Someone asked Chris Snee if Ahmad Bradshaw was obligated to buy the offensive line some sort of trinket after paving the way for him to gain a career-high 200 yards rushing in the Giants’ 41-27 dismissal of the Browns yesterday at MetLife Stadium.
Such a display of gratitude would seem appropriate for a unit that dominated the line of scrimmage after the Browns took an early 17-7 lead. But the pleasure of the remaining three quarters was all theirs. No reciprocity needed.
“We owed him that,” Snee said. “It’s been tough sledding for a while. It was nice to see him finally break though.”
For those who thought Bradshaw might have lost a step and the Giants’ running game was a figment of someone’s imagination, the bulldozing of the Browns offered a reminder neither should be abandoned.
As a team the Giants amassed 243 rushing yards for a 7.1 average per carry, while Bradshaw carried it 30 times for an average of 6.7. Even against a defensively challenged team like the winless Browns, it’s an impressive confidence builder heading into Sunday’s rematch against the 49ers in San Francisco.
After finishing last in the NFL in rushing a year ago despite winning a Super Bowl, the Giants put emphasis on improving the running game this year. But they had averaged just 89.5 yards rushing over their first four games. The last time the Giants had more than 200 yards rushing was Dec. 13, 2010, against the Vikings.
“It’s been a long time since we had a day like that, so it feels good,” Snee said. “It’s definitely something we’re happy about and something we need to try to establish next week.”
The offensive line may have done the heavy lifting, but Bradshaw was every bit as tenacious and determined. He ran like a bull again.
“He’s as physically tough and competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” coach Tom Coughlin said.
Bradshaw won’t disagree.
“I love this game more than anybody,” he said. “I put all my heart into it and I just feel I’m one of the toughest out there on the field when I’m out there, so I just try to play with it.”
His day started on the worst note when he took a handoff from Eli Manning on the first play of the game and the ball hit Snee as the Giants guard was blocking a linebacker. It was a freak play. The Browns recovered and scored a quick touchdown en route to a 14-0 lead. “I’m going to tell you he just needs to wait a split second and cut behind me,” Snee said half-jokingly.
Bradshaw fumed about the turnover and used it as motivation for the rest of the game. He keyed the Giants first two scoring drives rushing five times for 33 yards on one series and five times for 24 yards on another. Then he ran for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17.
After compiling 80 yards rushing at the half, Bradshaw ran wild in the second half. He used runs of 37 yards and 28 yards to pad his stats before carrying the leather six times for 36 yards in the Giants’ final clock-killing series of the game when the offensive linemen wanted him to reach 200. “It’s a big number and he’s been sticking with us throughout the struggles we’ve had,” Snee said. “It was good to get him to that mark. It’s a tough number to get to.”
Bradshaw will reunite with former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs next week. Jacobs has yet to play for the 49ers after injuring his left knee during the preseason. No doubt Jacobs will have already heard about Bradshaw’s big day. The entire league should take note.
“I’m sure it sends a message to everybody,” Bradshaw said. “I’m sure everybody knows what we can do.”
Finally.