

Chubby checker + Jones does not equal Steven Jackson imo. Jackson is a top 10 back.

I'd take Jackson in a heartbeat over Jones. No question.

Spears has been average to this point, but I'm not writing him off just yet.

He's that rare combination player who can play in the 4-3 and 3-4.

I'm not convinced he was utilized properly with the Parcells/Zimmer version of the 3-4.

Let me see what Phillips does with him first, then I'll reanalyze the trade.

If Phillips gets the production out of him that he did his defensive lineman in SD, I'll be one happy camper.

[ptr77]

I'd take Jackson in a heartbeat over Jones. No question.

Spears has been average to this point, but I'm not writing him off just yet.

He's that rare combination player who can play in the 4-3 and 3-4.

I'm not convinced he was utilized properly with the Parcells/Zimmer version of the 3-4.

Let me see what Phillips does with him first, then I'll reanalyze the trade.

If Phillips gets the production out of him that he did his defensive lineman in SD, I'll be one happy camper.

Spears did have potential when he was drafted, but i always thought by the comments that he was lazy and just basically underachieved. This year will be very telling of him. If wade turns him into Castillo that pretty much solves your pass rush problems right there.

[HeHateMe]

Spears did have potential when he was drafted, but i always thought by the comments that he was lazy and just basically underachieved. This year will be very telling of him. If wade turns him into Castillo that pretty much solves your pass rush problems right there.

His work ethic hasnt really been the issue.

He just hasnt produced. The effort is there. He was never in Parcells' doghouse.

He either doesnt have it, or he wasnt used properly.

Or maybe he's just average.

But the potential is there for sure.