New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley knows he has a lot of making up to do. To himself, to the Giants and to the fans.
After a breakout rookie season in 2018, Barkley had the next three seasons ruined by injuries. He is healthy now and is poised to prove that he is still the elite player the Giants thought they had.
“The last two years not going how I wanted, I kind of have been reflecting on that,” Barkley told reporters on Thursday after practice. “Everything happens for a reason; everything happens for a reason.
“So, the adversity, the injuries that were put in my way these last two years, God has a bigger plan and it’s all going to work out. So, coming up on this year, Year 5, for me I just want to, as I said in my first interview when I talked to you guys this year, 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.”
The Giants plan on using Barkley in a multitude of ways. He appears to be in excellent physical condition and will get his touches both as a rusher and a receiver.
“I just want to be a versatile player and do whatever I can to help the team win,” Barkley said. “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. 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.”
