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What a bounce-back year for Saquon Barkley means for the NY Giants

By Toby Grundy

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 05: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 08: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants walks off the field after the team’s mandatory minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 08: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants walks off the field after the team’s mandatory minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

NY Giants Play-calling

We don’t need to spend too much time talking about how ineffective the Giants’ offense was under Garrett. If you are reading this, you likely watched at least one New York game over the last year, something I’m sure was not very entertaining from an offensive perspective. There is now reason to be optimistic, however.

In 2021, Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka, in Buffalo and Kansas City respectively, were both key parts of offenses which finished within the Top 5 in the league in total yards. In comparison, New York finished 31st in the league for the same category, only returning more yards than the Houston Texans. A healthy Barkley, in a system which promises to be far more creative and entertaining than under the previous regime, brings reason for optimism surrounding the talented back’s future in New York.

What does a bounce back mean for the Giants?

The most obvious answer is an increase in production on the ground. The Giants averaged under 100 rushing yards per game in 2021, with Barkley finishing joint-top rusher with since released Devontae Booker (593 rushing yards). In comparison, the pair combined for fewer yards than Barkley rushed for alone in his 2018 rookie season.

With a seemingly healthy and motivated Barkley, as well as the personnel and scheme changes mentioned earlier, there is reason to believe he should see over 1,000 yards on the ground once again. Perhaps the most alarming rushing statistic for the Giants in 2021, however, was their inability to score on the ground.

The G-Men finished with an equal league-low eight rushing touchdowns on the season. To compare again to Barkley’s rookie season, he scored 11 touchdowns on the ground himself, adding a further four through the air.

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