The New York Giants, desperate for running back help, signed one-time Giant Brandon Jacobs to a one-year deal to provide depth to an area of major concern.
Starting back David Wilson fumbled twice in seven carries in New York’s loss to Dallas Sunday night, causing his benching and the Giants’ call for help.
“Whatever they need me to do,” Jacobs said in a statement released by the team. “Whatever role they want me to play, I’ll come in and do it. I know the offense. I know they’ve made some tweaks here and there, and I’ll do whatever I have to do. … The Giants have given me a great opportunity. This is where I wanted to be. These are the coaches I want to play for and I wanted to come back with my teammates. This is the place I love most.”
The Giants worked out several running backs and decided on Jacobs because he was familiar with their offense, particularly their pass-protection schemes, according to an ESPN source. Also, the team hopes Jacobs, who played for the Giants from 2005-11, can serve as a mentor to Wilson.
“It’s just an attention to detail with him,” receiver Victor Cruz said of Wilson’s troubles. “I mean, he’s got to be able to tuck the ball under his chin. He’s walking around with the football 24/7, around the meeting rooms, around the locker room, even during practice when he’s not in that specific play — he’s gonna have a ball in his hand to just get used to keeping it high and tight and putting it under his chin and really paying attention to detail to it.
“That’s the only way you can help with that, is to change your mindset from what it used to be, to really locking the football down under his chin and covering it up.”
