Bradshaw feeling great after surgery

Ahh, the preseason, the game show where athletes try to outdo each other on their physical conditioning.

Those coming off injury talk about how they’re stronger than before. Uninjured players proclaim themselves in the best shape of their lives.

Today’s contestant is running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and this is the best he’s felt______?

“In years man, I feel great,” he said—certainly a competitive answer. “It’s a little bit of everything. I just feel fresh. I feel young again. I feel tremendous on my feet.”

The summer optimism comes after February surgery on his left ankle and a lockout that allowed him to rehab.

“It was a great thing,” he said, laughing. “I got the time to spend a lot of time with my family and just rest. And that was a huge thing for us.”

Bradshaw said he and Brandon Jacobs will likely take turns in a rotation that should resemble 2010.

“It’s the same as last year,” he said.” We’ll take turns doing what we do best. We’re both good backs. No matter what situation they put us in, we can handle business.”

Including short yardage?

“I’ll be in short yardage and be able to use my speed around the corner if I have to, and my power up the middle,” he said.

Coach Tom Coughlin was characteristically curt when asked if Bradshaw and Jacobs could be used almost interchangeably because of their ability to do similar things, despite their difference in size.

“Yea, they can do similar things,” he said. “But they can also do different things.”

Touché.