NFL: Jacobs wants to stay with the Giants
By Tom Rock
Newsday
NEW YORK — Brandon Jacobs wants to be practicing on Wednesday. He wants to play on Sunday. And when the NFL's free agency period begins this winter, he wants to still be a Giant.
"I'll be at my house relaxing," he said of tentative plans for Feb. 27, 2009, the day players can hit the open market. "Hopefully I'm taken care of by then. I don't want it to get to (that day). It's going to be a tough time in my household if it comes and I don't have a contract."
Jacobs is one of the big names with expiring contracts at the conclusion of this season. Before this season started, running back Michael Turner signed a six-year, $34.5-million deal with the Falcons — after spending most of his career as a backup in San Diego. Jacobs is pulverizing defenses this year; he's fourth in the NFL in rushing yards with 879 despite only 16.4 carries per game. If Jacobs decides to cannonball all 264 pounds of himself into the market, the splash likely would be even bigger than Turner's or that of Julius Jones, another backup who signed with the Seahawks for four years and $11.8 million before this year.
But that's not what he wants. Even if he could make more money someplace else.
"No question about it, this is where I want to be," he said. "If they come up with something fair, this is where I'll be. I'm not really trying to break the bank like some other people. I just want what's fair."
Jacobs wouldn't throw out any numbers at last night's event for the launch of a partnership between Xbox 360 and Netflix in Manhattan. And he said the last time he checked there had been no negotiations between the Giants and his representatives. But he said he's confident that they'll be able to reach an agreement that will keep him in blue for many years.
That likely will mean the Giants will part ways with fellow running back Derrick Ward, also a free agent after this season. It's unlikely the Giants will be able to satisfy both backs. And they know it.
"It hurts," Jacobs said of knowing that this is the last year he and Ward will play together. "I love Derrick like a brother and we treat each other like brothers. It's going to be tough to see each other depart no matter who goes."
Jacobs has a suspicion it will be Ward who finds a spot with another team.
"I'll be happier to see him get a lot of money because he deserves a lot of money," he said. "He's a good back and he can go someplace and start. That's what's going to make me feel better about him leaving and going someplace else is that he'll be set for the rest of his life."
Jacobs also said that Ward reminds him almost every day of their future paychecks. "We know what we have to do. We're both up, we have to get out there and play football. No more, no less. Go out and play football and show people what we can do."
One of the reasons Jacobs isn't already locked up for the long term is the suspicion that the style he plays — full speed ahead — will prohibit him from playing a full season and possibly limit the length of his career. Jacobs did in fact have to leave Sunday's game with a knee injury. Ravens safety Ed Reed hit his leg while it was still planted on the turn and driving toward the opening touchdown of the game. He underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed no structural damage. "A little swelling, but it's nothing that we can't calm down," he said. "No damage was done. I think it's just more swelling from the blow, but it's fine and I'm going to line up in Arizona."
That's important to Jacobs. If he can play in all 16 games this season — plus the ones that will undoubtedly be scheduled for the Giants in January — he'll be able to prove to all of his doubters that he can go the distance.
"It's very important for me, not for a contract but it's pride and doing things that people say you can't," he said. "I don't think I get as much respect as the other guys do. When people bring up backs you never hear my name, ever, which is fine. It doesn't really matter. But I think I'm an underrated player."
He may still be underrated when March comes around. But whether it's with the Giants or someone else, he's unlikely to be underpaid.