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| After seven seasons and more than 4,800 yards, Jacobs and New York will part ways. (US PRESSWIRE) |
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is set to be released after the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on a restructured contract, reports Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger (via CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter Alex Raskin).
Jacobs was set to earn $4.9 million in base salary in addition to a roster bonus due later this month. Garafolo writes that the Giants met with Jacobs' representatives two weeks ago at the combine in Indianapolis with the goal of reworking his deal to a more manageable figure. Jacobs balked, and the organization informed him Friday that he'll be released.
Jacobs, a former fourth-round pick out of Southern Illinois, spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Giants where he rushed for 4,849 yards (4.5 YPC) and scored 56 touchdowns. At 6-4, 265 pounds, Jacobs was a between-the-tackles bruiser (though NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp has been known to refer to Jacobs as the "tiptoe burglar" for his sometimes less-than-physical style) who has stated previously that he preferred to stay in New York.
Last week, he called the Giants "a great organization," adding that "I got wonderful, great teammates. I won a second Super Bowl here with this organization." But he qualified his laudatory remarks with the stark reminder that, ultimately, the NFL is a business: "But I’m not willing to sell my soul, you know? It’s a great organization and I want to be a part of it, but if not, if they’re not feeling the same way, then so be it.”
So here we are: two sides unable to find common ground. And as a consequence, Jacobs will soon be free to hawk his wares to the other 31 teams (30 if you think that Gisele would never let him play for the Patriots).
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