[jwplayer CyWAa1YN-ThvAeFxT]
Losing isn’t fun and the New York Giants are miserable for a reason, and that includes running back Saquon Barkley, who has dealt with a high ankle sprain and lacking production this season.
With a bye week to ponder his woes and heal his aches, Barkley feels healthy and rejuvenated entering a Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears, and promises to return to his dominant self by just letting loose and having fun.
“I”m just going to go back to having fun,” Barkley said, via NJ Advance Media. “Watching film of myself, I allowed — I don’t know what it was — for me not to be me. That’s what I’m getting back to this week. I’m going to go out there and ball and have fun.”
When Barkley is having fun, precious few running backs in the game are better. But on the opposite end of that spectrum, when he’s not enjoying himself, he gains one yard on 13 carries.
Perhaps a few conversations with his Father during the bye have cured those ails.
“That’s the message my Dad told me my whole life,” Barkley said. “When people tried to change my running style in high school, so I’m just going to have fun. That’s the biggest thing, have fun and play like you’re a little kid.”
Ultimately, Barkley admits his performance this season has been up and down at best — he often finds himself trying to do too much or not nearly enough.
“I think there’s times where I didn’t do quite enough,” Barkley said. “Say, if a guy got beat too quick, I’d take what the defense gave me and I won’t say go down with ease, but I was more concerned with securing the ball and living for another down. But, there are times when I can do what I do best and make that person miss.
“I’m not worried about pressing, I’m not worried about doing too much, I’m worried about going back and playing the way I’ve played my whole life.”
Barkley will have the opportunity to get himself back on track this Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.
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