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NFL New York Giants

Don’t View Rashad Jennings As A Savior For New York Giants

By @MuscleSportMag

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

There is nothing wrong with looking for a spark when a team is on a four-game losing streak. It becomes an almost desperate situation at this point in the NFL season. But in the case of the New York Giants, one player cannot be expected to turn it all around., and when that player happens to be a journeyman running back who was not the starter, in training camp only emphasizes that point even more.

The Giants were playing extremely well when Rashad Jennings hurt his knee in the first half of the Week 5 win over the Atlanta Falcons. They improved their record to 3-2 that day and rookie Andre Williams was elevated to the No. 1 spot in the backfield.

That was the last time that Big Blue tasted victory, and it has been more than just the team’s running game that has been the culprit.

Yes, Jennings was doing a nice job before the injury, but if you look at it from afar, he will never be confused for Walter Payton. As a matter of fact, he had only rushed for 100 yards or more once in the first five games (176 yards and one touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 3).

The six-year veteran had three forgettable seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, never rushing for even 500 yards. Jennings did bounce back with a 733-yard season in 2013 for the Oakland Raiders, and has had 396 yards and two touchdowns so far for the Giants.

Just how much playing time he gets remains to be seen, and you always have to be cautious with running backs and their knees. Jennings was averaging 18.2 attempts this season, which was a big jump from his previous career high last year (10.9). So, he is not exactly a workhorse-type back, even before getting hurt.

When asked if he can handle 30-to-40 carries on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, Jennings told the team’s website:

“Obviously, we are answering that today (at practice). Game time is different, but if I am out there, I am going. I’ve got no hesitation, no reservation. I feel like I am back to myself. Obviously, I can go as many as we need.”

Even if that is the case and Jennings is 100 percent, that still isn’t good enough to be a game changer.

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