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Giantone · 10-20-2006, 05:51 PM

Jacobs hoping Barber stays a few more years

By KEVIN DEVANEY JR.
THE JOURNAL NEWS
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(Original publication: October 20, 2006)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Every time Brandon Jacobs caught Tiki Barber's eye yesterday, Jacobs smiled and held up one finger. One more year, Jacobs implored. Hold off retirement for one more year.
"I'm not done with him yet," Jacobs said. "I still need him. I haven't milked him for everything I can get."
The news of Barber's potential retirement this week not only has stunned the organization, it's cast a bright light on Jacobs, a second-year pro and the Giants' backup running back.
With the possibility looming that the team's all-time leading rusher will step away after this season, the starting job will probably fall to Jacobs, as will the weight of the Giants' offense.
Jacobs said he's capable of stepping into Barber's shoes. But he doesn't believe it will be as soon as people think.
"Look at him," Jacobs said. "Does he look like he's ready to walk away? He looks like he's 24 years old. I don't think he's ready to go yet."
Barber, 31, kept his stance yesterday, not totally committing to retirement but certainly letting everyone know he's seriously leaning in that direction.
The Giants, who play at Dallas on Monday night, eventually will turn to Jacobs, their fourth-round pick from two years ago.
At 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds, Jacobs is 5 inches taller and nearly 60 pounds bigger than Barber, making him physically one of the league's most imposing running backs.
But Jacobs, 24, isn't an obvious fit. He hasn't come close to pushing Barber for playing time since he was drafted and is used mainly in short-yardage situations.
He carried the ball 38 times last season for 99 yards and seven touchdowns. But his time decreased in the second half, when he got 12 carries over the final eight games.
Jacobs this season has developed into a more dependable back. He has 177 yards on 34 carries (5.2-yard average) with two scores. He gives a lot of the credit to Barber, who has served as a mentor since Jacobs arrived.
"He's taught me a lot about what it's like to play in this league," Jacobs said. "Not just football. I look at what he does off the field and how he speaks to (the media). He's an ace at that stuff. I'm still trying to learn from him. It's why I don't want him to go."
Barber has been nothing short of sensational in recent years.
He finished second in the NFL in rushing last season with a team-record 1,860 yards, his fourth straight 1,200-plus-yard season. Currently Barber leads the league with 533 yards rushing in five games. He gained 185 yards in last week's 27-14 win at Atlanta, which earned him NFC offensive player of the week honors.
Once a fumble-prone runner, Barber has become durable and reliable, carrying the ball a career-high 357 times last season.
Barber has been candid this season, saying he took on a heavy load last year because he didn't feel confident his backups — namely Jacobs — were ready to fill in consistently.
If Barber does retire after this season, though, he's confident a more mature Jacobs is capable of moving up the depth chart.
"I think he's ready," Barber said. "He's come leaps and bounds since last season. He's going to need some help, so hopefully Derrick Ward will get healthy. But I think Brandon is ready."

10-20-2006, 05:51 PM	#29
Giantone Gamebreaker Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 14,434	Re: Tiki Barber likely to retire after the season Jacobs hoping Barber stays a few more years By KEVIN DEVANEY JR. THE JOURNAL NEWS Related news from the Web Latest headlines by topic: • Sports • Derrick Ward • Tiki Barber • NFL Football • Amani Toomer • New York Giants • Brandon Jacobs • NFL Players • Gibril Wilson Powered by Topix.net (Original publication: October 20, 2006) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Every time Brandon Jacobs caught Tiki Barber's eye yesterday, Jacobs smiled and held up one finger. One more year, Jacobs implored. Hold off retirement for one more year. "I'm not done with him yet," Jacobs said. "I still need him. I haven't milked him for everything I can get." The news of Barber's potential retirement this week not only has stunned the organization, it's cast a bright light on Jacobs, a second-year pro and the Giants' backup running back. With the possibility looming that the team's all-time leading rusher will step away after this season, the starting job will probably fall to Jacobs, as will the weight of the Giants' offense. Jacobs said he's capable of stepping into Barber's shoes. But he doesn't believe it will be as soon as people think. "Look at him," Jacobs said. "Does he look like he's ready to walk away? He looks like he's 24 years old. I don't think he's ready to go yet." Barber, 31, kept his stance yesterday, not totally committing to retirement but certainly letting everyone know he's seriously leaning in that direction. The Giants, who play at Dallas on Monday night, eventually will turn to Jacobs, their fourth-round pick from two years ago. At 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds, Jacobs is 5 inches taller and nearly 60 pounds bigger than Barber, making him physically one of the league's most imposing running backs. But Jacobs, 24, isn't an obvious fit. He hasn't come close to pushing Barber for playing time since he was drafted and is used mainly in short-yardage situations. He carried the ball 38 times last season for 99 yards and seven touchdowns. But his time decreased in the second half, when he got 12 carries over the final eight games. Jacobs this season has developed into a more dependable back. He has 177 yards on 34 carries (5.2-yard average) with two scores. He gives a lot of the credit to Barber, who has served as a mentor since Jacobs arrived. "He's taught me a lot about what it's like to play in this league," Jacobs said. "Not just football. I look at what he does off the field and how he speaks to (the media). He's an ace at that stuff. I'm still trying to learn from him. It's why I don't want him to go." Barber has been nothing short of sensational in recent years. He finished second in the NFL in rushing last season with a team-record 1,860 yards, his fourth straight 1,200-plus-yard season. Currently Barber leads the league with 533 yards rushing in five games. He gained 185 yards in last week's 27-14 win at Atlanta, which earned him NFC offensive player of the week honors. Once a fumble-prone runner, Barber has become durable and reliable, carrying the ball a career-high 357 times last season. Barber has been candid this season, saying he took on a heavy load last year because he didn't feel confident his backups — namely Jacobs — were ready to fill in consistently. If Barber does retire after this season, though, he's confident a more mature Jacobs is capable of moving up the depth chart. "I think he's ready," Barber said. "He's come leaps and bounds since last season. He's going to need some help, so hopefully Derrick Ward will get healthy. But I think Brandon is ready."