Facing a 264-Pound Giant

Jacobs's Blend of Speed and Power Is a Huge Problem for the Redskins

One of the lasting images from the Week 1 meeting between the Redskins and Giants is of New York's mammoth running back, Brandon Jacobs, steamrolling over safety LaRon Landry deep in Washington territory. And while Jacobs gets the bulk of the attention in New York's dominant three-man running attack, he's hardly one-dimensional himself.

Jacobs, who missed the Giants' last game with a knee injury but is expected by the Redskins to start today, has become one of the most feared players in the game, and at 6 feet 4 and 264 pounds he towers over many of Washington's defenders. Reserves Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw are more than competent runners as well, with the trio referred to as "Earth, Wind and Fire," although Jacobs seems to possess a complete arsenal of talent himself.

"He's got all of the tools," Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. "He's got the size, he's got the weight, he's got good vision, and he does have breakaway speed. If you let him get in the secondary he can take it the distance. I think that's something that he's underestimated on."

The Redskins have allowed roughly 200 rushing yards in the past five quarters, which is out of character for them, and Seattle feasted on running to the outside last week. Too often, Redskins defenders did not stay true to their gap assignments, or lost containment, which allowed Maurice Morris to pick up chunks of yards.

If that happens again today, this could be a blowout, and with much of Washington's front seven injured to one degree or another, the Redskins are bracing for a ground assault. Jacobs has a run of 20 yards or more in seven of his 10 games this season.

"We just need to fit better, especially for myself," said end Demetric Evans, coming off his worst game of the season. "We need to play with a good pad level, and if we're supposed to be in 'A' gap, then be in the 'A' gap. That's the key to an assignment defense, and when we don't do our assignment we get losses."

Often overlooked is the potency of New York's offensive line, which has been outmuscling opponents and is very athletic as well.

"They're knocking people off the ball," defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander said. "They're very physical. If they're supposed to get three or four [yards] on the play, they've got running backs that are going to drag another two or three out of the play."