The lengths that Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons went to in his offseason (and off-site) workouts looking to up his game and his weight are well-documented, but he wasn’t the only one.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley took a similar approach to get opposite results on the scale, putting in time with his trainer in Arizona and dropping five or six pounds from his frame. The hope is it will help his speed and effectiveness in the New York passing game in 2023.
“I want to take it to a whole other level and be special,” Barkley said.
Sounds a lot like the bulked-up Parsons, who had this to say to reporters this week at The Star:
“My mindset is always that we’re the best D-line in the world. And each week, each Sunday, you’ve got a chance to go out there and perform and show why you’re the best in the world.”
On Sunday, the two heat-seeking missiles will clash- quite literally- at MetLife Stadium when the Cowboys and Giants renew their division rivalry to kick off their 2023 schedules.
Barkley is coming off a year that saw him turn in career-bests in carries and rushing yards, in a 16-game effort that marked his first injury-free season since his rookie campaign of 2018.
But Barkley and the Giants were unable to reach a long-term contract deal over the offseason, meaning the back will play 2023 on a one-year franchise tag. The 26-year-old says he’s moved on, but he admits there’s a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
“My back is against the wall again,” he told ESPN. “I have to go out there and prove it. I’m going to go out there and play my heart out, compete at a high level, do what I do best, not just for myself but for my teammates.”
But he’ll have to start that journey against an old friend.
Parsons and Barkley caught up last weekend at their alma mater’s football opener.
“We talked a good amount about it,” Parsons admitted. “He’s excited; he’s talking about his new running style, how he’s going back to the ‘Penn State Saquon,’ things like that. But we both know it’s all love at the end of the day. He’s like a big brother to me. He’s a big reason why I committed to Penn State, and I’m always looking forward to playing him.”
PSU warm-up: Micah Parsons gets his point across to Saquon Barkley during a pregame fan appearance/beer pong game. pic.twitter.com/BgJN1KwSbg
— Frank Bodani (@YDRPennState) September 2, 2023
Parsons may have more reason to look forward to it than Barkley, who is 0-8 lifetime against the Cowboys in his NFL career.
He’s done damage, though, compiling a 4.88 yards-per-carry average and adding another 7-plus yards per reception in those matchups.
But while Parsons has never lost to the Giants, he’s not looking past this installment of the traditional series.
“I really don’t focus on last year because everyone has the same opportunity as me to get better. I’m pretty sure their guys over there got better,” Parsons offered.
“The Giants aren’t just a walkover team. I think they put together a great offseason, just like we did. They’ve got great guys who they already had, and the rivalry just makes it so much harder.”
In fact, with expectations for both clubs sky-high following playoff appearances last year, Parsons maintains that this early-season NFC East grudge match will carry even more juice than usual.
“This is like a Super Bowl.”
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And that may help explain why the third-year veteran, already among the faces of the league and one of the top defensive players in the sport, might be feeling a slight case of the jitters leading into Sunday night’s kickoff.
“I’m just super exited to get to Sunday,” Parsons explained. “A little anxious, obviously, not being able to get my feet wet yet like some other guys. But ready to just get my hands on and let it loose.”
And once he gets past the pre-game handshakes, the fact that his “big brother” will be trying to ram the ball down his throat won’t matter at all.
“Everyone gets the same smoke,” Parsons promised. “It doesn’t matter if we’re in Wisconsin, if we’re in Boston: I’m treating everybody the same.”
So if No. 11 gets a direct shot at his old friend in the open field come Sunday night in New York, Barkley may wish he had those five or six pounds back at the moment of impact.
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