Members of the 2011 New York Giants will receive their Tiffany & Co. designed Super Bowl XLVI rings in a Wednesday night private ceremony at the company's flagship store on Manhattan's Fifth Ave.
Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham, however, will not join the celebration.
Instead, both members of last year's Super Bowl-winning Giants team worked out with their new San Francisco 49ers teammates at the team's latest Football School session.
"I decided not to partake in getting the ring," said Jacobs, who had his wife Kim Jacobs, attend the ceremony to receive his ring on his behalf.
"I think my goal here is pretty clear on what I'm trying to achieve as an individual player and as a team."
Jacobs will head to the East Coast once this week's on-field work concludes, but the thought of leaving his new teammates to celebrate with old teammates didn't make sense in the eyes of the 6-foot-4, 264-pound bruising runner who has two Super Bowl titles, 4,849 career rushing yards and a Giants franchise record of 56 rushing touchdowns under his belt.
"I think winning a championship is important, not many people have one and not many people have had a chance to play in a Super Bowl," Jacobs said. "I respect that, but right now, I'm working towards the same goal with a new team."
What's making Jacobs appreciate his early exposure to the 49ers is the type of character of his teammates and coaches, as well as the type of effort being displayed in practice and in the weight room.
Jacobs calls it, "championship work," and he referenced it many times following the most recent Football School session.
"I'm just looking forward to making myself better," stressed Jacobs, who rushed 152 times for 571 rushing yards in the regular season and added 37 carries for 164 yards in the 2011 postseason.
"You do championship work with a championship team and everything is championship," Jacobs reiterated. "You work one game at a time at a championship level, you practice every day at a championship level, one practice at a time and you get through it."
Already, Jacobs has been in constant communication with veterans inside the locker room. Sure, he knew all about the likes of Joe Staley from various encounters over the years, but getting to know new teammates on a personal level is something he can't do away from the facility.
"I want to be with my teammates as much as I can, learn about them as much as I can, get to know my coaches and get in some championship work," Jacobs said, referencing the key term once more.
Although practice sessions haven't involved contact, a staple of Jacobs' tenure in New York, the power running back has soaked up as much knowledge as possible. Jacobs typically converses with running back Frank Gore during various portions of practice and also is often speaking with running backs coach Tom Rathman.
"I knew a lot of guys before, but it's definitely special coming in here," Jacobs said. "We have a lot of fun. We learn from one another, we've got the young guys out here. It's fun and I'm happy to be a part of it."
From what Jacobs understands of the 49ers offense, the power-running concepts should highlight the talented resume of the seven-year veteran.
"I'm working towards being a better player, trying to rebuild my career and I think this is a great system here," Jacobs added. "The workouts have been great. Only good things can come out of that and I'm happy to be here."
Count Manningham in the same boat. Jacobs continues to communicate with his former teammate from New York about their experiences in the Bay Area and both seem to be more than pleased with their decisions to join the 49ers.
"I talk to Mario every day," Jacobs said. "We love being here. The work is something special. I'm glad I'm here with Mario and vice versa. It's a special thing. This football team, this coaching staff and this whole organization is great. I'm happy to be a part of it and just ready to go."
Ready is one thing, but Jacobs understands this time of the offseason is crucial to eventually being able to challenge for a championship following a 16-game schedule.
"I have a lot of things I want to accomplish before it gets real," Jacobs said. "I have to be around here and not miss anything and soak it up. I want to be here to take advantage of my opportunity."
