LT was my guy. I was 27 when LT came along in his first year in 1981. I loved him as a player from the moment he stepped on the field and I remember reading the NY Post that summer when the comment was made that, in their first summer practice, he was the best player on the field and so he moved from third string to first string in one practice.
But Parcells said something telling about LT which was you only had to tell him something once and then he took it to the field.
Shurmur mentioned something similar a couple of weeks ago regarding Barkley and how he had had a conversation with Saquon prior to the Bucs game about taking the hard yards and not always trying to hit a home run. Since then, we have seen Barkley do exactly that.
To me, that is the most significant sign of a world class player. In any sport, elite players, HOF players, do not need to be told more than once. It is the clearest sign that this is an LT type player...in a class of his own.
In terms of coach-ability and getting what the coaches are telling him quickly, OK, I can agree. But the comparisons end there.
There was never any such comparison with LT. Nobody had done what he did prior.
Don't get me wrong - this is the first time I've ever gone back to repeatedly watch highlights of a Giant player besides LT. The instant impact of Saquon Barkley on the Giant franchise has not been experienced since LT...
...but he ain't LT.
And he shouldn't be. I'm actually hoping he turns out to be something bigger. :)
Back in the 80's I couldn't wait for the Defense to get back on the field to see what LT would do next..and I'm feeling the same way with Barkley now.
Unless they invent new offenses to counter SB, then LT remains the Giant player with the most impact on the league.
Barkley look like he could replace Jim Brown as the most impactful RB. We'll see. The kid is amazing.
I have a buddy who is about 67, does remember Jim Brown, and he says Barkley reminds him of Brown -- he cites the combination of being tough to tackle and yet the fastest guy on the field. Brown had that, so does Barkley.
Unless they invent new offenses to counter SB, then LT remains the Giant player with the most impact on the league.
Barkley look like he could replace Jim Brown as the most impactful RB. We'll see. The kid is amazing.
LT is also responsible for big athletic LTs, the most popular 11 personnel, sacks, strip sack, demise of the Packer sweep, NFL defense transformation from mlb centric to a flanking outside LBs and DEs centric.
I would be shocked to see SB have an impact like that. It seems of late I am seeing more old school 2 gap 3-4 being used against Barkley. Parcells and little Bill devised that D to be a bend but not break D against the big slashing RBs that dominated back then, like the two OJs, Dickerson.
LT instantly changed the entire game of football... the entire league had to adjust their defensive schemes and the type of OL they drafted... he was unblockable no matter how many players you used to try to block him.
Barkley is fun to watch. LT was seismic.
LT highlights - ( New Window )
Let it develop. Enjoy.
There’s always room to compare. These are all just people playing a sport.
It’s going to be all but impossible to ever experience a player like LT because he was the perfect player to come along at the perfect time. He was talented, hungry, smart and played for the right time with the right staff. It wasn’t magic. It can happen again but it’s unlikely especially because the outside LB position wasn’t defined yet. LT defined it.
I still say as a pure talent and person, Barkley is the perfect specimen. No one has brought more attributes to the grid iron. Now things just have to fall into place. We need to get lucky.
Barkley 13 games into his career on a 5-8 team being compared to L. T. Is really a bit premature
Quote:
the answer is there is no comparison..
There’s always room to compare. These are all just people playing a sport.
It’s going to be all but impossible to ever experience a player like LT because he was the perfect player to come along at the perfect time. He was talented, hungry, smart and played for the right time with the right staff. It wasn’t magic. It can happen again but it’s unlikely especially because the outside LB position wasn’t defined yet. LT defined it.
I still say as a pure talent and person, Barkley is the perfect specimen. No one has brought more attributes to the grid iron. Now things just have to fall into place. We need to get lucky.
This is exactly what I'm thinking. People seem to lack perspective comparing LT's impact on the game to Barkley's. If LT played in the 60s he'd have even more of an impact on the game. Different eras. The game was far less mature in the 80s and there was more room for innovation and improvement.
Quote:
the answer is there is no comparison..
There’s always room to compare. These are all just people playing a sport.
It’s going to be all but impossible to ever experience a player like LT because he was the perfect player to come along at the perfect time. He was talented, hungry, smart and played for the right time with the right staff. It wasn’t magic. It can happen again but it’s unlikely especially because the outside LB position wasn’t defined yet. LT defined it.
I still say as a pure talent and person, Barkley is the perfect specimen. No one has brought more attributes to the grid iron. Now things just have to fall into place. We need to get lucky.
LT didn't play OLB, no less define it. He was listed on the roster as an OLB, but he played rover... he was allowed to line up where ever he wanted whenever he wanted. That's why QBs spent so much time locating him before the ball was snapped.
Not only was he Rookie of the Year and All Pro his first season, he was the best player in football the second he was drafted. And it wasn't close or debatable.