Talking pigskin at work today and we were trying to think of which running back in the NFL was most like Barkley. We came up with Barry Sanders, because he could score anytime he touched the ball from anywhere on the field and Sanders was a terrific receiver. But the body type obvy isn’t the same. The other backs we considered were Walter Payton, which is close but I think Payton was a much more physical runner than Barks has been so far. I was also thinking maybe Eric Dickerson? He was so smooth and he had that get away gear where he just seemed to pull away from the defenders.
Ultimately though, none of these seems quite right as a comparison to Saquon. Barkley is so strong and so big and fast and with good hands and smart and great off the field too (which isn’t necessarily part of the comparison but I think Walter Payton was the greatest RB and a great person). Anyway, what back do you think he’s most like, past or present?
But if OL can run block....Barkely with legit holes....watch out
The problem with Barkley/Sanders is obvious. Giants get ten possessions a game. They break one long spectacular run per game. Everyone is amazed and thrilled. The other nine possessions they have no yards and Giants are punting. That does not really help their teams win. Patience is not a virtue when you are trying to move the chains. He needs to run harder between tackles.
While I am sure Barkley would agree he has things he still needs to develop with his game, him running harder between the tackles is probably #198 on the problems the NY Giants need to concern themselves with.
this is who i think of too
Agreed, I can’t really find a comparable. He’s like five of these guys rolled into one. He’s got some Barry Sanders, some OJ, some Dickerson, some Sayers, some Bo Jackson.
What makes a comparison difficult is the fact that his closest comparable players in terms of size and speed mostly played when RB’s were not really utilized in the passing game.
Must've tabbed Marc Ross for that opinion, and others with similar skills.
If BBI is around? I'll bet BBI outlasts arniefez...
It takes a special kinda Stoopid to hate on Barkley. I can understand "no RB is worth the 2nd overall pick" argument even if I don't buy in, but hating Saquon and professing he lacks talent?
That takes a sub simian IQ.
Maybe you can put your money where your mouth is and actually post something that's worth reading on occasion. I don't expect you to bat 1,000 but i'm not sure if you've even gotten on base yet.
While being one of the worst teams in the NFL using the 2nd pick in the draft on a RB is one of the biggest of dozens of horrible decisions the Giants have made since Super Bowl 46.
The horse is dead from explaining the lack of positional value, salary cap implications and lack of supporting talent.
The Giants record since Barkley was drafted speaks for itself.
So many of the great RBs that people on this thread are WAY WAY prematurely comparing Barkley to never won a thing. Sanders, OJ, Dickerson, even Payton, who finally won as a passenger at the very end, were sideshows not part of winning teams.
Barkley is two years in let's see where he is 5 years from now.
The OP asked about the closest comparison in the history of the league, he didn't ask about anything else.
No one is saying that to date Barkley has equaled Barry Sanders' or Marshall Faulk in career achievements.
Over 1500 yards and 9 TD's is being a "passenger"?? I like how you didn't mention the RB's who he's compared to who had team success like Brown, Dorsett and Faulk.
Not only that, it was another way to work in the angle that it is management's fault!!
Haha this is the post of the thread.
The question is, who is Sam Darnold most similar to?
I’d say a combo of Brady, Marino and Montana, only better. With the speed of Vick and the size and durability of Big Ben.
In fact the only real Darnold comp is Superman.
While being one of the worst teams in the NFL using the 2nd pick in the draft on a RB is one of the biggest of dozens of horrible decisions the Giants have made since Super Bowl 46.
The horse is dead from explaining the lack of positional value, salary cap implications and lack of supporting talent.
The Giants record since Barkley was drafted speaks for itself.
So many of the great RBs that people on this thread are WAY WAY prematurely comparing Barkley to never won a thing. Sanders, OJ, Dickerson, even Payton, who finally won as a passenger at the very end, were sideshows not part of winning teams.
Barkley is two years in let's see where he is 5 years from now.
Um, ok. Those players were hardly sideshows. Obviously, you need more than just a great RB to win football games. Big insight there.
Are you seriously arguing that there is a correlation to where great RBs lead to losing football? You conveniently leave out all of the great RBs that have been on winning teams, including some mentioned in this thread (ie. Faulk).
I can cite Dan Marino and leave out all of the great QBs who have won SBs and say just because you have a great QB, doesn't mean you win. Genius argument.
In a year of ridiculous statements, that may actually be the most ridiculous.
But, yeah, thanks for coming out.
He's got some Bo Jackson in him in how he can get to and capture the edge for breakaway runs, but no back had Bo's blazing straight line speed.
The only back that reminds me of Dickerson was Ahman Green, with the smooth, silent, pumping high knee sprinter's gate. Dickerson was next-generation talent in his prime.
OJ Simpson
Eric Dickerson
Walter Peyton
Just need to hope Saquon can have the same kind of longevity as those guys.
Tomlinson had 8 1k seasons, 5 pro bowls, and 3 all pro.
Faulk had 7 1k seasons, 8 pro bowls, and 3 all pro.
Saquon is 2/2 with 1k seasons and has 1 pro bowl so he is on track if he can have another 5 good years out of the 7 years left in his 20's.
He’s just not physical enough for me to compare him to Sweetness. Sweetness is the second greatest football player I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. And man was he physical. If you could catch him, he’d often make you wish you couldn’t. But body type, raw talent and overall game seem really close. Payton was a great team member, an outstanding human being and he was an amazing worker and everything I read about Barks is similar.
Faulk seems like the best fit. I’m thinking here again about body type and talent set. Faulk was a terrific route runner and could read the defenses. I’m really hoping Garrett can get DJ8 and Barks some synergy and some great plays. This too though is gonna depend on Barks ability to pass pro.
And yeah, I know Barks has a lot more to accomplish before he’s in the same room as Faulk and Payton who are two of the all time greatest ever to buckle a chin strap in the NFL. But he’s got the skills and the work ethic. Really looking forward to seeing what he does this season.
Imagine that, he is going to get bigger and stronger.
Stay healthy my man, you have the chance to be
on another level, God Willing.
Both also struggle in pass protection, though on the flip side, AP couldn't catch a cold.
To date, I think Barkley's closest comp is Sanders due to his ability to take a negative play and turn it into an 80 yard score. But despite a high volume of catches, Barkley's been severely underutilized in the passing game. He has Faulk potential there.
I think we are talking about the Saquon Barkley who in 2 years has:
- 23 TD's
- 2,310 rushing yards
- 143 receptions
- 1159 receiving yards
I'm not sure what reality you are looking for.
In 29 games, he has 3,460 total yards. That's 119 yards per game
There's a reality in your post, but I don't think you'll be too happy about what it reflects....
Quote:
So far, the reality has not come close to the legend!
I think we are talking about the Saquon Barkley who in 2 years has:
- 23 TD's
- 2,310 rushing yards
- 143 receptions
- 1159 receiving yards
I'm not sure what reality you are looking for.
In 29 games, he has 3,460 total yards. That's 119 yards per game
There's a reality in your post, but I don't think you'll be too happy about what it reflects....
Do NOT leave out his HAS that inhibited some of his movement after missing 4 games. Those 2 year stats should come with an *
This is the reality.... - ( New Window )
Personally, I think any "problem" associated with Barkley is much more a function of the OLine the Giants have afforded him, than his "penchant for trying to avoid tacklers to hit the home run play."
But it makes you sound like you're sorta onto something, I guess.
Pssst... Dodging tacklers in the backfield might just as well be trying to avoid a loss, as opposed to trying to do too much.
He isn’t perfect and there’s plays that being a bit more patient would have benefitted, but he still hits those home runs, some of which he did when not following the script.
Barkley has the tools to be one of the all time greats. Hopefully, he has a career with a solid OL.
I actually think Zeke is a good comparison, but IMO Zeke is a better ball carrier (could be the OL though)