From the transcripts Coughlin and Gilbride don't seem to be talking about making Bradshaw the main back. There's probably some coach speak to it, down playing Jacobs struggles, but according to them Jacobs came out of the last two games with stingers, the Cowboys game was a shootout, Bradshaw has stepped up and is making big plays, and defenses have just happened to make a play when Jacobs has been in and/or the line hasn't blocked as well.
Jacobs has said, that being a bigger back, he can't squeeze through some of the lanes that Bradshaw can zip through. He's also mentioned that he's trying to make people miss more to get things going even though the coaches have advised against this.
I think Jacobs got frustrated over his lack of production during the first few games, as the Giants showcased the pass and defenses loaded up on the run. Due to that he's changed things up and to use a baseball term, "lost his swing" because of this.
Gilbride Oct. 22 on the running game vs. Saints and vs. Cards.
Q. Brandon thought it could have been a huge rushing day last week. Do you think you have to get more established at the run?
A. No, I think we have to do whatever has to be done on game day. That game, the reason the running game was good is because we were throwing it and had chances for big plays and they backed off and that is when the running game was good. On the first couple where he got stuffed, that is why we had the opportunities for the big plays throwing the ball. Problem was three of the first ten plays we had a chance to score a touchdown and we didn't do it. Seven times over the course of the game we had a chance to score a touchdown and didn't for one reason or another. But when we got them to back off we had a chance to run the ball.
Q. This week you face another high-powered offense. Will you use the pass to set up the run?
A. All we do is look to see what the defensive scheme or approach is going to be against us and then try to take advantage of the areas that are most vulnerable. When those areas are there and you have those chances, and like I said, three of the first ten plays we had a chance for a touchdown and didn't hit it for whatever reason. That would have backed them off tremendously. Then we could have run the ball and controlled the clock. We got behind and we had to continue to throw. We had chances. There were things that we saw and we knew they would be there and they were there and we didn't take advantage as we would have hoped.
Q. Do you expect to see the same things this week?
No, it's a completely different defense and different defensive approach. Again, what they do, they still bring an extra man up there to rush down the run or you go two high to shut down the pass. Whatever they do, it will give one area more of a chance to be successful. You still have to go execute, whether it is run or pass, and hopefully when we see those things we will be able to do that.
Jacobs burners taking him out.
Q: Last week was the second time that Brandon Jacobs has come out with the burner. Is that the same issue?
A: He comes right back in.
Q: Is he more vulnerable now?
A: No, I don't think so. You would say that if it happened a couple of weekends in a row. But he is strong and he is strong in the weight room. He comes right back. I don't think there is any vulnerability. At least I hope not.
Gilbribe Oct 15 Jacobs role and struggles
Q. What is it about Brandon Jacobs that makes him a tone-setter for this offense?
A. The obvious thing is that he is so physical, so powerful. So it adds a physical element to an offense that not all offenses have. We all would like to have that component where you say, we can just line up against our opponent and be as physical as any defense we encounter. You're not going to do it with your receivers. It really is going to come down to what your line and the style of runner that you have. He gives us that, he gives us that tone, that physicality, that toughness.
Q. Why is he so frustrated these days?
A. I just think his stats are not as high as the success he has experienced in the past. He wants to do more, which is good. Looking to do whatever he can do, he is looking to do it for the sake of the team. I think that is what he feels, he wants to be an effective runner because he knows our team needs that.
Q. Has he expressed his frustration to you individually?
A. We have talked about it. I told him, 'to just keep playing. We aren't disappointed at all. You're a big part of what we do. You can express your contributions as a runner and also as a pass protector.' (He's) a guy that is chipping and neutralizing some superior rushers that we are facing. Not everybody has a guy who can do that, he can do that. We can match him up against a linebacker. We don't have to make adjustments that a lot of teams have to do. He helps us in so many areas I don't worry necessarily about the yardage per carry. I just look at the tone he is setting, not only with his running but also with everything he does.
Q. When you look at the film can you see why the yardage has gone down?
A. No, not really. It is hard to discern any difference from the past. I think it is just some of the things that happen to be that way. Sometimes you guys will say how come so and so hasn't caught the ball as many times as he did last year. I just say, during the course of the year, I think it will all even out. I think the same thing. I think his stats will be just where they have been over the past few years once the year is done. Right now, when we call certain a run, maybe it hasn't opened up quite the way it would've in the past. I can tell you this right now there isn't a defensive back in the league that is excited about tackling him once he gets himself north and south. Hopefully, we've got a play called and we are executing and blocking well enough that we give him that chance.
Q. Along those same lines, is Ahmad Bradshaw just in a groove?
A. He is playing absolutely great football. He is making guys miss sometimes, even if it's not blocked the way you want it, sometimes it is the luck of the draw, you have the right play call when he is in.
Q. How do you expect Brandon will handle the frustration?
A. What I expect him to do is to channel that into a great effort. Going home, looking to show everybody that, 'Hey, I am a special football player. My role on this team is very important. I am angry, I'm frustrated.' I think he is just going to dig down a little bit deeper. I think he is going to respond very positive to do it.
Q. Are Brandon and Ahmad seeing different looks from defenses?
A. Sometimes, most of the time it is the same. People play you the same, they are playing their scheme. They do play us a little differently when Brandon is in the game. Certainly they know Brandon's running style is a certain way so they can play him a little different. Essentially, it is the same. But again, I can call a certain play and Mario Manningham is the x receiver and on that coverage you have bump and run and we have a go route so the ball goes to him. I could call the same route the next five times and it happens to be Hakeem Nicks and there is off coverage and the ball never goes to him. What is wrong with Hakeem? It just happens to be the luck of the draw. Some of that is part of the explanation. Part of it is that Ahmad is playing great football. He is making some guys miss, that is his style of play. Brandon's best style is when we just come off the ball as a unit and we knock people off the line and get him going. When he gets going that is when he is special. We are trying to do it.
Q. So it is not that defenses are gearing up to stop the power run?
A. No, not really. There are sometimes with a little of that. But we run Brandon outside a lot. Some of his best plays are when you get him outside and get him running. It is less of that than it is just happened to be the luck of the draw. What play is called, what defense is called. Again, Ahmad has had some where maybe it wasn't the perfect call or scheme and he has just made guys miss.
Coughlin Oct 14 Happy with Jacobs
Q: Brandon Jacobs is openly down on himself a little bit. How can you help him turn that around?
A: I don't know what people keep talking about turning around. The guy had some outstanding runs the other day. He had the numbers in terms of rushes. He had the usual number of power runs that he has. I don't think there is anything for Brandon to be down on. This keeps coming up. I don't know what the expectations are. He is a power runner and that is what he does. If you are talking about the goal line - it was good penetration and he didn't get the opportunity to get into the end zone. But he will continue to work at that and continue to study and continue to look at himself. And he continues to be a vital part of our offensive team.
Q: When you have one running back averaging three yards a carry and the others have five and six, there has to be something.
A: Why not? What is wrong with that?
Q: Well the production just doesn't seem to be there.
A: Well, we are averaging 160 yards a game rushing, so some how, some way, the ball is moving down the field.
Coughlin Oct 12 Bradshaw number of touches
Q. Is Ahmad Bradshaw reading blocks much better this year?
A. No doubt. A week ago I think he showed that. He is more aware, he is more in tune, he certainly does understand the protections and he does move in and he is physical.
Q. With his production do you want to get him the ball more?
A. I think 11 carries for 110 yards is good. I am just kidding. We will see how that goes. We do have issues since he practices basically once a week but they are trying to do a little bit more than that. We haven't received any clearance. We feel like there is a chance to give him some more snaps, but we will see just how that distribution goes. I think yesterday, being able to get Gartrell in there, with Brandon getting any number of carries and doing a good job of catching the ball coming out of the backfield and doing a nice job of pass protection, I think we have a pretty good mix developing. As I said a week ago, if we can get Danny Ware back healthy I think not only will it help in terms of our rotation and our availability, but it will help our special teams as well.
Gilbride Oct 1 Jacobs not tip-toeing, but thinking too much
Q: What do you see when you look at the Kansas City defense?
A: I see a lot of first rounders and second rounders, particularly up front, that look like they fly around real well for the football. So I guess they are able to generate some heat. So we are going to have our hands full.
Q: Is Jacob's tip-toeing? Is he running differently than he used to in the past?
A: Not really. Every year is a different year and what have you. Someone just told me about it. I wasn't - to be honest with you - sure what the story was until about 15 minutes ago. If anything, I see a guy that is still energetic, is physical, is passionate about doing whatever he can to help us win. If there is an error that is slowing him down, it is because he wants to be perfect. He is trying to make the perfect read, if that is it. If there is anything, that would be it, he is just trying so hard to do everything perfectly. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and go out and play. But I certainly don't see anybody that is tip-toeing. That has not been -- I haven't been aware of that at all.
Q: Initially, when Jacobs first arrived, you tried to get him to be a little more patient?
A: Yeah. They say - sometimes knowledge can be a little - knowledge can be dangerous. I think as he is growing, he is trying to read and understand not only what we do, but he has grown so much now that he understands what defenses will do, sometimes if you are not careful, you get overloaded. And you don't trust just your instincts. Those decisions are made within fractions of seconds - "Hey, my key does this and I have to react to it." And I think, if anything, he just wants to do right so badly that if anything slows him down, that would be it. But again, I don't see anybody that has lessened his enthusiasm, or his toughness or his passion or his desire for us to do well and for him to contribute to us doing well.
Q: Would you have to bring that to his attention?
A: Yeah, it is like anything. It is any position, like quarterback. You make your read, you see it, trust it, and let it go. If you wait and hesitate just a little bit, all of a sudden that lane that - what you were correct in determining was open - the passing lane is not there. And the same thing applies to a running game. You just have to believe yourself. And it is just like anything else - if a hitter in baseball, if things are going well, it is easy. The ball looks bigger and it is no problem. You go through that slump maybe where you are not going quite as well, you begin to question yourself. And as soon as that happens, that doesn't help - that hinders.
Re: Jacobs and Bradshaw, and what is asked of Jacobs
A: Different styles, they are completely different guys. You don't ask one to do it like the other. So what he does best, he makes a read, and he turns downhill - north, south and hits it as hard and as aggressively as he can. Even if it is not a perfect read, it usually moves the pile and keeps us in a good down and distance rhythm. And that is all we really ever ask from him. Now when he gets out in the open, some of those misdirection things and once he gets a head of steam, now it is frightening if you are a defensive back and you have to tackle him.
I couldn't find the transcript where Jacobs talked about trying to be more elusive to try and fix things, even though his coaches weren't on board with it. Maybe later I'll have the time to find it.
Despite his big game, Maclin has a ways to go in his development as an NFL receiver to show consistent production from week to week. It's close, but I'd still take Nicks long term.
Sometimes I add a "K" to Nicks, due to the NY Knicks. 
