FRISCO, Texas — Two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley spent most of his seven-year NFL career, the first six of them with the New York Giants, where he shared the backfield with mid-major quarterback Daniel Jones. But the Giants didn’t. They don’t have top-level receivers who respect opposing defenses.
In the first season of a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley is running like a weight has been lifted. Hs recorded 925 rushing yards, the fifth-most in history, in his first eight games with the team. The accomplishment puts Barkley on pace for 1,965 rushing yards, which would break the Eagles’ single-season record of 1,607, set in 2013 by LeSean McCoy. Barkley also averages an NFL-high 133.9 scrimmage yards per game after rushing for 199-159 yards. In Week 9, he had 27 carries and 40 receptions with three catches in a 28-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Saquon is playing as well as I’ve seen him play,” Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Eagles at AT&T Stadium. .
Three of Barkley’s seven career single-game rush totals came in his first eight games as an Eagle, and he averaged 2.5 yards per rush by contract, the most of any running back this season. They are 3rd in the league. That’s significantly higher than his 2,023 yards per rush to contact, which ranked 32nd among running backs last season.
Playing with a two-way quarterback in Jalen Hurts that actually scares defenses, a Philly-vaunted offensive line, and two talented receivers in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, Barkley’s potential is the last of his high potential. part was released. In the words of Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher and fellow former PSU standout Micah Parsons, the former Penn State star is playing “peacefully.”
“It’s his confidence, brother. His confidence in people is going to make the right blocks. He’s just playing reads. He’s playing running back very peacefully,” Parsons said. he said on Wednesday. “A lot of people doubted he could have that much success, but just like he did in his rookie year (he teamed up with Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018), he put a weapon on his outside. If you put it down, you can’t stack boxes against him. Let’s be real.” You play against the Giants, put eight in the box, and say, “Beat me with the weapons you got.” I am. Once he got help here, the same thing happened with (Christian) McCaffrey (when he joined the San Francisco 49ers). When those talented backs come into their team, you can’t stack that box. Even with the system, it’s always good to see people get back on track. ”
Not only is Barkley returning to his prime with the Giants, he’s doing something he’s never done before. Hurdles the defender backwards Sunday against the Jaguars. I can’t help but be drawn to that type of player. That’s why Barkley played a key role in recruiting Parsons to Penn State in 2017. It was Berkeley’s last year of college and Parsons’ last year of high school in Pennsylvania.
“That was tough. He was always so exciting,” Parsons said. “He was a big part of why I went to Penn State. He’s a really exciting guy. (He) was just kind of preaching to me about the right steps. If you step up and do the right thing, good things can happen. I was excited to see what he was doing.”
However, Mr. Parsons Has not played since Week 4 due to ankle sprain.revealed that he did not text Barkley after the highlight reel hurdle as the Eagles visit the Cowboys in Week 10.
“No, no, no, no, no, it’s a rivalry. It’s a big brother, but he knows come game day we’re not friends anymore,” Parsons said.
After starting the season 2-2, including a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, something clicked for Philadelphia. The Eagles are currently on a four-game winning streak, with Hurts totaling 12 touchdowns and no turnovers and Barkley having an NFL-best 490 rushing yards since Week 6. Still, Parsons doesn’t think the Eagles’ style of play has changed much. throughout the season.
“I can’t say they’re doing anything different,” Parsons said. “I think they trust their system. They know they have explosive players. They can make explosive plays. They’re doing a good job managing the clock. They’re still using Jaylen’s legs. They have Saquon, but they (Brown and Smith) are the most dynamic in the NFL. Obviously he’s a great player, but I don’t think this is the same Eagles team. The Saquon Barkley factor is paying dividends for them. ”
Barkley is certainly waiting for the big play to happen. His 12 runs of 15 yards or more are second-most among running backs in the league. So how does the Cowboys defense, which allows the third-most rushing yards in the NFL (147.8 yards) and averages the second-highest average missed tackle percentage (30.1%), slow down their longtime NFC East rival? Maybe? Basically, learn the correct tackling technique and pray.
“We’re just attacking their legs. We know it’s tough,” Parsons said. “He’s like a big brother to me, but at the end of the day, I know he’s going to go with it. He knows I’m going to go with it. So it’s going to be an exciting matchup. Dew.”
