Barkley: Need to ‘be more physical’ to improve run game
EAST RUTHERFORD » Through two games, Saquon Barkley is on pace for 1,888 all-purpose yards. He has already set a franchise record for receptions in a single game. His 233-pound frame has dazzled with jukes and power moves.
And yet, the Giants are not scoring points and not winning. They are 3-15 since the beginning of last season, with many of the same offensive problems surfacing even after New York drafted a generational running back No. 2 overall.
“I guess you can say I’m a little surprised, because if you just look at the talent around us and the coaching staff we should be producing, but that’s football,” Barkley said Wednesday. “It’s going to take us some time to figure it out. Hopefully we can get back to practice this week and continue to get better from this week. I think once we get clicking, all the rest of the noise will be put in the past.”
With his record-setting 14 catches Sunday night in Dallas, Barkley also established a dubious NFL mark with 80 yards — the fewest on that many receptions in any game.
During the Giants’ 20-13 loss, Eli Manning resorted to checkdowns because of the Cowboys’ zone defenses designed to prevent deep passes. Play-action could not fool linebackers dropping into coverage because the Giants failed to run the ball efficiently.
“I think if any running back told you that he expected to have 14 catches in a game, he’ll be lying to you so obviously I did not expect that, but it’s part of the game,” Barkley said. “You got to continue to have that mindset that when you do get your touches, try to do the most you can with it and even when you’re not getting your touches, stay active, stay involved in the play because you can be that touchdownsaving block or those little things that show up in film.”
Barkley maximized many of his screen catches, as he broke the first tackle on 12 of his 25 touches against the Cowboys. But he blames himself for some of the Giants’ big-picture issues in the running game.
Barkley has 134 rushing yards on 29 carries, yet more than half of those were accumulated on a 68-yard touchdown in the season opener against the Jaguars. He has 15 runs of two yards or fewer.
“There’s some stuff I can do in the run game that I can help the offensive line,” Barkley said. “I have to be more physical. I have to take the four-yard runs instead of trying to pop everything.”
From a play-calling standpoint, the Giants made little effort to establish the run in Dallas. They had 24 pass plays and eight run plays — two being quarterback sneaks — during the first half.
Eight of their first 10 plays were rushes, and Manning attempted nine passes during an 11-play drive in the second quarter in which the Giants still failed to cross midfield.
“I think when you have new schemes, new coaches, new players, 30 new players or whatever it is, it takes some time for everything to come together and start clicking,” Manning said. “We’ve kept games close, been in it in the fourth quarter. We just got to get a little faster start, get a lead, do some things a little bit better and we’ll get those opportunities to score more points.
Barkley also sees reason for optimism as the 0-2 Giants prepare to take on the Texans next Sunday afternoon in Houston.
“We’re so close, we’re so close,” Barkley said. “I think a lot of people are overreacting, I guess you can say, with a 0-2 start. Obviously I’m just learning, but it’s not like we’re getting blown out in these games.
“We got to continue to work, continue to have that mindset and definitely don’t panic — continue to believe in each other — and I think we can really turn this season around.”
Practice Notes
Linebackers Olivier Vernon (ankle) and Connor Barwin (knee) and cornerback Eli Apple (groin) did not practice Wednesday. Wide receiver Kaelin Clay (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (ankle) were limited.
Apple suffered his injury against the Cowboys, while Vernon has been sidelined since Aug. 26 and not yet played in the regular season.
The Giants officially placed center Jon Halapio (broken leg/ankle) on injured reserve and signed fullback Elijhaa Penny off the Cardinals’ practice squad. Penny played 16 games last season for Arizona.
“He’s a guy that our personnel guys liked on tape,” head coach Pat Shurmur said. “We had a spot and wanted to bring him in and take a look at him. He does what all fullbacks do: He’s a good blocker, he’s got good hands, he can run the ball in a pinch — all the things you look for in a back.”
New York also released fullback Shane Smith and claimed former Vikings wide receiver Stacy Coley off waivers. Coley, who played under Shurmur in Minnesota last season, is likely to compete with Clay as a return specialist.