Predictably, Saquon Barkley had a great game in his first outing with the Eagles. Other than him playing in the Giants’ division, WHO CARES? That ship sailed. We said in November 2017 when Barkley was playing for Penn State that it was a mistake to draft this guy. It was, is and always be a mistake. At that time, Wonder told me that the only team it may have made sense for him to be drafted ‘high’ was the Dallas Cowboys, because they had an OL which could lever Barkley. So literally within an hour of Barkley getting drafted by the Giants at 1.02, this is what we said:
“We cannot make this any clearer. The Giants just drafted a Ferrari. But he’s on a dirt road. The Ferrari needs a road grader so that it can run. Ferrari meet asphalt. It’s as plain as the nose on your face. The Giants desperately needed OL help BEFORE BARKLEY. Give the Ferrari asphalt and let it run wild.”
The Eagles had asphalt. That ship has sailed. Other than the Eagles being in the Giants division, it’s irrelevant. And by the way, Barkley will invariably get hurt. Schoen took his (Gettleman) losses and moved on. Next. Onward.
Barkley $12.58 M/year
McKinney $16.75 M/year
Burns $28.2 M/year
Coincidentally or not, the Giants swapped out a RB and S for a Pro Bowl EDGE pass rusher who is also 26 years old. Given it is QB, Protect QB, Rush the QB, I approve this structural approach to cap allocation. Hence the first reason for this post. I am a Schoen guy. I just want to be on record BEFORE the 2024 season starts that I believe in this GM’s approach. This is in STARK contrast to 2 years into Gettleman, when I wanted that GM gone. Gettleman had zero process. Schoen has a very thorough process. It is NIGHT and DAY. Am I enthralled with that injury clause in Jones’ contract? Absolutely not. Did I feel that the Giants had to fix OL with more urgency? Yes. But this leads into the second reason for the post… Carm Bricillo is arguably one of the, if not the most important player or coach in the organization right now. You could argue Brady was more important than Scarnecchia, but Jones is not as important as Bricillo. We watch as Will Hernandez and Jon Feliciano leave the Giants and become credible linemen elsewhere. Bricillo is the guy who will shore up the OL, and Schoen will start looking a helluva lot better. You cannot pay this guy enough to be the Giants OL coach for the next 10 years.
As we set out to watch the 2024 season, two important reasons why I believe the Giants are on the right path are Schoen and Bricillo. I really could not care less if Barkley puts up 200 yds or is injured. Onward.