New York Giants: Trade Possible For Running Back Help
By Erik Lambert
During the peak years of the latest New York Giants run between 2000 and 2011, their identity was always clear to everybody who watched.
They were a defensive team that excelled at running the football. It was true with Tiki Barber and again later with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Over the past few years though, the team seems to have lost that image. They’ve become increasingly depended on aging quarterback Eli Manning and star wide receiver Odell Beckham to shoulder the load. All the while the rest of the team seems to suffer.
Manning has never seemed like a quarterback capable of putting the ball in the air constantly. His greatest successes were enhanced by a determined ground attack. It hasn’t seemed up to this point that the Giants are even trying to make a serious commitment. Is that because head coach Ben McAdoo his pass-happy or because their stable of backs is bad?
Probably a combination of both. There isn’t much they can do about the former, but the latter? Some believe there may be a way to at least get some help.
New York Giants could find a power presence in Jeremy Hill
According to Mike Sandoval of ESPN, there are a number of players around the league who might be available via trade with the deadline approaching at the end of October. One name that could fascinate the Giants? Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill.
"“The Bengals are known for standing pat historically, but they did trade linebacker Marquis Flowers to the Patriots in August. The deal was for only a seventh-round choice. Insiders thought the Bengals could get a fifth-round pick for Hill, give or take a round.“If the Giants are in desperation [mode], they could do anything and he could be a good addition,” one of the insiders said.Hill is 24 years old and has started all four games this season, but rookie second-round choice Joe Mixon has a 35-13 edge in carries over the past two games. Hill’s production has flagged since his 1,124-yard rookie season, but he’s still young and could still project as a lead back for a team like the Giants, Vikings or Lions that could potentially use a 6-foot-1, 230-pound presence in the backfield.”"
The Giants currently rank second-to-last in rushing this year at just 59.2 yards per game. Every opponent knows what they’re going to do and have been able to stop them. There is no respect for their ability or commitment to run the football. Until that changes the fortunes of this team is unlikely to get better anytime soon. Hill is a big back with a power element they lack. He wants to get fed but the Bengals refuse to feed him. If New York is willing to make that commitment, then this is a move they absolutely should make.