D.J. Ware could be the Giants' new short-yardage back

Since earlier this spring, the Giants have been wondering who they would find to fill the role of Brandon Jacobs. Or, at least, the role Jacobs was supposed to have had in recent years.

That’s the big bulldozing back. The short-yardage guy. The need an inch and don’t sweat it grinder.

Running backs coach Jerald Ingram said last week that he thought Andre Brown might become that guy, but last night D.J. Ware certainly established himself for that job.

“I’m the biggest out of the backs, so it’s one of those things where you fall into those shoes,” Ware said. “If that’s what they need, then that’s what I can do. I did that when I was at Georgia, so it’s the same.”

Ware showed good tenacity on his touchdown run last night, getting stuffed up the middle and then rolling right with a second-effort to push into the end zone. He finished with 30 rushing yards on 5 carries, including a 16-yard run right before Martellus Bennett caught his touchdown pass. On that run he also showed his speed and quickness. He even high-stepped through the hole, although he didn’t have to (something Ahmad Bradshaw gave him a little grief over). There's a good picture of it above.

“I felt like somebody was behind me trying to trip me up so I threw my legs up trying to get the most yards that I could,” he said. “I probably didn’t need to. But it’s all good.”

Of course Ware isn’t only trying to replace Jacobs, but keep ahead of rookie David Wilson. Ware said he knows the first-round pick is breathing down his neck for the No. 2 job. For him to do that, he’ll need to continue running the way he did last night.

“They just want to see me run hard,” Ware said. “I’m a big back and they want me to run with power and speed when I need it and make the right reads and stay positive in my yardage. That’s what I tried to do (last night).”