Saquon is not even a top 20 RB in the NFL.

Interesting thought. original too

Metallica....

What RB would succeed with the current offensive line

I really don't understand so-called fans that can't enjoy a victory.

Whatever you say.

Soft

Because that’s what Schlereth was calling for...

He can’t block to save his life.

Watching him from the stands today, it's obvious he doesn't have the cutback ability he once had. He was quite candid in his post-game interview in saying that he's not fully recovered from his injury. Time will tell whether he can be the player he once was

If he can work his way back he will be a more than serviceable running and receiving back. With Booker it’s a good combination.

Can’t you “fans” at least understand recovery from markedly severe injuries to lower extremities in some one whose ability and talent lay in their lower extremities.

But ok.

In comment 15471040 Jerry in 329 said:

Quote:

Watching him from the stands today, it's obvious he doesn't have the cutback ability he once had. He was quite candid in his post-game interview in saying that he's not fully recovered from his injury. Time will tell whether he can be the player he once was

It could be but him saying that is a little revealing.

But he’s not helping matters. He’s not the same player he was as a rookie.

wasn’t that good before the injury either. His YPC numbers back that up.

Sure he flashes now and again - he did today with a long run - but the vast majority of the time he’s on the field, he’s doing something detrimental to the drive. He’s an amazing athlete, but just an OK football player and that is a big problem for the #2 overall pick.

there was a great hole for SB. It was a nice bounce outside, but it wasn't a special run.

Besides that play, he was essentially 12 carries for 10 yards.

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say the he isn't recovered fully from the surgery. But he's definitely not the same player. Not even close.

He would immediately be playing to potential. He had one hole today. One.

And it went for 30 yards

In comment 15471090 bw in dc said:

Quote:

there was a great hole for SB. It was a nice bounce outside, but it wasn't a special run. Besides that play, he was essentially 12 carries for 10 yards. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say the he isn't recovered fully from the surgery. But he's definitely not the same player. Not even close.

the run was pretty good. I think next year Barkley will be ready for close to return to form. But the Giants should trade him for a pick, imo.

In comment 15471095 mattlawson said:

Quote:

He would immediately be playing to potential. He had one hole today. One. And it went for 30 yards

That wasn't a hole. It was a canyon. SB didn't get touched until he got pushed out of bounds.

As if he's going to instantly be the spark that ignites the offense. And each time I roll my eyes. He's a 3rd down/gadget back, but not an every-down back. Time to move on.

In comment 15471106 bw in dc said:

Quote:

In comment 15471095 mattlawson said: Quote: He would immediately be playing to potential. He had one hole today. One. And it went for 30 yards That wasn't a hole. It was a canyon. SB didn't get touched until he got pushed out of bounds.

I didn't rewatch it but as I recall the cut that got him in the open was an elite level change of direction. Severe cut without losing speed. Saquon still has something left if he stays healthy - big if.

will stop making excuses for poor players and realize that they are just poor players.

In comment 15471033 bubba0825 said:

Quote:

He can’t block to save his life.

Actually, I thought he made some key blocks today. I don't recall Barry Sanders being much of a blocker...

Why is he not in the game?

He's not the same after injury but he was unreal when fully healthy with an awful line his whole career so far. Look back on his first year or some PSU highlights. He was the best RB prospect in years for a reason. But please, judge him after a horrible looking ankle injury and a year removed from major surgery. And...he's a great teammate. Giants fans suck these days. Too much losing I guess.

In comment 15471116 weaverpsu said:

Quote:

In comment 15471033 bubba0825 said: Quote: He can’t block to save his life. Actually, I thought he made some key blocks today. I don't recall Barry Sanders being much of a blocker...

Barry sanders wasn't built like a Dodge Ram. He was small and sub-190.

Barkley has Fullback size and dances like a ballerina when he's concerned about physical contact.

In comment 15471112 Producer said:

Quote:

That wasn't a hole. It was a canyon. SB didn't get touched until he got pushed out of bounds. I didn't rewatch it but as I recall the cut that got him in the open was an elite level change of direction. Severe cut without losing speed. Saquon still has something left if he stays healthy - big if.

It was a nice jump cut, but the hole on the left side was huge. Thomas pushed the DE way outside and the Price and Skura double teamed the DT. It was a beautifully executed scheme by the OL.

He does the cha-cha immediately after getting the ball - even when there is no one around.

the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster.

In comment 15471128 Ten Ton Hammer said:

Quote:

In comment 15471116 weaverpsu said: Quote: In comment 15471033 bubba0825 said: Quote: He can’t block to save his life. Actually, I thought he made some key blocks today. I don't recall Barry Sanders being much of a blocker... Barry sanders wasn't built like a Dodge Ram. He was small and sub-190. Barkley has Fullback size and dances like a ballerina when he's concerned about physical contact.

My point was, people wouldn't care if he was getting a bunch of yards every game. The problem is he's not getting a bunch of yards therefore we're looking at all of his faults.

In comment 15471137 eugibs said:

Quote:

the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster.

There is no doubt spending a #2 on a RB in 2018 was a monumental blunder. And that alone was a firing mistake.

Is prevalent but the choice is even worse than that. DG had him rated as the best player coming out in 20 years - and he isn’t an above average player. Let that sink in. Massive blunder.

Booker had 21 carries for 99 yards against Vegas on a day where Thomas wasn't even playing LT. He runs better than Barkley. He's decisive and puts hits on tacklers.

In comment 15471137 eugibs said:

Quote:

the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster.

He was the best RB in the league or top 2 in his rookie year with a miserable offensive line. Gettleman drafted him based on THAT guy. If he never looked amazing, I'd agree, but I've seen his ability as a runner and it was incredible WHEN healthy. OBJ was also not a bad draft pick. He was incredible when healthy.

In comment 15471137 eugibs said:

Quote:

the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster.

He was the best RB in the league or top 2 in his rookie year with a miserable offensive line. Gettleman drafted him based on THAT guy. If he never looked amazing, I'd agree, but I've seen his ability as a runner and it was incredible WHEN healthy. OBJ was also not a bad draft pick. He was incredible when healthy.

In comment 15471151 cosmicj said:

Quote:

Is prevalent but the choice is even worse than that. DG had him rated as the best player coming out in 20 years - and he isn’t an above average player. Let that sink in. Massive blunder.

Your judging him now. Not coming out of college or his rookie year. That's revisionist history. He was supremely talented.

In comment 15471153 weaverpsu said:

Quote:

In comment 15471137 eugibs said: Quote: the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster. He was the best RB in the league or top 2 in his rookie year with a miserable offensive line. Gettleman drafted him based on THAT guy. If he never looked amazing, I'd agree, but I've seen his ability as a runner and it was incredible WHEN healthy. OBJ was also not a bad draft pick. He was incredible when healthy.

Sorry.. I agree with you that he was at least a top-5 back and still has top-10 potential when healthy, but he was never worth the #2 pick in the draft. You just don't spend that capital on a RB, and Barkley's career has shown you why.

If so, then you have to also consider Barkley a bust at this point. Both were #2 overall picks who had "phenomenal" rookie seasons (although, as we saw in a post last week, Barkley's rookie year was a lot of fantasy stats but had some questions) followed by injuries and terrible play.

At least RG3 got his team to the playoffs his rookie year.

Of the yards missing. There may be a bigger play going on here by Judge.

In comment 15471169 Lines of Scrimmage said:

Quote:

Of the yards missing. There may be a bigger play going on here by Judge.

This is what I think too. They believe they will need him next year and after, so they are letting him play back into football shape. He admits he hasn't fully recovered and the coaches must know that too. He also said things like his field vision, cutback ability, etc., are slowly coming back but not there yet (obviously). They probably think the best way to get back is to play. Gain confidence, take hits, start seeing the holes better, and start trusting that his knee won't give out. If this were only about this season then at a minimum Booker would be splitting time with him.

In comment 15471154 weaverpsu said:

Quote:

In comment 15471137 eugibs said: Quote: the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster. He was the best RB in the league or top 2 in his rookie year with a miserable offensive line. Gettleman drafted him based on THAT guy. If he never looked amazing, I'd agree, but I've seen his ability as a runner and it was incredible WHEN healthy. OBJ was also not a bad draft pick. He was incredible when healthy.

they were both incredibly stupid draft picks. you build from the inside out. and it's not hindsight. Martin and Donald were much more popular choices on this site when we picked OBJ. and we could have turned the Barkley pick into at least two #1 picks and taken big guys. THIS IS WHY WE SUCK!

In comment 15471159 Producer said:

Quote:

In comment 15471153 weaverpsu said: Quote: In comment 15471137 eugibs said: Quote: the Barkley apologists are the worst. He is the team’s worst draft pick in 40 years and it isn’t even close. He is the living, breathing symbol of the disastrous gettleman tenure and everything that has gone wrong the last four years. He needs to be exorcised from the roster. He was the best RB in the league or top 2 in his rookie year with a miserable offensive line. Gettleman drafted him based on THAT guy. If he never looked amazing, I'd agree, but I've seen his ability as a runner and it was incredible WHEN healthy. OBJ was also not a bad draft pick. He was incredible when healthy. Sorry.. I agree with you that he was at least a top-5 back and still has top-10 potential when healthy, but he was never worth the #2 pick in the draft. You just don't spend that capital on a RB, and Barkley's career has shown you why.

Can't argue with that. Barkley needs to be a perennial all-pro to justify that pick. But I thought he would be and so did many others.

I have a different take, which is that all NFL players get dinged and lose their quickness as they age. The good ones have the ability to get better despite that loss of quickness. A good example is Jason Pierre Paul who after several seasons in the NFL didn’t have that otherwordly athleticism he had early in his career. But he has adapted in spite of severe injuries and continues to be a good starter today. Barkley hasn’t shown that ability to adapt and is a liability out there.

So was DG’s evaluation of Barkley a mistake? Yes, because it assumed Barkley would not lose that high level quickness he had as a college player and didn’t reveal that Barkley’s instincts and ability to be a disciplined rusher who could generate 4 yard carries consistently even when the blocking wasn’t working all the time.

Thanks for presenting a good question.

Top be a perennial All Pro running back — you need to have big play potential, grind out tough yards, pass protect well to stay on the field, and have an arsenal of moves to gain yards with the ball in your hands.

Saquon Barkley has had one plus skill from PSU up to now — an explosive first step that gets him free. It’s a fabulous skill. Maybe once in a lifetime type skill.

Without it he’s, well … Devontae Booker.

Physically or mentally

But my god, they CANNOT figure out how to use him in the passing game and its infuriating

Look for punishing defenders for that extra 3 yds, no

1:1 he can shake a defender, no.

Why is he special again?

Barkley is not a difference maker. He’s never come close to his rookie year. What does he have 1 touchdown?

A contact averse back that relies on agility gets hurt at the position that takes the most wear and tear and isn't the same afterwards. That's how your team stays in the top 5 of the draft order.

about drafting big men first. He bit on the glamor guy Saquon before he had an O-Line.

It was the Jets game in the middle of his second season when he put up one of the most remarkable game stats I've ever seen for a running back. 13 carries for 1 yard.

If a running back only gained one yard on his first seven carries, who would give him the ball six more times?

Today, take away the 32 yard run, and he's 12 carries for 8 yards. That doesn't help Jones. He needs someone who can get at least 4 or 5 yards between the tackles on first down so he's not second and long.

He's not a power runner or a short yardage runner, so they have to admit that and play to his strengths. He's a dangerous outlet receiver. If he could stay home to pick up blitzers and then slide out into the flat as a safety valve he would help the team.

He could run outside and turn the corner, if they didn't try that too often.

Teams don't run sweeps anymore? What would Mercury Morris do in today's NFL.

Pat Shurmer talked about getting those three tough yards his first year. If he gets totally healthy he will still put up some monster games. Teams schemed to take him out so opponents saw the talent. I used to like watching Ricky Williams. Big, fast, powerful who found the yards available with whatever line he had.

In comment 15471019 X said:

Quote:

What RB would succeed with the current offensive line I really don't understand so-called fans that can't enjoy a victory.

Anyone the Giants have played over him the last two years has been more productive in this offense. They’re not good either, but better than Barkley.

in drafting athletes who could POTENTIALLY be great football players than they are in drafting great football players whose athleticism can be improved.

It's a completely ass-backwards philosophy which has proven dead wrong several times over already. A smart franchise would have learned from the David Wilson mistake.

4 turnovers. We won by 6 points. Our #2 overall pick is one of the main reasons for that. Facts.

RB in a decade, right? Every great RB has a different style, but it was thought he might have the impact of Gayle Sayers, Barry Sanders, Herschel Walker, or Jim Brown – one of the greats. If we could have one of those guys for 8-10 years, it would have been worth it.

Instead we had a terrible line, Saquon's injuries have taken away his explosive cuts and acceleration, and in a pass-centric era, his lame blocking is a major liability. Booker should be our RB, and SB should be a receiver – in space. With his good hands, discipline, and cutting ability, he'd be a handful as a #2 or slot receiver.

because once again he is in every preview package and media availability and I'm calling my shot now that he'll have a blistering 3.5 YPC this upcoming game.

The best RB on his team presently(ignoring the past)

Team is worse with him on the field.

He sucks. A bust.