We’re four games into Saquon Barkley’s career as a New York Giant and the Giants are anything but good. Big Blue have started the 2018-2019 season at 1-3, a very disappointing beginning for this “offensive powerhouse on paper.
After hiring a new General Manager, re-vamping the offensive line (kinda), and adding a dynamic running back to a healthy receiving core, you’d think we’d be off to a better start. But, that isn’t the case for our Giants.
A team with so much offensive promise but no direction, it begs me to ask the question:
Will Saquon Barkley’s career be a wasted as a New York Giant?
Side note, from the beginning, I wanted Barkley to be drafted a New York Giant. I also selfishly wanted him considering I am a Penn State Grad.  I know that the Giants needed a franchise quarterback to develop behind Eli and we thought we had one in Davis Webb, until he was surprisingly cut. Now, we’re left with Kyle Lauletta and Alex Tanney. Obviously, our quarterback of the future is a giant question mark.
Back on track.
Barkley is off to a very good start in his career and already in the Giants record books. He set the Giants single game reception record at 14 and tied the NFL single game record, with the same number, for a rookie. Barkley also has had at least 100 all purpose yards in his first 4 NFL games, looking to join Adrian Peterson and Kareem Hunt as the only players to do so in each of their first five career games. Pretty solid so far.
Fanatsic numbers to begin a career, but he could be doing a lot more with a better offensive line.  Don’t get me wrong, the offensive line as been better, slightly.  There just aren’t any holes for him to make plays, he has to create his own.  Almost too much of the workload is already being put on Saquon and it might only get worse.  Barkley is still putting up numbers with a bad offensive line, imagine what he could do with a good line.  I picture Ezekeil Elliot from the previous two years, but even better, more dynamic and versatile.
There were numerous plays last week against the New Orleans Saint that had me thinking, “I really hope Barkley’s career isn’t going to be a waste.† It shouldn’t be a waste as long as the supporting cast around Barkley is built to maximize his abilities.  A running backs lifespan in the NFL isn’t very long, therefore, the Giants need to take advantage of his skills and production while he is young.
I do not want to see Barkley as a player that collects a bunch of great stats, is a great player, but the team never wins a championship.  Players that come to mind consist of Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson, just to name a few.  For Barkley to not be included on this list, the offensive line needs to be re-worked, again, and a change under-center will need to occur.  Giants fans do not want to say, “We had one of the best running backs in NFL history, unfortunately, the team never won the big one with him…â€