Brandon Jacobs Might Play Bigger Role in Giants' Offense in 2011

INDIANAPOLIS -- Brandon Jacobs isn't at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine.

But there seems little question the New York Giants running back probably likes what he hears from Indianapolis this week.

On Friday, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he'd like to get the seventh-year veteran more involved in the offense after he averaged 5.6 yards on 147 carries last season, rushing for 823 yards and nine touchdowns.

"You look at the end of the year numbers, you'd want him to have a few more carries," Coughlin said. "Brandon was fresher than he's ever been, healthier than he's ever been and probably needs to carry the ball a little bit more."

On Saturday, Giants general manager Jerry Reese agreed.

"I can see that. I think Brandon ended up with maybe 150 carries, maybe he should be a 200-carry guy," Reese said. "We gave Brad (Ahmad Bradshaw) probably too many carries (276). He's a little tough guy, maybe too tough for his own good. You like that about them, but you give those little guys too many carries, at the end of the season, you can start to see them slow down."

Bradshaw's contract expired after last season, but he said at the Super Bowl that the Giants have told him he will be a priority once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. He rushed for 1,235 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.