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They call him "the juggernaut" For those of you not in attendance at the recent ComiCon comic book convention in San Francisco, that's a reference to the skullcap-wearing, unstoppable force that bedeviled the X-Men and various other members of the Marvel universe over the years. Clad in the big blue of the New York Giants, 6- foot-4-inch, 265-pound Brandon Jacobs fits the bill. If you're a Giants fan, you're a fan of the running game. It's a blue-collar approach that keeps the offense on the field, complimenting the defense by grinding out yards and first downs for precious minutes on end. And just in case it didn't, the swirling winds of East Rutherford's Giant Stadium don't allow for a prima donna quarterback anyway. Giants fans have watched "Tuffy" Leemans, Alex Webster, Ottis Anderson, Frank Gifford, Joe Morris and Rodney Hampton take the handoffs over the years. "Three yards and a cloud of dust" was always the way of Giants football, and its knowledgeable fans are some of the few who will stand and applaud a wellexecuted off-tackle running play. But since 1997, the Giants have featured Tiki Barber - one of the more explosive running backs to ever play the game. Maligned earlier in his career for his fumble-prone ways, Tiki turned it around and turned in outstanding performances in each of his last three years. Retiring on his terms, Barber has left a huge shadow for his heir apparent, Jacobs. News from the Giants training camp has Jacobs - also referred to as the "Biggest Running Back in Captivity" - more than ready to step into his shoes. "No disrespect, but I am tired of hearing it," Jacobs told the media. Last season, Jacobs was the Giants' short-yardage specialist, rushing 96 times for 423 yards - an impressive 4.4 yards per carry - and he carried the ball in for nine touchdowns. After an offseason of working with and studying the film of power running back Eddie George, Jacobs is ready to smash some helmets. "He is fast, and he has a nasty attitude," Giants Pro Bowl middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said after practicing against Jacobs. Pierce, no slouch himself at 6 feet 1 inch and 238 pounds, likened Jacobs to an offensive lineman. "He looks to hurt people." So, will the Giants unleash the fury? Rumors were rampant a few weeks ago that the Gmen would trade for Larry Johnson - not a bad idea in most people's books - but Jacobs could care less. He's not worried about LJ, and he's not worried about Barber's shadow.
"I'm not here to be Tiki," Jacobs told The Associated Press. "I'm here to be me."
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