As if Chris Canty's prediction of a "bloodbath" wasn't strong enough, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is challenging the 49ers' defense to bang heads with him in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.
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"I wish like hell they'd hit me in the head. ...," Jacobs said Thursday in his news conference with the New York media. "A helmet-to-helmet hit. I want one of those. Because that means they're staying high, you know. They're not going to the ground and trying to make tackles at the shoe strings."
The 49ers have relied heavily on being physical all season, including in last week's divisional playoff game against the Saints. That was clear from the get-go when 49ers safety Donte Whitner knocked out Saints running back Pierre Thomas on the opening drive with a brutal collision.
Jacobs knows this, but he isn't worried about a thing.
"I really don't care how physical they are," Jacobs said. "It's going to be a football game. They're a physical bunch; we're a physical bunch. We're going to be out there playing ball. I'm not afraid of them, I'm not afraid of anybody on their team, I'm not afraid of anybody in their organization. I'm ready to play football."
One other order of business was addressed during Jacobs' news conference: Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's comments on ESPN that the running back is "a little bit soft."
"I grew up a San Francisco 49ers fan. I love Jerry Rice; I still love Jerry Rice," Jacobs said. "I give him a lot of credit for the game being the way it is today. I have nothing negative to say about Jerry. If he feels that way, he feels that way. I bet you he won't tackle me."
