New York Giants: Rashad Jennings Primed to Hit 1,000 Yards
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings has paid attention to his body off the field, which will reward him on the field in 2016.
The New York Giants ground attack doesn’t exactly cause fans to leap out of their seats, but is it possible 31-year-old Rashad Jennings puts together the best season in his career?
According to NJ.com’s Joe Giglio, Jennings feels his best has yet to come in the National Football League:
"Being an NFL player is a guy that comes into the league, has some talent, plays a little bit. But a pro really understands how to take care of his body, how to play the X’s and O’s, play the game before it happens. I’ve just been allowing my maturity to catch up with my age at the same time. I’m excited. As I get into my latter years, I’m getting into my prime."
For the record, Jennings has never eclipsed 900 rushing yards in a season, but hearing him speak about his diet and how his body operates, indicates that could soon change.
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Jennings follows a strict diet, which he revealed to GrubStreet reporter Sierra Tishgart. He starts every day with a smoothie:
"For breakfast, I made my smoothie at home: oatmeal, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, almond milk, peanut butter, banana, vegan chocolate, ice, water, and protein powder. I make this 355 days of the year. It’s delicious. It fills me up and gives me the right amount of carbs."
Now, this sounds like a “How to be a Fitness Model,” feature, but the 31-year-old running back feels diet factors into how he performs on the football field. In Jennings’ perspective, his eating habits will translate into production in the upcoming season.
Now back to the actual statistics.
In 2015, at 30-years-old, Jennings logged a career-high in carries (195) and rushing yards (863). Typically, at that age, there’s a decline in production. However, the Giants’ lead back experienced an increased workload while sharing ball-carrying duties with Andre Williams, Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa.
According to Giants.com reporter John Schmeelk, he estimates Jennings’ workload to reach 15-18 carries per game. He averaged 15.2 carries in his first year with the team in 2014.
If Jennings can match his 4.4 yards-per-carry average from the previous season on 15 carries per game, he’ll surpass 1,000 yards on the ground.
It sounds improbable for a running back on the wrong side of 30 years old, but Jennings’ body conditioning should keep him on the field at optimal levels. For the first time in his career, he started all 16 games in an NFL season last year. He’s obviously doing something right whether it’s on the field, in the kitchen or a combination of both.
The Giants’ running game will receive a boost in multiple areas. Offensive guard John Jerry attended an offensive line training facility with teammate Weston Richburg, per NJ.com reporter Jordan Raanan, which may benefit his game going forward. Justin Pugh, who’s performed well at various spots across the offensive line, put on 10 pounds as he prepares to play left guard.
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The Giants witnessed wideout Victor Cruz practice during mandatory minicamp. The front office also selected talented route-running wideout Sterling Shepard in the second round. Quarterback Eli Manning’s targets should create extra space for the ground attack as defenders lean back on their heels to defend the pass.
Don’t use Jennings’ birth certificate against him on the football field. In the previous season, he handled the heaviest workload in his career. Now, projected as the featured back for the upcoming season and still taking good care of his body, he’ll keep those legs churning for a possible 1,000-yard season.