There was a time in New York Giants history when they were enamored with smashmouth young running backs who became known as Baby Bulls.
Tucker Frederickson was the first-round pick in 1965, followed by Chuck Mercein and Ernie Koy, to join second-year bruisers ground pounders Ernie Wheelwright and Steve Thurlow.
The Jets introduced their rookie Baby Bulls in the preseason opener against the Commanders, and Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis look ready to give Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett comfortable insurance behind Breece Hall.
Hall gave the Baby Bulls two thumbs up as he left the locker room after Jets 20, Commanders 17.
On Allen, the fourth-round draft choice: “He played very well, very decisive. Showed off his speed and power. He’s getting better every day.”
On Davis, the fifth-round draft choice: “Isaiah showed off the same things as well. Showed his elusiveness and his route-running ability. It was cool to see them both showcase their talent in the big stage in the preseason.”
When you are 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, it is a revelation when you can rip off a 24-yard run, which followed a 16-yard run, and Allen’s day was over after six carries for 54 yards.
He passed the baton to Davis, a 6-1, 220-pounder, who streaked across the middle to catch a 24-yard pass from Andrew Peasley and finished 4-33 receiving, 4-8 rushing, 1-29 on kickoff returns and 2-6 on punt returns.
“Seeing them be able to cut it loose today, they’re two awesome, very hard-running running backs,” center Joe Tippmann said, “so just to see them be able to go out there and cut it loose and have the success that they did, it was a great feeling, and I was hyping ’em on the sidelines.”
Allen started slowly on the MetLife turf and with his eye on discipline. “The more carries I get I feel like the stronger I get,” he said. “I think my last few carries I was able to impose my will a little bit and get into the flow of things.”
He smiled when someone asked what he learned was the biggest difference between Wisconsin and the NFL. “I think the thing that jumped out at me was it’s a lot harder to run through arm tackles,” Allen said.
Davis also had some early difficulty with his footing. “I think it went good, not great,” he said. “A couple of plays I wish I coulda got back. A couple of times where I slipped on the ground.”
He can be a weapon as a receiver. “I feel like a lot of people overlook my hands,” Davis said.
He is also a downhill runner. “I’m 220, good-sized back, but I feel like I got a little wiggle to me too,” Davis said. “I kinda just feel like that helps me.”
Davis enjoys the return game. “I love it,” he said. “I’m confident, and I played centerfield growing up my whole life, I feel like that’s kinda helped me track a ball and I feel like it just comes natural.”
Allen was impressed with Davis. “I thought he ran hard, did his job in pass protection, did a great job on special teams, returning kicks, punts, all that,” Allen said.
Davis was impressed with Allen. “He’s a bruiser, he’s gonna do whatever it takes,” Davis said. “He had a great day.”
One invested onlooker didn’t want anyone forgetting about second-year RB Israel Abanikanda, who scored on a two-yard TD run.
“Rookie running backs look fabulous, but we have four running backs. All look really, really good,” Woody Johnson said.
It doesn’t have to be Aaron Rodgers-to-Garrett Wilson all the time now does it?
