Saquon Barkley 'would love to see' Odell Beckham Jr. back with Giants
Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants runs behind Saquon Barkley #26 after making a catch against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium on Oct 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Mike Stobe
Odell Beckham Jr. turned 30 last Saturday and marked the occasion with a star-studded birthday party in Hollywood. One of the guests was Saquon Barkley, who had the weekend off from his job as the Giants’ star running back.
That made for interesting timing, with Beckham believed to be close to a return to football after tearing an ACL in the Super Bowl in February — and with some players around the NFL publicly recruiting the free-agent wide receiver.
Unlike many of those players, notably members of the Cowboys, Barkley does not have to tweet his feelings at Beckham. He has a direct line of communication to his former Giants teammate.
But Barkley said after practice on Friday that his priority is more Beckham’s well-being than his return to the team he played for from 2014-18.
“Obviously, he has familiar faces within this facility and this locker room,” Barkley said. “Personally, I think it would be a great story to come back to a place that he was at before and continue to help build success and come here with the right mindset and be a leader and be the type of player he can be with this team.”
But, Barkley added, “I’m not really too focused on that. I’m really worried about more of the man himself and getting ready and rehabbing and continuing to have a successful career.”
Barkley said he was aware of a tweet from the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons trying to recruit Beckham, who was a Ram at the end of last season. But Barkley said he does not feel the need to make a pitch to his friend.
“He knows how I feel,” Barkley said. “He knows how we feel in this locker room. I’ve said before, he’s a heck of a player. I’m more focused on him just continuing to tackle his rehab and get ready. He’s a special player and he’s still got a lot left in the tank.”
Asked what it would be like to see Beckham in a Cowboys jersey, Barkley said, “It’s deeper than football. That’s my brother. I just want the best for him. I can see him in any jersey.
“Obviously, I would love to see him back with the New York Giants, but that’s up to him. That’s his decision. Just hoping for a healthy rehab and when he comes back, he will show the world he’s still Odell.”
The Giants continue to rely heavily on Barkley’s running, even with most opposing defenses loading up to focus on the run.
It might help that the Texans, Sunday’s opponent, rank third-from-last in the NFL in allowing 5.4 yards per rush.
“I don’t really read into that, to the numbers,” Barkley said.
He said there are some potential benefits to teams that go all out to stop the run.
“The beauty of having more people in the box is the safeties are a little tighter,” he said, “so once you get past a certain level, there’s really no one else back there. So you have to capitalize on that.”
Barkley said his body in general and balky shoulder in particular benefited from the week off but said the more important part of the break was “mental.”
He cited the opportunity to get away from football for a bit — including attending a certain birthday bash in California.
Notes & quotes: Coach Brian Daboll said he is optimistic that three players listed as questionable — wide receiver Kenny Golladay, linebacker Oshane Ximines and defensive back Cor’Dale Flott — will be ready to play on Sunday.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
