The Athletic - A deeper dive on Saquon Barkley

My memory is bad but i don’t remember Barkley’s rookie year being so great although I acknowledge statistically it was good. Seemed to me he was not an impact player and lots of his numbers were more when the games were out of hand. His performance certainly didn’t have much of an impact given the lack of wins that year. I know the team was bad but he was still the 2nd pick of the draft.

Also, the biggest criticism of taking an RB that high was the injury factor. Isn’t that exactly what happened with Barkley? He’s missed or played hurt for lots of games.

to have some doubts about Saquon.

I really didn't like what I saw from him last year in a number of games, and I don't mean just early in the season when he was still getting himself situated back into the game.

His own comments portray it correctly as he didn't run with confidence and went down so easily. The backup running back hit holes harder than Saquon did in 2021 and it was very apparent.

I think the stars are aligned for Saquon to have a big fall: new offense where he's going to be featured as a receiver quite often if reports are to be believed & he should have more confidence in his body as the injuries get further & further away in the rear-view mirror. Throw in the fact that it is a contract year & there's obviously a ton of motivation on his part to get a fat new deal.

Again, I don't care how good he looks this season...I think we'd be loco to give a RB with his injury history big money. I don't think Schoen will either.

receiving huge/very big contracts, imho, So if he’s mentally and physically recovered and has the year I expect running and receiving, I see him signing a reasonable contract as Schoen perceives it

There’s no bandwagon to jump on. Even if he has a good season (a big if), the pick was a disaster and he’s a goner.

But I'll know he's back when I see him leap over someone.

Good players do it all at there positions. Barkley is awful at picking up the blitz and blocking. He would never play for a coach like Parcels

if he gets his swagger, whatever the hell that is. I want to see him break some tackles and not go down from the first little touch.

Blocking/picking up the blitz. Running straight ahead between the tackles. Avoiding injury.

But in my recollection of his rookie season, he also displayed some supreme talents - incredible acceleration combined with great top end speed and a rare ability to make tacklers miss - that made me excited to see him develop.

The injuries and general ineptness of the team have robbed us of, at minimum, a lot of exciting plays and TDs for us fans. With the new offense in place, I'm just hopeful we can utilize some of that special playmaking ability Barkley displayed early on.

This is his last season with us.

and prior posts, I think what we are saying Saquon is that we are rooting really hard for you to return to your original form and pose a major threat this season to opposing defenses. Having you in top form makes all the other players better and puts our offense in position to make some noise, which gives the team a better chance to win football games. We are frustrated with recent experience but it is in all our best interest if you become a force and we are rooting like mad for that to happen

If it’s less than a 4th rd pick in 2023, let him walk for 2024 comp pick.
Only issue is if we start off decent, maybe playing 500 ball at deadline
Might be hard to trade, even though long term it makes sense.
Would love a #3 by a contending team

In comment 15741444 Gman11 said:

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if he gets his swagger, whatever the hell that is. I want to see him break some tackles and not go down from the first little touch.

This, and I’ll add learning how to block to that list.

In comment 15741444 Gman11 said:

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if he gets his swagger, whatever the hell that is. I want to see him break some tackles and not go down from the first little touch.

Swagger could mean confidence; confidence is important for players on-field performance.

is that this will be his last season as a Giant unless they can work out a reasonable deal assuming he can stay on the field.

Unfortunately, to date, he just cannot get and stay on the field.

...if he doesn't get that back he is a generic (i.e. replaceable) RB, IMO.

Of athletes saying anyone who criticized them can’t support them again.

Athletes are children. So much victimization. Only in a world where you’ve been celebrated for every move you make, is it wrong to be held accountable for your output - injury or not. As I’m getting older, I find it’s hard to root for athletes.

If my clients said crap like this, I’d diagnose them with a personality disorder.

In comment 15741530 JesseS said:

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Of athletes saying anyone who criticized them can’t support them again. Athletes are children. So much victimization. Only in a world where you’ve been celebrated for every move you make, is it wrong to be held accountable for your output - injury or not. As I’m getting older, I find it’s hard to root for athletes. +1 If my clients said crap like this, I’d diagnose them with a personality disorder.

excellent hands, and great effort in the open field. His limitations, though, are clear. Below average at blocking (especially given his build & strength), indecisive when running between the tackles, and prone to injury.

Any honest journalist should report on the complete picture. I'm baffled as to why Saquon would insist his critics remain critics if he turns things around.

In comment 15741530 JesseS said:

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Of athletes saying anyone who criticized them can’t support them again. Athletes are children. So much victimization. Only in a world where you’ve been celebrated for every move you make, is it wrong to be held accountable for your output - injury or not. As I’m getting older, I find it’s hard to root for athletes. If my clients said crap like this, I’d diagnose them with a personality disorder.

I agree, that quote came across as very douchey. It's akin to wanting a trophy for participation.

That was a bad quote on Saquon's part. He seems to be uber sensitive to criticism.

In comment 15741440 bubba0825 said:

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Good players do it all at there positions. Barkley is awful at picking up the blitz and blocking. He would never play for a coach like Parcels

Exactly

Sounds like something some of the chuckleheads around here would post...

He's an entertainer. He hasn't been entertaining. If he's entertaining again we'll let him know.

A majority of Giants fans hated that he was the pick the minute it was made. A majority of us knew that RBs aren't difference makers and they get hurt and have short shelf lives. What shock that's exactly how it's played out so far.

If he wants to be loved for being a great guy he can go back to PSU and donate some money and coach a local high school team.

If he wants to play in the NFL and make national commercials he has to produce more than a nice smile.

He has every right to be in his feelings. If the doubters and the haters motivate him and he now "hates the fans and the media" no big deal. But if he wants to keep making those commercials he should probably keep smiling in public and keep hurt feelings to himself.

In comment 15741699 arniefez said:

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He's an entertainer. He hasn't been entertaining. If he's entertaining again we'll let him know. A majority of Giants fans hated that he was the pick the minute it was made. A majority of us knew that RBs aren't difference makers and they get hurt and have short shelf lives. What shock that's exactly how it's played out so far. If he wants to be loved for being a great guy he can go back to PSU and donate some money and coach a local high school team. If he wants to play in the NFL and make national commercials he has to produce more than a nice smile. He has every right to be in his feelings. If the doubters and the haters motivate him and he now "hates the fans and the media" no big deal. But if he wants to keep making those commercials he should probably keep smiling in public and keep hurt feelings to himself.

A majority?

Not so much...

I think that's a stretch.

In comment 15741653 CT Charlie said:

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Any honest journalist should report on the complete picture. I'm baffled as to why Saquon would insist his critics remain critics if he turns things around.

Because he believes the criticisms were unfair and the journalists lazy and/or dishonest. He's not interested in regaining the fans who abandoned their belief in him while he was battling back from serious injuries. I can understand that.

In comment 15741682 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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That was a bad quote on Saquon's part. He seems to be uber sensitive to criticism.

Probably the first time in his life he's faced a wall like this.

In comment 15741712 Milton said:

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In comment 15741653 CT Charlie said: Quote: Any honest journalist should report on the complete picture. I'm baffled as to why Saquon would insist his critics remain critics if he turns things around. Because he believes the criticisms were unfair and the journalists lazy and/or dishonest. He's not interested in regaining the fans who abandoned their belief in him while he was battling back from serious injuries. I can understand that.

Yeah, player vs. fans goes over real well in NY.

In comment 15741425 Big Blue '56 said:

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receiving huge/very big contracts, imho, So if he’s mentally and physically recovered and has the year I expect running and receiving, I see him signing a reasonable contract as Schoen perceives it

Would Barkley be willing to take a pay cut from the Giants? Because even if he has a good season, that's the only way he'd stay a Giant IMO.

I do think you are right, none of the other 31 teams would give him a huge contract even if he plays well next season.

Probably the first time he's been criticized like this, but it comes off as whiny AF. Saquon wasn't good last year. He was tentative when running & his pass blocking blows.

with apparently an innovative, skilled offensive coaching staff and potentially a "not at the very bottom of the league" offensive line.

The flashes from his rookie year and after that in the limited time he was healthy are still intriguing to me.

It seems like the less expensive "running back by committee" is the way the NFL is going these days versus the 3 down "feature back".

Barkley seems like a nice guy, so I'm rooting for him. Evan Engram seemed like a nice guy too. In Engram's case, I'm glad he no longer in blue. I don't get all the venom for Barkley from many on this board. We'll see.

He couldn't carry Rodney Hampton's jockstrap.

That will greatly help the Giants and I would like to see him return to form for his own sake.

But great is what great does. To be great you have to produce great results. One great year does not make you great. I hope he can string together some great years.

for him to have a good start. Then, they could possibly trade him for a 4th. In no way should they ever entertain signing him to an asinine long term deal.

In comment 15741721 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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Probably the first time he's been criticized like this, but it comes off as whiny AF. Saquon wasn't good last year. He was tentative when running & his pass blocking blows.

I've said before that Barkley as he's been to date is basically a gadget player who isn't a NFL RB at all, but should be moved around the offense to get him in space. His terrible pass blocking and dancing is a part of that. And even in his 2018 season (which was years ago at this point), he had Eli in the backfield telling him where the blitz was coming from. And remember all the threads about how Shurmur would seem to move away from Barkley in the 2nd half of games? Shurmur sucked as a HC but he knows offense, and I think on some level, he knew despite the fantasy stats, Barkley was unreliable as a pure RB.

And so - the Garrett offense which asked Barkley to be Ezekiel Elliott was probably the worst offense for him to be in.

We'll see how Daboll plans to use him, but I think if he has any notion of Barkley being an actual RB, he'd have to coach Barkley to be a different player than he's been.

As far as Barkley the person - anyone who has gone through life always "winning" will react badly when they face a challenge they can't easily overcome like they've always have.

In comment 15741729 Optimus-NY said:

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He couldn't carry Rodney Hampton's jockstrap.

Again, I think that's the issue. He's not Rodney Hampton. He's more Dave Meggett.

seems sensitive to criticism. As others have noted, he has limitations, including indecisiveness and poor pass blocking, including recognition about where to be on many plays. In his defense, our offense was historically bad so everyone knew he was getting the ball. He was also about a year removed from his torn ACL.

If he plays extremely well the Giants might offer him a decent contract, but it won't be anything extravagant. Schoen comes from the Bills who didn't spend a lot on RBs. Barkley might want to move on anyway.

My guess is that this is his last year with the Giants. Same for Jones, Shepard, Martinez, and maybe even Golladay. There is going to a lot more roster turnover after next season than this year as our terrible salary cap constraints begin to relent.

In comment 15741682 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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That was a bad quote on Saquon's part. He seems to be uber sensitive to criticism.

I normally agree with you SF but these guys are human. Saquon (and many other players) has put a TON of work into his body and his craft. Say what you want about his blocking, but the guy has always strived and dreamed of being the very best with the ball in his hands. Up until his sophomore season in the NFL, he had proven to be just that. Then injuries happened completely outside his control. That led to the loss of confidence he alludes to. That leads to Giants fans shitting on him and doubting him, as if he was responsible for drafting himself second overall. Yeah, yeah I know, why feel bad for rich athletes right? We miss the human element in all of this. We don’t see day to day what these guys go through to rehab, prepare, get in shape, stay hungry. Saquon is still hungry to be great and he hears the noise of his critics. I’m happy it fuels him. It means he cares. It’s annoying how some of the same people who rush to the defense of Daniel Jones, another polarizing Giant, will shit on Saquon as if he doesn’t deserve the same second chance.

In comment 15741764 FStubbs said:

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In comment 15741729 Optimus-NY said: Quote: He couldn't carry Rodney Hampton's jockstrap. Again, I think that's the issue. He's not Rodney Hampton. He's more Dave Meggett.

He couldn't carry Dave Meggett's jock strap either. Meggett stayed healthy. Meggett contributed BIG TIME on Specials. Meggett was a lion pass blocking too whe necessary---some Saybust has not been willing to do yet.

the other day - since 2019, Saquon Barkley has the lowest YPC of any RB in the NFL with a minimum 100 carries. That's on top of the terrible blocking and last year's stone hands.

For me, the "head case" angle is why I was so concerned about the ACL tear. The mental battle coming off that injury is intense. Physically, the knee will hold up. But can you ask it to perform like you used to?

Barkley is the ultimate head case, one of the most sensitive athletes I've ever seen. It's the same stuff that causes him to sound so proper when things are going good. You have to live with both extremes.

as someone to help Eli in his last year or two and then be a big piece for a new QB to lean on. Sort of a late career Tiki. It just did not work out. The pass blocking, tough running, vision just was not where it needed to be.

That quote is not the best look. Probably better to say something like I understand the criticism and it is my job to change that perception.

In comment 15741530 JesseS said:

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Of athletes saying anyone who criticized them can’t support them again. Athletes are children. So much victimization. Only in a world where you’ve been celebrated for every move you make, is it wrong to be held accountable for your output - injury or not. As I’m getting older, I find it’s hard to root for athletes.

As fans, we tend to forget that athletes literally are children. He's 25, but he's 25 while living a "fast track to pro athlete" life. Meaning he barely has the life experience to have the kind of awareness you want.

and his brand. He was never about winning football games. If he were he would block for his QB and he would lower his shoulder and get the tough yards needed to win. He does not. He dances he prances and he runs out of bounds to avoid contact. This is who he is. With an improved OL I expect him to be better but will probably be a rotational RB under Daboll until the inevitable injury occurs. This is a swan song year for SB.

In comment 15741453 Jimmycal said:

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and prior posts, I think what we are saying Saquon is that we are rooting really hard for you to return to your original form and pose a major threat this season to opposing defenses. Having you in top form makes all the other players better and puts our offense in position to make some noise, which gives the team a better chance to win football games. We are frustrated with recent experience but it is in all our best interest if you become a force and we are rooting like mad for that to happen

Here's the thing - this isn't an open letter to SB, so I'm not sure how much deciphering went into this.

In comment 15741835 Jimmy Googs said:

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That looks like 2021 Saquon for sure...lol....

In comment 15741868 averagejoe said:

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In comment 15741835 Jimmy Googs said: Quote: That looks like 2021 Saquon for sure...lol....

Oh the Saquon trying to return from a torn ACL? Yeah what a loser right? Guy couldn’t be the exact same running back immediately after a serious injury. What a lame.

In comment 15741820 averagejoe said:

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and his brand. He was never about winning football games. If he were he would block for his QB and he would lower his shoulder and get the tough yards needed to win. He does not. He dances he prances and he runs out of bounds to avoid contact. This is who he is. With an improved OL I expect him to be better but will probably be a rotational RB under Daboll until the inevitable injury occurs. This is a swan song year for SB.

+1

you'll notice that against good defenses, Barkley would dance around in the backfield looking for an opening and rarely find one at which point he'd be tackled at the LOS or behind it, and in the open field he rarely broke tackles. He was, however, fast and elusive and could run away from all but the faster defensive backs. In other words, he should never have been drafted second overall when Bradley Chubb, Quenton Nelson, and Josh Allen were all available.