Rashad Jennings expects 'dominant' Giants offense
Rashad Jennings #23 of the New York Giants signals for a first down during a game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on Dec. 7, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: Getty Images / Wesley Hitt
Now that Antrel Rolle is gone, someone has to pick up the slack when it comes to verbalizing haughty expectations for the Giants. Running back Rashad Jennings has thrown his helmet into that ring.
The running back was in Florida to throw out the first pitch at a Mets spring training game and told reporters that he has big hopes for the Giants' offense in 2015. Really big.
"I think we're going to have a dominant offense," Jennings said.
Jennings pointed to the development of Eli Manning in the new system late last season, the return of key players on the offensive line, and the team's strong slate of receivers. He even was excited about the addition of Shane Vereen at running back, which could cost him some touches.
"It's going to be big," Jennings said of Vereen's signing with the Giants. "Any time you can add depth at any position, any room, it's valuable. He's a guy that's been on a team that knows the recipe of winning. We extract from that. We'll be able to add. Also, he's a great catcher from the backfield. So that's going to entice the coordinator to throw to the running backs more. So I'm happy with that. He's a good player, and from everything I understand, he's a good teammate. I'm glad to have him aboard."
Jennings has been in Florida working out with Andre Williams, the Giants' other running back. With the three of them, playing time could be hard to come by.
"Playing time is irrelevant," Jennings said. "All we want to do is win so however we see fit for different players to fit in on certain plays, downs, situations then we'll move from there. Two, you saw the running back position, especially, to battle injuries we have to have guys back there. It doesn't matter who starts, who finishes, it's about us pushing the chains forward, scoring touchdowns and winning games.
"It's not competition," Jennings added, "it's guys that can play."
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
