NEWSLETTER
We discussed some OTA happenings from the Jets side of East Rutherford on Wednesday, so we’ll check-in on the other side of the Big Apple football spectrum. We’ll get the Saquon Barkley thing out of the way first.
Barkley was not in camp today, nor will he be for the time benig. As I pointed out in the Raiders check-in earlier today with Josh Jacobs, Barkley Barkley isn’t under contract right now, so he can’t attend any team activities until he either signs his franchise tag tender or agrees to an extension.
Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants are still working toward a new contract. However, it’s taking significantly longer than most expected. Last we heard, Barkley and the Giants were roughly two million apart, yet here we are two months later with no contract. At this point, I feel like Barkley wants closer to the $16 million number that Christian McCaffrey has. However, I don’t think the likelihood that the Giants will meet that number is very high.
The two sides are at an impasse that might not end with them getting a deal done. The Giants have made their best offer, and Barkley turned it down, and that was it. The Giants have a number they’re willing to pay Barley long-term, and they seem content to let him play on the franchise tag for an even lesser number in 2023. Barkley wants more than the Giants think he’s worth. Welcome to the state of the running back position in 2023. Anyway, the two sides still have some time to have a change of heart. The deadline to agree on an extension before Barkley plays on the franchise tag is July 17.
Daniel Jones Impresses
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported that Daniel Jones impressed in 7-on-7’s today. According to Duggan, Jones connected on 19-of-20 passes. Jones’ lone incompletion came on an out route to tight end Daniel Bellinger. Jones said after practice that the Giants’ focus is to work on figuring out some of the new parts on offense. The Giants added Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, and Jalin Hyatt to the receiver’s room this offseason.
“Our job as a coaching staff is to try to get them up to speed as quickly as we can,” Brian Daboll said before practice on Thursday. “[We want to] lay a foundation for training camp. So, they have a lot to learn in a short amount of time.”
From what I’ve gathered from various reports out of East Rutherford this week, Daniel Jones is doing just that. Jones is spreading it out to all of his receivers. On Tuesday, Jones’ top target was newcomet Parris Campbell. Today it was Sterling Shepard, who caught six passes from Jones.
Not to be overlooked, Darren Waller got into the mix today, catching four passes, including a deep shot from Jones. The offense spent Monday working almost exclusively in the red zone, then devoted Tuesday to the intermediate passing game.
Daniel Jones had plenty of reason to sling it around the yard today …
Darren Waller Making a Strong Impression
Darren Waller’s deep catch to open today’s practice was the highlight of the day. Waller gives the Giants an exciting wrinkle in the offense that they lacked last season. Daniel Jones gushed about Waller’s size and speed to reporters after practice today.
“It feels like you hear about most guys or you see them in the program and they’re listed at 6-6, and they’re really like 6-4 or 6-5. He’s a true 6-6. He’s a true 250, 260, and can fly, can run, can run all the routes. He’s just an impressive athlete.”
Waller also offered up an interesting nugget of information (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan) on the difference in atmosphere in New York, compared to previous stops in his career:
“Yeah, they value our opinions here,” Waller said Thursday. “As a player, I feel like a lot of places I’ve gone, you’re told to do things a certain way and you do those things. But here it’s like, they ask a lot of questions. They want to know what you’re thinking, what you want to do more.
“So to offer input is a really cool thing because coaches and players have to be in partnership. We’re all together and shouldn’t be clashing with each other. We’re all going in the same direction.”
While Waller did play in Baltimore early in his career, most of it has been with the Raiders. Waller didn’t leave on the best terms with Raiders GM Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. It’s been rumored that the current Raiders staff is only still there due to cash flow issues for the Raiders. Waller’s comments about the coaching staff and how they treat that players are pretty damning.
