E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer
for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of
only four sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

JACOBS HAS GOOD NEWS FOR GIANT FANS: "I FEEL GOOD AND I WANT TO STAY HERE"

By DAVE KLEIN

Two new experiences have become evident in the Giants' locker room the last several weeks.

First, the crowds gathering around Brandon Jacobs are getting deeper and the guys holding cameras and microphones are getting far more numerous.

Secondly, the prevailing statement from almost every one of the players is simple: "One at a time. We play these games one at a time. We are not going to look ahead or talk about what could happen."

Anyway, Jacobs was resplendent in a red Giants' sweatshirt and matching warmup pants after practice Wednesday when he stood quietly as he saw the approaching crowd of inquiring reporters approach.

He was ready for the first question, too, since it was a sure bet that he would be asked about his injury (the sore knee) and whether he thought he would be able to play Sunday in Arizona. "It's fine," he said, smiling. "It feels good. I feel good. I didn't practice today but I'll get some snaps tomorrow and see how I feel. I just rested it some more but to be honest with you, I feel good."

He explained how head coach Tom Coughlin wanted to hold him out just as a precautionary move. "We expect he'll be able to go tomorrow," Coughlin said. "As you know, there things [knees] are day-to-day. Brandon feels good and I hope in another day he will have made the progress necessary to allow him to practice tomorrow. He has played through a lot of nicks before and come right out and played the following weekend."

So the 6-4, 265-pound back, who is fourth in the NFL with 879 rushing yards and tied for the lead with 11 touchdowns, appears to be on track to play against the Cardinals on Sunday in a battle of division leaders. The Giants have the best record in the NFC at 9-1, second only to 10-0 Tennessee in the NFL; Arizona is 7-3 with a four-game lead over three dullards in the NFC West.

"It's a tough thing for me [not to practice], but I know the reason they did it," Jacobs continued. "I'm not necessarily hurt about the fact that I couldn't get out there and practice, which I could have [done] if I needed to, but it's precautionary and I'll get out there tomorrow and we'll go from there.

"I feel good. The last time I had this injury I couldn't walk the next day and I was out for three weeks [in last season's opener against Dallas]. Now it's just a nagging thing that has been there but I don't think it will hold me out."

The other surprising statement from this huge man concerned his contract status. He will join the ranks of the Unrestricted Free Agents next February, when the free agency period starts, and he is sure to be one of the hot buttons that will be pushed by several teams.

But not so fast, New England, and not so quick, Philadelphia -- Brandon said something that should warm the cockles (whatever they are) of every Giant fan's heart.

"I am confident that I'll be right here in this same locker room next year, and for five or six more years," he said. "I'll be here answering questions from you guys, but I don't think any of them will be about my contract. I'll have one."

To hear such confidence must have been nice for general manager Jerry Reese, sort of an early holiday present. On the other hand, if and when the Giants sign him, that act should signal the departure of his backup, Derrick Ward, who has had a remarkable season thus far and was invaluable last year when Jacobs missed three-and-a-half games. The Giants could not afford to pay multi-million contracts to both running backs, since teams must adhere to a quality-control order by position.

"Derrick is like my brother," Jacobs said, "but we're both professional football players and we understand the business. He deserves to get a big contract and so do I."

In Jacobs' case, the numbers could go as high as five years and $35-$40 million. Recent benchmarks include Michael Turner's contract with Atlanta when he left San Diego (six years, $34.5 million) and Julius Jones' deal with Seattle when he deserted Dallas (four years, $11.8 million).

"I would like to stay here," he said, "and I'll be upset if Derrick goes. We treat each other like brothers, we root for each other and we love each other. He deserves a big contract. But he's a good back and he can go someplace and get a lot of money and start. That will make it easier for me to see him go, that he can get the money and become a starter."

Ward expects Jacobs to play Sunday. "Yeah, I always expect my big-little brother to play," he smiled. "He knows what he has to do to get ready and I feel confident that he will be back. We're always ready, all three of us [with Ahmad Bradshaw]. We pride ourselves on the fact that every back on this team is worthy of starting, so we prepare like we'll all starters. If Brandon doesn't play, I don't think it will be a big drop-off."

EXTRA POINTS -- Those who did not practice included Jacobs, cornerbacks Aaron Ross (hamstring) and Kevin Dockery (back), linebackers Chase Blackburn (neck), Jonathan Goff (concussion) and Gerris Wilkinson (knee). ... Ross, last year's first round draft pick, was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his two-interception performance against Baltimore, one of which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown. ... He is the second Giants' defensive player to win the weekly award (end Mathias Kiwanuka three weeks ago).

Jacobs promised to get word back to the media after he practices Thursday, but with a condition. "I'll have Ahmad tell you how I feel because I'm not talking tomorrow," he said, doing his best Michael Strahan imitation.

Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here.
- Team Giants

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