The New York Giants had a tough season in 2013 and now the franchise will be moving forward without Brandon Jacobs and Kevin Gilbride, as both the running back and offensive coordinator announced their retirements on Thursday and heading into the offseason the team has major questions about Hakeem Nicks, as he could sign away to another team like the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers or the Baltimore Ravens.
Gilbride was expected to be fired after the season if Tom Coughlin returned, as the Giants offense was a mess and with Eli Manning tossing 27 interceptions, someone would have to take the fall, but this move is a bit cleaner. Tom Coughlin likely would have fought for Gilbride and the former quarterbacks coach for the team now retires after helping the team win two Super Bowl championships. Gilbride called the games against the Patriots that saw Eli Manning lead two comebacks and this season the Giants ranked 28th in total offense after being one of the top teams over the past couple seasons.
The Giants brought back Jacobs this season while dealing with injury issues at the running back position and he now retires after rushing for over 200 yards in seven games with the team and he also had four touchdowns. Jacobs came through when the Giants needed him and while he ended up on injured reserve, he was a solid player for the team in a time of need. Jacobs left the door open for his return, saying to ESPN: "I'll only be playing here," Jacobs said Monday. "Screw all them other teams. I'm a Giant, man. I tried that already. I'm a Giant. I'm a Giant up and down. (Zero)-and-16, 16-0, 8-8, whatever you want to call it. I'm a Giant. That's what it is. That's what I take and this is the organization I love. It is what it is. I won two championships here. It's never going to be the same anywhere else."
Jacobs won two Super Bowls with the Giants and was a fourth round pick back in 2005. Nicks is the top question mark for the team this offseason, as he was banged up this year and now his contract is up and he didn't score a touchdown this season after being an integral part of the offense during the 2011 championship season.
