Saquon Barkley was a big fan of NY Giants’ big practice fight

Saquon Barkley says he believes the full-team fight could be a seminal moment for a successful 2021 NFL season for the NY Giants 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Saquon Barkley is among the loudest NY Giants players during a given practice, isn’t afraid to celebrate his teammates making a big play, and last week he very nearly sprinted into a full-team brawl.

“I wasn’t even sure if I was allowed to do that,” Barkley joked, when asked if he gave any thought in that instance to jump into the fight.

While some immediately questioned whether the fight would harbor any ill-will or create any sort of locker room division, Barkley says he actually believes the fight will bring the NY Giants much closer.

"“I know the fight was a big deal in the media,” Barkley said, following Monday’s practice, his first back on the field with his teammates. “But when you can leave that all on the field, and in the locker room we were all joking and laughing about it … I mentioned to some of the guys on the team; I do believe we are going to have a very special year, and that’s going to be a moment we look back on that helped bring us together and push us towards some things we can accomplish.”"

As for the heat of the moment, Barkley says he didn’t mind participating in the punishment — sets of 100-yard sprints and 10-pushups on the coach’s whistle, even though he was a spectator to the punches and what led to them.

“I’m still part of the team,” Barkley said.

Barkley hopes, and believes, that the NY Giants can be a special team … And one he’s hopeful he can be on the field with Week 1.

Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com