New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was visible and uncharacteristically frustrated following a 34-27 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, refusing to answer certain questions and deliberately avoiding others while appearing completely dejected.
“We just have to get better. The Jets played a heck of a game. We get to go on a bye week, get to reflect on myself and move on,” Barkley curiously stated when asked how he was feeling physically.
In addition to a high ankle sprain that continues to hamper him, Barkley was sent for X-rays on his shoulder following the Week 10 defeat, but he had literally no interest in discussing it when pressed.
“Next question,” Barkley said bluntly.
Barkley finished the game with a career-low one yard rushing on 13 carries, which included -13 yards before first contact and 11 of his 13 carries leading to a hit in the backfield. He was routinely running up the back of his offensive linemen and was unable to get himself into space at any point.
“Frustration, disappointment, anger, everything you said. No one wants to be 2-8, no one wants to have a losing record. Everyone’s upset, everyone’s frustrated,” Barkley said of his emotions.
Outside of his poor offensive production, Barkley was an obvious liability in pass protection, finding himself spelled by Wayne Gallman on obvious pass plays later in the game.
One of Barkley’s missteps included being run over by Jets safety Jamal Adams, who proceeded to walk right up to Daniel Jones, yank the ball out of his arms and return it for a touchdown.
“Jamal Adams beat me, it’s as simple as that. He’s a heck of a player, all pro. I didn’t really want to switch jerseys with him at the end of the game, I jokingly told him that,” Barkley said. “[He’s] one of my good friends, one of my boys. He’s a hell of a player, much respect to him. I have to be better there.”
It’s clear that Barkley is currently a shell of himself and is being hampered by injuries and an offensive scheme that simply doesn’t match his style of play. At this point, it might behoove the Giants and Barkley to shut things down for the season and start again fresh in 2020.
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