Ahmad Bradshaw comes back to MetLife Stadium
Ahmad Bradshaw addressing the media after cleaning out his locker at the Timex Performance Center on Monday, December 31, 2012. Photo by Errol Anderson Credit: Errol Anderson
Ahmad Bradshaw returns to MetLife Stadium on Sunday night unsure of whether his primary replacement is up to the task just yet.
The Colts running back was released from the Giants this winter after a six-year career that included two Super Bowl rings. Second-year running back David Wilson has been penciled in as the Giants' starting tailback.
"It'll take time," Bradshaw said of Wilson being ready for that role. "It took time for me. It just takes time with being comfortable, learning that offense. Once he does that he can kind of take over. He has the ability, he has the quickness."
It wasn't until Bradshaw's third NFL season that he became a fixture in the Giants' backfield, and he didn't start games regularly until 2010.
Bradshaw, who has scored the most touchdowns at MetLife Stadium, underwent foot surgery this offseason and was recently taken off PUP by the Colts but has not begun practicing with the team. He will, however, travel with his new squad for the preseason game on Sunday against his old squad.
"It's an exciting time, just to be able to get back and get to see the guys, get back into Giants Stadium," he said, adding that it's been "strange" learning a new offense and wearing a new jersey and it is sure to be equally strange looking across the field at his old teammates on Sunday.
"I've been with the Giants for my whole career," he said, "and never thought about it on the other side."
Ojomo wants to produce, for real
In his last four preseason games, DE Adewale Ojomo has accumulated 51/2 sacks, including 11/2 against the Steelers last Saturday night. But while the second-year defensive end was on the 53-man roster throughout all of last year, he appeared in only one game and never on defense.
Now, the Giants' king of preseason sacks is looking to make an impact after August.
"I take last year as a redshirt type of year," he said. "It was hard. It's not all about just being on the roster. I want to actually be on the field and contribute. Produce."
Giant steps
With seven players missing practice time this week, coach Tom Coughlin said the key to not falling behind takes place in the meeting rooms. "If they're very attentive and alert and understand the circumstances that they're in, then they really don't lose any of the mental time," Coughlin said. "It's the field time that they lose and hopefully as soon as they get to comeback they catch up. It might be a day, it might be two days, it depends on how it is." . . . Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said the competition at punt returner is "wide open" for a half-dozen players including WR Rueben Randle, CB Jayron Hosley and WR Jerrel Jernigan.
