I know there is already a thread on Barkley, but this point is buried pretty deep in the comments.
Barkley looked like a different player today. As a rookie, the first defender could never tackle him. Today he often ran right into and through the first defender. He used to jump cut before going forward. Today he went forward first. He still made some nice jump cuts, but they all happened while moving forward.
It seemed almost like we were using him on quick hitters the way the Giants of the 80's used Joe Morris. Barkley used to run a lot like Barry Sanders, but today he reminded me more of Little Joe.
It's amazing that our coaching staff was able to totally remake his running style, and the results speak for themselves. Kudos to the coaches, the run blocking, and Barkley!
Such a special talent, great character, and you can tell the game means a lot to him
IMO it was
Its a better OL and a better scheme, combined with Barkley being healthy and being in a contract year
I said all spring and summer he could have a rookie-type season
Agree. His burst was back, and you felt like he wanted to prove himself to all the doubters out there. So funny how many here thought he was done? He is a special back.
And Saquon, high and tight, please. High and tight.
Titans were #2 in run defense last year, #4 in ypc.
Barkley was elite today.
so much this. Look at what he can do when he's got room to actually get started and is healthy.
That is a great motivator...
He also got blockers moving in front of him so Saquon had room to navigate. The big 68 yard run came with Feliciano and Ezekeu pulling to the left and Saquon running outside the tackles right through the hole they opened.
And Saquon, high and tight, please. High and tight.
Titans were playing cover 1 and their all pro safety playing very deep. Byard already was positioned upfield from Barkley so he had a contain angle, he didn’t outrun Barkley in a foot race.
And Saquon, high and tight, please. High and tight.
He might have lost a little top end speed but still has tremendous acceleration.
And even then it was a DB who caught him. Guy probably runs a sub 4.40
Quote:
as a Giant
IMO it was
Agreed.
He was never this good as a rookie. Then it was raw talent. Today he looked like a complete NFL running back, following his blockers, waiting for the hole to mature. No dancing whatsoever.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
And Saquon, high and tight, please. High and tight.
Hes not 22 anymore. He's 25 with major lower body injury. To be expected.
Also, he was absolutely this good as a rookie. The difference between today and last couple of seasons is that he's finally 100% and his blocking is better. Going from Solder to Neal, particularly in the run blocking area, is huge.
I didn't see how well our TEs blocked for him today but in the past with Engram and even other guys who should've been better were turnstiles.
From what I've read, Euzudu was really good in the run game today as well.
When he gets good blocking and he's healthy this is the player we would've seen the last couple of years. Today, we have that.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
Yeah. But at the same time he lowered the shoulder on that 2 pt conversion and drove the defender back into the endzone. I don't ever recall Saquon being that physical.
Quote:
He looks like he lost some weight. I wonder if he focused more on speed/agility than size/power in his training this off-season.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
Yeah. But at the same time he lowered the shoulder on that 2 pt conversion and drove the defender back into the endzone. I don't ever recall Saquon being that physical.
agreed that 2 point conversion was something else. that was a zeke run, and that's not something that was in saquon's toolbox previously.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
I thought that too, he looked leaner all around,lighter/quicker.
Quote:
He looks like he lost some weight. I wonder if he focused more on speed/agility than size/power in his training this off-season.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
Yeah. But at the same time he lowered the shoulder on that 2 pt conversion and drove the defender back into the endzone. I don't ever recall Saquon being that physical.
Old Saquon would have tried to hurdle the defender and avoid contact. He is not afarid on initiating contact anymore. Good job DaBALLS.
And Saquon, high and tight, please. High and tight.
____________________________________
High and tight is not the problem as much as he never carries the ball in his left hand so the ball is exposed when he runs to the left.
______________________________________
Quote:
He looks like he lost some weight. I wonder if he focused more on speed/agility than size/power in his training this off-season.
He looked so damn nimble out there. On both his TD and 2pt conversion, his quick cuts were just so explosive and effortless that it reminded you of his rookie year.
Very promising start.
Yeah. But at the same time he lowered the shoulder on that 2 pt conversion and drove the defender back into the endzone. I don't ever recall Saquon being that physical.
I agree with the general premise of this thread that Saquon played a more “sustainable/mature” style. He definitely looked different today from his rookie year stylistically. Him finishing that run with physicality was definitely nice to see, since he started it with a nasty cut reminiscent of his rookie year.
That may be true as well, but the fumble today would NOT have happened if he was carrying it high and tight. He was carrying it that old-school way that causes too many fumbles. If Tiki could learn it, so can Barkley.
That is a great motivator...
I like it a lot.
I totally agree Running hard and had an intensity to him i havent scene
The ankle and knee injuries have affected him. I don't think he will ever be what he was, but I'll take this version of him. I just pray he stays healthy.
Quote:
And I like it!
Agree. His burst was back, and you felt like he wanted to prove himself to all the doubters out there. So funny how many here thought he was done? He is a special back.
It’s just too bad he didn’t get to show it until game one of his last cost controlled year. After this he’s going to Hit FA and get big money from someone else. Unless we trade him before the dead line. I can’t see us resigning him for a ton. Unfortunately we have to trade him most likely due to needs and constraints.
Absolutely. He was dead to rights on that two-point conversion, and he made a fantastic sharp cut to his right. And then a dive into the endzone.
And I agree he looks leaner. He never looked big at 232 anyway, always looked solid. But he does look a bit lighter - like 220/225.
And he picked up a blitz in the A Gap....
I also agree this was a better version of Barkley, even over his rookie year.
He has now tied Henry with the most (7) 50+ yard gains in the last 4 years.
He is also very motivated to prove everyone wrong.
Touche
I thought Kafka adapted well when he realized it was a game to feed Saquon, not dick around too much with gimmicks
In comment 15812657 Rudy5757 said:
In comment 15812681 bw in dc said:
That is a great motivator...
Come this is BBI he is supposed to be able to break all 3 guys in the backfield. He was taken number 2 in the draft ahead of a QB.
It is amazing what a player with incredible talent can do when you give him a little space. This though is also based on scheme. DJ being mobile means teams have to honor and commit to him running the ball. That allows more space for Barkley. The better this OL gels the better we will get needle pointing in the right direction