The Giants were not terribly interested in running the football last season, despite fielding a rotation of four backs, each with their own unique attributes. When the season ended, they emerged as one of the most pass-prone teams in football, airing it out on nearly 62 percent of their called offensive plays.

Not that they minded all that much, finishing with the NFL’s eighth-best overall offense and propelling their 35 year old quarterback into a career-best 35 touchdown completions. But the Giants also lost a score of football games in the final minute of play last season, a state of affairs that could have been alleviated had they more balance on offense; the ability to run the football confidently, bleed the clock, and extend drives that otherwise ended in a punt.

Overall, the Giants backs accounted for 1,609 rushing yards on 403 attempts, 195 of which were by Rashad Jennings. Sixteen other teams ran the ball more, all but one of whom (the Redskins) ran for more yardage; the Giants placed 18th in the NFL with four yards per carry. Speaking at the team’s offseason program, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said the team has some plan for all of their backs, a population that swelled to seven this offseason, but added the unit will be thrown open to competition this summer.

“We have Andre [Williams] and Rashad, and, of course, Shane Vereen who have been able to do the things that we like them to do,” Sullivan said. “Rashad has picked up right where he left off -- he’s had good reads, he’s been very decisive, he’s improved his pass protection, and really he’s improved his receiving ability.

“I think Andre, a little bit lighter, is hitting the holes better and we want to see where he progresses once we get into training camp. Shane is a dynamic pass receiver, and we’ve done some things offensively to try and pinpoint him or target him, if you will, to get him the football. And then Bobby Rainey is a young man to keep an eye on. He’s done a lot of good things both from a running standpoint; he has good vision, good acceleration, and he’s an excellent receiver, so it gives us some good problems to have in terms of saying who's going to be the individual or individuals who are going to carry the football.”

While rushing totals may not be impressive, it is worth noting that Giants tailbacks were used effectively in the pass game. When adding receiving yardage to their totals, Jennings finished with 1,158 yards and Vereen with 755 yards, for 1,913 combined all-purpose yards. If the Giants can convert some of those yards gained through the air to yards gained on the ground, they can force opposing defenses to commit more to the run while opening lanes downfield for their receivers.

Though a depth chart is far from being considered, Jennings is the presumed starter, having come off a career-best 863 rushing yards last season; Vereen is a capable receiver, and in Paul Perkins, their rookie selection, they hope to develop a sure No. 1 for the future.