Everyone knows I’m a huge Ahmad Bradshaw fan, I truly am. I have a #44 jersey, I wear it proudly on game day. His fumbling problem though requires a fix, because even “high and tight” isn’t working for him.
The very things that make him such a powerful runner – heart, toughness, refusal to quit – is also what is causing defenders to keep him off the ground and strip the ball away from him. And it’s going to continue to be an issue as long as he’s on the field because that’s WHO HE IS… he’s going to run hard no matter what and ball security will be an issue with him until he proves otherwise. I don’t expect progress overnight, but he will still get carries and hopefully break some big runs on his limited snaps while Brandon Jacobs takes over the workload just like the good ol days.
Obviously, Jacobs being the starter will open him up to injury more. So depending on how things go with Brandon’s knees… Bradshaw may be back in the limelight before you know it. As well as Danny Ware who is itching to get back in the rotation after a so-so 2009 as the third wheel for the Giants.
But make no mistake – I think this is a good move. Coughlin has said it’s less about punishing someone than it is about keeping the Giants from beating themselves with turnovers. I wholeheartedly agree. The Giants have GOT to stop turning the ball over, starting yesterday. If Bradshaw taking the back seat will allow that to happen, so be it.
I wonder how this switch in the backfield will fare with all the INT’s in the passing game though…