I have to agree.
https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/19/new-york-giants-great-carl-banks-calls-for-end-personal-attacks-against-saquon-barkley?
+1
It's long past time to move forward.
Peace!
The one nice thing about Barkley leaving the Giants was that I was hoping we had seen the end of the talk and threads about Barkley.
Barkley was a huge disappointment who was over-drafted, underperformed, and overpaid. He's gone, and I wish he was fully in our rearview mirror.
I couldn't care less what fans are still saying about the guy; it's between him and them.
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 09:13:42 AMThe one nice thing about Barkley leaving the Giants was that I was hoping we had seen the end of the talk and threads about Barkley.
Barkley was a huge disappointment who was over-drafted, underperformed, and overpaid. He's gone, and I wish he was fully in our rearview mirror.
I couldn't care less what fans are still saying about the guy; it's between him and them.
How was he any of those things? Who really cares where he was drafted at this point. The Giants were picking high and he was there, just like they've done since the Evan Engram days. I cannot think of one 1st round pick that has woked out well for the Giants besides Thomas for 10 years. and he was easily the best player the Giants had the whole time he was here. And objectively a top 4 player in the running back position.
I don't understand all the Barkley hate. One poster here called him the worst draft choice in a decade. He was actually one of the most successful 1st rounders in that time.
I said it in another thread and will say it again because its worth repeating: The Giants haven't sucked for the last decade because they over drafted a productive RB. They have sucked because they drafted completely unproductive 1st round picks like Flowers, Baker, Toney, Apple, etc.
The team didnt offer him a contract so he went to the highest bidder.
I think a lot of fans can't separate the fact that Barkley didn't draft himself and he never said anything close to what Gettleman said "touched by the hand of God", "gold jacket" talk. What Gettleman did and said put a weird stain on Barkley for a lot of fans, despite him having absolutely zero to do with any of that.
The facts are he did put this team on his back, was outstanding in the locker room and in the community, and worked his ass off through significant injuries to continue to put this team on his back. He would have liked nothing more than to have helped bring another Super Bowl to NY and stayed a Giant for life. But, that's not how it worked out. It is what it is.
I wish him all the individual luck in the world and also hope his new team sucks total ass despite his success :ok: Here's to hoping.
Quote from: uconnjack8 on March 21, 2024, 10:22:19 AMI don't understand all the Barkley hate. One poster here called him the worst draft choice in a decade. He was actually one of the most successful 1st rounders in that time.
I said it in another thread and will say it again because its worth repeating: The Giants haven't sucked for the last decade because they over drafted a productive RB. They have sucked because they drafted completely unproductive 1st round picks like Flowers, Baker, Toney, Apple, etc.
The team didnt offer him a contract so he went to the highest bidder.
Matt,
It's not Barkley. hate to say he underperformed. When you draft a RB 2nd overall, the expectation is at least one All-Pro season in his first 6 years (really the prime years for a RB).
2 Pro Bowls and Rookie of the Year are not much to show for the Giants 2nd overall pick (and the high salary for an RB that resulted).
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 10:31:03 AMMatt,
It's not Barkley. hate to say he underperformed. When you draft a RB 2nd overall, the expectation is at least one All-Pro season in his first 6 years (really the prime years for a RB).
2 Pro Bowls and Rookie of the Year are not much to show for the Giants 2nd overall pick (and the high salary for an RB that resulted).
Like I said, in some eyes he may have "underperformed" or not met the expectations of a #2 pick. But do you think drafting he or Baker hurt more? Barkley vs Apple who was a worse pick?
Bottom line is Barkley was the best offensive player on the team for most of his tenure.
I think there'd be a lot less hate if he wasn't wearing Eagle green. :boooo:
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 10:31:03 AMMatt,
It's not Barkley. hate to say he underperformed. When you draft a RB 2nd overall, the expectation is at least one All-Pro season in his first 6 years (really the prime years for a RB).
2 Pro Bowls and Rookie of the Year are not much to show for the Giants 2nd overall pick (and the high salary for an RB that resulted).
Really? So anyone who isn't drafted below 5 should be an all pro otherwise they are a huge let down? That is a pretty tall order and a bit regimented. Not to mention he was hurt / played hurt through a lot of that. Calling Bark "a RB" on the Giants is a bit of misdirection to try and belittle his status. Go check some box scores; he was also their leading receiver in quite a few games, and I can all but guaratee you was the focal point of every Defensive coordinator the Gaints ever faced.
Quote from: Fletch on March 21, 2024, 11:19:04 AMReally? So anyone who isn't drafted below 5 should be an all pro otherwise they are a huge let down?
Did I say running back or "anyone"???
Quote from: Ed Vette on March 21, 2024, 08:21:30 AMI have to agree.
https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/19/new-york-giants-great-carl-banks-calls-for-end-personal-attacks-against-saquon-barkley?
I agree , but saquon himself keeps throwing little jabs at the giants
He's obviously more hurt then he lets out and he's becoming the opposite of what he was here in the tri-state ... he's now acting like a di**
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 10:31:03 AMMatt,
It's not Barkley. hate to say he underperformed. When you draft a RB 2nd overall, the expectation is at least one All-Pro season in his first 6 years (really the prime years for a RB).
2 Pro Bowls and Rookie of the Year are not much to show for the Giants 2nd overall pick (and the high salary for an RB that resulted).
Why can't the lack of offensive line protection *reason* that has been used for Jones be also used for Barkley?
Anyone who can spell "football" knows that without Barkley, the Giants would not have been in the playoffs in 2022/23. He was the only threat on offense we had his entire time here.
I'll add another interesting thing I've thought about - there are a certain class of elite athletes that are praised for, essentially, being a di** - being so hyper competitive that they wear their emotions on their sleeves a bit....Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Kobe, etc. Because of injuries Saquon certainly hasn't come close to reaching those levels, but I at least find it interesting that anything at all he says that is not completely vanilla is seen so negatively by NY Sports fans.... why is that? I have no clue. I imagine, psychologically, it's because of the spot he was drafted, the overall shittiness of the team, and the expectations placed on him - all things completely out of his own personal control.
Quote from: T200 on March 21, 2024, 11:39:11 AMWhy can't the lack of offensive line protection *reason* that has been used for Jones be also used for Barkley?
Anyone who can spell "football" knows that without Barkley, the Giants would not have been in the playoffs in 2022/23. He was the only threat on offense we had his entire time here.
Fair question. PFF has a stat, yards after contact per attempt. Since it's after contact, you are removing the O-line (which usually had better run blocking than pass blocking grades) from the equation.
With a 20% carry filter Barkley
ranked 23 with 2.91 yards for 2023
Had to remove the filter for 2022 Barkley ranked
73rd with 2.75 yards after contact per attempt
with filter
43rd with 2.69 yards after contact per attempt for 2021
Had to remove the filter for 2020 where he ranked
115th with 2.21 yards after contact per attempt
2019 Barkley was tied for
11th with 3.23 yards after contact per attempt
2018 Barkley was tied for
6th with 3.34 yards after contact per attempt
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 11:51:52 AMFair question. PFF has a stat, yards after contact per attempt. Since it's after contact, you are removing the O-line (which usually had better run blocking than pass blocking grades) from the equation.
With a 20% carry filter Barkley ranked 23 with 2.91 yards for 2023
Had to remove the filter for 2022 Barkley ranked 73rd with 2.75 yards after contact per attempt
with filter 43rd with 2.69 yards after contact per attempt for 2021
Had to remove the filter for 2020 where he ranked 115th with 2.21 yards after contact per attempt
2019 Barkley was tied for 11th with 3.23 yards after contact per attempt
2018 Barkley was tied for 6th with 3.34 yards after contact per attempt
Dies that stat by any chance have a breakdown of where they were hit and by whom?
There is a difference when a 300 lb. DT hits a RB in the backfield compared to a 180 CB hitting him 5 yards past the LOS when the RB has hit full running speed. That was really a rhetorical question as I am sure they dont break that down.
Just like Jones faced pressure quicker than other QBs, I am pretty positive Barkley was getting hit earlier than most other RBs. I really dont need stats to tell me what I regularly saw - DL in the backfield making contact within a step or two of Barkley receiving the hand off.
It's all good, he's gone and the team is moving to a pass 1st offense.
Quote from: uconnjack8 on March 21, 2024, 12:09:13 PMDies that stat by any chance have a breakdown of where they were hit and by whom?
There is a difference when a 300 lb. DT hits a RB in the backfield compared to a 180 CB hitting him 5 yards past the LOS when the RB has hit full running speed. That was really a rhetorical question as I am sure they dont break that down.
Just like Jones faced pressure quicker than other QBs, I am pretty positive Barkley was getting hit earlier than most other RBs. I really dont need stats to tell me what I regularly saw - DL in the backfield making contact within a step or two of Barkley receiving the hand off.
It's all good, he's gone and the team is moving to a pass 1st offense.
Good point. Are there stats for where initial first contact is made by defenders? I'd be shocked if Barkley wasn't near the top of those lists pretty much the entire time he's been a Giant. BIG difference in yards after contact, I'd imagine, depending on where that 1st contact occurred- after a RB has gathered some momentum or before they've ever had a chance to get out the gate (as we all know has been the case with Barkley so often with our awful OLs).
Quote from: uconnjack8 on March 21, 2024, 12:09:13 PMDies that stat by any chance have a breakdown of where they were hit and by whom?
There is a difference when a 300 lb. DT hits a RB in the backfield compared to a 180 CB hitting him 5 yards past the LOS when the RB has hit full running speed. That was really a rhetorical question as I am sure they dont break that down.
Just like Jones faced pressure quicker than other QBs, I am pretty positive Barkley was getting hit earlier than most other RBs. I really dont need stats to tell me what I regularly saw - DL in the backfield making contact within a step or two of Barkley receiving the hand off.
It's all good, he's gone and the team is moving to a pass 1st offense.
PFF run blocking rankings for NYG and pass blocking
Year- RB * PB
2018- 16th * 25th
2019- 22nd * 16th
2020- 23rd * 32nd
2021- 21st * 30th
2022- 14th * 24th
2023- 30th * 32nd
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 09:13:42 AMThe one nice thing about Barkley leaving the Giants was that I was hoping we had seen the end of the talk and threads about Barkley.
Barkley was a huge disappointment who was over-drafted, underperformed, and overpaid. He's gone, and I wish he was fully in our rearview mirror.
I couldn't care less what fans are still saying about the guy; it's between him and them.
This is probably a bit of a harsh take.
But the mistake was done by the person who drafted him at Nr 2. That was the primary mistake.
Drafting RB that high just doesn't work anymore in today's league.
Quote from: GordonGekko80 on March 21, 2024, 01:00:04 PMThis is probably a bit of a harsh take.
But the mistake was done by the person who drafted him at Nr 2. That was the primary mistake.
Drafting RB that high just doesn't work anymore in today's league.
Is it Gettleman's fault that Barkley has significantly underperformed Nick Chubb who were drafted a round later?
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 01:08:25 PMIs it Gettleman's fault that Barkley has significantly underperformed those who were drafted a round later?
I think you nailed it when you said he was overdrafted Rich.
Don't you think the expectations were so high exactly because he was drafted so high?
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 11:21:55 AMDid I say running back or "anyone"???
don't think you read past the first sentence Again: Calling Barkley a running back on the Giants when he was also a leading receiver in a lot of games ' is a bit of an understatement.
My thing was Barkley was that he clearly did not meet the hype/expectations of his draft position
But I still believed he could be a major piece to a franchise , but he's not the top guy so I don't blame Schoen for not overpaying him
I also liked Barkley as a person.. which yes its stupid but it did play a factor in me wanting to keep him..... but he went to the Eagles and went full heel mode. He got his money and now he is a d***. He used his daughter to take a dig at the Giants , whether she said that or not it does not matter. But he chose to bring that up for no reason after supposedly finally thanking Giants fans. The dude is the one who really cant let it go.
I know Barkley got his little 2-3 mil extra guaranteed but let me put it this way.
Where do we actually think he has a better chance of FINISHING his contract and getting ALL his money ?
You think the Eagles who already had a top 10 rushing attack before Barkley ...and being simply the Eagles have more loyalty on Barkley on a 3 year contract over the Giants who are overwhelmingly TOO loyal to players ?
If the Eagles fail to win a SuperBowl in a year or 2... or even somehow miss the playoffs and Barkley is still missing 4 games , playing 4 injured and just churning out 950 yards rushing the Eagles most likely will want some kind of a reset and Barkley will be the LEAST important key to their success. He is going to get the BOOT. Not Hurts, not the O-line, Not the Receivers . The runningback Barkley will be the cut casualty
He wants to keep throwing out narratives that the Giants did not offer him a contract which is a LIE then go ahead and do that. But it is very possible that in 3 years time he actually LOST 10+ mil not actually gained 2-3 mil
I hope you fumble the ball against us just like you fumbled the bag.
Quote from: Fletch on March 21, 2024, 01:16:22 PMEveryone and these rules ; RBs positional value in the draft; no second contract blah blah.
So the Eagles don't know that and they stupidly signed barkley to a big second contract? The Lions drafted a RB 6th and, they are stupid for that?
Not to mention the Lions actually have a QB that can pass. Calling Barkley a running back on the Giants when he was also a leading receiver in a lot of games ' is a bit of an understatement.
I specifically said RB, not "anyone"
Here is a list of top 10 picks in the draft. Is there really anyone there besides Josh Allen -- who nobody knew would be Josh llen then-- that you are really kicking yourselves over not drafting...
1. Cleveland Browns: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
2. New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
3. New York Jets: QB Sam Darnold, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
5. Denver Broncos: DE Bradley Chubb, NC State
6. Indianapolis Colts: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
7. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
8. Chicago Bears: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
I'll never knock the Barkley selection. The Giants thought and hoped they were getting the next Barry Sanders, an electrifying player who could dominate, frequently create plays from nothing, and had the undeniable potential to score every time he touched the football. Forget for a second that he happened to be a running back. Those guys that can go the distance any time the ball is in their hands are rare and it doesn't matter if they line up at tailback, wide receiver, tight end, or fullback. I also happened to believe that Saquon Barkley's character weighed heavily into his evaluation as the Giants were a bit of a mess at the time. Barkley was almost assuredly doomed to fail to meet the impossibility high expectations, especially after the "touched by the hand of God" comment.
Unfortunately the Giants didn't get the next Barry Sanders.
There was always a bit of unspoken toxicity surrounding Barkley even when he was playing well Lots folks wanted one of the quarterbacks or just flat out hated Gettleman so much that they couldn't separate the two. It never went away and any time Barkley stumbled or was less than perfect you were going to hear it.
Barkley's career was derailed because of catastrophic injuries. It had to have affected his burst and his speed to a degree. Working off of an anemic passing attack where defenders would load the box to stop him and brag about the MO on the Giants' offense, was the word on the street. He had five years where the Run Blocking was 18th-30th. Stats for Yards After Contact are deceiving because if the TEs and Receivers don't execute their blocks downfield, that factors into the numbers, as well as the execution of the pulling Guard and Tackle. I would rather have had him over Darnold, who hopefully would have been replaced after a couple of bad seasons, but with this franchise, who would know?
While he was here, he was pretty much a great teammate, leader, and friend to the community. He felt he was disrespected by the franchise and he mouthed off. Ok, he's human. He's had some bad luck with injuries and the RB Market vs the timing of his contract. He also had bad luck getting drafted here.
Quote from: Ed Vette on March 21, 2024, 01:55:12 PMBarkley's career was derailed because of catastrophic injuries. It had to have affected his burst and his speed to a degree. Working off of an anemic passing attack where defenders would load the box to stop him and brag about the MO on the Giants' offense, was the word on the street. He had five years where the Run Blocking was 18th-30th. Stats for Yards After Contact are deceiving because if the TEs and Receivers don't execute their blocks downfield, that factors into the numbers, as well as the execution of the pulling Guard and Tackle. I would rather have had him over Darnold, who hopefully would have been replaced after a couple of bad seasons, but with this franchise, who would know?
While he was here, he was pretty much a great teammate, leader, and friend to the community. He felt he was disrespected by the franchise and he mouthed off. Ok, he's human. He's had some bad luck with injuries and the RB Market vs the timing of his contract. He also had bad luck getting drafted here.
He also exercised very poor judgment selecting an agent
Quote from: Fletch on March 21, 2024, 01:16:22 PMdon't think you read past the first sentence Again: Calling Barkley a running back on the Giants when he was also a leading receiver in a lot of games ' is a bit of an understatement.
Other than his rookie year Barkley was no big deal as a receiver. He averaged 7.3 yards per reception, whereas great receiving RBs like McCaffrey and Tiki averaged 8.5 and 8.8 yards respectively.
And yes draft position matters because RB is not a high value position and there was enormous opportunity cost by not choosing someone who plays a high value position or trading down. There is a reason that a top QB, WR, LT, CB, or Edge makes a LOT more money than a top RB. You get one of those in the draft and you have a 5 year bargain. But Barkley was NEVER a bargain, because of his draft position. There were a lot of very good players in that draft in high value positions.
And every argument about 'excuses' that has been made against Jones applies equally against Barkley.
I never hated the guy and I thought he was the ideal face of the franchise despite his sub-par (for a #2 pick) performance right up until he didn't get what he wanted and made some weird public comments during last years negotiations. Even his recent behavior after signing with the Eagles doesn't cause me to hate him but they have definitely caused me to like him a whole lot less.
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 01:56:22 PMHe also exercised very poor judgment selecting an agent
That too but he corrected it although it was too late for LY.
In the end he will lose money watch
I heard an ESPN Eagles beat reporter proclaim the Eagles are getting a "Pro Bowl running back" by signing Barkley. Would you agree?
I think behind that line with an established passing attack, he is likely to have a great year and come close to the production of his rookie year. Even with Kelce gone and Philly potentially on the decline. He will not be the 1st thing a defense tries to take away for the 1st time in his pro career.
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 03:16:00 PMI heard an ESPN Eagles beat reporter proclaim the Eagles are getting a "Pro Bowl running back" by signing Barkley. Would you agree?
Yes. I guess we'll see. If he's healthy, there's no doubt in my mind he's still a top RB in the league- even after losing a step due to injury. And he just got paid like one- despite a huge majority of Giants fans on this board proclaiming he'd never see that kind of top-end RB money.
While I can appreciate the opposing view, I would say Barkley is no longer a Pro Bowl-caliber RB. In the passing game, he struggles because he fights the ball. Barkley's ability to find and hit holes was pretty much average to my eye. What made Barkley special was his long speed, as he could take any carry to the house. What I saw last season was Barkley caught from behind far too often. That special breakaway home run speed simply wasn't there last season.
Maybe with a better O-line and a bit less attention paid to him, Barkley does do better, but I am on the doubtful side (not saying it positively won't happen). I think the Eagles are going to realize they paid for past glory/name rather than future/actual performance.
Barkley had the perfect exit. He ended his season by running over the Eagles, impressing them enough to offer him a big contract. So I'm certainly not among the people bashing him. Well played, Saquon.
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 01:56:22 PMHe also exercised very poor judgment selecting an agent
Did he?
It certainly seemed that way the last offseason, but in getting her client to refuse to sign the Giants' offer and instead to wait, he is now on a Super Bowl caliber team instead of our crappy team, and in addition to that he has a much better contract than he was offered by the Giants last year. Seems like a double-win to me. How did she fail him exactly?
Quote from: MightyGiants on March 21, 2024, 03:16:00 PMI heard an ESPN Eagles beat reporter proclaim the Eagles are getting a "Pro Bowl running back" by signing Barkley. Would you agree?
It's just lazy sensationalist writing. I remember Jason Sehorn being referred to as a pro bowl cornerback just after his injury even though he didn't make the pro bowl.
As fair as Barkley goes its marginal at best.
Quote from: PSUBeirut on March 21, 2024, 03:39:22 PMYes. I guess we'll see. If he's healthy, there's no doubt in my mind he's still a top RB in the league- even after losing a step due to injury. And he just got paid like one- despite a huge majority of Giants fans on this board proclaiming he'd never see that kind of top-end RB money.
I don't even think Barkley is a top 10 RB at this point. And this isn't being a hater or sour grapes, it's just reality. Outside of the obvious names, I'd take Gibbs, Cook, Hall, Etienne, Bijan, Walker, and Achane over him.
Quote from: TONKA56 on March 21, 2024, 06:41:49 PMIt's just lazy sensationalist writing. I remember Jason Sehorn being referred to as a pro bowl cornerback just after his injury even though he didn't make the pro bowl.
As fair as Barkley goes its marginal at best.
I don't have an issue with a writer referring to Barkley as a "Pro Bowl running back." If you've made the Pro Bowl in the last two seasons, I think that's fine. I don't take that label to be an automatic implication that he made it specifically last year or that he is expected to make it this coming year. It's more general than that.
I could actually see Barkley making the Pro Bowl this year, but not all pro. I agree with Stringer that he's probably not top 10 material at this point (might be bubble), but the Pro Bowl has a lot to do with name recognition, plus he'll probably do pretty well in the Eagle offense.
Quote from: Fletch on March 21, 2024, 01:25:15 PMHere is a list of top 10 picks in the draft. Is there really anyone there besides Josh Allen -- who nobody knew would be Josh llen then-- that you are really kicking yourselves over not drafting...
1. Cleveland Browns: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
2. New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
3. New York Jets: QB Sam Darnold, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
5. Denver Broncos: DE Bradley Chubb, NC State
6. Indianapolis Colts: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
7. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
8. Chicago Bears: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
Nelson. I was hoping a trade with Denver for the 5th pick and grabbing the guy who most felt was the most complete Olineman in years. Let's not forget that the line was piss poor then too. In his introductory presser TFGM acknowledged that the line was broken and had to be fixed.
Quote from: Fletch on March 21, 2024, 01:25:15 PMHere is a list of top 10 picks in the draft. Is there really anyone there besides Josh Allen -- who nobody knew would be Josh llen then-- that you are really kicking yourselves over not drafting...
1. Cleveland Browns: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
2. New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
3. New York Jets: QB Sam Darnold, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
5. Denver Broncos: DE Bradley Chubb, NC State
6. Indianapolis Colts: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
7. Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
8. Chicago Bears: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
A lot of people were screaming for Nelson. If you want to say Nelson has had a better career I wont even argue.
But...
Does anyone think if you swap Barkley for Nelson and dont change any other draft picks, the Giants would have had a better record over the last 6 years?
FWIW, there were a couple of posters here that were big on Allen, I was not one of them.
A want to take a moment to recognize Carl Banks. I understand that he's employed by the Organization and I don't always agree with him but I do most of the time and when I don't, I understand I could be wrong. Not that my opinion matters. He is however the voice of reason very often when fans and Beat Reporters let their emotions get them fired up in this age where everyone has a voice that wants to be heard and needs to have it heard. It empowers us.
He's a man of conviction and always takes the higher ground. Even when he needs to walk the tightrope, when needed he will throw that caveat out there to say, hey... let's not let this escape us.
He's that locker room leader who has carried those skills with him well past his successful career and Giants Nation is lucky to have him.
Quote from: Ed Vette on March 21, 2024, 10:12:52 PMA want to take a moment to recognize Carl Banks. I understand that he's employed by the Organization and I don't always agree with him but I do most of the time and when I don't, I understand I could be wrong. Not that my opinion matters. He is however the voice of reason very often when fans and Beat Reporters let their emotions get them fired up in this age where everyone has a voice that wants to be heard and needs to have it heard. It empowers us.
He's a man of conviction and always takes the higher ground. Even when he needs to walk the tightrope, when needed he will throw that caveat out there to say, hey... let's not let this escape us.
He's that locker room leader who has carried those skills with him well past his successful career and Giants Nation is lucky to have him.
I never miss a chance to listen to Banks speak. The man is intelligent, he cares, and he has the best inside sources.
I don't think we need to bash Barkley. I'd rather just ignore the entire Barkley era and just say it never happened. Nothing of note happened, it's a blank period in Giants history best ignored.
Quote from: AYM on March 22, 2024, 08:31:45 AMI don't think we need to bash Barkley. I'd rather just ignore the entire Barkley era and just say it never happened. Nothing of note happened, it's a blank period in Giants history best ignored.
Well said =D>
I for one appreciate Barkley. He was a good soldier who never complained, and tried REAL HARD to carry the offense on his back.
Was he perfect? NO! But he left it all out on the field.
Just like many argue about the QB, if we had built a better team(OLINE) AND THEN added him, we may have been watching a generational RB IMVHO.
But we'll never know...and may continue to suffer this fate until/unless ownership stays out of the war room and other personnel meetings and allow the football people run football operations with their own vision instead of advocating for his pet projects that continually set the franchise back.
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I don't get the Barkley hate.
- he had no O line to run behind
- his receivers were not world beaters or even competent at times.
He was the sole offense for much of duration here and the only playing the opposition needed to worry about.
He's and the D are reason the Giants started 6-1 in 2022 and subsequently made the playoffs.
Personally I think he deserves better.
With all due respect to Banks, I think everyone appreciates what Barkley did (and didn't) do here.
But he soured on the Giants last year and because of all the ineptitude, guys like him and DJ don't think much of Giants fans either. It's a tough town - it's win or go home. His goodbye to the Giants community was pretty lame and now he'll continue to chirp.
I'm not going to "bash" him but I have the same evaluation of him now that I've had for years here: he's a mental headcase, he's compromised due to injury, he makes mental mistakes in pressure situations and he does not do a good with situational football or keeping the offense on schedule. Despite his reputation he's clunky and robotic in the pass game. What made this guy special is the gamebreaking ability and that's been gone for years now, and isn't coming back.
Business move rooted in emotion, both parties trying to stick it to the Giants. The Eagles were getting smacked around by everyone down the stretch. It's over. He'll have a couple big games and the fans will go crazy, but they'll regret the contract and booing the #^@$ out of him by the end of year.
I do think PSUBeirut made some nice points though, it's not these guys fault where they're drafted and Barkley clearly did the best he could.
The Giants stupidly drafted this guy #2 with no plan. That will always infuriate me. You wanna take Barkley at 2? Fine. Build a fully comprehensive run game with the QB up under center and an unusual amount of resources on run blocking OL. Capitalize on the significant, out-of-the-box direction you've chosen.
Instead, just like with Jones, they surrounded him with a terrible run blocking OL, "blocking" TEs like Evan Engram, Lawrence Cager and Darren Waller, and shotgun inside hand-offs up the wazoo. He was running into a meat-grinder and got physically destroyed, right before our eyes, just like DJ. It's been ugly to watch.
I don't feel a great deal of emotion either way about Barkley. All things equal I would have preferred he land somewhere other than the team I hate most, but I don't respect him less for doing what his best for himself and his family, and I am not hoping he does poorly (albeit I want the Eagles to lose so I guess I'm not rooting for MVP caliber play for him either).
As for the future, when the season (or even training camp) starts to get rolling, he'll be talking about the Giants less and less. It will be all about what he's doing there. Eagles fans are not the nicest group of people, and Barkley got a huge contract there by RB standards. Expectations are high. Barkley is very sensitive about criticism, so unless he (1) stays healthy and (2) plays at at least a pro bowl if not all-pro type level, he'll have his hands full with all the noise coming from Eagles nation.
In short, I am glad the Giants didn't pay up to keep him, but I don't wish ill on him nor do I resent him. My focus lies entirely on our current team and incoming players via the draft and the second phase of free agency. I don't really care that much about former players.