Saquon Barkley comes into his rookie season with the New York Giants with as high of expectations as you can possibly have. The Giants decided to go with the college standout running back over quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.
Barkley joined WFAN's Mike Francesa Thursday to talk about the season. With his first NFL regular season game days away, is there pressure?
"I don't feel pressure whatsoever," Barkley told Francesa. "I really don't get nervous. The only game I got nervous for in college was before my freshman year was the Rutgers game. It was the first night game. That was the only time I was nervous."
While Barkley didn't play much in preseason, he's not worried about his health.
"I don't think anyone in the NFL right now can truly say they are 100%. I feel as good as I can possibly feel. I'm not worried about anything."
In the time he missed in preseason, it may have been a blessing in disguise.
"I don't feel like it was a setback at all. I got more mental reps, I got to catch up a lot more in the playbook," said Barkley. "With how great our defense in, just in practice itself, taking practice very seriously, taking each rep personal...trying to get myself better. I feel really good and confident coming into the season."
It helps that the running back has two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning alongside him in the backfield.
"It's been great. He's so smart," Barkley said of Eli. "He's able to see the field in a different way that I've never experienced being alongside a quarterback. Definitely a privilege to have him back there. He can see a blitz even before I can see it. I'm challenging myself to get to the point where I can read defenses and see blitzes just like him."
Buckle up Giants fans, it's showtime.
"It should be a great year. I hope you guys enjoy the show."
