Giants Free Agency Round-Up: Offense

Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back: RB Rashad Jennings, RB Peyton Hillis (re-signed), FB Henry Hynoski (re-signed)

Another result of the offensive line’s poor play was the subsequent poor play by the running backs. Then again, injuries really did affect the production of backs on the field too. Andre Brown didn’t play until Week 10 after a broken leg in preseason, David Wilson was placed on injured reserve for spinal stenosis, and Brandon Jacobs, who re-signed midseason, never had a major impact besides a 100-yard performance versus Chicago.

Enter the offseason. Rashad Jennings, a career back up who proved himself in Oakland last year, is a versatile weapon for the Giants to have. At 6’1”, 233 lbs, Jennings is a fit, gritty runner that has solid hands and performs well in pass protection. The upside is certainly there for a guy that’s always been a support runner who received minimal carries until last season, as The Star-Ledger’s Conor Orr pointed out on Twitter.

Henry Hynoski was brought back after recovering from shoulder and knee injuries to compete with fellow fullback John Conner. Peyton Hillis was re-signed after what was an at best decent season. Also a good pass protector and a good short yardage back, Hillis is predicted to play the role of a “John Kuhn“-like back in an offense that is predicted to resemble Green Bay’s scheme. One note that is often overlooked is Hillis was signed midseason by New York and was an out of shape, verge of retirement player that had no expectation by fans to contribute. He was also on the roster when the team finished 7-3 on the year. Will re-signing with the Giants and having a full offseason of workouts and practice help him return to even a fraction of what he was his Pro Bowl season in 2010? A very quiet storyline I think.