However, by the end of the season defenses figured out that no matter who was in the backfield, the Giants have certain tendencies — we’ve seen it for years no matter who was in there. Bradshaw only gives them a certain amount of flexibility because the fact is they still use their RBs TEs and FBs in the most traditional and fundamental ways.

The only caveat to that is when Bradshaw slides down to the wideout position and they have several different play calls from that point on. Its an oldie but a goodie and usually if the receiver does their job it’s a first down. You can really only run that play 2 or 3 times a game though. We need more.

How about in the first Eagles game, Jacobs getting into a route and Eli hit him for 27 yards or something to that distance — he was completely behind the defense and they didnt expect it. Led to a goal line opportunity. Chicago uses it too much perhaps — but look at what Forte has done for them and that dynamic playmaking ability out of the backfield.

We probably agree that Bradshaw is the more versatile back, and you have a point that Jacobs perhaps limits what you can do offensively when hes back there. But by my observation the Giants have a good two back system as is — they just need to work on upping the catching out of the backfield, and Eli working on his reads to get them quicker and him taking the check down first in tight games, not last.

He’ll stay in rythem better, they’ll move the ball more, his INTs will decrease, the Giants will keep drives alive more (especially in the second half) and it will open up the middle of the field more if those LBs have to be drawn down to cover the underneath routes consistently. Then Eli can have more success in the crosses, curls and slants on the seams that he obviously loves to throw. Combined with the flags to the outside and 3 healthy receivers…. that Giants offense will look consistently powerful next year.

Here’s the way I see it — Eli usually goes to the huddle with more than one play called, he is able to make last second adjustments and often does with play calling. But this past year ELI had Bradshaw wide open for a 5 yard check down all year and decided to take his shot 10-12 yards downfield instead. Playoff teams don’t do that…. they move the ball with short passes and don’t take the risk of the corner undercutting the route or getting a tipped ball for an INT. Drew Brees showed incredible restraint in that Atlanta game by doing just what I’m talking about, settling for the quick read and checkdown game and minimizing mistakes.

Where I agree that Gilbride is the problem is when Gilbride calls the screen pass — FINALLY — but it’s usually on 3rd and 15 instead of second and long…. there inlies the problem. THAT is where it’s predictable. Not only is that 3rd and 15 predicted, it’s the second and long where the RB is tackled in the backfield because everyone knows its coming. The Giants 99% of the time run on second and long and everyone KNOWS IT.

That’s why first down is so important to stay deceptive, and that’s why mixing it up on second down is so crucial if you dont execute on first down — once you get conservative and predictable you’ll have a punt forced on you. See the second half of the Eagles game and Redskins game for references.

Staying deceptive and mixing it up has always been my issue — Gilbride has come along but needs to go further in 2011 with this team.

For example, I would like the Giants to shake things up and call the screen on second and long next year, not run the ball like everyone and their mother, brother, and newborn child knows they are going to do… let alone the opposing defense. That’s what the Packers do with their personnel, that’s what the Eagles do, that’s what anyone who is commited to stretching out the defense will do.

Gilbride has come a long way, he needs to come a bit more though in his system.