New York Giants: Bradshaw Holds Key to Ground Game

by John Fennelly / Publisher, blogNYG.comThe Giants pride themselves on being a "run-first" team.The last time the Giants did not have a 1,000-yard rusher was 2001. Last season they became part of an elite group when both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward both breached the 1, 000 yard mark.2008 was perhaps the Giants' best rushing season ever. They led the league in rushing yards with 2,518 and averaged an incredible 5.0 yards per carry.This season, Ward is gone, a casualty of excess. He signed with Tampa Bay in the offseason. That means that more focus will be put on Jacobs. The Giants realize that Jacobs, who is known as "Earth", is a tough inside runner who scares the bejesus out of defenses. They also know that even he can only bear so much of the load coming out of the backfield.In years past, Ward, known as "Wind", would relieve Jacobs and blanch defenses with his contrasting elusiveness. After Ward, usually later in contests, the Giants would...