This has been a trying season for the New York Giants (4-8) and their fans. The media pool that covers the team has been hard-pressed to put their finger on the pulse of exactly where and when the wheels came flying off the wagon on this team that was considered a playoff contender just three months ago.
One of the ‘go-to’ voices in the Giants’ locker room has been Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley, who has held the company line all year after the team failed to commit long-term to him this past offseason.
This week, Barkley was named the Giants’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award which goes to players who “excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game in their communities.”
Barkley has had a fine season thus far despite missing three games due to an ankle injury and playing through a hyperextended elbow.
This week, he brushed aside his personal accomplishments to talk more about the Giants’ chances this season even though he may not be here in 2024.
“We’re in this, to be honest,” Barkley said of the Giants being just two games out of a wild card spot.
“I’m going to keep it real. We’re not looking too far, we’re not looking in on the hunt or the playoff pictures, but we take care of what we’ve got to take care of, everyone can say what they want about the season, but it’s week whatever and everything we want is still there. So, we don’t need any extra motivation. Every game is a critical game no matter what, but especially now.”
The Giants face the Green Bay Packers, who are currently riding a three-game winning streak and in the final wild card spot as of this week. Barkley talked about the current state of the Giants and their optimism at the moment.
“So, Monday night, you’ve got a team who’s hot. I think they what, won the last three or four games? And we won our last two games. No more excuses,” he said. “Tommy DeVito is not a rookie quarterback anymore. He’s going into his fourth start. Injuries, we’ve got guys getting healthier. Everything we want is there.
“We were a team last year that was able to find a way to make it into the playoffs, and that’s still our goal. Every team’s goal at the beginning of the season is to make it to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl, and statistically and mathematically we’re still in it.”
Barkley remains a bright spot in this otherwise dismal season and his outlook on life — both in and out of football — will be missed should he not return next season.
“I’m one of those guys that if I’m in a fight and I got my butt kicked for 11 rounds, the 12th round, in my head, if I still compete, if I could knock you out and get the win, then that’s how it’s going to happen,” he said. “So, I kept saying until we’re completely out of this thing I still believe. Even when you’re out of this thing, you’ve still got a job to do. It’s not too hard to look at. I don’t think it’s too hard to figure it out. That’s how I look at it and that’s what I firmly believe in.”
Keep the faith, Giant fans.
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