A lot of the talk on the board lately has been focused on LW, Tomlinson, the need for WR’s, etc. The RB position is equally concerning to me at this point. I love Barkley, I was thrilled when we drafted him, but odds are he is not going to be a huge factor in the first half of the upcoming season coming off an ACL.
A RB with his style of jump cuts, spin moves, etc. puts a lot of pressure on their knees. Based on history, outside of the Adrian Peterson anomaly, it usually takes players like that more than a year to fully recover. Meaning we probably won’t see the real Barkley until later in the season.
Is Gallman the short term solution? Do we try to bring him back on a 2-3 year deal? Do we sign a FA? Or do we draft someone in the 3-4 round range? Or a combination?
I was never a fan of Barkley getting basically every snap in Shurmur’s offense in 2019. No one does that with RB’s anymore unless they are built like a freight train like Derrick Henry. I feel they need to plan for a 60/40 or 50/50 split between Barkley and RB2 the first half of 2021 and a 70/30 split even when Barkley is fully healthy.
Its also unrealistic from a money perspective. While I do like him, its much more preferable to retain Williams and Tomlinson. Its not really viable, unless you plan on keeping Gallman long term and letting Barkley walk. I honestly think you can make a case for that tbh, but I dont see the organization doing that.
One idea I’ve been floating out there is picking up Adrian Peterson for the “room”. His contract with the lions was 750k on the cap. He has to be as good as Freeman or Morris and imagine him helping SB. Draft a late round pick or retain Gallman and I think you have a decent crop.
Some might say what about a 3rd down back aka replacement for Lewis, I say that is SB. I want him out there on 3rd down. I’d love a big bruiser Henry / Jacobs type for a change of pace.
Projected lineup could be
Barkley
Peterson (750k)
Trey Sermon (3rd maybe 4th round pick)
That’s pretty economical and a decent mix of talent.
One idea I’ve been floating out there is picking up Adrian Peterson for the “room”. His contract with the lions was 750k on the cap. He has to be as good as Freeman or Morris and imagine him helping SB. Draft a late round pick or retain Gallman and I think you have a decent crop.
Some might say what about a 3rd down back aka replacement for Lewis, I say that is SB. I want him out there on 3rd down. I’d love a big bruiser Henry / Jacobs type for a change of pace.
Projected lineup could be
Barkley
Peterson (750k)
Trey Sermon (3rd maybe 4th round pick)
That’s pretty economical and a decent mix of talent.
Really like that idea. Agree on AP at a vet minimum contract. He’s still got enough juice to help us in short yardage and as a change of pace.
Grab another serviceable back before the summer.
Go into season with:
Barkley
Gallman
Day 3 Rookie
Free Agent
We’ll have to disagree on the catching thing. But he makes sense because he is cheap and would be a great asset for SB. He is capable of taking some of the work load off and could get you through a game if needed.
Watch some of his highlights from 2020 on YouTube he looks a hell of a lot better than Morris ever did in his career. He was still out running defenders and a load to tackle too. They have game 1 of the season on there with all of his carries not just the highlight runs.
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He can't catch and can't block. If Barkley gets injured and AP is still a FA at that point then he makes sense. Going into the season he makes no sense. He also doesn't play special teams.
We’ll have to disagree on the catching thing. But he makes sense because he is cheap and would be a great asset for SB. He is capable of taking some of the work load off and could get you through a game if needed.
Watch some of his highlights from 2020 on YouTube he looks a hell of a lot better than Morris ever did in his career. He was still out running defenders and a load to tackle too. They have game 1 of the season on there with all of his carries not just the highlight runs.
Judge has constantly preached versatility. That is not Peterson. Peterson is strictly a runner hence Morris. Morris was only signed after Barkley went down. There are a handful of other younger RBs available that do more than AP.
Grab another serviceable back before the summer.
Go into season with:
Barkley
Gallman
Day 3 Rookie
Free Agent
This is pretty much where I'm at as well.
Kenyan Drake
Malcom Brown
Jamal Williams
James Conner
sleeper Dion Lewis (jk)
He has unworldly talent, he'll make eye-popping plays. But for whatever reason, it just doesn't seem to translate into being able to make the difference in winning games. There are just too many basic running plays when he wastes time dancing behind the LOS looking for the big play, rather than just jamming it into whatever daylight he can find and grinding out 3 or 4 yards to move the sticks.
I'm fine with Gallman coming back if he can be had cheaply enough, he's a solid RB, but nothing special. Morris was useful, but looks close to done. I guess Garrett thinks Chunn, who hung around Dallas for a couple of years, might be able to contribute. Anything's possible, I guess.
The Giants haven't had a great deal of luck with many FA RB pickups, most have been pretty much done. But I guess they could get lucky.
However I've been looking at RB's coming into the draft, and while there aren't a whole lot of blue chip prospects with Harris being my favorite, and Etienne, Williams and others also being early round picks, there's plenty of middle to later round solid RB's who don't get much attention who might prove very useful for the Giants.
Some guys I've looked at and like include Stevenson, likely 5th round, Gainwell 3rd-4th round, Jefferson 4th-5th round, Herbert 6th round, Huntley 7th or priority UDFA.
As for Barkley... I think he plays too soft and will be even softer after this injury. They definitely need a power rb to compliment him.
Kenyan Drake
Malcom Brown
Jamal Williams
James Conner
sleeper Dion Lewis (jk)
From Spotrac
Kenyan Drake = 8.3M avg
James Conner = 5.4M avg
At those prices, do you really see them as an option for the Giants???
Its a notable point, but Barkley sees a different defense than Gallman does (and had the unfortunate privilege to play without this newer OLine, something the Gallman got the benefit of as the season went on).
I don't buy that Barkley can't get 2 yards. I definitely think he tries to do too much on occasion, but as we saw in 2020 with our pathetic 17ppg offense, he kinda had to.
We need the continued improvement of the line so Barkley can actually do what he was picked for.
Loved the way that Gallman was running this season. No dancing, hitting the hole hard, falling forward, and putting hits on linebackers.
Already acclimated to the locker room, familiar with/to the staff, provides some continuity.
They do need a better player behind him. One who can carry the ball as well as play in the passing game.
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Fine with Gallman returning, bit nobody else though.
Grab another serviceable back before the summer.
Go into season with:
Barkley
Gallman
Day 3 Rookie
Free Agent
This is pretty much where I'm at as well.
+2
He’s a solid receiver and pass blocker as well.
1. Will his knee hold up? Typically players take more than a season to fully mentally recover, much less physically.
2. Can he start running more N/S and take the "dirty yards". He seemed to get better at this end of his first season, but he doesn't seem to do it consistently.
3. Can he learn to pass block? Its no use if he gets DJ killed on passing plays.
This upcoming season is going to be fascinating. We'll get to see if we have both a QB and RB of the future on this team.
1. Will his knee hold up? Typically players take more than a season to fully mentally recover, much less physically.
2. Can he start running more N/S and take the "dirty yards". He seemed to get better at this end of his first season, but he doesn't seem to do it consistently.
3. Can he learn to pass block? Its no use if he gets DJ killed on passing plays.
This upcoming season is going to be fascinating. We'll get to see if we have both a QB and RB of the future on this team.
I agree on Barkley. I’m concerned with the knee now that he might start shying away from contact more and become Reggie Bush.
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Especially if we want to be a "run-first" team. Look, I love Barkley's physical ability, work ethic, and how he conducts himself, but to me, 2021 is as much a "prove-it" year for Saquon as it is for Jones:
1. Will his knee hold up? Typically players take more than a season to fully mentally recover, much less physically.
2. Can he start running more N/S and take the "dirty yards". He seemed to get better at this end of his first season, but he doesn't seem to do it consistently.
3. Can he learn to pass block? Its no use if he gets DJ killed on passing plays.
This upcoming season is going to be fascinating. We'll get to see if we have both a QB and RB of the future on this team.
I agree on Barkley. I’m concerned with the knee now that he might start shying away from contact more and become Reggie Bush.
If so, we may eventually see something like this -
Video - ( New Window )
Use the draft picks for WR, OL, DL, LB, and CB. Plenty of holes to fill.
Grab another serviceable back before the summer.
Go into season with:
Barkley
Gallman
Day 3 Rookie
Free Agent
I'd be fine with this scenario also. Hopeful for a vet that lasts more than 10 or 12 games would be nice too.
Then adhoc as needed.