New York Giants

Is Perkins the only solution for Giants' dormant rushing attack?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New York Giants have officially become a one-dimensional offense. The proof is their status as the 32nd ranked rushing attack in the NFL. The Giants recent history shows that the team has had a revolving door at the position, since Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw left the team. Should the Giants stay the course with Rashad Jennings as the primary halfback, or is the solution more carries for Paul Perkins?

This Problem Needs a Solution

According to statistics posted on NFL.com, the New York Giants are dead last in rushing yards throughout the NFL. How bad is it? The G-Men average a mere 70.3 rushing yards per game. The next worst team, the Minnesota Vikings averages four more yards per game than the Giants do.

The statistics are not misleading either. Big Blue has one rushing attempt for more than 20 yards this season, and none for 40 yards or more. The Los Angeles Rams similarly have one long run of 20 yards or more, while the New Orleans Saints have none. All three teams rank at the bottom of the league.

The lack of a consistent running attack also means the Giants have to eschew the ground game each week. New York averages a scant 21 rushing attempts per week, with only the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears running the ball less per game.

When Ben McAdoo became offensive coordinator in 2014, he envisioned an offense that would run 70 plays per week. Under that scenario, quarterback Eli Manning will be averaging 50 passes per week. This is not a recipe for success.

Is Paul Perkins the Solution?

Albert Einstein said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same over and over again and expecting a different result.” This applies to the Giants’ running attack. Starting halfback Rashad Jennings will not turn into Walter Payton or Bo Jackson anytime soon. Can a solution come from within the organization?

Sep 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs the ball against Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) during a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Not surprisingly, Jennings ranks last with a 51.3 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. In a small sample size, rookie Paul Perkins (63.1) is better than Jennings, Orleans Darkwa (55.8) and Shane Vereen (46.9). Scatback Bobby Rainey (69.7) grades the highest of all New York Giants running backs.

Rainey has never been in a regular running back rotation since coming into the league in 2013. To expect that he will be able to thrive in that role now, defies logic though.

According his draft analysis on NFL.com, “[Perkins] can disappear before tackler’s eyes and put them on his highlight reel. Shows no directional tendencies with his cuts and can make defenders miss in tight quarters.”

This is especially useful, given the fact that the Giants’ offensive line does not open mammoth running lanes. In addition, Perkins was the lead back at UCLA for two seasons. In 2014, he ran the ball 250 times, while in 2015 he had 237 rushing attempts. Perkins knows the responsibility of the lead back.

For the Giants to make a playoff run, they need to bolster the rushing attack. This change needs to be implemented during their bye week to have maximum effectiveness.