Saquon Barkley Sparks Philadelphia Eagles' High Hopes This Season
Saquon Barkley Sparks Philadelphia Eagles' High Hopes This Season
Philadelphia Eagles fans have a new reason to celebrate as star running back Saquon Barkley has taken the field by storm in his debut season in the City of Brotherly Love. Through just two games, Barkley’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable, racking up an impressive 52 touches.
Barkley’s consistency has been notable, as he recorded exactly 26 touches in each of the first two games. In Week 1, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 24 carries, and in Week 2, he followed it up with 4.3 yards per carry on 22 carries. This brings Barkley’s overall average to 4.8 yards per touch this season, marking his highest since 2019.
Historic Comparisons
With his current pace, Barkley is projected to end the season with a staggering 442 touches. The last running back to reach this number was DeMarco Murray in 2014. However, Murray's subsequent transition to the Eagles was less successful, as he recorded the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6.
Le'Veon Bell came close to this workload in 2017 with 406 touches. Bell's holdout in 2018 for a contract extension and his struggles in 2019, where he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry among running backs with 250 or more carries, highlight the challenges of maintaining such a demanding pace.
Managing the Workload
The Eagles' management is keenly aware of the need to monitor Barkley's workload to ensure his longevity throughout the season. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore articulated this sentiment clearly: "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it."
Moore emphasized the importance of weekly management: "We certainly recognize that and understand that aspect of it. We've got to do at times a better job of that as the game goes on, especially when you look at it more from a week-to-week perspective."
Barkley himself seems unconcerned, attributing his readiness to rigorous training routines and the Eagles' support staff: "I think we do a good job of managing that here. Whether I do that on my own or take care of my body. Our guys in the strength room and training room do a really great job of monitoring that." Barkley added, "I have no worries about that. That's why I train the way I do in the offseason, and the work I do in camp and in season to be able to take on the workload.”
The Drive for Success
Barkley’s desire for the ball and his high-level performance have been critical to the Eagles' game plan. Kellen Moore praised his efforts: "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon -- he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job."
As the Eagles look to build on their strong start, Barkley's dynamic presence in the backfield will be essential. Fans are hopeful that with careful management, Barkley can continue to deliver standout performances throughout the season without succumbing to the physical toll that such a workload often entails.
The excitement and anticipation among Philadelphia Eagles’ supporters are palpable, with Barkley at the heart of it all. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the team manages one of its most valuable assets to ensure he remains a pivotal part of their quest for success.
