Dec 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) breaks off big run against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

First, let’s start with the 2013 NFL Draft prospect. Legwold writes that the Broncos are high on Bell and also have interest in Texas A&M Aggies back Christine Michael. Bell led the Big Ten in rushing last season, and he is their best option if they want to get a powerful back who can grind out the yards in between the tackles. Michael is a mediocre option, and the Broncos would most likely prefer to draft Bell, who had a solid college career.

Some say that Bell is overrated, but he’s faster than some people think after posting forty times in the low 4.5s. To me, Bell is their best option in the middle rounds over Michael.

If the Broncos want to get somebody who can be a feature back in this league when healthy, then Ahmad Bradshaw is the guy they want to gamble on. Even though he is a big injury risk and still has a “lame” leg (that’s what the Pittsburgh Steelers termed it), Bradshaw is a terrific talent as a rusher who can beat you in so many different ways on the ground. Add in that he is one of the best pass protectors around and can also make an impact as a receiver out of the backfield, and you have a guy who could very well be a top ten back when healthy.

According to Legwold, the Broncos took a “long look” (one of Legwold’s favorite sayings) at Bradshaw and could give him a low-risk, small contract to prove his health. The Broncos had interest in Shonn Greene, and it seems like they want to go for a running back who has No. 1 potential. Of these three backs, Bradshaw most clearly fits that type, but I doubt they would release Willis McGahee to sign Bradshaw. If they do release McGahee, then it would be to sign Bradshaw and draft a back (like Bell).

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.

Dec 3, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) holds up his helmet before the game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Former New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw shouldn’t have  any trouble finding a new home. In the 2012 campaign he battled injuries and despite only starting 12 games, still rushed for 1,000 yards. Only 16 players accomplished this feat in the 2012 season. He also should have a few years left in him, he is only 26 years old, though he turns 27 in March. Surely he’d be in high demand.

So that led us to think, what uniform are we most likely to see Ahmad Bradshaw wearing next season.

Honorable Mention- Dallas Cowboys

I think that if the Cowboys brought in Ahmad Bradshaw to line up along side DeMarco Murray they could benefit greatly. This also could just be wishful thinking of my Dallas Cowboys but it is probably unlikely. DeMarco Murray is oft injured and Felix Jones hasn’t proven to be worth that first round draft pick. Having a back like Bradshaw to complement Murray would create a dynamic backfield. This could alleviate some of the pressure on Tony Romo. Aside from that Bradshaw might not want to be behind the Dallas Cowboys offensive line as it is currently constructed. He also has come from the New York Giants, long time rivals of the Cowboys. We’ve seen people jump teams but usually it’s Cowboys going to New York like Martellus Bennett and Chris Canty.

5. Green Bay Packers

The second leading rusher for the Packers was Aaron Rodgers. Do you know who their leading rusher was? Maybe not, but he only ran for 464 yards. Their 3.9 yards per attempt was 11th worst in the NFL, and their 106 yards was 20th best in the NFL. An experienced running back who fought threw injuries to run for 1,000 yards with Championship hardware would fit in nicely with a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

4. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers still have young Ryan Matthews on their team and they might not be ready to abandon that commitment. But in 3 seasons he’s only rushed for over 1,000 yards once, and only rushed for 707 yards this season. As a team the Chargers had the second worse rushing attack averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Bradshaw could help Matthews and more importantly help San Diego in a division that has only 1 real contender in it. There is no excuse in a division that includes the Raiders and Chiefs to not have a better rushing attack.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The steelers have been known for smash mouth football, and they didn’t run the ball successfully last season. In terms of yards per attempt, they were the 5th worst team in the NFL, their 96 yards per game was 26th in the NFL. They like to run and could run with Bradshaw. ”Where we were in the running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position,” said GM Kevin Colbert. Hmmmm…. a free agent 1,000 yard rusher like Bradshaw could be a fit.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Yes, they made the NFC Championship game but in terms of yards per attempt their 3.7 yards average was 4th worst in the league. If you drafted Michael Turner in your fantasy draft, I’m going to assume your bald from having pulled all your hair out. Michael Turner had an average below that of 3.6 yards per attempt and only rushed for 800 yards. Bradshaw brings championship pedigree and a 1,000 yard season despite injuries. Solid fit.

1. Arizona Cardinals

The only position the Cardinals experienced more upheaval at than quarterback might be running back. Beanie Wells was injured frequently and a myriad or replacements came in. None of which rushed for more than 400 yards. A featured back would be a huge move in the right direction and Ahmad Bradshaw could help the Cardinals out greatly.

Dec 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Yesterday Ahmad Bradshaw was released by the New York Giants. Despite being a crucial part of the 2012 Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, scoring the winning touchdown and rushing for over 1,000 yards in 14 games, only 12 of which he started.

Today he went on WFAN in New York City and talked with host Mike Francesca, via Sports Radio Interviews, to talk about his release.

“I kind of saw this coming. I knew it would happen sooner or later; I didn’t know when,” Bradshaw told Francesca. “I’m just looking towards the next thing to happen. The only hard part is that I’m leaving a family, a great family, that I’ve learned to love.”

But despite helping the Giants to a Super Bowl title and a 1,000 yard rushing season despite numerous injuries Bradshaw isn’t surprised by the move.

“This is part of the business. Like I said, the Giants are still in my family. I’ll always remember those guys,” Bradshaw said. “The relationship built between us, that will always be there. They respected me, they called me … I talked to everybody there. There’s no hard feeling there.”

Bradshaw doesn’t think this is the end of his career and with a 1,000 yard 2012 campaign under his belt you’d have to think he’d find a home in the NFL for next season.

“I’m very confident I’m not done,” Bradshaw said. “I plan to be back and maybe even better this year. … I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder, but this makes it a very big one.”

Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs past New England Patriots free safety Patrick Chung (25) during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have been one busy team within the last 24 hours. One of their first cuts made was veteran linebacker Michael Boley, who signed a five-year $25 million dollar deal in 2009 (was due to make $4.5 million in 2013) had 1 year left on his contract. It’s clear the Giants are looking to cut ties with some contracts to make sure they aren’t above the 2013 salary cap. Tho it hasn’t been announced yet, some believe that it will be the same as 2012, which was around $121 million. The Giants continued to look at where they could save money, making releases of veteran defensive linemen Chris Canty and running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

Chris Canty who was due more than $6 million next season, played in only nine games in 2012. Bradshaw, meanwhile, was set to make $3.75 million in 2013 and an additional $4 million in 2014. Rushing for over 1 thousand yards last year and 6 touchdowns, Bradshaw suffered a neck injury during season which allowed rookie David Wilson and 3 year veteran Andre Brown to show what they had to offer. Wilson picked up 358 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 71 attempts, while Brown rushed for 385 yards and 8 touchdowns on 73 attempts. With the release of Bradshaw, this certainly opens up the door for Wilson to show he can be New York’s #1 back. Also noted, Andre Brown, who broke his fibula against the Green Bay Packers, is also a restricted free-agent.

Bradshaw underwent surgery before the Super Bowl to insert a screw into his right foot. Bradshaw is expected to be sidelined for around 2 months but will be 100% by the time camp opens and preseason begins. I don’t expect him to be a free agent for long after teams get the word that he is ready to start training again. New York making sure they aren’t over the cap, there could be more cuts following these. Other players they could possibly look at cutting ties with are tackle David Diehl ($4.475 million due in 2013), corner-back Corey Webster ($7 million in 2013) and are expected to cut or resign corner-back Terrell Thomas ($750,000) before he is due a $6 million option bonus which he could sometime in March. Expect more changes to come from the big blue.

Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The 28-year-old Akron product has been injured since Week 10 and is likely out with a “Grade 2″ high ankle sprain, because he hasn’t even practiced off of the bye. The fact that the Giants have ruled out Hixon once again comes as no surprise, and they will once again be rolling with rookie Rueben Randle as the No. 3 wideout. In nine games this season, Hixon has caught 26 passes for 380 yards as a solid deep threat for the Giants.

Star running back Ahmad Bradshaw was limited in today’s practice and is officially listed on the injury report as probable with a neck injury. The Giants gave him some rest during the last two practices, but Bradshaw will see his carries getting cut into further by Andre Brown and even rookie David Wilson. The Giants seem ready to finally give the explosive back some more carries going forward, and it looks like he will have a chance to shine against the Packers.

Bradshaw has averaged 4.5 yards per carry this season for an average of exactly 75 yards per game. He’s been losing goal-line carries for some reason, but he will be the biggest factor for the Giants rushing attack in this game- that’s for sure. Despite being nicked up, the neck injury shouldn’t hinder the solid back too much.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Oct 7, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw celebrates the 41-27 victory against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.: According to the NFL Network, Bradshaw will suit up for the Giants.

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Ahmad Bradshaw is suffering from a foot injury as the New York Giants prep for their NFC East clash against the Washington Redskins on Sunday and the foot injury could end up keepin the running back out of the game. Per Pro Football Talk, Bradshaw will be a game-time decision for the G-Men.

Bradshaw has been slowed all week and, other than Thursday, he did not practice this week. Bradshaw has been plagued by injuries all season so the Giants will be okay without him on the field.

Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

One of the most fascinating aspects of football is noting the evolution over the years. What once began as a simplistic game of short runs and single-wing formations has since evolved into a multi-faceted and complex chess match between superior athletic specimens.  Personnel changes became necessary as more intricate and varied schemes were introduced, and as a result of the increased size and speed of the players, many teams found themselves in need of multiple quality starters at a given position. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Running Back position. Many teams have found themselves in a position where there are two, or even three, players with the potential to be a full time starter. Let’s take a look at who and what teams have unanswered questions at the starting running back position.

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

5. Dallas Cowboys – DeMarco Murray vs. Felix Jones

Felix Jones is going into his 5′th season, and while he got off to a promising start, his career never materialized. I’ts easy to forget that in his rookie year, Jones ran just 30 times for a staggering 266 yards, which translates to a 8.9 YPC; that type of production is almost unheard of, even at that few carries.

Unfortunately the more that Jones workload increased, the worse his performance got, with him finishing last season with 575 rushing yards and a 4.5 YPC, to go with only one total touchdown. DeMarco Murray, on the other hand, had an impressive rookie year that saw him carry the ball 164 times to Jones’ 127, playing in one more game en route to a 5.5 YPC. Murray will be given the job from the outset, and it is his to lose.

If Jones responds well to the competition, he could make a push for the job, but at the moment it is Murray’s to lose.

4. New York Giants – Ahmad Bradshaw vs. David Wilson

Bradshaw was a 7′th round pick that slowly and effectively worked his way from being Brandon Jacobs’ complement to an effective and capable starter. In two seasons between 2009 – 20011, Bradshaw rushed for a combined 15 touchdowns and just under 1,900 yards. Last season, though, he managed only 12 games and 659 yards for an unacceptable 3.9 YPC.

Surprisingly, though, he did find the end zone 9 times. That, however, wasn’t enough to keep the Giants from spending their first round pick this year on David Wilson out of Virginia Tech.  It’s interesting to note that at 5, 10″, 206 lbs., to go with a 4.5 40-yard dash, he shares many similar attributes with Bradshaw, and his selection, along with injuries last season, may speak to a durability issue with Bradshaw. Watch for David Wilson to get more carries as the season progresses.

3.  Arizona Cardinals – Beanie Wells vs. Ryan Williams

Beanie Wells was expected to be something of a franchise savior, if not the missing piece of the puzzle that would make the Cardinals a consistent playoff contender. However, Wells had done so little up to last year that the organization saw fit to draft Ryan Williams with the 6′th pick of the second round last year. Unfortunately for Williams, he suffered a season ending injury during pre-season and failed to record a single stat during his rookie season.

Wells, understanding this to be his last chance to impress the franchise, responded in a big way, especially during the first half of the season. However, the injury bug took a shining to Wells as well, and it manifested itself in a fairly incomplete season that saw him absolutely dominate one week, only to disappear the next. This battle may very well come down to who can stay healthy throughout the season.

Mandatory Credit: Jim O

2. Washington Redskins – Roy Helu vs. Tim Hightower

Shanahan’s Redskins were the definition of running-back-by-committee last year (much to chagrin of fantasy owners everywhere). When the franchise brought in Tim Hightower, he was expected to have a breakout year, as he had been steadily improving since his days in Arizona.

As a result of injury, though, he was limited to five games and 321 rushing yards. Helu played in 15 games, but only carried the ball 151 times, putting up a 4.2 YPC average in the process.

Both backs have their strengths, and Shanahan may split time fairly evenly between both of them in an attempt to bring out the best in each.

1. Carolina Panthers – DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart vs. Mike Tolbert

It’s not often that you can lay claim to three potential pro-bowl running backs on one team, but Carolina does just that. (Carolina is also a passing team despite this, simply because of Newton; A riddle wrapped in a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, they are) Williams is as dynamic a playmaker as they come, as evidenced by his 2008 season that saw him put up 18 touchdowns on the ground and another two through the air. However, he does not have the durability to make it as an every-down back these days, proving far more effective when kept to around 150 carries in a season (he managed a 5.4 YPC on 151 carries last season).

Stewart is another back that could be any number of teams starter. He had over 1,000 offensive yards last season, as well as 5 total touchdowns to go with a 5.4 YPC as well.

While finding enough time for these two backs to be on the field would be difficult enough, the Panthers also signed Mike Tolbert out of San Diego in the off-season. Tolbert is technically designated a fullback, but is given as many opportunities to make plays as most of the guys on this list. He has over 900 total yards in each of his last two seasons with San Diego, despite never being the starting running back. Last season he even punched it in the end zone a total of 10 times.

The way this trio of backs will most likely play out is Williams and Stewart splitting time primarily, with Tolbert used in Goal Line scenarios and I-formations. Expect to see a number of different offensive looks, with all three lining up in various splits and positions in the backfield.

Follow me on Twitter @TitanSizedJason

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