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Transcript: RB Saquon Barkley

Eric from BBI : Admin : 4/20/2022 7:07 pm
RB SAQUON BARKLEY

Q. (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) said after the Combine, he called you kind of right away to say he's not shopping you or anything. What did that call mean to you?

SAQUON BARKLEY: Yeah, I appreciated the call. He just wanted to get off on the right foot. I was like, it is what it is. I wasn't really worried about it in anyway. My mindset was just come into work no matter what. Besides that, just love being back. I'm feeling healthy, working hard. Love the energy that we have in the building. I love the energy Joe, (Head Coach Brian) Dabs, all the coaches are bringing. I'm excited for this year.

Q. Saquon, this is the first off-season in a while you haven't had a rehab. Have you noticed a difference in yourself? Do you feel differently this off-season so far?

SAQUON BARKLEY: Yeah. I definitely feel a lot different, a lot better. I feel like myself again. Obviously, I don't want to jump the gun, I just want to keep focusing on the little things and get better every day. No matter what for the rest of your career, with injuries, every off-season is going to be kind of somewhat rehabbing or prehabbing so you make sure you don't get injured.

My mindset is just keep working on the little things and focus on the things that I can control. I can't control me stepping on someone's foot and hurting my ankle. I've got to put that in the past. I've got to worry about taking care of my ankle, I've got to worry about taking care of my knee, I've got to worry about taking care of all my body parts so I can be healthy – because I know when I'm healthy I know what I can do for this team and what I'm able to bring to the table.

Q. Since you are entering the final year of your contract, would you like to have discussions with the Giants this offseason about an extension beyond this year?

SAQUON BARKLEY: You mean coming into the season?

Q. You see some guys going into their fifth-year option year will do an extension in the summer. Is that something you'd like to do, or play out your option?

SAQUON BARKLEY: I'm not even focused on that. The best thing that I can do is just focus on what I can control. That's showing up, being healthy, going out there at OTAs, camp and in season and performing, work hard, keep my mind right, study the playbook.

I'm a big believer, I've been saying it since day one since you guys met me, everything is going to take care of itself. I've only got to focus on what I can focus on and what I can control. That's everything within my realm. That's my main thing right now.

Q. What was your reaction at the Combine when Joe Schoen left the door open to everything? He admitted he did take some calls from teams interested in you. What was your thought process and how you were processing that?

SAQUON BARKLEY: At first, I was working out and I came home and my phone was blowing up. I was like, 'What the heck?' At first, I thought I got traded, but you never know in today's world.

But then when I looked it up and I saw it, I didn't really take it like that, to be completely honest. That's his job. He's supposed to do whatever he feels that can help this team win and this organization win. That's his job. When I saw the response, I really didn't take it as, 'Oh, dang, he wants to get rid of me, or the Giants want to trade me.' To be honest, I felt like that was more of just word-of-mouth, the media kind of create a story. I didn't really take it like that to be completely honest.

Like I said, at first, I was like, 'Oh, what the heck did happen,' because of my phone. But I was cool. My mindset was Dabs called me, Joe called me, I got right back with my trainer and my PT, and right to work.

Q. I know he's told us he told you he's not shopping you. Did he tell you he won't trade you?

SAQUON BARKLEY: I feel like the conversations between me and him stays in-house. What was said and what I told him was, 'Welcome to New York.' You've got to be careful with the things you say because they can spin it one way and turn it into another story.

Q. What do you think this new offense, this new regime, can give you an opportunity to be a playmaker in the sense of receiving, rushing, and take advantage of your talent?

SAQUON BARKLEY: Yeah, not just me. I feel like I've got a lot to prove. I feel like there's a lot of guys in the running back room, the wide receiver room, the quarterback room, who've got a lot to prove. We're very talented. We believe in each other, and we believe in the system that's in place. Right now, it's about getting one percent better every day.

Obviously, you start smiling when you see plays work out there and you see how they work in the film room or when you're going over the playbook. You've got to just focus on the little things, getting better every single day. When those opportunities come, make sure we stay healthy enough and we capitalize on the plays that we can make.

Q. You said you feel like yourself again. What are you doing physically now you weren't doing a year ago?

SAQUON BARKLEY: I'm not rehabbing the knee. That's one. I'm not out there thinking anymore. At the time, you're like, 'I'm not even thinking about it,' but then when you replace yourself and look back a year later you're like, 'Oh my God, it's two completely different things.'

Getting stronger, getting back to how I like to train, my training résumé. Also adding the new things to keep me healthy – mobility-wise, stability-wise, all those little things. It's not just the now. I want to play this game for a long time. I don't want to have a short career. That comes with taking care of your body. That's really the biggest difference I'm doing, training hard and pushing my body, but also training smart.

Q. Did your mindset grow during that recovery process? Do you see yourself attacking the game differently? How are you approaching it knowing you're coming into it with a different attack point?

SAQUON BARKLEY: My mindset from just the last two years, to be honest, I kind of just want to kill, go crazy. I don't want to jump the gun. It's a long way before September and we start of the regular season.

To be honest, I'm just tired of whatever is written about me, the BS that's said about me or this team. I want to go out there and prove to this organization that the player they drafted is still there, I can still do special things with the ball in my hands, and I can help this team.

Q. Why do you think it's BS, the things that were written about your production level with injury history?

SAQUON BARKLEY: One thing I've learned is the story that's going to be told is people are going to shape it the way they want it to be told. I feel like there's a lot of things that are left out –

Q. Why is it BS, you were not productive?

SAQUON BARKLEY: It's not just that, to be completely honest. The productivity level, it's just – I don't want to really get too into the details of what is being said. If I get into that, probably you know who I'm talking about. So, I'm just going to say that I'm just tired of BS. Just want to go out there, play the game I love, and have fun with my teammates.

Q. Since you've gotten here, now third new regime basically. Has there ever been a point with everything you've gone through, where you took a step back and thought maybe I need a fresh start? Why are you committed to being here?

SAQUON BARKLEY: I love it here. I feel like, this place has so much tradition and so much history and I want to be part of the success that comes back to this place. I don't want to look back on my career and say, 'Dang, when I was in New York with the Giants, I was part of the down years.' I know the talent we have in our locker room. I know what we're able to do as a team. We've just got to continue to stick to the little things, continue to buy-in and continue to believe in each other.

To be honest, when I was a kid, I was a Jets fan. I used to drive to New York and pass the stadium, the old stadium. I always told my dad I wanted to play in that stadium. I'm playing in MetLife, obviously I'm playing for the Giants. Something I wanted to do as a kid. I want to be special here.

Q. Has the running back position changed since your rookie year? When you were a rookie, you caught 91 passes. Do you see that increasing and running becoming less important?

SAQUON BARKLEY: Do you mean within our playbook or talking about in the league?

Q. It seems running backs are catching more passes rather than being thousand-yard rushers.

SAQUON BARKLEY: Yeah, I guess you could say that that's where the game is going. I feel like if you think of the top backs, they're all able to do some catching the ball in the backfield, some route-running, I feel like it just adds versatility to the game and a way you can be productive for the team.

Q. You mentioned your emotional connection to this team. Does it cross your mind this could be your last year here or is that something that concerns you?

SAQUON BARKLEY: No, I'm not really focusing on that. I feel like if I put myself in that place, I just feel like for my mental, for everything, just energy-wise it's not good for me. It's not going to bring any positivity to that at all. No matter what, if I go crazy, whatever happens, God forbid, I just try to focus on the now, coming in, enjoying the process, enjoying with my teammates here, loving the game, having fun playing the game. Like I said, it's something I've been wanting to do since I was a little kid. I'm living my dream. I'm going to capitalize on it.

Q. There was a play towards the end of practice today where you went on a long reception and scored a touchdown, high-five'd Daboll after that. Was there any kind of feeling with that play, particularly the reaction from your teammates, your feeling about, 'Hey, this is what I have been?'

SAQUON BARKLEY: It's not like a selfish way. Like I said earlier, it's more of just you seeing the plays and you seeing the creativity, and then you go out there and you capitalize on it or it works, you see it in the film. You know, it gets you anxious. You want to go, go, go, go, absorb everything, and go out there and try to do it all at once. But yeah, it puts a smile on your face. Not just because of, 'Oh, I scored a touchdown or it's me again,' it was more the creativity, the things that (Offensive Coordinator) Coach Kafka's saying or Dabs was saying, the mindset that everyone on the offense is starting to come alive. It's short, it's day two, day three of voluntary mini camp. Just got to stick with it and get one percent better every day.

Q. How would you describe the stamp that Dabs and Joe have put on this in the short period of time here? Any differences you feel as a group?

SAQUON BARKLEY: Just the energy. Just the energy in the building from everybody. From the lunch staff all of the way up to the top. When I came back, I was out training in San Diego, but when I came back to meet the coaches and just get familiar with everyone, you could just feel the energy was different in the lunchroom. It's going to be an exciting year. Obviously, we've still got a long way to go. Just enjoy it, day by day and get better.
What many have missed:  
Big Blue '56 : 4/20/2022 7:42 pm : link
This off season, he’s NOT RE-HABBING as he did all of last off season. Finally, THIS offseason, he can workout as he’s always done in prep for the incoming season. That’s a huge difference, medically and practically speaking, imv
Hopefully him & Jones aren't on roster this  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/20/2022 7:47 pm : link
time next year.
Hope he proves haters wrong and signs an extension  
TDTONEY : 4/20/2022 7:49 pm : link
.
Why in God's name would we give this guy an extension  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/20/2022 7:50 pm : link
?
RE: Why in God's name would we give this guy an extension  
TDTONEY : 4/20/2022 7:52 pm : link
In comment 15672809 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
?


Because Schoen felt he was worth it which means he had a great year and signed for the right price. Otherwise a great year and trade works.

Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Keaton028 : 4/20/2022 8:26 pm : link
was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.
RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Big Blue '56 : 4/20/2022 8:34 pm : link
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:
Quote:
was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.


How easy it is to be objective. Well said
RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
bigblue5611 : 4/20/2022 8:53 pm : link
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:
Quote:
was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.


Agree with BB’56. More should share this view rather than just concentrating on when/how to get rid of him. Personally I’d like to see what he can do behind a better line should he stay healthy.
Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/20/2022 9:00 pm : link
Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.
RE: Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
bigblue5611 : 4/20/2022 9:09 pm : link
In comment 15672908 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.


Don’t take this as a shot, but unless you have a crystal ball, how do you know that? Isn’t the cap supposed to take a significant increase next year? And with the contracts being handed out this year I wouldn’t be surprised to see sharp increases in ‘24 and ‘25. What I’m getting at is SB has obviously shown his ability when healthy, the problem is he’s had shit rosters and shit coaching since he came into the league. Daboll, while not proven as a HC yet, has obviously had good offensive success in Buffalo. Kafka also part of a good offense in KC (which I believe they did not want to see him go?) even though unproven as OC. Schoen part of a good roster build in Buffalo, but yet again, unproven as a GM. If the stars align for this roster to see significant improvement this year, including on the field even if no playoffs. Given that, if SB stays healthy gets back to 1200-1300 rushing with 8-10 TD’s plus some receiving yardage and TD’s, why wouldn’t we want him to be a part of the future if we can make it work with the cap?

I know this is no guarantee and we’ll have to see it to believe it, but if it happens, why not make it work if the cap allows it?
RE: Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
Keaton028 : 4/20/2022 9:12 pm : link
In comment 15672908 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.


I mean I agree. You’re likely right. And I have been vocal about the Giants not having the right pieces in key spots, including QB. But these guys are human too, and will both probably be here for 2022. At some point, I just got tired of rooting against our own players. Barkley especially gets a ton of criticism for not immediately returning to form after a serious injury.

2022 is likely going to be a down season anyway. Why not root for these guys to try and do something and be successful? Im tired of just being miserable through awful seasons.
RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Rjanyg : 4/20/2022 10:12 pm : link
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:
Quote:
was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.


Amen. He just needs to stay healthy. Ironically, toward the end of last year he started making one move and getting north. He needs to do more of this in 2022.
RE: RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Brown_Hornet : 4/20/2022 10:24 pm : link
In comment 15672874 Big Blue '56 said:
Quote:
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:


Quote:


was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.



How easy it is to be objective. Well said
+1
Both of you guys.
I suppose that we all get something different out of football.
Trade him.  
Jimmy Googs : 4/20/2022 11:18 pm : link
Christmas is over, and business is business...
RE: Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
Snablats : 4/21/2022 12:02 am : link
In comment 15672908 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.

We didnt win with them more because of not fixing the OL and hiring bad coaches than because of anything Barkley and Jones did or didnt do. Neither player really had a shot
RE: Hopefully him & Jones aren't on roster this  
ZoneXDOA : 4/21/2022 7:19 am : link
In comment 15672801 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
time next year.
why? Do you not like them? Tell us all how you feel, man.
Zone.  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/21/2022 7:21 am : link
I have nothing personally against either guy. I just don't think we are winning anything with either one. And thus far the results have born that out.
RE: Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
ZoneXDOA : 4/21/2022 7:23 am : link
In comment 15672908 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.
we weren’t winning with the O-Line and coaching/play calling/injuries and hopefully that all improves.
Barkley is TBD  
Strip-Sack : 4/21/2022 8:13 am : link
While the decision to select a RB at #2 overall can certainly be questioned, I've never agreed with some who say he's apparently lost a step and will not be the same player as I don't see how anyone can come to these conclusions when we haven't seen him fully healthy for more than a handful of games.

He's either been injured or recovering from injury for the vast majority of his time in NY. You can say he's injury prone I suppose as he's had a few but I would throw out the freak ankle injury from last year in that discussion as it was, in fact, a freak injury.

As I remember, he had started to look like his old self a bit while recovering from the season ending knee injury when that was derailed by someone stepping on and twisting the ankle in Dallas. That, of course, stalled any momentum he had recovering from the knee while also adding a second injury to recover from. When he did come back, he came back to one of the most dysfunctional offenses we've ever seen for all the reasons that have been mentioned ad infinitum AND he was recovering both physically and mentally from TWO injuries.

What also goes unmentioned in all of this is the missed reps/coaching in practice and in games which are required if he is to work on things like blocking or running north and south with more force vs dancing and trying to make everyone miss. As such, we simply don't know yet if he can adjust his game accordingly.

The economics of all this is absolutely to be considered and they may indeed trade or cut him eventually but no one can say with any certainty at all whether or not he will perform as he did in the very brief time he has been in NY when he has played fully healthy. I for one am looking forward to seeing him in this offense with a better Oline, better coaching and a functional offense in general.

GO GIANTS!!!

Barekley  
Andrew in Austin : 4/21/2022 8:45 am : link
with a chip on his shoulder will be fun to watch this season. Hopefully we get a replica of the rookie year + tougher inside running.
They need to bring in Ahmad Bradshaw  
rnargi : 4/21/2022 9:18 am : link
and/or Brandon Jacobs and teach this guy pass protection. That is his biggest area of weakness. He does not read the blitz pickups well, and when he does, he gives a feeble effort at blocking. Ahmad wasn't very good at it in the beginning but became great. Bring him in and teach Barkley how it's done.
RE: Barkley is TBD  
Jimmy Googs : 4/21/2022 9:26 am : link
In comment 15673129 Strip-Sack said:
Quote:


What also goes unmentioned in all of this is the missed reps/coaching in practice and in games which are required if he is to work on things like blocking or running north and south with more force vs dancing and trying to make everyone miss. As such, we simply don't know yet if he can adjust his game accordingly.



Barkley has been playing Running Back since he was a sophomore in high school.

You really think he has lacked the necessary reps/coaching to work on and develop these areas over the past decade?
RE: RE: Barkley is TBD  
rnargi : 4/21/2022 9:37 am : link
In comment 15673204 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
In comment 15673129 Strip-Sack said:


Quote:




What also goes unmentioned in all of this is the missed reps/coaching in practice and in games which are required if he is to work on things like blocking or running north and south with more force vs dancing and trying to make everyone miss. As such, we simply don't know yet if he can adjust his game accordingly.





Barkley has been playing Running Back since he was a sophomore in high school.

You really think he has lacked the necessary reps/coaching to work on and develop these areas over the past decade?


You think SB was being tasked regularly with blocking elite edge rushers in HS and at Penn State?
No player...  
Brown_Hornet : 4/21/2022 9:41 am : link
...is above meaningful reps and coaching.

I'm sure that Tiki Barber had been taught how to not fumble at UVA.

The Bradshaw example is also spot-on.
my understanding  
fkap : 4/21/2022 11:19 am : link
is that most RBs entering the big league need to learn pass pro.

With all the injuries, SB has had a lot to think about because he hasn't done it regularly enough to make it second nature. As he said, the injuries are causing him to think instead of just doing.

2nd, 3rd seasons are where important progressions in honing the fine details happen, and SB hasn't been healthy enough (including the 4th season) to do much honing.

This year, he has to stay healthy AND make those progressions.
RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Gatorade Dunk : 4/21/2022 12:22 pm : link
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:
Quote:
was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.

Completely fair take.

I'm reluctant to give ANY RB an expensive second contract, so that's not a knock on Barkley in particular. I'd rather trade him than let him walk in FA (because the comp pick calculations are too risky given what could be a very active FA period next year), but there's no downside to him performing at a high level as long as it doesn't result in a future albatross contract.
RE: RE: Yeah. Both Saquon & DJ come across like as good dudes.  
Gatorade Dunk : 4/21/2022 12:24 pm : link
In comment 15673022 Snablats said:
Quote:
In comment 15672908 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:


Quote:


Hard workers. Good for them.

We just aren't winning with them. And I am more concerned with that.


We didnt win with them more because of not fixing the OL and hiring bad coaches than because of anything Barkley and Jones did or didnt do. Neither player really had a shot

While that may be true (and there's clearly validity to that), it doesn't change the fact that their rookie contracts are coming to an end. It's hard to pay out significant dollars on a second contract for each of these just on the hope that each of their struggles weren't their own fault at all.
RE: They need to bring in Ahmad Bradshaw  
Go Terps : 4/21/2022 12:26 pm : link
In comment 15673199 rnargi said:
Quote:
and/or Brandon Jacobs and teach this guy pass protection. That is his biggest area of weakness. He does not read the blitz pickups well, and when he does, he gives a feeble effort at blocking. Ahmad wasn't very good at it in the beginning but became great. Bring him in and teach Barkley how it's done.


Why not just get a running back that is willing to block?
RE: RE: Picking Barkley 2nd overall  
Eric on Li : 4/21/2022 12:26 pm : link
In comment 15673517 Gatorade Dunk said:
Quote:
In comment 15672864 Keaton028 said:


Quote:


was the wrong move. That said, it’s not Saquon’s fault he was picked where he was. Like DJ, he’s been nothing but been hard-working and professional. I am not sure SB is the future, but man does he have the right mindset, and is being ultra underrated. I hope he has a monster season for his sake. Easy guy to root for.


Completely fair take.

I'm reluctant to give ANY RB an expensive second contract, so that's not a knock on Barkley in particular. I'd rather trade him than let him walk in FA (because the comp pick calculations are too risky given what could be a very active FA period next year), but there's no downside to him performing at a high level as long as it doesn't result in a future albatross contract.


the worst case scenario for future contract is a tag right around $10m.

when you consider the way the 49ers used Deebo, I hope Daboll has something similar in mind. Deebo is more physical but Barkley used in a similar way could create a lot of chunk plays (obviously if healthy).

it would be a huge win if daboll could figure out a way to get Barkley into a role like that because his position attachment to the RB tag could look very appealing given the cost of WRs exploding. That's the upside either in trade or back on a 1 year deal i don't think is worth punting right now for less than a day 2 pick since you are probably backstopped by a day 3 comp pick in the future even in a worst case scenario.
RE: RE: RE: Barkley is TBD  
Jimmy Googs : 4/21/2022 2:50 pm : link
In comment 15673217 rnargi said:
Quote:
In comment 15673204 Jimmy Googs said:


Quote:


In comment 15673129 Strip-Sack said:


Quote:




What also goes unmentioned in all of this is the missed reps/coaching in practice and in games which are required if he is to work on things like blocking or running north and south with more force vs dancing and trying to make everyone miss. As such, we simply don't know yet if he can adjust his game accordingly.





Barkley has been playing Running Back since he was a sophomore in high school.

You really think he has lacked the necessary reps/coaching to work on and develop these areas over the past decade?



You think SB was being tasked regularly with blocking elite edge rushers in HS and at Penn State?


He should have seen plenty at Penn St...remember he was the "touched by hand of God" guy.

And while I know many like to recall his 2000 yard season, he's not a rookie any longer. 2018 was a long time and many reps ago...
Still can't believe some can't get the 'franchise tag' approaches  
Jimmy Googs : 4/21/2022 2:57 pm : link
out of their minds when discussing NY Giant players and future contract/roster decisions.

Similar to Leonard Williams, what a complete farce to put any of our players on that pedestal. And what a waste of money...
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