While Barkley had a career-worst night running the ball, his struggles in pass defense should most likely the be the larger issue. Its an issue Barkley needs to repair quickly, otherwise he may not be a true three-down running back.
New York Giants fans certainly have a “love-hate” relationship with previous Giants running back Tiki Barber.
Well, Tiki may simply be at it again after he said that Saquon Barkley “might not be an every-down back” following the Giants 26-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
But Barkley doesnt acknowledge the blitz up until Hilton is through the left B-gap and he simply cant recover in time to do anything but dive at Hiltons heels. That sack ended the Giants drive, and the resulting field position helped establish the touchdown which put the Steelers up by 16 with 5:28 left in the game.
I learned this early on in my career, because I was a third down back before I was a star running back, if you cant block, you cant be on the field on third down. Saquon Barkley is a big male, and he doesnt want to hit anyone. Barkley starts the play by moving to help Andrew Thomas obstruct Bud Dupree, which would have been fine if the blitz wasnt on. Barkley did determine Adams as a blitzer, however he seemed to try and simply capture him. Adams is a great player, but Barkley is bigger, stronger, more powerful, and has more natural take advantage of.
” He can not pass protect, and it is starting to become glaring,” Barber said on the Tiki and Tierney Show. “It was probably the only issue he had being available in to the NFL, due to the fact that he wasnt asked to do it at Penn State. And now you see him diving on the ground, not sticking his head into individualss chest. Its going to be a liability, since individuals see it not, its on tape, and its going to come out.
I discovered this early on in my profession, due to the fact that I was a third down back before I was a star running back, if you cant block, you cant be on the field on third down. Saquon Barkley is a huge male, and he does not want to strike any person. That is frustrating to enjoy, hes an excellent back, however hes irritating to enjoy attempting to pass safeguard.”
The most glaring was the sack by Mike Hilton at the start of the 4th quarter.
Barkley starts the play by relocating to assist Andrew Thomas obstruct Bud Dupree, which would have been fine if the blitz wasnt on. Nevertheless, you can see Hiltons helmet develop into the backfield a few times before the breeze of the ball, while the security on that side of the field moves over the slot. That should a minimum of be an idea that the Steelers are sending out pressure– especially in the context of a game in which they were blitzing extremely frequently (61 percent of drop-backs, per NextGenStats).
On one hand, its easy to keep in mind Barber as an all-time terrific Giant and among the finest offensive players in the teams history. On the other hand, his desire to make controversial declarations– either properly or improperly– sustains the wrath of fans.
And as Tiki states, this isnt a new issue for Barkley. The most notorious play of his young career can be found in pass security.
Tiki has a point here. There were a variety of plays Monday night when Barkley either stopped working to acknowledge a blitz or appropriately fulfill the Steelers blitzers when he was in pass protection.
Barkley did identify Adams as a blitzer, however he appeared to attempt and just capture him. Adams is an excellent player, but Barkley is bigger, more powerful, more effective, and has more natural leverage. He should not have actually been overpowered like that.
