Saquon Barkley Makes Eagles A Better Team
September 25th, 2024Every once in a while you can tell a theme on Bucs players’ minds during a game week.
Sometimes, these themes are rehearsed before the doors to the locker room are flung open. Sometimes, the themes are genuine. Sometimes, they are fabricated.
Joe believes this week’s theme in the locker room is genuine because it makes all the sense in the world.
“Saquon Barkley” was on the mind of many Bucs defenders. In short, they said this is not the same Eagles team the Bucs stomped in January to win a wild card playoff game. This team may be better, Joe was told.
Why is that? Well, a team with a bunch of weapons (when healthy) added a jewel of a weapon, free agent and former Giants running back and former No. 1 draft pick Saquon Barkley.
The Penn State product, Joe was told by several players, gives the Eagles a dimension they previously didn’t have: a top-shelf running back.
Todd Bowles spoke glowingly about Barkley.
“I mean, they were already a good team before they got him,” Bowles said. “Once they got him – he’s one of the top two or three running backs in the league right now.
“You put that behind one of the top two or three offensive lines and you’re going to have nothing but success. Then, they’ve got the receivers and tight end to match, so he’s going to be a load to bring down.”
Why is Barkley so special? Bowles believes there is nothing Barkley cannot do.
“He’s got quick feet, he’s powerful, he’s fast, he can catch, he can block, he can do it all,” Bowles said.
Well, except for catching passes in clutch moments. Other than that, Barkley is dangerous.
So here comes Barkley against a defense that prides itself in stopping the run. Which gives?
Jalen Hurts is not having a good year. Joe thinks Hurts is average right now. If the Bucs stop the run, that forces the ball into Hurts’ hands.
Joe will take his chances with Hurts over Barkley.
September 25th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Was a great pick up
I would actually love to watch them with an elite qb
Soooooo many weapons
September 25th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Barkley makes Philly offense complete, he’s the missing link. I love what he did to the Aints. His dropped pass caused them the game against the Falcons, but he made up for it. The Bucs have their work cut out for them trying to stop Barkley……for sure
September 25th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
This is an obvious understatement.
He’s going to be to focus of their offense with their other position players out.
September 25th, 2024 at 8:31 pm
NEXT YEAR WE WILL SPEND MORE MONEY AND FORTIFY THE TEAM, STILL EATING ALOT OF DEAD CAP. BIG SPENDING THIS OFFSEASON. INJURIES KILLED US AGAINST DENVER
September 25th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
Eagles are going to wreck the Bucs on Sunday. Revenge game.
I think anyone with a brain knows this.
Bucs will then rebound a bit over the coming weeks and end up ~.500.
Both lines are totally *****d.
September 25th, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Saquon with > 200 yards total offense against Bowels and his “Don’t press / bail” scheme, while leaving Britt in and Dennis on the bench. Heck he might have > 300 yards.
Meanwhile, Todd will continue to stuck with Corpseboy at RT and Baker will have zero chance to do anything other than eat or dirt passes.
So happy to have competent coaching.
September 25th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Tampa fans; what a bunch of whiners. Last I looked the Buccaneers lead the NFC South and only Minnesota and Seattle have a better record. Boo hoo, one bad effort by an injury team and the fans quit on the team.
September 25th, 2024 at 11:55 pm
Hurts is made average lacking AJ Brown and likely missing DeVonta Smith this week as well.
September 25th, 2024 at 11:59 pm
@Buddha – The Bucs have had plenty of good starts over the years that were mirages. I get the complaining. Getting concerned we might not find out how good they are if the injuries keep piling up.
September 26th, 2024 at 9:42 am
If it gets Bowles n Jason fired I’m all for losing all the games. We need a front office clean which will lead to the new regime cleaning out the trash(hopefully). N maybe they can make Lavonte retire cause Father Time is whooping him good this season. Let this be his last yr with us at least