Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Ware's Out

D.J. Ware has officially been ruled out of Sunday's game against Dallas because of his concussion, but that doesn't necessarily mean Gartrell Johnson will have to serve as Brandon Jacobs' primary backup.

Ahmad Bradshaw was on the bike today, but he didn't have the protective boot around his newly-sprained left ankle, as he had last week. With Tom Coughlin adding that, "We're keeping our fingers crossed," there is a possibility he might play against the Cowboys.

If that's the case, chances are that roster spot that went vacant when Antonio Pierce was placed on injured reserve won't be filled by a running back. Then again, if Bradshaw can't go, they may need somebody from the outside, if only to back up Johnson. And then again, if Michael Johnson can't go because of the groin injury that kept him out of practice today, they may want to pick up a safety for that spot.

Whatever the case, the Giants said they won't be making a personnel move today. And the fact that they're waiting around indicates to me -- and I'm far from the ultimate guru on these things -- that whoever fills that spot will come from inside the organization. Otherwise, they would have had somebody here by now.

They have a fullback on the squad, Nehemiah Broughton, who probably knows blitz pickups. And they have two DBs who can play safety in Sha'reff Rashad and Vince Anderson. You can always promote one of them at the last minute, considering they've practiced, studied, and taken part in team meetings most of the season. To bring someone in from the outside on a Thursday or Friday would be a tough way to go, if you ask me.

There is one guy others have mentioned. Allen Patrick, a first-year running back who was with the Giants in training camp, is on the Jacksonville practice squad. He'd be an easy get. But again, he's been in the Jaguars' system this year, so he'd have to be a quick study.

Meanwhile, Johnson said he's ready and willing for anything come Sunday after spending nine weeks in the Giants' system since arriving off San Diego waivers.



Opinions?

EP

3 comments:

  1. Ernie

    Good post and analysis. I am thinking they are going RB. I would like to dee the FB. Hedgecock could use a breather. RUN RUN RUN. Two tight ends. The only way to win this game.
    bigblue09

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  2. I just hope KG keeps Jacobs between tackles and Johnson/Bradshaw off them. With Michael Johnson banged up, I would activate one of those rookie safeties. I remember hearing good things about Rashad in pre-season, such as he should have been drafted and was not, a lot of raw talent, etc. What do you think Ernie?

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  3. Goff seems to have a lot of support from the vets, do you think Osi's tantrum has something to do with this?
    I prefer Anderson to Rashad, Anderson seemed the better of the two in Albany.
    I'm not sure why the giants haven't picked up a RB for the practice squad, given their situation it would seem to have been a prudent use of this group.

    Is there any chance we'll see Barden this week?

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