The New York Giants had a Week 1 disaster after David Wilson completely fumbled the game away and now the team is looking at some veteran running backs and Michael Turner, Willis McGahee and Joe McKnight could be options as they try to get things right in the running game.
All three players have issues, whether it be age or production, but they aren't players with fumbling problems like Wilson and that could help get the Giants right before Andre Down returns. The team desperately needs a consistent running game and after what Wilson did, Tom Coughlin may not trust him so much with the ball. Wilson is an electric running back, but his fumbling may stop him from becoming the player he is supposed to be and that could be a big problem for the Giants.
Eli Manning nearly got the team back from their awful start, but of course another turnover happened and Wilson now is in the dog house until he can prove that he can hang onto the ball. McGahee and Turner could be solid options for the team and Wilson needs some veteran guidance after Brown went down with a leg injury. Brown will be out for the Giants for at least half the season and now they have the chance to try and sign someone else and the Giants hope that Wilson can get his head straight when they play the Denver Broncos next in Week 2.
The running back position has some name players available, including veterans like Willis McGahee, Cedric Benson, Brandon Jacobs and Michael Turner. McGahee was released by the Broncos earlier this summer after the team decided to go with Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman at the position and it comes as he was going to be making over $2 million in 2013.
Turner was prolific in his time in Atlanta and ended up with 1,699 yards his first season, but last year he was not as productive, going for just 800 yards and that was why the team decided to release him. The team was one of the best rushing teams over the past few years but as Turner broke down, so did the running game.
After cut downs from 90 to 75 players, McKnight was released and McGahee and Turner are just simply veteran free agents that were cut earlier in the offseason and have yet to find a team. Both players have been some of the most productive running backs in the league over the past five years, but now with age and injuries it has been harder for them to find jobs out there with teams.
McGahee is 32-years-old and he was coming back after a serious knee injury and with his past of those injuries, the team decided to cut him loose. McGahee had interest from a number of teams after he was released, but he was never picked up and he could catch on with a team if someone goes down during first week of the seas
McKnight didn't produce at all with the Jets and Turner is coming off 1,000 yard seasons in two of the last three years, but last season he was a disappointment with just 800. He has played in 16 games in the last three seasons and had 1,699 yards in 2008, but he has steadily been declining, although he did have double-digit touchdowns five seasons in a row, including 10 last year and 11 the previous season.
McGahee was let go as the Broncos decided to go younger and he has just 700 yards rushing last season after being one of the most prolific over the past few years and now he is looking for a new job as well as a 32-year old. McGahee had knee issues and now he will be looked at as a veteran replacement and he could be a fit for the Giants if they feel like they need someone else to step up.
