The common theory is a running back’s best assets are his legs. Rashad Jennings thinks it’s the eyes.
Jennings, who starred at Liberty College and played with the Jaguars and Raiders before signing this offseason with the Giants, prides himself on being a student of the game. He studies his offensive linemen to analyze their strengths, weaknesses and blocking tendencies. He also studies defenses for tendencies on down and distances. He studies an opponent’s blitz packages to anticipate his protection duties.
When the game is being played, Jennings takes all that information and uses his eyes to anticipate what will happen on any given play. He looks for clues that might tip off what the defense is going to do.
“The defense can’t help but show in their eyes what they’re about to do,” Jennings said Sunday, adding, “Being a professional athlete, it’s kind of your job to study the game.”
Jennings used his eyes to pick up a blitz that gave quarterback Eli Manning extra time to find wide receiver Rueben Randle for a 15-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the first half of the Giants’ 35-24 win over the Jets on Friday night at MetLife Stadium. He also used his eyes to follow his blocking for 67 yards on 13 carries, all in the first half. He also caught one pass for 7 yards as he works on becoming a receiving threat in the Giants’ new West Coast offense.
“To be a complete running back you have to be able to study film like a quarterback; you’ve got to be able to catch the ball like a receiver, block like an offensive lineman and you’ve got to be agile like a running back,” Jennings said. “Playing running back you have to wear a lot of hats.”
The success of the running game, which accounted for 119 yards against the Jets, has the Giants encouraged heading into their final preseason game, Thursday night against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
“We’ve started to jell together,” Jennings said. “There’s a lot to be excited about.”
A long-shot, seventh-round pick of the Jaguars in 2009, Jennings has never had the chance to produce the kind of statistics to be considered an elite back. He has had to work too hard just to get on the field. After four years in Jacksonville, where he started nine games and rushed for 944 yards, Jennings spent last season in Oakland. He became the featured back when Darren McFadden went out with an injury. Jennings showed enough in rushing for 733 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts to get a four-year, $10 million contract with the Giants.
Jennings’ cerebral approach to football impressed the Giants when they first met with him.
“When we interviewed him it was very evident he was that kind of young man,” head coach Tom Coughlin said.
With fourth-round pick Andre Williams showing positive signs, the Giants think they’ve got a potent 1-2 punch. Jennings is trying to teach Williams and the other running backs to use their eyes as well as their legs.
“We work on it every single day,” Jennings said. “We’re going to continue to grow as a unit in the backfield. We have high expectations because we have a group of guys that can get the job done.”
This will be the first time Jennings has a chance to be the featured back at the start of a season. His study habits give him confidence he can get the job done.
“My outlook has been the same since I was a starter in college,” he said. “I never take anything for granted. I try to come in and earn the trust of my teammates and coaching staff regardless if I’m the starter or on fifth string. But to myself I want to be able to prove a lot.”
It starts with the eyes.