Giants Release Rashad Jennings, Too. Now What?

PHOTO: SB NATION

February 13, 2017
Peter Solari, Contributing Editor  Follow @4PeteSakeNY


Rashad Jennings is joining Victor Cruz on the unemployment line. According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the Giants released the veteran running back on Monday, after a disappointing 2016 campaign.

The Giants are also releasing starting RB Rashad Jennings, per sources. He was set to count over $3M vs salary cap and will save them $2.5M.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) February 13, 2017

Jennings had one year remaining on the four year contract he signed with New York in 2014. He led the team in rushing last season, but only produced 593 total yards, including 3.3. yards per attempt, behind a bad offensive line that stifled the team's offensive unit all year. More from SB Nation:

Jennings was the team’s starting running back this season, in an offense that struggled mightily in that department. In 13 games during the 2016 season, Jennings rushed the ball 181 times, accumulating 593 yards and three touchdowns. It was Jennings’ lowest total yardage since 2012, when he played in just 10 games for the Jaguars.

The Giants offense was 25th in the NFL this season, despite having some good weapons around Eli Manning like Odell Beckham Jr. It wasn’t a great complement to the team’s 10th ranked defense that played great down the stretch.

The move might come as somewhat of a surprise to Jennings, who told NJ.com on January 31 that he expected to be back with the team. "I expect to be back," Jennings said. “And I definitely want to be back. I've got one more year on my contract, and I've got a lot to prove. I look forward to doing it in New York again."

The Giants were due to pay Jennings $2.5 million in 2017. The move saves the Giants more than $3 million against the cap. Overall, the team saved $10 million on Monday, by releasing veteran receiver Victor Cruz.

The Giants will move forward with Paul Perkins as their top back. The first year back came on strong towards the end of last season, and finished second on the team with 456 rushing yards. New York also hopes to have Shane Vereen back, after several injuries to his triceps limited his 2016 season.

Next, Jerry Reese and company should look to bolster the offensive line. The Giants are a shining example of why you don't need a Pro Bowl running back to win championships. Don't get me wrong, guys like Adrian Peterson, Le'Veon Bell, and Ezekiel Elliott are all exciting players, and fun to watch, but they tend to command big contracts, as well, and it isn't necessary to invest a large chunk of cap space in a top-tier back, when you can win multiple Super Bowls with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs carrying the load.

It's important for a championship team to have a line that can protect it's quarterback, and open up holes for it's running backs. The Giants have the skill players to be successful, but their inability to block anyone consistently, is a big hindrance on the team.

They've got a center in Weston Richburg, and a guard in Justin Pugh. 2015 first round pick Ereck Flowers has been a huge bust up to this point, and at the very least, needs to be moved to the right side, so a reliable left tackle, yet to be acquired, can protect Eli Manning's blind side. Along with a tackle, the Giants need to find another guard. If and when they plug these holes, the running game, along with the passing game will improve dramatically.

New York has the NFL Draft coming up at the end of April, and an extra $10 million in cap space to play with. If Reese and the front-office plug the holes along the offensive front, it will allow the rest of the unit to flourish. Doing so could make the difference between being Super Bowl contenders and Super Bowl champions.

The Giants had one of the best defenses in the league last year. They're set at quarterback, and have some of the best receivers around. Perkins showed a ton of promise, and Vereen has been effective in his limited time with the team. The offensive line is the only thing standing in the way of the Giants being one of the league's best teams. Richburg and Pugh are a great start. Now it's time for Reese to repair the rest of the unit, so Manning and the Giants can make another run at a title.