Though Bradshaw has a style that coaches love, his off-the-field problems left him waiting by the telephone until the final round of the draft in April.
Bradshaw originally enrolled at Virginia, but left after he was caught drinking.
While he rushed for almost 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in three seasons at Marshall, he also had another arrest, this time for allegedly stealing a PlayStation 2 video game.
It scared most teams off.
The Giants, who needed a young back with the retirement of Tiki Barber, took a chance after Bradshaw rushed for 1,523 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.
''When I came here, I talked to the G.M., Jerry (Reese), and he said we're just going to put everything behind us,'' Bradshaw said. ''That's what I came here to do. That's what they drafted me for, and I have to take advantage of it and put everything behind me.''
Bradshaw started the season working mostly on special teams but quickly landed in the doghouse when he fumbled on a kickoff return in the 35-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the second game of the season.
He slowly worked his way back into the kickoff return about halfway through the season and opened some eyes averaging 24.2 yards on returns. He didn't get a chance to run the ball much until the Buffalo game. He finished the regular season with 23 carries for 190 yards, an 8.3 yard average.
''Bradshaw brings a little bit of style and a good change of pace for us,'' coach Tom Coughlin said. ''We have the big back and then we have Bradshaw come into the game. He is very quick. He has proven that he is powerful and he can break tackles. He is a threat, now, whether it is in the open field or at the line of scrimmage.''
What people forgot after the 23-20 overtime NFC title game win in Green Bay, was that Bradshaw had what would have been a long game-winning touchdown run in the fourth quarter called back by a holding penalty.
''Jacobs is a more downhill runner, he wants to get his steam up and get down through the line of scrimmage,'' Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. ''Bradshaw, he can get you either way. They run the same plays, so you have to know which back is running them.''
Bradshaw chuckled when asked about playing in the Super Bowl as a rookie.
''Just playing in this game is a blessing,'' he said.