Giants playing Saquon Barkley in preseason would be madness

With every step now, with every cut now, with every road he walks now, with every day that passes now, the sight of Saquon Barkley looking more and more like Saquon Barkley, feeling more and more like Saquon Barkley, makes the hearts of the giants run and sing.

When there’s a bounce in No.26’s stride, there’s a bounce in every Giants stride.

They are all fed up with the agony of defeat, from owners all the way down, and it’s a triumphant return to Saquon Barkley’s playing field almost a year after his devastating ripped ACL that will send an electric shock. across the entire organization.

Finally removed from the PUP roster, a grueling rehab still in progress, the Giants can suddenly dream the sweet dream of putting their mate back on the pitch for Week 1. And Barkley can dream now too. “You are really hopeful,” he said.

A Monday afternoon full of hope: One small step for Saquon, one giant step for Giantkind… finally.

As desperate and hungry as the Giants are to make their fans proud again, to be Giants again, they will continue to err on the side of caution and do whatever it takes for their franchise, and no one will complain.

The Giants, common sense would tell you, aren’t interested in a fleeting moment of inspiration from Willis Reed.

They’re interested in Barkley continuing the “gold jacket” career GM Dave Gettleman envisioned when he armed the analyst crowd and made Barkley the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

That’s why they have to keep him in mothballs until the games start to count… or until the appointed moment when Barkley no longer has to be protected from himself.

The judge was asked if he would be okay with playing Barkley in a preseason game.

“Theoretically, yes,” he said. “Yes I am, absolutely. “

The judge referred to his time in New England and added, “And to be honest with you, I experienced it. Look, there was a day where I had to come in and say to Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas and Julian Edelman, ‘Hey, you three are going to play against the Giants in Preseason 4 because you don’t. ‘didn’t do anything competitive in camp training.’ “

I believe when things come to pass, the judge will say to hell with that theory.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said a few days ago that there was “no chance” his new quarterback, Marthew Stafford, would play in the preseason. Bingo!

“The thing is, before you get hit in the first game at full speed when the speed increases, we want to go out there and get used to the tempo of the game, the pace of the game. take, get yourself a hit, get the feel of being tackled, ”Judge said. “So, am I trying to put Saquon into something that won’t be in his best interest?” Absolutely not, but at some point the doctors say, “He’s ready to play,” and if we have the opportunity to bring him in at some point, we will. But I’m not going to rush this schedule.

Good. It would be foolish to press on it. Barkley is the jewel in the crown, the face of the franchise and an invaluable investment, and Judge and everyone knows it.

Barkley himself conceded he would be comfortable going for Week 1 without any pre-season action. There were no preseason games in 2020, of course.

“The year before, I don’t think I played in one,” he said. “My rookie year, I played in one, I had like two litters. So I wouldn’t be really worried about that if I didn’t play preseason because I know the coaches and training staff and strength staff wouldn’t let me out if I didn’t show them something. thing that I’m ‘I’m able to go out there and on the one hand protect myself, and also go out there and compete at a high level for my teammates.

The judge is smart enough to simulate the practices enough to prepare Barkley for the real thing.

“One thing about me, I’m all for anything that will help the team win,” said Barkley. “If they think that’s what I need to do to recover whenever I can come back for my team, I’m ready to do it.”

He implicitly trusts the judge, the doctors, and the strength and conditioning staff. Does he think he can be ready for Game 1?

“I don’t know,” Barkley said. “Obviously you know how I am as a competitor. I’m pretty sure you know what my thinking process is, but at the same time I’m very lucky to play for an amazing coach and an amazing organization that actually thinks of me and thinks about the rest of my career and the longevity of my life. career and don’t feel pressured.

He wore white leggings over those weird saquads and moved well at his usual 230 pounds. We cannot say that he was operated on less than 10 months ago. But he’s not fit for football yet, and he’s not as confident in his right knee – no brace – as he will be.

He strove to fight alongside his brothers. And happy to run and do push-ups with them as a team leader after the infamous team brawl.

“I believe we will have a very special year,” said Barkley. “I think that’s one of the things we’re going to be able to come back to, I would say it really helped us come together.”

Barkley in his blue No.26 jersey was a sight to sore giants eyes. He joked that he felt like a rookie again. They broke his lips. Barkley, with a big smile: “’Whoa, who is this?’ Shaking my hand, introducing himself.

It doesn’t need to be introduced. Only football, and not until the matches start to count.