Saquon Barkley gained’t be slowed by contract friction with Giants

There are indicators contained in the New York Soccer Giants facility that blare for all to see: We Is Higher Than Me.

Nobody has honored these phrases greater than Saquon Barkley.

And three of his fellow captains — Daniel Jones, Xavier McKinney and Andrew Thomas — to not point out everybody else inside 1925 Giants Drive, from GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll on down, expect nothing less from Barkley, for 5 years The Final Big.

However in some unspecified time in the future within the season, there exists the chance that Saquon Barkley should confront The $11 million query:

Will We Be Higher Than Me as a lot for him because it assuredly will likely be for Jones (4 years, $160M), Dexter Lawrence (4 years, $90M) and now for Thomas, who strolled in on Wednesday with a five-year, $117.5M cope with a record-breaking $67M in assured cash for offensive tackles? Barkley obtained synthetic sweeteners to his one-year, $10.1M deal as incentives to indicate up on time for coaching camp.

Will the prideful Barkley run offended to show the Giants flawed or show himself proper when the sobering working again actuality within the NFL inevitably reminds him that he can’t afford to run with reckless abandon along with his Big For Life dream extra of a protracted shot than it has ever been?

Human nature being what it’s, will he push himself to the restrict and play harm for teammates and followers he loves if a playoff berth is on the road, or if it isn’t?

Requested if he has any concern about Barkley’s state of mind, McKinney mentioned: “No, by no means. I do know who he’s, everyone knows who he’s. He’s a employee, he’s a workhorse, he by no means is complacent, he by no means received complacent, so we all know what he’s gonna convey.”

Barkley’s teammates, his coaches, his entrance workplace, his homeowners, are taking it to the financial institution that The Final Big will depart the grim darkness of failed negotiations within the rearview mirror and run to sunlight for them and with them. They’re relying on him to proceed to be one of many sport’s nice opponents.

“I believe he’s been himself,” Jones mentioned. “He’s excited to be right here, he’s come to work, he’s the identical chief, the identical presence within the locker room. I believe that speaks to him as a man, his character, his professionalism and simply who he’s and the way vital the staff is to him. He understands his function on it and the way impactful he may be on others.”

Barkley likes to make use of doubters, perceived or in any other case, as motivation. Previous to his return to excellence final season, he mentioned this on the 2ndWind Podcast:

“Persons are attempting to write down me off. … what? F–okay all people. I’m able to go loopy. And I’m [going to] let the world really feel me.”

And the soccer world clearly did.

“He’s a pacesetter on this staff, he’s an influential man, and somebody who units the usual and units the instance of what it’s imagined to seem like,” Jones mentioned. “It’s superior to have him again.”

Schoen and Daboll seconded that emotion. Who wouldn’t?

“Saquon and I’ve a very good relationship,” Daboll mentioned. “We’ve communicated quite a bit. And he’s right here. He’s able to go, he’s excited to be right here, and I’m excited that he’s right here.”

Barkley in all probability ought to have employed a few of his fellow captains as his brokers.

“He’s a kind of guys the place he’s a generational expertise,” McKinney mentioned. “Simply glad to have him.”

Thomas’ most important job is preserving Jones upright. However opening holes for the devalued working backs is a giant a part of the job description as effectively.

“I do suppose he’s an amazing participant,” Thomas mentioned. “Clearly he’s explosive. I hope the perfect for him in his scenario, however all I can do is simply deal with being the perfect teammate I can for him.”

There was one play in Wednesday’s follow when Barkley juked inside after which darted towards the sideline to make a sprawling inbounds catch of a Jones bullet towards McKinney.

Giants followers within the bleachers, lots of them carrying No. 26 jerseys, roared. A kind of followers, a younger man carrying an No. 90 jersey named Kareem Reyad, held up an indication that learn “Saquon My Ex Will Take Me Again If You Signal This.”

“It was catch,” McKinney mentioned, and smiled. “However it’s one other a kind of issues, 7-on-7, no stress. In order that they received 30 seconds to throw the ball, so I’m not an excessive amount of frightened about it.”

Barkley was not made out there to the media.

“That was an amazing play he made there on the sideline, and he has the flexibility to do these issues and make performs within the move sport,” Jones mentioned. “Clearly as a runner, but in addition within the move sport.”

Greater than a working again, be happy to name him Saquon Discount.

“He’s a professional, he’s in form, and I wouldn’t anticipate something completely different out of Saquon,” Schoen mentioned.

That is how Barkley trolled McKinney afterward on the follow discipline: “I gained the day.”

Truly, Schoen gained the day by locking up his franchise left tackle … and naturally by determining a approach to get Barkley into camp.

“We’re fired up about it,” Schoen mentioned. “We’re a greater soccer staff with Saquon right here to start out coaching camp.”

Thomas gained the day along with his personal Big For Life extension. Barkley gained the day largely as a result of he was again the place he belongs, enjoying the sport he loves along with his teammates. Many days forward for him to win. Many days forward for him to be the Saquon Barkley he has all the time been. WeQuan. Not MeQuan.