New York Giants Release Brandon Jacobs: In a move that was not totally unexpected, the Giants have released HB Brandon Jacobs in a salary cap-related move. The Giants and Jacobs were not able to agree on a re-structured contract.
Including his salary ($4.4 million), pro-rated signing bonus, and other bonuses, Jacobs was scheduled to count about $7 million against the Giants’ 2012 salary cap. Factoring in the accelerated pro-rated signing bonus, cutting Jacobs will save the Giants about $5 million against the cap.
Jacobs was drafted in the 4th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Giants. In seven NFL seasons, Jacobs played in 100 regular-season games, starting 48. In those contests, he rushed for 4,849 yards (4th in team history) and 56 touchdowns (1st in team history). He also caught 80 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns.
“Brandon has truly been a great Giant,” said General Manager Jerry Reese. “These times are always very hard for me. We had a very good conversation today. We don’t know what the future holds for Brandon, but we wish only the very best for him and his family.”
“Brandon helped us win two world championships,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He always did what was in the best interest of team. No matter what you asked him to do, he performed and played in whatever role we asked him to perform. He really was a team player. I have always felt like Brandon could be counted on. He’s a guy that is very, very good in meetings for me. He pays attention. He picks up on the message. He loves the excitement of the game. He loves everything about it – the pregame routine, the talking to his teammates, trying to motivate his teammates. He loves every part of it.”
“I might be leaving, but my name will stay,” said Jacobs. “The fans have been great for me. Everything has been good. A stand-up organization. I was very close with a lot of people in the organization. They’re all a bunch of great people. The Mara family, the Tisch family, everybody’s great. I just want to thank them for the opportunity that they’ve given me. But it’s time to move on. We tried, couldn’t reach an agreement. It’s been great, though. I can’t say anything negative about anybody in the organization. (Running Backs Coach) Jerald Ingram, hands down, probably the best coach I’ve ever experienced as an athlete. He knows so much about the game and I learned a lot from him as well.”
“It’s been a great ride,” Jacobs said. “It’s a great organization, a stand-up organization. I had fun. Won two Super Bowls here. I accomplished a lot in my career as a professional athlete here. That’s it. It’s been a good ride. Time to move on.”