If this was his last dance in blue — and if Giants management knows anything about locker room readings, it probably isn't — it would be an elegant addition to Saquon Barkley. It was the last waltz.
If you choose to be a cynic and say it's Sunday where did this come from A 27-10 loss to the playoff-bound Eagles (who had lost 13 of their previous 15 meetings) was just three wasted hours in a season that went nowhere a few weeks ago. Well, that's certainly your prerogative.
If you think there was any playoff talk before Thanksgiving and the Giants playing Sunday at MetLife Stadium, tell that to Barkley.
Because when the Giants' soul jet-swept into the end zone from two yards out and carried Eagles safety Reed Blankenship like a backpack for a second-quarter touchdown and 10 points, Because it didn't look like it. -0 Giants lead.
If you're assuming the Giants, who were 5-11 at the start of the day, were already done with the season, that assumption doesn't get old.
Because on the next game, Barkley took a pitch from quarterback Tyrod Taylor and scored his second touchdown of the game from 3 yards left, hitting Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham with a nifty throw on the way. Because it didn't look like that when I stopped it. The Giants take a 17-0 lead.
Barkley has been upset with the way Giants management treated him dating back to the offseason when they placed the franchise tag on him before ultimately giving him a one-year, $11 million contract, but the passion for caring If you thought you lost, you thought wrong.
Because when he hit Blankenship on a 46-yard catch-and-run play down the left sideline, and on the next play Taylor set up a scoring pass to Darius Slayton for a 24-0 Giants lead. Because it didn't look like that.
The NFL currently evaluates running backs at the same level as stadium parking attendants and ticket takers, so Sunday could very well be Barkley's last game in a Giants uniform.
Barkley's final numbers for the game (46 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 51 yards receiving) weren't dominant, but he played a key role with three TDs in the first half and was out of the game by halftime. I set it.
“If this is his last game as a Giant, I'm glad it turned out the way it did,” Slayton said. “He went out the same player he's always been since he's been here: explosive, scoring touchdowns, making big plays, showing he's the player we thought he was. “I hope this is not his last game here.''
Guard Justin Pugh was bullish on Barkley returning in 2024.
“He embodies what this series is all about,” Pugh told the Post. “He's a lifelong giant. He comes in with two touchdowns and a win against Philadelphia. [against whom Barkley was 1-9 in his career] That's a good method. Clearly, he has a lot left in him.
“Hopefully a deal can be worked out and he can come back and really be a Giant for life. There aren't many players who impact a team as much as he does.”
When I continued to ask about imagining Barkley wearing a uniform other than Giants blue, Pugh interrupted the question and said: He's a lifelong giant. They will close the deal. If I had to predict, they'd make a deal and he'd be back here. ”
Barkley was drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft by then-GM Dave Gettleman and has since taken every step forward, done all the right things and represented the franchise at an unparalleled level. So it was always incredible to see him wear a different uniform.
“He's touched by the hand of God,” Gettleman famously said upon drafting Barkley.
But over his six seasons here, Barkley has had more bad luck than God, losing the 2020 season to a knee injury that affected his 2021 season as well. He too was plagued by his ankle injury and had enough wins (one playoff game) and too many losses (34-64-1).
Barkley said after the game, “Even if it's my last game to play here, if that's the case, it's been a fun six years.” “[I] I have a lot of great memories, but this won't be my last time playing soccer. If I had known this was my last game, I probably would have felt a little differently. ”
Speaking to reporters Wednesday ahead of Sunday's final game, Barkley acknowledged that it was “obviously possible” that this could be his last game as a Giant, and that his plan for Sunday was to “cherish the moment and be on the field.” It’s about going out and trying.” To leave in good shape. ”
He did it.
