Who’s more important: Jacobs or Manning?
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- December
- 22
Good morning, Giants fans, and congrats on locking up the No. 1 seed last night. I was sitting next to Mike last night at Giants Stadium and it was quite the scene; the only downside was the high number of morons who were throwing snowballs – dangerously hard and icy snowballs – all over the place, which put a lot of fellow fans (not to mention the players and officials) in danger.
Anyway, that’s not what I’m here to talk about. I’m going to be dropping in on to some of the excellent pro sports blogs we have at LoHud.com in hopes of stirring up a little debate about the various teams. Everyone here has strong opinions on the Giants, so I’m hoping we can get some healthy dialog going. If you like it, hopefully you’ll check out the FACEOFF blog that I do with the other columnist, Rick Carpiniello, where we argue about sports topics every day. Check that out here.
The issue I wanted to touch on with you guys today is one I was thinking about as I was writing my column off last night’s game: Who’s more important to the Giants’ Super Bowl hopes: Eli Manning or Brandon Jacobs?
It’s hard to ignore the quarterback, especially one like Manning. He’s just been a winner over the past year, always finding a way to make the big play at the right time. He is unruffled under pressure, seems to have the calm demeanor you want in a high-pressure situation and knows how to operate under Tom Coughlin (which isn’t necessarily an easy job). Manning is absolutely critical to the Giants.
But I find myself, more and more, realizing that Jacobs is the key to this team. Last night, obviously, Derrick Ward was the running back story since he rushed for 215 yards and basically ran the Giants down the field on their game-winning OT drive.
Still, Jacobs is the bruiser. He is the guy that softens up the defenses, the guy that makes a team adjust its defensive packages. Now that Plaxico Burress is out for the season, the Giants will need even more diversity and misdirection with their offensive playcalling and Jacobs is the one who will use his power to set up passing situations. He will make it possible for Ward and Bradshaw to step in and thrive during their drop-in appearances.
It’s pretty clear Jacobs’ knee(s) are an issue. Without him, the Giants running game would be far less authoritative, and that would also diminish Manning’s ability to throw the ball successfully. Don’t misunderstand, Manning is imperative to the Giants as they go forward but Jacobs is even more crucial. If the Giants lose on their way to the Super Bowl, I’m convinced it will be because Jacobs – not Manning – gets hurt again or has an uncharacteristically bad performance.
This entry was posted
on Monday, December 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 am by Sam Borden. 
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Ernie Palladino
I don’t even think this is a contest. The last two weeks vs last night tell the story. The Giants will go as far as Jacobs carries them. Manning was more important when Plaxico gave the Giants a strong WR corps so they could be a passing offense if the running game was struggling. Now, the Giants have a group of “complimentary” receivers, but lack the big play guy which made them dangerous.
Quarterback is always the most important position by far.
Pete’s comments above are right on except the fact that Eli can steal a game at QB if he gets hurt they are dead…
The giants need to rest Robbins and few other guys this week, they need there D to dominate to repeat.
While I agree with you Pete (obviously), I’m not sure it’s ‘not even a question.’ Stuart’s point that Eli can steal a game is absolutely true – that’s the measure of a quarterback. He touches the ball more times than anyone else on a team, and I’m not so sure that Jacobs could win a game on his own if nothing else was working for the Giants.
The reason Jacobs is more important, I think, is because he is the key to making their offense do what they want it to do. Without him, it’s tough have much of a passing game and it’s nearly impossible for Ward and Bradshaw to be as effective as the Giants would like. Jacobs keys all of that.
But if nothing else was working and the Giants needed something to happen, Manning – as the QB – is the guy who could potentially rescue them. That’s what makes a QB the leader.
Big picture, I don’t think that’s a likely scenario which is why I give Jacobs the nod, but I do think it’s close.
Mike,
Why are you looking to divide the two sides??? Look without the crew the plane can’t fly! Without a pilot no one can get anywhere! One is just as important as the other!!!
Granted that all of your “blogers” make great points but it’s still as I know it a “TEAM” sport!
I still think we can survive without Jacobs. It will be hard as heck though.
Without Eli, I don’t even wanna think about it. We would be screwed.
This team needs both to win, no question. Without one, they are doomed.
HOWEVER
Eli is still WAY WAY WAY more important. I don’t even think that’s a question. David Carr leading this offense would give me nightmares. Eli’s maturity and leadership is INVALUABLE to this team.
Eli > Jacobs
Interesting takes, SA and Kyle. My gut tells me that you guys are probably right, but I think that’s partly because we’re so prone to always look at the QB as the star. Obviously Carr isn’t nearly as good as Manning, but he could still hand the ball off right?
Put it this way: I’m relatively confident that Carr could handle a minimal passing game (and without Burress, we’re not looking for huge plays anyway) while still handing the ball off effectively. I’m way, way, way less confident that Ward and/or Bradshaw can be regularly effective without Jacobs. That’s why I think Jacobs gets the edge. How do you feel about that line of thinking?
Well, Carr can indeed hand the ball off. Don’t get me wrong, the offense seems…I guess meaner..when Jacobs is playing. I do agree that Ward or Bradshaw probably won’t be as effective without Jacobs. The thing is though, I still think they can do some things and be productive.
But there will be a moment when we need the QB to do something. Something big. Just when we think all is lost, I have seen Eli do something or lead us back to a win. I always have faith in him if we are behind.
Carr-um..let’s not find out if he can do the same.
I don’t think the Giants can win the super bowl without Manning, Jacobs, Plaxico and/or a good pass rush.
If and only “IF” Carr hands off I’m OK with that!! He’s still shell shocked from the Houston days!! I don’t trust his “reads” and Eli knows his receivers like the back of his hand!
This like the old days, Parcells to Simms to the real “OJ” for the one-two knock out punch! New Names same results!