JUST STEW’ IT
Jonathan Stewart did not arrive on the scene and immediately hand out a syllabus, assign textbooks to read and announce his tutoring schedule. He has a locker, not an office. He is a player, not a coach.
The veteran Stewart will be asked to run and catch the ball, to block when called upon. He will also spend the bulk of his time with Saquon Barkley, 21, and Wayne Gallman, 23, and the Giants expect there to be a transfer of information, lifting up all the inhabitants of the running back room.
“Yeah, I think at some point, whether you’re a rookie, whether you’re an 11-year guy, there’s always time to learn, there’s always time to share advice and wisdom that’s gained through experience,’’ Stewart said last week. “There’s younger guys that might experience things different than I have, so there’s always room for me to learn, too.’’
Barkley, the prized rookie, and Gallman, the second-year back, might be able to school Stewart as to what the young guys are listening to nowadays and perhaps provide a few social media/technology tips. Stewart has a decade of NFL insight to share and the Giants are banking on that experience overshadowing the wearand-tear associated with carrying the ball and taking hits during 10 years with the Panthers.
“I mean, my age says I’m 31, but really, I feel I’m as productive as if I’m 26, 25,’’ Stewart said. “And that’s just as realistic as it gets.’’
Whether that is realistic or athletic poetic license remains to be seen. In 2017, Stewart averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry and his next rushing attempt in the regular season will be the 1,700th of his career. He comes to the Giants at a time in his life when most NFL running backs are former NFL running backs. During his four years in Carolina, general manager Dave Gettleman saw what Stewart can do, on and off the field, and wanted him to be a part of his first team with the Giants. That the Giants gave Stewart a two-year, $6.8 million contract, with $3.45 million in guaranteed money, indicates they expect him to be a contributor, considering they signed him before selecting Barkley with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.
Of course, the Giants locked in on Barkley early in the draft evaluation process and it certainly did not blindside Stewart when the former Penn State phenom burst onto the scene.
“It was a good pick,’’ Stewart said, chuckling.
At 5-foot-10 and 240 pounds, perhaps Stewart can absorb some of the pounding as he picks up first downs in short-yardage situations and bangs in a few touchdowns around the goal line, easing some of the rookie load on Barkley. As a running back role model, Stewart knows all about sharing — he was part of a 1-2 punch with DeAngelo Williams for seven seasons with the Panthers — and says he is willing to impart what he knows to the younger backs.
“I’ll share a little bit of my wisdom with all of the guys that have questions,’’ Stewart said. “The main thing is just take care of your body. I can’t say it enough.’’
As for the best initial advice he can offer, Stewart said: “Respect the process. When it comes to learning the offense, just give yourself some time and be dedicated to it. You only get what you put in.’’
Barkley, despite the immense expectations and hoopla, appears to be a willing student.
“Stewart is an awesome dude,’’ Barkley said. “Obviously he is a great vet. I’m just over here trying to watch him, trying to learn from him every single day and all the vets and all the running backs let me come in with open arms and it’s been great.’’
The relationship is new and budding, and Stewart’s initial observations of Barkley are all positive.
“He’s a smart football player, he picks things up very fast,’’ Stewart said. “He’s explosive and he’s really good in his route running. That’s one of the things that he’s really focused on, is his ability to run routes.’’
Just as this is all new for Barkley, Stewart, too, has an adjustment to make as he heads into NFL season No. 11 in something of a caretaker role.
“I know they drafted Saquon in the first round, so you know he’s got a lot of expectations and stuff like that,’’ Stewart said. “But as far as my preparation for this game, it’s never going to change. It’s always prepare to be the starter because you never know when your name’s going to get called.’’