Coaching camp for the New York Giants began on Wednesday, and Saquon Barkley is lastly beginning to really feel like the most effective model of himself after coping with quite a few accidents over the previous few seasons.
"I really feel loads higher than I felt at this level final 12 months," stated Barkley, who averaged 3.7 yards per carry and solely 45.6 speeding yards per recreation final season. "My physique feels robust. Really feel like I acquired my energy again. Really feel like I acquired my velocity again. Really feel like I can belief my knee once more, belief myself to make performs and never give it some thought."
New York drafted Barkley second general in 2018, and his rookie season initially validated the choice. He broke the franchise's single-season information for speeding yards (1,307) and speeding touchdowns (11) by a rookie. His 15 touchdowns general have been probably the most by a Giants rusher since Brandon Jacobs in 2005 and earned the Penn State product Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors. Barkley added to his chapter within the group's historical past books by changing into their first RB to high 1,000 speeding yards in his first two seasons.
However his second season was additionally when accidents started plaguing him.
He missed three video games in 2019 due to an ankle harm and all however two video games within the 2020 marketing campaign following an ACL tear. Final 12 months, he was sidelined for 4 video games with one other ankle harm. Lastly wholesome this offseason, Barkley did his greatest to get his physique proper.
"Coming into this camp, specializing in my physique, engaged on my physique, doing all of the little issues essential to maintain my physique wholesome," Barkley stated. "When you'll be able to belief your physique, your confidence simply grows."
Nonetheless, Barkley would not wish to get too forward of himself because the Giants put together for a brand new season.
"You possibly can't get too excessive on it as a result of it is simply minicamp proper now," Barkey stated. "However all of the little stuff in gaining confidence right here, on this break that we have now, hopefully catapults and pushes me via camp and to the common season and past."
Barkley is within the fifth and closing 12 months of his rookie contract.
