Ok. Here is take 2. I screwed up my first attempt by using Barry Sanders final season which was very similar to his first so let’s try again.
I thought it would be interesting to compare Barry Sanders rookie season to Saquon Barkley’s as they have been compared so much.
So far on Saquon
195 carries for 954 yards and 8 TD for a 4.8 ypc
74 rec for 602 yds and 4 TD for a 8.1 ypr
Saquon has 269 touches for 1554 total yards and 12 total TD for a 5.77 yards per touch average and 1 TD per game average
He also has had 0 fumbles
He has had 5 100 yard games and 3 games with 20+ carries
The Giants are 4-8. The previous yea the Giants were 3-13
Barry Sanders was
280 carries for 1470 yds and 14 TD for a 5.3 ypc
24 rec for 282 yds and 0 TD in rec for a 11.8 ypr
Barry had 304 touches for 1773 total yards and 14 total TD for a 5.83 yards per touch and a shade under 1 TD per game average
He had 0 fumbles
He had 7 100 yd games
And he had 7 games with 20+carries
The Lions finished 5-11. The previous year the Lions were 4-12
I think its pretty clear that Saquon is a rookie season that is on par with what Barry did. Barry improved his team by one win and Barkley has already done that with 4 games remaining, Barkley is much more of a receiving threat and that is nearly equaling out the yards per touch as Barry was a bit better on the ground. Barry has more yards on the ground but he was used more. Saquon is just 219 total yards away and 2 TD away from Barry with 4 more games to play.
I will also note that Saquon is coming on strong at the end like Barry did when he finished with 5 of 6 100 yard games. Saquon has now hit it 3 in a row.
They both took a little while before being giving 20+ carries. Barry just 2 times before week 12 and Saquon none until week 10.
None of this means that Saquon Barkley IS better than Barry or that he will have Barry Sanders career.
I think its astounding that someone coming in with the Barry Sanders hype has actually lived up to that expectation in year one.
#1--You mentioned the Giants were 3-13 last year, and today they are 4-8, which is correct. However we need to keep in mind the Giants also didn't have Beckham last year either, this year they do, so that is a major contributiong factor to the record.
#2--I'm not sure if Sanders had a legitimate #1 WR to take the pressure off of him his rookie year, like Barkley does? Maybe you could check that out?
#3 I think its safe to say that Sanders didn't have a QB as good as Manning is playing for him. So his running was done, when the other team's defense knew he had to run. So that is another factor we need to keep in mind.
All in all, I enjoyed your post though, and appreciate the talent that the Giants have in Barkley. I Continue to see you as a positive contributor here, and appreciate your efforts.
sxdxca
Yes, times were different, but Saquon really is special as a receiver.
Saquon is as gifted a RB as I've ever seen. I've said before the draft he's a cross between Tomlinson, Sanders, and Faulk. He takes the best of each's game and has it all in his. I know that's extremely high praise, but at this point how can anyone argue it? Can you argue the power and speed is at least as good as Tomlinson? Can you argue his receiving skills aren't at least on par with Faulk? Can you argue his balance and agility are on par with Sanders?
This is truly a great time to be a Giants fan. Yes, I know how many losses the Giants have, but every time we watch Saquon we're watching NFL history being made.
I will will try and find the quote, but there was a prominent scout that said he would have ranked Barkley as the best WR in the 2018 draft if he changed positions and never played RB. Admittedly it was a weak draft for WR but Barkley's receiving stats are similar to Calvin Ridley who was the top WR in the draft. It might have been hyperbole but I think the scout was just highlighting that Barkley isn't just good at pass catching. He is probably as good if not better than any RB ever to enter in the league.
In comment 14204759 sxdxca said:
#1--You mentioned the Giants were 3-13 last year, and today they are 4-8, which is correct. However we need to keep in mind the Giants also didn't have Beckham last year either, this year they do, so that is a major contributiong factor to the record.
#2--I'm not sure if Sanders had a legitimate #1 WR to take the pressure off of him his rookie year, like Barkley does? Maybe you could check that out?
#3 I think its safe to say that Sanders didn't have a QB as good as Manning is playing for him. So his running was done, when the other team's defense knew he had to run. So that is another factor we need to keep in mind.
All in all, I enjoyed your post though, and appreciate the talent that the Giants have in Barkley. I Continue to see you as a positive contributor here, and appreciate your efforts.
sxdxca
You don't need to see a Jim Brown, OJ, or Bo Jackson Play 100 times to understand the baseline of the Player.
RIGHT NOW...Every Time He steps on the field, he does so Head and Shoulders above ALL but the greatest players who have ever played. His combination of Size and Speed and "Instant speed", and his all around pass catching ability and feel for Route running at any point of attack are devastating because of the array and QUALITY of the skills and talents he possesses.
This is the basis for the "Hand of God" comments made by DG. SB is an amazing combination of Athletic Ability and Skills, including his Intellect and Personal Demeanor.
I know how this sounds---but I believe it to be well grounded and well informed, specific to what I am stating.
If you had a choice of NEXT MAN UP for your team's next offensive play, with a Choice of every player who ever played, you'd be hard pressed to find 5-10 guys as alternate choices.
I mean it.
Let's hope the Giants of the 2020s are nothing like the Lions of the 1990s!!