New York Giants

Giants Jennings needs more touches against Pittsburgh

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

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As the New York Giants head into December, their offense is still sputtering. A moderately angry New York fan base is screaming for a more innovative approach to the offense. In some quarters, fans are questioning head coach Ben McAdoo’s handling of the play calling.

Simple solution: Rashad Jennings is the Giants’ best running back and should be given more touches in every appearance he makes.

The Giants’ Short Passing Game Is Ineffective

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) changes the play during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Nowhere in the tabloid fodder is there any talk of how the Giants have been relying on finding ways to escape the bunker by small, ineffectual dump passes to Will Tye, Roger Lewis or Victor Cruz. In Week 4’s prime time game against the then-undefeated Minnesota, Manning’s quarterback rating was 63 having gone a shoddy 25 for 45. Yet, the Giants have adopted McAdoo’s offense of bending boards for the last two seasons, and one more is too many.

The reason the Cowboys are at the top of the heap, aside from a strong defense, is that Dak Prescott can hand off the ball to Ezekiel Elliott.

Jennings could be what the Giants need to catch the Pittsburgh off guard, a team usually has a stout defense. Orleans Darkwa and Shane Vereen are on injured reserve. Bobby Rainey has had ball security issues, and Paul Perkins does not have enough experience under his belt.

Replacement Running Backs Have Come Up Short

Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo before the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rainey and Perkins had their chance to prove their talent since Vereen suffered his triceps injury. At this point in the season, the Giants do not have the luxury of waiting for these players to increase their production.

The New York Post recently highlighted the dismay that fans have about the Giants’ running game, with Paul Perkins being honest about his difficulty in finding his rhythm.

“I don’t know,” rookie running back Paul Perkins said when asked if he knew the source of the struggles. “We’re a good team and we can run the ball, and we all know that. We just have to get back on track after the bye week.”

Jennings’ output compared to Rainey and Perkins is impressive. According to Pro-football-reference.com, ever since his total yards per game peaked in his 2014 season of 58.3, Jennings has managed 145 yards in just the limited time he spent playing this season. Jennings has more experience, has developed an intuitive feel for the game which cannot be learned by being thrown out of the frying pan.

The NFL’s Top 10 Running Backs Have More Touches

Compared to the league’s best, Jennings has not been given a fair shake. He has ensured a set back due to an early injury to his hand and has not seen nearly as many touches (3:1 ratio) as Elliott, despite being as nimble and experienced at finding ways to elude tackles.

If McAdoo is afraid of what would happen if he increased Jennings workload, then he needs to overcome this emotion.. It’s time for the coach to do something new and go all-in with a rush first attack that sets up the pass.

Instead the offense is dominated by a so-so passing attack that has not been dominate this season.

Three Great Wideouts Get Magnified Through More Jennings Touches

Not many other teams in the NFL have an Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz. But that’s like having three sports cars in your garage. You cannot use all of them at one time! Jennings could have scrutiny placed away from Beckham and provide extra motivation for the offensive line to stay competitive in the final minutes of games. For example, in Week 2, the Giants ran a no-huddle offensive and Eli seemed as if he were stuck in a no-huddle frame of mind as he was throwing passes on a whim with an offensive line that appeared disjointed.

There is a history of running backs who have not been of much value to the Giants. Going back several years brings to mind Reuben Droughns who appeared to be as explosive as then-Giant Ahmad Bradshaw and strong as Brandon Jacobs, but provided not much statistically due to lack of touches.