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Writer's pictureBrian Baldinger

SAQUON BARKLEY'S STAR POWER HAS BEEN CONTAGIOUS


Saquon is a Star


After a 2023 complete collapse over the last two months by the Eagles, some roster building needed to take place.


Quickly certain position coaches and both offensive and defensive coordinators were replaced.


New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore wanted to have a strong running game at its core principle. 


The offensive line was intact after replacing Hall of Fame everything center, Jason Kelce, announced his retirement and Cam Jurgens was waiting in his wings to fill those big shoes.


When Saquon Barkley became a free agent by the rival NY Giants, Howie Roseman and the

Eagles were there to invite him in...immediately.



It sent shock waves throughout the league. How could the FACE of the G-Men not be signed to a long term contract?


What Saquon would the Eagles be receiving? An often injured Saquon? A running back who had spotty production since he was the unanimous rookie of the year when he surpassed 2000 total scrimmage yards.


When he averaged a career best 5.0 yards per carry and had 13 total touchdowns?


When the free agent deal was announced and consummated I immediately said that Saquon would have the best season of his career, and have a legitimate chance to win the rushing title.


The reason was simple.


Saquon never ran behind an offensive line like the Eagles have. He never had lanes and runways like he would see behind Lane, Becton AND Jurgens and Dickerson and Mailata.

Never.


And he has delivered.



As of this writing, hours before their Thursday match up with the Washington Commanders on Thursday night Prime, Saquon was averaging a career best 110 yards per game, along with a career best 5.8 yards per carry with eight regular season games remaining.


And healthy as when the season started.


The Eagles also are following a league wide trend to becoming a "run first" mentality whereby they have run it almost 55 percent of the time, the highest in the NFL.


When I spoke to Saquon hours before their victory in New Orleans this year he told me that he was close to breaking a big run.


He said the offensive line was doing their job and getting him into the secondary. He said he was too quick to make cuts after he saw the opening and the safeties were getting better angles to flatten his runs.


He said he needs to really press the safeties first and then make his cut.


In the fourth quarter, after the Birds struggled mightily for three quarters, Barkley ripped off a 65 yard touchdown run to put the Birds on the board and to give them a lead.


On the play, Barkley cut off left guard Landon Dickerson and then did what he told me he needed to do.


He pressed safety Tyran Mathieu and then cut hard left and outran the pursuit to pay dirt.


I mention the story because in it lies the details of why Saquon is special. 


The reason Saquon is a star. He coaches himself harder than the coaches or however the media wants to analyze Saquon.



In an era when the running back position is being de-emphasized in relation to salary the winning organization like the Ravens with Derrick Henry; the Packers with Josh Jacobs; The Vikings with Aaron Jones are all benefitting from the free agent acquisitions that teams have made for these special players.


Currently Saquon is averaging 110 yards rushing per game, trailing only Derrick Henry who is averaging 112 yards per game.


Look for Saquon to out-dual King Henry before the end of the season because the Eagles offensive line is better than the Ravens.


The Eagles got themselves a star and a firm identity.


And with that, the Birds are on track to win the division and to put last season's collapse behind themselves


Welcome to the Eagles Saquon. *



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