Barkley Proves OL

[Philosophers]

OL drives everything on O.  Giants completely screwed the pooch having such a poor OL.  This is our Achilles Heel.  Fix this and even an average QB will punch above his weight class.  Holes for a RB and time to throw make an offense go.

[EDjohnst1981]

It's a problem, for sure. But I really don't  like looking at things in such absolute terms. Because it's not a question of one thing being wrong.

Take Kansas for example. According to Pro Football Network, their O line are ranked 5th. However, for the last month they have been ranked 30th. (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-offensive-lines-nfl-rankings/) Combined with this ranking and they not received a grade above a C since week 12.  Nevertheless, they've not lost a game.

In terms of Barkley - he has benefitted massively from a competent passing game (over 3500 yards, 24 TDs via 3 QBs) , a great line (contributing to 3,000 yards rushing and 29 TDs) and decent receivers.

Taken holistically, they are a threat everywhere.

The problem for the Giants is that they haven't had and don't have any of the threats outside of Nabers.

[Philosophers]

It's a problem, for sure. But I really don't  like looking at things in such absolute terms. Because it's not a question of one thing being wrong.

Take Kansas for example. According to Pro Football Network, their O line are ranked 5th. However, for the last month they have been ranked 30th. (https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-offensive-lines-nfl-rankings/) Combined with this ranking and they not received a grade above a C since week 12.  Nevertheless, they've not lost a game.

In terms of Barkley - he has benefitted massively from a competent passing game (over 3500 yards, 24 TDs via 3 QBs) , a great line (contributing to 3,000 yards rushing and 29 TDs) and decent receivers.

Taken holistically, they are a threat everywhere.

The problem for the Giants is that they haven't had and don't have any of the threats outside of Nabers.

You are right but average WRs can look great if an OL gives so much protection they can eventually get open.  OL touches everyone on O.

[Ed Vette]

Barkley deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished yesterday and the season. Of course the Oline was a big asset, but he was on a mission this season. In a game with some of the worst field conditions he won that game for them.

You are right but average WRs can look great if an OL gives so much protection they can eventually get open.  OL touches everyone on O.

[uconnjack8]

Barkley deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished yesterday and the season. Of course the Oline was a big asset, but he was on a mission this season. In a game with some of the worst field conditions he won that game for them.

Ed, 

Totally agree.  The Eagles as a team last year rushed for 2109 yards with what was a better OL (because they had 1st ballot HOFer at center).  Barkley could have eclipsed that himself this year and the team rushed for over 3000 yards. Almost a 50% leap as a team by adding him. 

The Rams entire game plan revolved around stopping him and they couldn't yesterday. 

[Ed Vette]

Ed, 

Totally agree.  The Eagles as a team last year rushed for 2109 yards with what was a better OL (because they had 1st ballot HOFer at center).  Barkley could have eclipsed that himself this year and the team rushed for over 3000 yards. Almost a 50% leap as a team by adding him. 

The Rams entire game plan revolved around stopping him and they couldn't yesterday. 

He allowed himself to be taken out of a game and rest a game for the good of the team. His loss as a leader left a huge void for the Giants. He clearly would have had less yards here and perhaps injured in trying, but for the Giants to let their most popular player from a team and fan perspective walk was a monumental blunder in planning by Schoen going back two years.

[Gmo11]

He allowed himself to be taken out of a game and rest a game for the good of the team. His loss as a leader left a huge void for the Giants. He clearly would have had less yards here and perhaps injured in trying, but for the Giants to let their most popular player from a team and fan perspective walk was a monumental blunder in planning by Schoen going back two years.

Saying they "let him go" isn't exactly accurate. He wanted no part of staying here and I don't blame him for that.  They wasted 5 years of his career which for a RB amounts to usually more than half and in many cases the entirety of it.  He wanted out and with good reason.  He knew the Eagles wanted him and that they had the best OL in the game along with 2 stud WRs and a competent QB that can actually play football.  He's from the area.  He was always going to Philly no matter what the Giants did.

Not to mention had they franchised him again or something to force him to stay, he'd have done the same thing he did the last 5 years which is be the best player on a 4 win team.  What good does that do?  With the money they didn't spend on him they were able to bring in 3 starters on the OL which before everybody got hurt was performing at a fairly high level.  At least high by Giants standards.  It was the right decision for all parties involved and it drives me nuts the media narrative that somehow the Giants are so stupid as to think they thought Barkley wasn't good at football somehow. Everybody that's ever seen a football knows Barkley is excellent.  But on this team for 5 years his excellence amounted to a bunch of nothing in terms of wins and he wanted out.

[uconnjack8]

He allowed himself to be taken out of a game and rest a game for the good of the team. His loss as a leader left a huge void for the Giants. He clearly would have had less yards here and perhaps injured in trying, but for the Giants to let their most popular player from a team and fan perspective walk was a monumental blunder in planning by Schoen going back two years.

I will be rooting for Washington but he has a chance to lead his team to a Super Bowl and potentially be the MVP there.

[babywhales]

He allowed himself to be taken out of a game and rest a game for the good of the team. His loss as a leader left a huge void for the Giants. He clearly would have had less yards here and perhaps injured in trying, but for the Giants to let their most popular player from a team and fan perspective walk was a monumental blunder in planning by Schoen going back two years.

If they were letting Barkley leave it had to be for picks

Two trade deadlines in a row and nothing...

This organization has completely failed to build a line for Eli's 2nd half of his career and for 6 years with Barkley, wasting the opportunity both players offer. 

Error on the side of caution and go get too many lineman and let the cream rise to the top, the rest become depth or trade bait at the deadline.

Finally go get it right.

[kartanoman]

OL drives everything on O.  Giants completely screwed the pooch having such a poor OL.  This is our Achilles Heel.  Fix this and even an average QB will punch above his weight class.  Holes for a RB and time to throw make an offense go.

It always has been. I look back to the Parcells years and his committment to fix the Offensive Line, as well as hire Johnny Parker, not to mention turning over the roster and filling it with "Parcells' guys" as critical to turning the entire team around. Once he sent Butch Woolfolk packing, and choosing Joe Morris as his guy, Lee Rouson as his backup, and trading for Tony Galbreath as an experienced third down back, the ground game slowly but surely came together.

It really wasn't until 1985, and the USFL signings where the Giants picked up center Bart Oates, and fullback Maurice Carthon, that the line was completed and Morris blossomed into a top back in the conference. Having a young Mark Bavaro didn't hurt either! But once they got Zeke Mowatt back in 1986, it was one and they eventually became unstoppable.

We all want to see something like that with this current team but the financial constraints, an often injured left tackle making a lot of money playing for the crutch brigade and the depth completely unacceptable keeps the team from competing on the field, no matter if they even had a Hurts, Daniels, Mahomes or Allen.

Fix the damned offensive line and build it's depth to remain competitive throughout the season. That must be their single-minded sense of purpose. If they cannot do that, no QB will survive a 17-game season behind them; it's really as simple as that.

Peace!

[Doc16LT56]

Saquon had the two long TD runs. On both plays the defense had the opportunity to tackle him but he accelerated past the defensive back and left him grasping at air. Most RBs aren't scoring on those two plays. On the other 24 carries, Barkley had 65 total yards for a 2.7 ypc average. This is the same boom or bust Barkley we saw in his rookie season with the Giants. He's healthy and has regained his breakaway speed from 2018.

Barkley had two of the top-5 fastest offensive plays in the NFL this season.
https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/1870905845703463376?t=yPo6MHeq6ME9VxG9btLoLA&s=19

[MrGap92]

Barkley deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished yesterday and the season. Of course the Oline was a big asset, but he was on a mission this season. In a game with some of the worst field conditions he won that game for them.

This, not to mention he was also a year removed further away from injury too.

[Giantleap56]

A good OL helps a lot. With that said it's also important to do the opposite on the defensive side. Having a DL that gets after the QB and plugs the run goes a long way too. Good coaching is a must. The Giants should think about adding Carter and picking up a QB to groom in the mid to late first or wait for second round. Pick up a punishing running back in the draft. I noticed how other teams find good OL in late rounds but the Giants can't seem to find and develop any mind boggling. This team needs to hire good head coach who hold everyone accountable in the proper way doesn't see his staff as the next scapegoat to save his job.
The problem with the Giants is Schoen and Daboll don't give this organization hope. Even if they get a QB in here what makes anyone think the coaching is good enough to get something done. I don't believe in Schoen and Daboll. Schoen has made very dumb mistakes letting so many players go without any compensation just for what cap space so they can spend money on inferior talent, or just to get rid of players that he doesn't deem as his drafts or hires.

[Jclayton92]

I know people are still missing Saquan but I have no problem with us cutting bait. We were in the top 10-15 in pass protection until Thomas got injured, and that's with Jones still mysteriously wandering into sacks.

Of course Barkley is doing well with a super mobile qb, 2 elite wrs, and an elite TE. That Philly team made Miles Sanders look elite with 1200 yards and got him Paid, what has he done since? 400 yards and 200 yards the past 2 years.

Context because imo and this is my opinion but Barkley didn't give it his all in 2023, he cruised and waited for FA. So I have no issue with him going and us paying a million for the same production instead of 13 million.

[Philosophers]

Saquon had the two long TD runs. On both plays the defense had the opportunity to tackle him but he accelerated past the defensive back and left him grasping at air. Most RBs aren't scoring on those two plays. On the other 24 carries, Barkley had 65 total yards for a 2.7 ypc average. This is the same boom or bust Barkley we saw in his rookie season with the Giants. He's healthy and has regained his breakaway speed from 2018.

Barkley had two of the top-5 fastest offensive plays in the NFL this season.
https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/1870905845703463376?t=yPo6MHeq6ME9VxG9btLoLA&s=19

I think that is how all breakaway RBs are — Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, etc.  Lots of low yardage carries and a few explosive ones.