Natedawg44
03-20-2005, 03:11 PM
Lineman-size frame won't slow RB Jacobs
He's a running back in a lineman's body. But in the case of Brandon Jacobs, that's not a bad thing.
The Southern Illinois product has been standing out in a crowd since he hit a growth spurt at age 14. Now 6 feet 4 and 267 pounds, he's ready to stand tall in the NFL.
''There are generally not a lot of real tall running backs,'' Titans General Manager Floyd Reese said. ''If you find a guy that size, your first thought is to move him to tight end or defensive end or offensive line.''
Jacobs said coaches have always tried to move him out of the backfield, but his speed makes him a serious weapon. He'll be the biggest running back selected in the NFL Draft next month.
''I've had no problems with being too tall or too big,'' Jacobs said. ''I get my shoulders down at a pretty decent level, and as far as being tall, I think it's an advantage because I think my stride is three or four times longer than anyone else's. And when I get out into the open field, it's just the back of the jersey.''
Jacobs started off at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, then earned a scholarship at Auburn and rushed for 446 yards, three touchdowns and a team-high 6.2 yards per carry in 2003.
But with running backs Ronnie Brown and Carnell ''Cadillac'' Williams already on campus, Jacobs didn't get the chance he wanted. Coaches even tried to move him around there, but they finally said ''you're just a running back, and there's nothing we can do,'' Jacobs said.
In 12 games for Southern Illinois last season, Jacobs averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.
After he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, most experts walked away thinking he'll be a first day selection
We screwed up once by taking Jamar Martin instead of Najeh Davenport 3 years ago. I hope we don't do it again and give this guy a chance if he's there in the fourth. Holy smokes is that guy big and fast.
He's a running back in a lineman's body. But in the case of Brandon Jacobs, that's not a bad thing.
The Southern Illinois product has been standing out in a crowd since he hit a growth spurt at age 14. Now 6 feet 4 and 267 pounds, he's ready to stand tall in the NFL.
''There are generally not a lot of real tall running backs,'' Titans General Manager Floyd Reese said. ''If you find a guy that size, your first thought is to move him to tight end or defensive end or offensive line.''
Jacobs said coaches have always tried to move him out of the backfield, but his speed makes him a serious weapon. He'll be the biggest running back selected in the NFL Draft next month.
''I've had no problems with being too tall or too big,'' Jacobs said. ''I get my shoulders down at a pretty decent level, and as far as being tall, I think it's an advantage because I think my stride is three or four times longer than anyone else's. And when I get out into the open field, it's just the back of the jersey.''
Jacobs started off at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, then earned a scholarship at Auburn and rushed for 446 yards, three touchdowns and a team-high 6.2 yards per carry in 2003.
But with running backs Ronnie Brown and Carnell ''Cadillac'' Williams already on campus, Jacobs didn't get the chance he wanted. Coaches even tried to move him around there, but they finally said ''you're just a running back, and there's nothing we can do,'' Jacobs said.
In 12 games for Southern Illinois last season, Jacobs averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.
After he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, most experts walked away thinking he'll be a first day selection
We screwed up once by taking Jamar Martin instead of Najeh Davenport 3 years ago. I hope we don't do it again and give this guy a chance if he's there in the fourth. Holy smokes is that guy big and fast.