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Saquon $ value vs. wide receivers (long)

Eric on Li : 10/3/2022 3:49 pm
so far this year Saquon has:

4 runs 20+ yards (tied for 2nd to Chubb's 5),
1 run 40+ (tied for 2nd behind Swift's 2),
and 1 reception 20+ yards.

compared against WRs, there are only 7 who have more than his 5 plays 20+ and 12 who have more than 1 play 40+ yards.

among the most common arguments against RB positional value relative to WRs are 1) durability, 2) big plays, 3) value over replacement (there are a lot of average running backs who can slot in and produce around 4 ypc). there's truth in each of those arguments - and that's why RB contracts are basically discounted 50% vs. WR contracts. Last year's RB tag was $9.570 million while the WR tag was $18.419 million.

so back to barkley and his value relative to a WR, if he's making big plays at the rate he is right now, doesn't that make him as a player closer in value to a receiver than a RB? his presence commands safety attention just as any great WR does, and if anything his big plays are less risky because they come from a handoff not a dropback/no pass required.

Last year's UFA winner Christian Kirk has 6 catches 20+ and 2 40+ for a surprisingly overachieving Jags team that's 6th in the NFL in scoring. If Kirk cost 18m AAV over 4 years with 37m guaranteed, isn't Barkley a pretty good value on a 1 year tag around $10m? Or a Nick Chubb extension (3 years, 36m, 17m guaranteed)? It's not hard to find receivers who signed in march for $9-10m+ like Marquez Valdez Scantling or Kirk's teammate Evan Engram who have far fewer plays 20+ and simply far less good at football.

barkley's big play rate so far this year isn't an outlier either, in his rookie year he had 16 20+ which was 5 more than the next closest RB (which was Chubb) and 7 40+ which was 3 more than the next closest RB (which was also Chubb). Tyreek Hill (the nfl's current leader with 3x40+) was the only player who had 7+ 40+ plays in 2018 (he had 8).

ahead of the deadline this is what schoen needs to decide. it's not hard to envision contenders like LAR and BAL calling up with big offers - possibly even firsts - thinking barkley could be a gamechanger in their offenses and knowing they may need to overpay to get the nyg to give him up in a year where they aren't far off the division pace. if i were guessing id say they won't get an offer good enough to deal him, and if they decide to keep him they would probably be smart to try to get him on a chubb type extension which is basically the equivalent of 2 tags and a 3rd year option. durability is the concern but more and more i dont think there's any way to predict that a small physical guy like tyreek hill has been able to stay healthy while others havent. chubb came back from one of the worst knee injuries ive seen in CFB and he's been pretty healthy since. whether it's here or elsewhere i hope barkley gets the same good fortune because he's a fun player to watch and seems like a really good guy.
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I tried approaching it this way in the past  
UConn4523 : 10/3/2022 3:53 pm : link
During all those RBs grow on trees and hard yards arguments. He was drafted to be an atypical RB we just weren’t ready for him.

This league is about big plays and he does that (when healthy). When you compare it to what even middle of the road WR2s are making, it’s pretty astounding.
BArkley is almost like a passing game  
djm : 10/3/2022 3:54 pm : link
you feed him 20 touches he WILL break a few big plays, much like if you throw the ball deep 4-5 times you're hoping to hit 1-2 of them.

HE's not getting traded. No team is calling up offering a first rounder but even if they did, i'd be hard pressed to part with #26. Call me crazy I don't care I have been touting this guy since April 2018 because of this stretch of games. Barkley helps you win games. Period. He's a monster talent.
I Was A Barkley Fan From Before Draft Day 2018  
Trainmaster : 10/3/2022 3:59 pm : link
My only real concern is loss of time due to injuries, which is generally a concern for all RBs and is a specific concern for Barkley given his injury history as a Giant.

I think he at least needs to be tagged. If he keeps up close to his current pace and stays healthy, he’s likely worth a long term deal.
I love Barkley  
Tim in Eternal Blue : 10/3/2022 4:04 pm : link

I always have. It's not like SB has had these lingering, Kadarious Toney type injuries. H4s had a Torn ACL, Sprained ankles ect.

He seems all the back and he's proven to be a player you can literally ride to victory.

I'm not a fan of trading our best player. He's far and away our best offensive player and Daboll loves him.

We are 0-4 without Barkley. That's a fact.
there's kind of a leonard williams argument for the tag  
Eric on Li : 10/3/2022 4:10 pm : link
which is you can try to get credit now for fronting him the guaranteed $ and horsetrade that for an extra year or two of control. the difference being that a RB with SB's injury history is more likely to play ball on an extension.

tags the next 2 years would = $20m. but to get that he'd have to stay healthy each year.

if you offer to guarantee him that same $20m right now in return for an extra year(s) that seems like win-win for both sides.

and then you have a tag available if nec for jones in 2023, and if nec for dex or mckinney in 2024.

the other way to look at this - if you let barkley go, where else are you finding a guy who can create 10+ big plays (20+) per year? the entire WR corps may not do it combined this year and that group includes 1 big $ FA, 1 first round pick, and 2 second round picks.
thanks for the analystics  
stoneman : 10/3/2022 4:25 pm : link
Makes sense to extend him 4 yrs. I think he has a good 2-3 years left before he loses his burst. Even if he still had it at 4 yrs from now, you could play the tag game then. Hard to find the big play option at RB. Can not imagine if they could draft a WR next year with the same big play potential (not sure even a healthy Toney sticks). Exciting times ahead for these Gs.
The argument of SB's value isn't against another RB that got extended  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 4:25 pm : link
or a WR signed in Free Agency like Chubb or Kirk, respectively.

Saquon's value is the potential plus-type player the Giants can draft with an extra premium-type pick (possibly) from trading him, and the extra money Schoen can have at his disposal for free agents/other extensions at more valuable positions to the roster than RB.

And if that trade value is at a high-point this month for a championship-caliber team then all the better. His value to the Giants only likely goes down going forward as he just becames a free agent or a more expensive veteran at a postion that declines sooner than most...
Not buying it...  
bw in dc : 10/3/2022 4:41 pm : link
RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.

RE: Not buying it...  
ChrisRick : 10/3/2022 4:44 pm : link
In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:
Quote:
RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.


I think one reason why Barkley fever is running rampant is because of the posts repeatedly telling us he did not know how to play the position, or that he was not a difference maker, or that he was a losing player.

Most agree the Giants had no business taking SB at #2, however he is an asset and a difference maker.
significant  
ChrisRick : 10/3/2022 4:45 pm : link
difference maker.
Nice analysis  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/3/2022 4:45 pm : link
He has played great. JS may have a tough call or he is not even contemplating it. Time will tell.

He is a difference maker and imagine if we had a upper tier WR on the outside and a better IOL.

Team offensive football is about balance and creating dilemma's for the defense. SB is a big dilemma and if more are added things only get better. If we had some WR's this team is in a far different situation points wise imv.

Very interested decision ahead.

ChrisRick  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/3/2022 4:47 pm : link
Agree. Not just with SB either. Wonder what that reason is...mmmm.
RE: RE: Not buying it...  
bw in dc : 10/3/2022 4:53 pm : link
In comment 15844606 ChrisRick said:
Quote:
In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:


Quote:


RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.




I think one reason why Barkley fever is running rampant is because of the posts repeatedly telling us he did not know how to play the position, or that he was not a difference maker, or that he was a losing player.

Most agree the Giants had no business taking SB at #2, however he is an asset and a difference maker.


Oh, Barkley has been brilliant and is in the MVP hunt right now. But I just don't think the model holds up and I'll stick with the NFL trends about the role of the RB in today's game.
On the other hand, he is playing  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 4:57 pm : link
more physical.

:-)
RE: RE: RE: Not buying it...  
ChrisRick : 10/3/2022 4:59 pm : link
In comment 15844621 bw in dc said:
Quote:
In comment 15844606 ChrisRick said:


Quote:


In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:


Quote:


RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.




I think one reason why Barkley fever is running rampant is because of the posts repeatedly telling us he did not know how to play the position, or that he was not a difference maker, or that he was a losing player.

Most agree the Giants had no business taking SB at #2, however he is an asset and a difference maker.



Oh, Barkley has been brilliant and is in the MVP hunt right now. But I just don't think the model holds up and I'll stick with the NFL trends about the role of the RB in today's game.


Right, I'm not saying otherwise. The Giants and Barkley are not aligned as of now for him to be a valuable contributor to a contending team. That could change if he is retained at a reasonable amount and they find the quarterback and WR they need. Also still work to do on the OL and linebacker.
RE: On the other hand, he is playing  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/3/2022 5:05 pm : link
In comment 15844624 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
more physical.

:-)


Yup. I was starting to worry about you. Glad you are catching on. Great work with the video study. Proud of you!
RE: Not buying it...  
UConn4523 : 10/3/2022 5:13 pm : link
In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:
Quote:
RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.


What’s not to buy, a star RB is vastly cheaper than a WR already, by a wide margin in fact. They are cheaper than many #2 WRs.
Been saying this for a while.  
Pepe LePugh : 10/3/2022 5:20 pm : link
He’s a playmaker, not a RB. He’s carrying the team. Pay him. And yes, he has an injury history, which is taken into consideration in length of contract and guaranteed money.
RE: RE: Not buying it...  
Eric on Li : 10/3/2022 5:41 pm : link
In comment 15844643 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:


Quote:


RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.




What’s not to buy, a star RB is vastly cheaper than a WR already, by a wide margin in fact. They are cheaper than many #2 WRs.


exactly. here's the list of WR with 5 plays 20+ and 1 play 40+ like Barkley:

Hill 8/3
Jefferson 7/2
Kirk 6/2
Olave 6/2
D. Parker 6/1
Waddle 6/3
Diggs 5/2
M. Hollins 5/2
Agholor 5/1
AJB 5/1
N. Collins 5/1

that's not a long list. the guys on 2nd contracts are making $20m, cost a 1st round pick, or both.

saving cap room is only worthwhile if you have a better use of it. i just don't know what the better use of $10m would be so it really just comes down to whether or not you want to bet on health.
RE: RE: RE: Not buying it...  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/3/2022 6:01 pm : link
In comment 15844621 bw in dc said:
Quote:
In comment 15844606 ChrisRick said:


Quote:


In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:


Quote:



Barkley fever is running rampant around here.




Most agree the Giants had no business taking SB at #2, however he is an asset and a difference maker.



Oh, Barkley has been brilliant and is in the MVP hunt right now. But I just don't think the model holds up and I'll stick with the NFL trends about the role of the RB in today's game.


Look around what’s happening in the NFL. NFL defenses are saying NO to explosive plays at all else. What does this mean? Well good RBs are now worth more as well as WRs that operate well horizontally.

This is why analytics is doomed to fail in NFL, trends change fast, especially by the time you get a good sample size in.
Better use...  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 6:02 pm : link
1) Use the pick you get from Barkley to draft his halfback replacement in 2023 to a much cheaper rookie deal.

2) Use the additional $ saved to also sign a Center and another Tight End as those positions are like a barren desert on our roster.

just spit-ballin'...
RE: RE: Not buying it...  
bw in dc : 10/3/2022 6:08 pm : link
In comment 15844643 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 15844603 bw in dc said:


Quote:


RBs start behind the LOS and have to typically beat 5+ defenders to make big plays. That is where the physical toll takes place.

A WR, on the other hand, has to beat 1-2 (maybe three) to make a big play. And the rules give the WR starting space to get the advantage to make the big play. No such rule applies to the RB.

Barkley fever is running rampant around here.




What’s not to buy, a star RB is vastly cheaper than a WR already, by a wide margin in fact. They are cheaper than many #2 WRs.


I was referring to Eric's point about SB getting 20+ yard plays vs WRs. I just don't think that holds up because of the number of defenders a RB - even one like Barkley who is playing spectacularly - has to deal with on every play. The game is just easier for WR to make those splash plays.
RE: Better use...  
Mike in NY : 10/3/2022 6:16 pm : link
In comment 15844715 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
1) Use the pick you get from Barkley to draft his halfback replacement in 2023 to a much cheaper rookie deal.

2) Use the additional $ saved to also sign a Center and another Tight End as those positions are like a barren desert on our roster.

just spit-ballin'...


Who is going to give high enough picks for him? Sure you may find a James Robinson, but equally how many Day 2 RB have Buffalo drafted over last few years and Josh Allen is their top rusher?
I think that’s the point he’s trying to make  
UConn4523 : 10/3/2022 6:19 pm : link
Barkley is doing it anyway. Most other RBs aren’t.

It isn’t Barkley fever either, it’s ok to talk about what he’s doing well and how we can franchise him for a reasonable price if a solid deal can’t be agreed upon. It’s also fine to want to trade him but until I know what he’d command I’m going to enjoy watching him here and I hope I can watch him past 2022.
Ive been saying this since the spring  
Snablats : 10/3/2022 6:23 pm : link
Barkley is a playmaker and this team needs playmakers, that's why you should keep him

And I have never felt he was a bad pick. The mistake was not building the OL and offense
Both arguments for and against  
section125 : 10/3/2022 6:25 pm : link
are strong. Hate to say I am wishy-washy, but I am.

Big thing is - look at what he is doing with that offensive line and those receivers. Every team knows he is all the Giants have(I think Breida can help) that is dangerous, especially if Jones is unable to run.

Wait til you see what Green Bay dials up for him Sunday - they may have two spies specifically for him...
RE: RE: Better use...  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 6:27 pm : link
In comment 15844740 Mike in NY said:
Quote:
In comment 15844715 Jimmy Googs said:


Quote:


1) Use the pick you get from Barkley to draft his halfback replacement in 2023 to a much cheaper rookie deal.

2) Use the additional $ saved to also sign a Center and another Tight End as those positions are like a barren desert on our roster.

just spit-ballin'...



Who is going to give high enough picks for him? Sure you may find a James Robinson, but equally how many Day 2 RB have Buffalo drafted over last few years and Josh Allen is their top rusher?


Mike - Go look at the NFL rushing leaders for 2021 and year to date 2022. It is filled with Day 2 and early Day 3 picks...
RE: The argument of SB's value isn't against another RB that got extended  
KJBBQ : 10/3/2022 6:32 pm : link
In comment 15844573 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
or a WR signed in Free Agency like Chubb or Kirk, respectively.

Saquon's value is the potential plus-type player the Giants can draft with an extra premium-type pick (possibly) from trading him, and the extra money Schoen can have at his disposal for free agents/other extensions at more valuable positions to the roster than RB.

And if that trade value is at a high-point this month for a championship-caliber team then all the better. His value to the Giants only likely goes down going forward as he just becames a free agent or a more expensive veteran at a postion that declines sooner than most...


Vs what? What is SB's value in helping bring around the culture change BD is trying to bring? What's the value of the extra pick and a few dollars to JS if he isn't here to use them?

You don't get to year 3 of a rebuild if year 1 and 2 are disasters. And that's why you don't trade the only weapon you have on offense for a lottery ticket.

If the giants trade Barkley this offense has no chance. How long before the defense starts mailing it in? Then we have last season all over.

Then what's the plan? Draft a new qb and watch him struggle with no weapons.....

It's stupid and why I don't think this front office is even considering it. They understand they need to put a competitive team on the field this year and next to get to year three and four. Barkley provides the front office time. That's what they need to build out the pieces that are needed. That's his value.

And don't be surprised if they extend Jones on a 3 year reasonable contract too. Not because they think he is the long term solution but because he is a guy BD can use to continue to implement his system. If the qb can't run the system, the rest of the players have issued learning it too. It's why Andy Ried signed Smith in KC when he got there. I saw an interview with him and he stated just this. Need a qb that could run the system so the other players could learn it. Once the other players where in place he got his qb. Don't be surprised if we go that route.
RE: Both arguments for and against  
Eric on Li : 10/3/2022 6:37 pm : link
In comment 15844751 section125 said:
Quote:
are strong. Hate to say I am wishy-washy, but I am.

Big thing is - look at what he is doing with that offensive line and those receivers. Every team knows he is all the Giants have(I think Breida can help) that is dangerous, especially if Jones is unable to run.

Wait til you see what Green Bay dials up for him Sunday - they may have two spies specifically for him...


there's not really any argument because we don't know what the offers are. if there's a strong offer then there's a decision, so if you mean the hypothetical where there's a 1st round pick or 2 seconds on the table or something like that then i agree it's a fair decision either way.

anyone wish-casting a 3rd round pick (or the $10m of cap room or both) replacing barkley's production is deluding themselves on the odds of that happening.
RE: RE: The argument of SB's value isn't against another RB that got extended  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 6:41 pm : link
In comment 15844762 KJBBQ said:
Quote:
In comment 15844573 Jimmy Googs said:


Quote:


or a WR signed in Free Agency like Chubb or Kirk, respectively.

Saquon's value is the potential plus-type player the Giants can draft with an extra premium-type pick (possibly) from trading him, and the extra money Schoen can have at his disposal for free agents/other extensions at more valuable positions to the roster than RB.

And if that trade value is at a high-point this month for a championship-caliber team then all the better. His value to the Giants only likely goes down going forward as he just becames a free agent or a more expensive veteran at a postion that declines sooner than most...



Vs what? What is SB's value in helping bring around the culture change BD is trying to bring? What's the value of the extra pick and a few dollars to JS if he isn't here to use them?

You don't get to year 3 of a rebuild if year 1 and 2 are disasters. And that's why you don't trade the only weapon you have on offense for a lottery ticket.

If the giants trade Barkley this offense has no chance. How long before the defense starts mailing it in? Then we have last season all over.

Then what's the plan? Draft a new qb and watch him struggle with no weapons.....

It's stupid and why I don't think this front office is even considering it. They understand they need to put a competitive team on the field this year and next to get to year three and four. Barkley provides the front office time. That's what they need to build out the pieces that are needed. That's his value.

And don't be surprised if they extend Jones on a 3 year reasonable contract too. Not because they think he is the long term solution but because he is a guy BD can use to continue to implement his system. If the qb can't run the system, the rest of the players have issued learning it too. It's why Andy Ried signed Smith in KC when he got there. I saw an interview with him and he stated just this. Need a qb that could run the system so the other players could learn it. Once the other players where in place he got his qb. Don't be surprised if we go that route.


That's a damn good post KJBBQ. I don't subscribe to all of it, but there is definitely logic to it and it was well thought out.

And since you just joined the site in Sept 2022, I look forward to seeing more posts like this from you. It's a nice change of pace from some of the tired thinking from many defenders here...
There aren't 2nd/3rd round picks at Running Back putting up  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 6:46 pm : link
production last year and this year similar to what Saquon is doing now?

You may want to check that out...
RE: RE: RE: The argument of SB's value isn't against another RB that got extended  
KJBBQ : 10/3/2022 6:47 pm : link
In comment 15844779 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
In comment 15844762 KJBBQ said:


Quote:


In comment 15844573 Jimmy Googs said:


Quote:


or a WR signed in Free Agency like Chubb or Kirk, respectively.

Saquon's value is the potential plus-type player the Giants can draft with an extra premium-type pick (possibly) from trading him, and the extra money Schoen can have at his disposal for free agents/other extensions at more valuable positions to the roster than RB.

And if that trade value is at a high-point this month for a championship-caliber team then all the better. His value to the Giants only likely goes down going forward as he just becames a free agent or a more expensive veteran at a postion that declines sooner than most...



Vs what? What is SB's value in helping bring around the culture change BD is trying to bring? What's the value of the extra pick and a few dollars to JS if he isn't here to use them?

You don't get to year 3 of a rebuild if year 1 and 2 are disasters. And that's why you don't trade the only weapon you have on offense for a lottery ticket.

If the giants trade Barkley this offense has no chance. How long before the defense starts mailing it in? Then we have last season all over.

Then what's the plan? Draft a new qb and watch him struggle with no weapons.....

It's stupid and why I don't think this front office is even considering it. They understand they need to put a competitive team on the field this year and next to get to year three and four. Barkley provides the front office time. That's what they need to build out the pieces that are needed. That's his value.

And don't be surprised if they extend Jones on a 3 year reasonable contract too. Not because they think he is the long term solution but because he is a guy BD can use to continue to implement his system. If the qb can't run the system, the rest of the players have issued learning it too. It's why Andy Ried signed Smith in KC when he got there. I saw an interview with him and he stated just this. Need a qb that could run the system so the other players could learn it. Once the other players where in place he got his qb. Don't be surprised if we go that route.



That's a damn good post KJBBQ. I don't subscribe to all of it, but there is definitely logic to it and it was well thought out.

And since you just joined the site in Sept 2022, I look forward to seeing more posts like this from you. It's a nice change of pace from some of the tired thinking from many defenders here...



I've actually been here a long time under another name. Quit because all of the lousy so called football posts. Look at mostly the food threads.
Shocking  
Jimmy Googs : 10/3/2022 6:48 pm : link
...
 
christian : 10/3/2022 7:04 pm : link
Eric — good post. I’ll try and grab numbers later if I can, but some additional measures that I think would all reflect well on Barkley this year.

I won’t bore everyone with the details, but professionally my job is to model the likelihood good things are likely to happen under a semi-complex set of circumstances.

One thing football is bad at, is just measuring aggregate numbers, taking an average and calling either the aggregate a success (number of catches) or the average (say YPC) and calling it a day.

What we should do is isolate what a good thing is, and then measure the number times out of the number of opportunities, and then model the predictability of that happening (duh, but you get the point).

For a playmaker the list of good things in priority order would be:

1) scoring a TD
2) making a first down
3) gaining one standard deviation above the league average on first and second down, via pass or rush respectively on ~50% of touches (debatable)
4) gaining two standard deviations above on ~10% of touches (debatable)

TDs are virtually always a good thing, the only outlier and not significant is when a player should kneel to avoid change of possession, first downs are always good unless the better choice was to go out of bounds vs. gaining yards.

Where you’re getting at I think is the latter 2, which is the value of chunk plays and/or the value of consistency. Those things are both important and need to work in harmony.

Said in another way: big plays are great, but one big play doesn’t make up for not meeting the objective on the other plays.

I suspect what we’re seeing from Barkley this year, specifically opposed to 2018, is the number of touches he’s achieving one or more of the above is much, much higher.
RE: …  
Eric on Li : 10/3/2022 7:19 pm : link
In comment 15844837 christian said:
Quote:
Eric — good post. I’ll try and grab numbers later if I can, but some additional measures that I think would all reflect well on Barkley this year.

I won’t bore everyone with the details, but professionally my job is to model the likelihood good things are likely to happen under a semi-complex set of circumstances.

One thing football is bad at, is just measuring aggregate numbers, taking an average and calling either the aggregate a success (number of catches) or the average (say YPC) and calling it a day.

What we should do is isolate what a good thing is, and then measure the number times out of the number of opportunities, and then model the predictability of that happening (duh, but you get the point).

For a playmaker the list of good things in priority order would be:

1) scoring a TD
2) making a first down
3) gaining one standard deviation above the league average on first and second down, via pass or rush respectively on ~50% of touches (debatable)
4) gaining two standard deviations above on ~10% of touches (debatable)

TDs are virtually always a good thing, the only outlier and not significant is when a player should kneel to avoid change of possession, first downs are always good unless the better choice was to go out of bounds vs. gaining yards.

Where you’re getting at I think is the latter 2, which is the value of chunk plays and/or the value of consistency. Those things are both important and need to work in harmony.

Said in another way: big plays are great, but one big play doesn’t make up for not meeting the objective on the other plays.

I suspect what we’re seeing from Barkley this year, specifically opposed to 2018, is the number of touches he’s achieving one or more of the above is much, much higher.


i think what we're seeing this year is the big plays + exactly what you said. there are very few if any negative plays, he's gaining extra yards (deviations above normal), first downs like the screen pass yesterday, 2 important touchdowns, the important 2 point conversion.

but separate from barkley, i think the big play component is the most central to the RB vs. WR positional weighting. 90 catch receivers only get 5 catches per week so that's a lot of snaps where they aren't touching the ball. while they impact coverage and can move the chains on shorter throws, their value is very much tied to the 20 big plays they create over the season that only a handful are good enough to create however they do it - RAC, route running, jump balls, deep balls, whatever.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Not buying it...  
bw in dc : 10/3/2022 7:25 pm : link
In comment 15844713 Returning Video Tapes said:
Quote:
In comment 15844621 bw in dc said:

Oh, Barkley has been brilliant and is in the MVP hunt right now. But I just don't think the model holds up and I'll stick with the NFL trends about the role of the RB in today's game.



Look around what’s happening in the NFL. NFL defenses are saying NO to explosive plays at all else. What does this mean? Well good RBs are now worth more as well as WRs that operate well horizontally.

This is why analytics is doomed to fail in NFL, trends change fast, especially by the time you get a good sample size in.


Not ready to declare some watershed moment yet. We're only four weeks in. There was a lot of talent movement this offseason. So, there is a lot of dust to settle.

Wilson is adjusting to a new team in Denver. Green Bay is adjusting to the loss of Adams. Bucs have been injured on the OL and at WR. Dallas lost two key receivers. Pittsburgh lost their HoF QB. Cleveland is waiting for their big play QB. Etc.
"very few if any negative plays"  
Lines of Scrimmage : 10/3/2022 7:40 pm : link
Eric this is one of the biggest factors. Compared to year 1 where Pat Shurmur was all over him about getting his nose in there to get the tough 2-3 yards. SB, coaching, OL all factor in and hard to allocate percentage wise where each one stands for the change. Or like Googs says he is running more physical.

Avoiding 0 or negative plays have a huge carryover to the rest of the series and the chance at another series. The more you string together the more you increase your chances for another big play.

BD ran a drill early in camp that put the O in I think 2nd/3rd and 10 or more situations. Results were not good. 2nd/6 3rd/3 etc. are a big deal. Its even a bigger deal with the WR group the Giants have right now.
KJBBQ  
cosmicj : 10/3/2022 7:59 pm : link
Really interesting point. I sincerely doubt though that Jones is the player to implement the Daboll system, even in a holding action. For starters, his release is slow and his timing is always off.

It’s also worth noting that two of the coaches who have gone with this approach, Jim Harbaugh and Andy Reid, had much more institutional clout than Daboll. Daboll needs a high quality QB to put on a Giants uniform by 2024 at the latest for his career to flourish.

This is an interesting point and has some merit  
Jerry in_DC : 10/4/2022 10:38 am : link
The theory that you don't spend on RBs but you do spend on weapons makes sense. Especially for us, given we have no playmakers.

Barkley is among the best RBs in the league. But I'd trade him for a top 15-20 WR. Unfortunately that deal is not on the table and we need some way to get explosive plays.

Bottom line is I'd trade Barkley for a 1st this year if we could do it. But if we don't, there is a real case for signing him long term, even acknowledging that you don't pay RBs.
Some of us have been saying this since April  
Snablats : 10/4/2022 10:45 am : link
when people here were saying trade Barkley for a draft pick

It's about Barkely being a playmaker
The NFL devalues the RB position  
cosmicj : 10/4/2022 12:36 pm : link
Which you can see from the contracts and tag values for the position.

Being against resigning Barkley can’t be based on your view of the position in abstract, because that position has already been devalued.

It must be based on relative value vs spending on other positions. Eric’s post is really well put. Is Saquon equivalent value to a WR getting $12-14mm AARV, which is very solid but not superstar level? Like Mike Williams (SD) or Michael Thomas (NO). I say yes.
RE: This is an interesting point and has some merit  
bw in dc : 10/4/2022 12:36 pm : link
In comment 15845457 Jerry in_DC said:
Quote:


Bottom line is I'd trade Barkley for a 1st this year if we could do it. But if we don't, there is a real case for signing him long term, even acknowledging that you don't pay RBs.


I think there is a case to re-sign SB. But only short-term, not long-term. The risk exposure - due to contact - just reduces the chance to be productive long-term. And SB already has a significant injury history.

That's why WRs make much more sense. If they catch 5 passes a game at 14 YPC that's 70 yards and a good chance for a TD every other game. And he typically has to beat 1-2 defenders. Limited contact.

A RB has to touch the ball 3X+ to get to 70 yards and deal with 7+ defenders getting through the LOS. Much more contact.

The only RB I would think longer term is a freak like Henry who doles out as much punishment as he receives, and probably more. But he's the exception.

I think the logic makes sense if you toss out injuries  
NoGainDayne : 10/4/2022 12:41 pm : link
problem is injuries are very much a huge part of this and home run hitting RBs would be valued the same as WRs if you weren't rolling the dice as much on health IMO 100%.

And while you can't forecast durability for a WR sight unseen you absolutely can forecast durability based on durability. And if a small receiver has shown he can handle the load no reason to not project it forward that way. That is the crux of this, Barkley was supposed to be a different kind of body and elusiveness that wasn't going to take the hits to lose durability and he hasn't proven to be that.

You can and should forecast a player that hasn't been durable to continue that way and IMO that is the full extent of why Barkley won't get paid what he should as an elite playmaker.
I'm getting to the point where I don't care if re-signing  
PatersonPlank : 10/4/2022 12:44 pm : link
Barkley is the right thing to do or not when looking at things impartially, I want him resigned. He is the most exciting guy we have, seems to really care about winning, and seems to be the undisputed leader of the team. Short of an injury I would be pissed if we don't re-sign him, and I believe most of the Giants fan base is where I am.

Also I agree with Eric's take. The explosiveness and "value" Barkley adds is definitely as good as a #2 WR, likely a #1 Wr. I don't think re-signing him will be a bad value. He is unique, and not just a normal RB.
RE: I think the logic makes sense if you toss out injuries  
ChrisRick : 10/4/2022 12:49 pm : link
In comment 15845721 NoGainDayne said:
Quote:
problem is injuries are very much a huge part of this and home run hitting RBs would be valued the same as WRs if you weren't rolling the dice as much on health IMO 100%.

And while you can't forecast durability for a WR sight unseen you absolutely can forecast durability based on durability. And if a small receiver has shown he can handle the load no reason to not project it forward that way. That is the crux of this, Barkley was supposed to be a different kind of body and elusiveness that wasn't going to take the hits to lose durability and he hasn't proven to be that.

You can and should forecast a player that hasn't been durable to continue that way and IMO that is the full extent of why Barkley won't get paid what he should as an elite playmaker.


I don't recall the argument that Barkley's body would hold up better than other running backs. I think you had people here defending the pick for a couple of reasons:

He was a play maker which the Giants need badly.

Not a typical running back that you can find later in the draft.

Some thought the Giants were closer than they actually were and could afford the Barkley pick.

I am no way defending the pick, but I have been involved in probably most of the Saquon discussions and I can't recall that argument being made, or at least it was not a popular argument.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Not buying it...  
NoGainDayne : 10/4/2022 12:51 pm : link
In comment 15844713 Returning Video Tapes said:
Quote:
In comment 15844621 bw in dc said:
This is why analytics is doomed to fail in NFL, trends change fast, especially by the time you get a good sample size in.


Analytics is doomed to fail? Like as a discipline? Do you realize how much new data is being created and how much it is advancing the game. What a silly comment.

FYI why people PREFER to lean on advanced analytics many times is because, machines can pick up on trend changes quicker than people because people tend to have much more confirmation bias and stubbornness than an algorithm.

If value / trends are changing, machines aren't going to miss them if they are programmed with the right flexibility. But people using blanket statements to make assessments that they picked up from a past analysis, yes, is a big problem. But that is on the human not the calculation.
RE: RE: This is an interesting point and has some merit  
sharp315 : 10/4/2022 12:59 pm : link
In comment 15845710 bw in dc said:
Quote:
In comment 15845457 Jerry in_DC said:


Quote:




Bottom line is I'd trade Barkley for a 1st this year if we could do it. But if we don't, there is a real case for signing him long term, even acknowledging that you don't pay RBs.



I think there is a case to re-sign SB. But only short-term, not long-term. The risk exposure - due to contact - just reduces the chance to be productive long-term. And SB already has a significant injury history.

That's why WRs make much more sense. If they catch 5 passes a game at 14 YPC that's 70 yards and a good chance for a TD every other game. And he typically has to beat 1-2 defenders. Limited contact.

A RB has to touch the ball 3X+ to get to 70 yards and deal with 7+ defenders getting through the LOS. Much more contact.

The only RB I would think longer term is a freak like Henry who doles out as much punishment as he receives, and probably more. But he's the exception.

We have a 72m WR right now, a 1st Rounder, and 2 2nd Rounders (including Shep till he went down). That's a lot of cap investment. How's that been working out for us?

Regarding a Saquon contract, I don't see a way to get him back on a short term offer even if it was fully guaranteed. From memory CMC's contract was 38m guaranteed over 4 years. Saquon will be looking for at least that in guaranteed money. For the Giants to do 38m over 2 or 3 years makes no sense so the only way to lure him back would be a similar 4 year contract at 38m-40m guaranteed.

You have to remember that Saquon is 25 right now and will be 26 in February. This is likely going to be his only Free Agent contract. He will be going for the big bucks because he's not going to get another chance at this. He won't play on the Franchise Tag and risk a career ending injury.
RE: The NFL devalues the RB position  
Eric on Li : 10/4/2022 2:10 pm : link
In comment 15845706 cosmicj said:
Quote:
Which you can see from the contracts and tag values for the position.

Being against resigning Barkley can’t be based on your view of the position in abstract, because that position has already been devalued.

It must be based on relative value vs spending on other positions. Eric’s post is really well put. Is Saquon equivalent value to a WR getting $12-14mm AARV, which is very solid but not superstar level? Like Mike Williams (SD) or Michael Thomas (NO). I say yes.


Mike Wiliams and Mike Thomas are actually both around $20m so way beyond the cost of Saquon. the 11-13m level of WR is more like Nelson Agholor, Robbie Anderson, Corey Davis.

Hunter Renfrow just extended for $15m. Allen Robinson got 15m from the rams and looks like a worse contract than Golladay already. Robert Woods got 16m from TEN and it was his first game back from an ACL but he was basically invisible.
Nothing less than a first round pick if traded  
Sean : 10/4/2022 2:13 pm : link
Schoen should hang up and laugh at any team trying to offer a third, even a second.
RE: RE: RE: This is an interesting point and has some merit  
Eric on Li : 10/4/2022 2:15 pm : link
In comment 15845758 sharp315 said:
Quote:
In comment 15845710 bw in dc said:


Quote:


In comment 15845457 Jerry in_DC said:


Quote:




Bottom line is I'd trade Barkley for a 1st this year if we could do it. But if we don't, there is a real case for signing him long term, even acknowledging that you don't pay RBs.



I think there is a case to re-sign SB. But only short-term, not long-term. The risk exposure - due to contact - just reduces the chance to be productive long-term. And SB already has a significant injury history.

That's why WRs make much more sense. If they catch 5 passes a game at 14 YPC that's 70 yards and a good chance for a TD every other game. And he typically has to beat 1-2 defenders. Limited contact.

A RB has to touch the ball 3X+ to get to 70 yards and deal with 7+ defenders getting through the LOS. Much more contact.

The only RB I would think longer term is a freak like Henry who doles out as much punishment as he receives, and probably more. But he's the exception.



We have a 72m WR right now, a 1st Rounder, and 2 2nd Rounders (including Shep till he went down). That's a lot of cap investment. How's that been working out for us?

Regarding a Saquon contract, I don't see a way to get him back on a short term offer even if it was fully guaranteed. From memory CMC's contract was 38m guaranteed over 4 years. Saquon will be looking for at least that in guaranteed money. For the Giants to do 38m over 2 or 3 years makes no sense so the only way to lure him back would be a similar 4 year contract at 38m-40m guaranteed.

You have to remember that Saquon is 25 right now and will be 26 in February. This is likely going to be his only Free Agent contract. He will be going for the big bucks because he's not going to get another chance at this. He won't play on the Franchise Tag and risk a career ending injury.


if he completes this year and has 2k yards / 10+ touchdowns / all pro / etc I agree his ask may get to the 4 year CMC level.

but since CMC signed Chubbs and Aaron Jones and others have signed much more modest contracts. CMC had no injury history when he extended, Barkley does. If they don't trade him the time to extend him is right after the deadline so they can hopefully get him on a deal similar to the Chubb deal signed 1 year ago. Or the Aaron Jones FA deal from 2021 (4 years 48m).

the earlier they sign him the more preferential the terms will be because if there's a half season left to play the risk of an injury is there on his end (and in the offseason if tagged he's already got 1 year guaranteed at $10m in his pocket so it's a lot easier to play the waiting game).
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