This is the best NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley has looked since a torn ACL ended his season during week 2 of the 2020 season.
The NY Giants posted some very encouraging content for their fans when they showed Saquon Barkley making some hard cuts during agility drills on the beach Tuesday.
To put it bluntly; Barkley looked like his old self.
The 6-foot 233-pound running back moves abnormally quick for a running back of his size and strength.
https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1407465924521775106
The low impact of the sand allows Barkley more forgiveness when making cuts. It is apparent that Saquon and his team are being smart about his rehab process. Although the former All-Pro running back sustained his injury on September 20th vs. the Bears, he waited until October 30th of last year to have his surgery. It is common practice for athletes to wait for the swelling to go all the way down before they go under the knife.
Despite some exciting additions to the offense this offseason, Barkley should still be a major focal point of the offense in 2021. That should make Daniel Jones very happy. In 10 games Jones and Barkley have played together, DJ has 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. In 17 starts he has without his All-Pro RB, Jones has 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Will Barkley immediately return to his All-Pro form when he takes the field this season? It is too early to tell, but there is some precedent on his side.
Adrian Peterson tore his in October 2011 and came back nine months later. In 2012, Mr. All-Day Peterson had 13 TDs and 2,097 yards (8 yards away from the all-time record) on his way to winning the MVP.
At the same time, it is paramount that Barkley and the coaching staff don’t rush it. Robert Griffin III was never the same after rushing back from a similar injury. That being said, the video posted today is very encouraging. Saquon is still just 24 years old, and if the NY Giants play it smart, there is no reason that we won’t soon see the Barkley of old.