The New York Giants offense has been a bit sluggish to start training camp but there have been some positive signs.
One such positive comes by way of running back Saquon Barkley, who aims to rebound after three injury-plagued seasons. And so far, he looks a lot like the player the Giants drafted second overall in 2018.
Early in camp, Barkley shined as a receiver out of the backfield. But on Monday as the pads came on, he took things to an entirely different level.
Saquonnnn 💨 pic.twitter.com/sgUtVeDBWH
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 1, 2022
Giants worked lot on running game first day of padded practices. Saquon Barkley looks explosive.
First-team offense didn’t make many plays in pass game. Had Daniel Jones 5-of-13 passing. Only big pass play was his first pass to rookie Wan’Dale Robinson, who continues to shine.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 1, 2022
Saquon Barkley looks really good and was hitting the hole hard in the first day of full pads and running the ball.
Offense runs well with Shane Lemieux at C & Josh Ezeudu at LG
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) August 1, 2022
“I just want to be a versatile player and do whatever I can to help the team win. Whatever coach asks me to do, I’m going to go out there and try my best at it. Whatever I need to work on, continue to work on, and just evolve my game,” Barkley told reporters as camp opened. “That’s something I want to do, become an overall better player, and I think this offense is giving me the opportunity to do that, so, I’m thankful and blessed to have that. So, for me, I’ve just got to take advantage of it by getting in the facility taking extra meeting time and learning the playbook.
“I just want to show the Giants that they guy that they drafted is still here. I can still go out there and make the plays and help my team be successful. That’s the only thing I am focused on. Take care of myself, take care of my body, take care of my mental, and try to be the best teammate I can be.”
So far, Barkley is doing exactly that. He’s been impressive on the ground, through the air and as a blocker. He seems completely healthy and confident in himself, and that can mean only good things for the Giants.
