San Francisco 49ers Suspend Running Back Brandon Jacobs
By Jerrell Richardson
With five running backs on the roster to start the season, it was evident that someone was not going to be happy. Outside of Frank Gore, there were no established backs with the experience of Brandon Jacobs on the roster, so perhaps the former Giants back thought that he was next in line. That's not how things work in San Francisco, though, and instead of becoming an integral part of the offense, he was buried at the bottom of the depth chart. His reaction has been to take to Twitter, taking shots at the organization and his coach along the way, resulting in the team deciding that they would be better off without his Super Bowl experience.
Where Is He Needed?
The 49ers workhorse will always be Frank Gore, and he has been injury free (for the most part) this season, all while having one of the best statistical years of his career. If the team wants a change in pace, then the best options will be the quicker LaMichael James or, before his injury, Kendall Hunter. If the team needs a downhill runner then they can give the ball to Anthony Dixon, who has been in the system longer and is quicker and younger then Brandon Jacobs.
Not Worth the Headaches
Jacobs has spent just as much time this season sending tweets as touching the ball, and the team appeared to finally grow tired of his ways. In his own words, Jacobs has been, "rotting away," and expressed curiosity towards anyone questioning his frustration with the situation. San Francisco has seen in the past how an upset player can cause problems from within the locker room and decided to remove Jacobs from the situation before he could cause any more harm. The team did not say why it suspended Jacobs, but it's pretty clear. Not only was he becoming a problem for the team, he did not fit the type of player the team wants
Not A Team Player
The 49ers have their share of big names on both sides of the ball, but they have only been successful once the players bought into the team concept. Jacobs said that part of his frustration is that he is competitive and wants to play, but in reality he is just selfish. In no situation does he give the team a better chance with him on the field, so how can he expect to get extended playing time? If he were a team player, he would not put more priority on his playing time than in the team's success. Not only does his attitude clash with the team, so does his running style. There is no reason to bring him back next year, so the team should release him and let him pursue a career elsewhere.
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Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
