Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs The New York Giants have virtually ensured that Brandon Jacobs will be a Giant in 2009 when they placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the star running back. The move guarantees Jacobs will make, at least, $6.6 million next season as well as gives both parties more time to agree on a long-term deal.

"With the deadline approaching it was the right business thing to do at this point, although we are hopeful to get a longer term deal hammered out in the near future," said Giants General Manager Jerry Reese. "I did speak to Brandon and we had a very good conversation today."

Though Jacobs battled knee injuries throughout the season, he still had his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2008. Jacobs pounded out 1,089 yards and 15 touchdowns on 219 carries.

"They don't
want to let me go and it just buys more time to get a deal done," Jacobs said. "A deal is going to be done and I am confident in that fact that a deal is going to be done. They just didn't want to let me hit the market to see what else is out there. They want me in and it is fine with me, because I would rather be here. It is another reason why I don't really have a problem with it."

Jacobs said if he had wanted to play elsewhere, his reaction would have been different.

"Now if I didn't want to be here I would be going off the deep end now, but that is not the fact because I want to be here," he said. "My family likes it here. This is where I started and this is kind of where I want to finish. It is really just to franchise me to try to get a deal done."

In 2008, Jacobs was in the final year of his rookie contract and made $927,000.