Really interesting, and another nail in the coffin of Saquon Barkley's 'hoped' big payday.
Ekeler is settling for 8 million this year. Similar numbers in terms of yards from scrimmage, and a better track record of health.
Ekeler gets 1.75 million in makeable incentives added for this year - (
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
That's the irrational fan in you. I'd rather have Ekeler, more reliable.
You mean when I said Jones would begin to thrive under Daboll when most felt he was pestrian at best, that kind of irrational fan?
1. I don’t think I’d describe Jones’s production last year as thriving.
2. Even if you do I don’t see how the has anything to do with you being wrong about Ekeler.
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In comment 16121698 islander1 said:
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
That's the irrational fan in you. I'd rather have Ekeler, more reliable.
You mean when I said Jones would begin to thrive under Daboll when most felt he was pestrian at best, that kind of irrational fan?
1. I don’t think I’d describe Jones’s production last year as thriving.
2. Even if you do I don’t see how the has anything to do with you being wrong about Ekeler.
1-I said BEGIN to thrive under Daboll, not already thriving
2-One, I’m not WRONG about Ekeler, it’s my opinion. Did Ekeler even come close to single-handedly winning 3-4 games last year as SB did with arguably much less talent around him?
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In comment 16121762 Big Blue '56 said:
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In comment 16121698 islander1 said:
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
That's the irrational fan in you. I'd rather have Ekeler, more reliable.
You mean when I said Jones would begin to thrive under Daboll when most felt he was pestrian at best, that kind of irrational fan?
1. I don’t think I’d describe Jones’s production last year as thriving.
2. Even if you do I don’t see how the has anything to do with you being wrong about Ekeler.
1-I said BEGIN to thrive under Daboll, not already thriving
2-One, I’m not WRONG about Ekeler, it’s my opinion. Did Ekeler even come close to single-handedly winning 3-4 games last year as SB did with arguably much less talent around him?
Yes. The Charger’s entire WR corps was banged up last year.
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
Can you elaborate on why you don’t think Ekeler is a little?
I would like to know too because I think just the opposite of your premise. Eckler is explosive
He averages about a yard more per touch, more TDs per game, and just a fraction fewer 1Ds per game.
On a value basis, he's worth more than Barkley.
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
Can you elaborate on why you don’t think Ekeler is a little?
I would like to know too because I think just the opposite of your premise. Eckler is explosive
There’s nothing to know. My opinion is that SB is one of the best all-around backs in the league and he proved that with less talent around him than most anyone else. Might he have had more impressive FF stats than he did if his shoulder didn’t hamper him? Probably, but that’s just spec on my part
Not monster plays but very consistent. I don’t want to bring stats into the debate but he’s averaging more yards per catch than Barkley with 50 more receptions. And then there are the TD totals.
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In comment 16121675 leatherneck570 said:
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In comment 16121665 sb from NYT Forum said:
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
Respectfully disagree. Eckeler might not get the volume of carries that Barkley gets, but his career yards per carry are better than Barkley's and he had over 100 receptions last year (and three season over 90 receptions). He had only 13 less total yards than Barkley, with 90 less carries.
Is Barkley the better runner? Arguably yes. Is Eckeler the better all around RB? Clearly yes, IMO.
^ 100% agreed.
He also wasn't a free agent. This was a redo of the last year of his contract. Apples and oranges.
True but he was also actively trying to get traded for a better pay day and couldn’t find any takers.
exactly this.
If Barkley thinks he's getting over 10 million anywhere, he and his agent continue to be delusional.
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In comment 16121661 leatherneck570 said:
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
Can you elaborate on why you don’t think Ekeler is a little?
I would like to know too because I think just the opposite of your premise. Eckler is explosive
There’s nothing to know. My opinion is that SB is one of the best all-around backs in the league and he proved that with less talent around him than most anyone else. Might he have had more impressive FF stats than he did if his shoulder didn’t hamper him? Probably, but that’s just spec on my part
But how did he prove it?
I don't know, Kamara was meh last year (and the previous year). He's not the same player he was a few years ago. Ekeler had 5 receiving TDs in 2022, 8 in 2021. Admittedly I don't watch a bunch of Chargers games, but 18 total TDs in 2022 and 20 total TDs in 2021 is hard to argue with, explosive or not.
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In comment 16121781 Mayo2JZ said:
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In comment 16121661 leatherneck570 said:
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In comment 16121615 Big Blue '56 said:
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but SB is one of the best, if not the best, all-around back in the league, Ekeler isn’t.
Can you elaborate on why you don’t think Ekeler is a little?
I would like to know too because I think just the opposite of your premise. Eckler is explosive
There’s nothing to know. My opinion is that SB is one of the best all-around backs in the league and he proved that with less talent around him than most anyone else. Might he have had more impressive FF stats than he did if his shoulder didn’t hamper him? Probably, but that’s just spec on my part
But how did he prove it?
How did he prove it? How did he prove it? For starters, he won 3-4 games last year virtually by himself. What RB came close to that type of performance? Prove it? What in the world..
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I like Ekeler and he’s productive but the explosion and big play ability isn’t close to Barkleys. He also isn’t the pass catcher that Kamara is - he sure catches a lot of passes but they aren’t for monster plays.
Not monster plays but very consistent. I don’t want to bring stats into the debate but he’s averaging more yards per catch than Barkley with 50 more receptions. And then there are the TD totals.
Stats require context. Barkley and Ekeler don’t play in the same offense so simply looking at yards per catch isn’t an accurate picture. Barkley is fully capable of catching 80 passes for 7+ yards per but that isn’t our offense and won’t be our offense under Daboll and Kafka.
He isn’t a UFA. He would make over $10m per season if he were.
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only get 8 million a year? I know the RB position has taken a hit financial-wise, but 8 mill for a supposed elite player?
He isn’t a UFA. He would make over $10m per season if he were.
That I know. Still don’t understand why he would sign for that..Sounds kinda low
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In comment 16121807 Big Blue '56 said:
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only get 8 million a year? I know the RB position has taken a hit financial-wise, but 8 mill for a supposed elite player?
He isn’t a UFA. He would make over $10m per season if he were.
That I know. Still don’t understand why he would sign for that..Sounds kinda low
Because it wasn’t a new contract. They revised the last year of his deal to make incentives easily achievable to make nice after an offseason of bad blood.
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In comment 16121820 UConn4523 said:
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In comment 16121807 Big Blue '56 said:
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only get 8 million a year? I know the RB position has taken a hit financial-wise, but 8 mill for a supposed elite player?
He isn’t a UFA. He would make over $10m per season if he were.
That I know. Still don’t understand why he would sign for that..Sounds kinda low
Because it wasn’t a new contract. They revised the last year of his deal to make incentives easily achievable to make nice after an offseason of bad blood.
Ok, thanks
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I like Ekeler and he’s productive but the explosion and big play ability isn’t close to Barkleys. He also isn’t the pass catcher that Kamara is - he sure catches a lot of passes but they aren’t for monster plays.
I don't know, Kamara was meh last year (and the previous year). He's not the same player he was a few years ago. Ekeler had 5 receiving TDs in 2022, 8 in 2021. Admittedly I don't watch a bunch of Chargers games, but 18 total TDs in 2022 and 20 total TDs in 2021 is hard to argue with, explosive or not.
Not 2022 Kamara. It was a general statement that Kamara’s peak was an explosive pass catcher, not a compiler like I’d classify Ekeler as.
TDs are great, when you have more opportunities, you’ll have more. Do you think Ekeler scores 18 TDs on the giants in 2021 or 2022? I don’t.
Barkley has locked in over $2m more than Ekeler on the tag. We have no idea what he left on the table. He banked on being a UFA - that isn’t greed it’s fairly normal risk/reward play that he missed by about an hour. But the story isn’t written yet, we don’t know how this ends up. If he stays relatively healthy, he wins. If he gets a big injury, he loses. Gotta respect that.
He should be going balls out this year in hopes of a big pay. Let’s hope he stays healthy. Though, I’d imagine he’s going to take a hit with targets if the WRs stay healthy this year. J/k, they’ll all be hurt again.
Both players can be terrific. Don't need to disparage one to pump up the other.
Both players can be terrific. Don't need to disparage one to pump up the other.
I don’t think anyone was disparaging either player, just arguing that Ekeler, along with SB, is one of the best all around backs in the league.
Both players can be terrific. Don't need to disparage one to pump up the other.
Suggesting Ekeler might be the better all-around back makes you delusional? Or is it just the "clearly" distinguishment that does that?
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I don't know, Kamara was meh last year (and the previous year). He's not the same player he was a few years ago. Ekeler had 5 receiving TDs in 2022, 8 in 2021. Admittedly I don't watch a bunch of Chargers games, but 18 total TDs in 2022 and 20 total TDs in 2021 is hard to argue with, explosive or not.
Not 2022 Kamara. It was a general statement that Kamara’s peak was an explosive pass catcher, not a compiler like I’d classify Ekeler as.
TDs are great, when you have more opportunities, you’ll have more. Do you think Ekeler scores 18 TDs on the giants in 2021 or 2022? I don’t.
I don't know, that's a good question. I definitely thought Barkley would have been more involved in the passing game considering how lousy the Giants' WRs were and the only decent TE being a rookie. I still am not sure why Barkely only had 57 receptions last year.
But I disagree that Ekeler is a compiler. He had 36 1st downs through the air last year, which is pretty damn good IMO for a RB, regardless of how many receptions he had.
If Ekeler was a compiler last year, was Barkley in 2018? Their production through the air was similar (Ekeler actually a little better in 1st downs and TDs). But I would not say that Barkley was a compiler.
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I have literally watched just about every game or nearly every game of his career. He's one of the most underrated players in the game. And with that said, if you think Ekeler is "clearly the better all around back" over Barkley you are delusional. IF you think the Giants would be a better team by trading #26 for #30 you're delusional.
Both players can be terrific. Don't need to disparage one to pump up the other.
Suggesting Ekeler might be the better all-around back makes you delusional? Or is it just the "clearly" distinguishment that does that?
It was from an earlier post that said " Is Eckeler the better all around RB? Clearly yes, IMO."
Clearly? no.
All things equal, Barkley is better. Things haven't been equal until 2022 and even that may be a stretch.
SB is a still a young dude, and is getting better with reps. Stay healthy, keep working hard, let's see where he goes.
And the numbers for each RB are pretty close. BArkley has Ekeler beat on the ground while Ekeler has BArk beat in the air. Ek got the TDs as well.
Great backs. I'd still take Barkley even with the shredded knee from 2020. Ekeler is amazing in the redzone though.
All things equal, Barkley is better. Things haven't been equal until 2022 and even that may be a stretch.
What is better:
352 touches, 1650 yards, 72 1Ds, 10 TDs
312 touches, 1673 yards, 82 1Ds, 18 TDs
The only measure they were "around the same place" is yards.
SB is a still a young dude, and is getting better with reps. Stay healthy, keep working hard, let's see where he goes.
That's my take on #26 as well. I know I am in the minority but I will keep saying it--the best is yet to come for Barkley. 2022 was a start. It was not his peak. That is why he's annoyed about the contract. I think he truly believes he's got an MVP (RBs never win this I know) caliber season in him.
SB is a still a young dude, and is getting better with reps. Stay healthy, keep working hard, let's see where he goes.
I agree with everything here.
His 2018 he was targeted 120 times, which produced only 720 yards. You can't have close to 30% of your pass attempts generate so few yards.
What Barkley is a no-doubt, best-in-class runner. And when he's just hitting the hole and hitting the gas he has the upside to be an all timer.
The only question is how many top seasons he has left. I'd wager 2.
As for Barkley not getting more targets in 2022 that was by design because of personnel not ability. If we didn’t have the threat of the run our offense was going nowhere - it was our only advantage. And despite that, and facing a lot of stacked boxes, Barkley had a major impact. I don’t think Ekeler is that type of player.
I don't have a problem with an evaluation that says: if Barkley is healthy, and if all other variables were exactly the same, Barkley would be the better choice to run the football.
Barkley has played in 3 systems and has never been a very big weapon in the pass game. With better talent around him, he likely sees fewer targets, and similar carries.
What matters is moving forward and both players seem like the same injury risk to me. If both were UFA I suspect Barkley would be seeing a good deal more guaranteed money. In fact, I think both Barkley and Jacobs would.
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In comment 16121896 djm said:
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I have literally watched just about every game or nearly every game of his career. He's one of the most underrated players in the game. And with that said, if you think Ekeler is "clearly the better all around back" over Barkley you are delusional. IF you think the Giants would be a better team by trading #26 for #30 you're delusional.
Both players can be terrific. Don't need to disparage one to pump up the other.
Suggesting Ekeler might be the better all-around back makes you delusional? Or is it just the "clearly" distinguishment that does that?
It was from an earlier post that said " Is Eckeler the better all around RB? Clearly yes, IMO."
Clearly? no.
I love getting name-called for expressing my opinion.
Ekeler had the same yards per carry as Saquon, 50 more receptions and 8 more TDs. I don't think it's "delusional" to think that makes him a better all around back (i.e. running and receiving).
p.s.--Anyone who plays fantasy football knows how good Ekeler is.
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he was also actively trying to get traded for a better pay day and couldn’t find any takers.
Were the Chargers even accepting trade offers? Any team willing to pay Ekeler the big bucks, would've had to cough up a 1st round pick plus more.
p.s.--Anyone who plays fantasy football knows how good Ekeler is.
They granted him permission to speak to other teams.