Giants, Bradshaw agree to terms
New York Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw reacts after scoring against the Seattle Seahawks. (Nov. 7, 2010) Credit: AP
It took only a week and a visit from another running back, but the Giants finally completed their priority of the frenzied free-agency period by agreeing to terms with Ahmad Bradshaw Monday. The running back will return to the Giants under a four-year deal worth $18 million, with $9 million guaranteed, sources said.
That's considerably less than the deal received by Carolina's DeAngelo Williams, who received $8 million per season, and it even pales compared with the deal Brandon Jacobs got two years ago. But when the market for running backs began to dry up, Bradshaw's price came down. Supply and demand.
Bradshaw had been courted by other teams during his availability, including the Dolphins, Redskins and Bengals. He was scheduled to visit the Bengals Monday, but they re-signed Cedric Benson before Bradshaw traveled to Cincinnati.
The Giants had made an offer to Bradshaw early in free agency and may have upped the ante -- if not the offer -- by bringing in free-agent running back Jason Snelling for a visit. Snelling was in the building when the Giants agreed to terms with Bradshaw, and it is not believed that the Giants will pursue him further.
The Giants also reworked a contract with Jacobs, trimming some of his base salary to create more cap space to bring Bradshaw back.
"The sooner the better," Tom Coughlin said of getting Bradshaw's contract completed. "Get him in here."
Bradshaw and Jacobs will not be able to practice until Thursday, when free agents and those with reworked contracts are allowed to take the field.
Last year, Bradshaw ran for a career-high 1,235 yards on 276 carries and scored eight rushing touchdowns. But his fumbling was an issue, something Coughlin said will be addressed as soon as he is able to take the field later this week.
"That's something we've all got to work on," Coughlin said, becoming agitated as he recounted how the 2010 Giants led the NFL in takeaways and giveaways and calling it "ridiculous."
He said his message to Bradshaw will be clear.
"Ball security, ball security, ball security,'' he said, "even at the expense sometimes of trying to make the extra effort."
