The New York Giants may have signed Peyton Hillis to a new two-year contract, but the team is not stopping there. With uncertainty surrounding just how productive David Wilson will be next season following a scary neck injury, the Giants are still looking to load up on another strong back to help out Eli Manning in 2014.
According to Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea, the New York Giants have made an offer to Rashad Jennings who is currently a free agent with the Oakland Raiders. Jennings is considered one of the best available running backs on the open market after a breakout season filling in for the often-injured Darren McFadden. He was the one constant in another roller coaster year for the Raiders offense. He put up 733 yards rushing while also adding 292 yards receiving.
The Raiders have said Jennings is a priority in free agency. Reggie McKenzie has already announced that McFadden was not likely to return as the Raiders were content with letting the veteran test his worth on the open market. Jennings was the better back all season and the player Oakland is hoping to retain. Jennings feels the same way.
"Wants don't always happen," Jennings said, via CSNBayArea.com. "In times like this, they can be irrelevant. I can't fully control what happens when it comes to the business side of things. All I can do is put out my footage and show what kind of person I am. The goal is to prove one team's evaluation right."
Jennings believes Oakland is where he best fits. The running back is a power rusher and works best in the downhill scheme the Raiders operate with. He is aware his playing time will be at its highest with the Raiders now that McFadden will be gone. He build off the success of his first season if the Raiders retain him.
NFL sources say that while the Giants have made an offer on Jennings, the running back is waiting to see what Oakland comes back with. The team has plenty of salary cap space to outbid any offer made by other teams, they just actually have to make the move. The Giants are ready, McKenzie should stop shuffling his feet on this deal.
