NFC East news: Saquon Barkley sees talent all around him in Philadelphia
Here is the latest news from around the division.
Saquon Barkley has something he’s never had before and he’s loving it - Reuben Frank, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s recent success isn’t something Barkley experienced in New York.
To fully understand why Saquon Barkley is so happy being an Eagle you have to understand what it was like being a Giant.
He was there six years.
His teams won more than six games once and won one playoff game. He was never part of an offense ranked higher than 17th. His quarterback the last five years was Daniel Jones.
He didn’t play alongside a wide receiver who had 800 yards after his rookie year. He’s never played with a Pro Bowl offensive lineman, quarterback or wide receiver. He made more Pro Bowls since entering the NFL in 2018 than all his offensive teammates combined.
No wonder he’s been smiling since he got here.
“The biggest thing that struck me is our first 7-on-7 huddle (in OTAs),” Barkley said. “You see A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and Jalen Hurts. It’s not a bad group to be out there with. And that’s not even including the offensive linemen.”
For the sake of comparison, the Eagles over the last six years have had only one losing season, reached the playoffs five times, were ranked 12th or higher in offense four times, have had nine offensive Pro Bowlers including four offensive linemen and have had three guys with six 1,000-yard seasons.
“There’s a lot of talent,” Barkley said. “There was a lot of talent before I got here. I feel like I only can add to that.
“But at the same time you can’t look too far. And that’s the beauty of it. That’s the beauty of coming in every single day, working with each other, pushing each other. And that’s only going to make when the regular season get here and camp get here that much easier.”
Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux hopes to chase down sack record during 2024 season - Christian Gonzales, NFL.com
New York’s 2022 first-round pick looks to have a big year in 2024.
Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has set a big personal goal as he enters his third season in New York.
Thibodeaux revealed at a news conference before Thursday’s organized team activities that he wants to break the season sack record of 22.5, which is currently held by former Giants great Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt.
“We’re just going to start this off, if you were wondering, I’m going for the record — so don’t ask,” he said jokingly, via NJ.com. “Every year I’m here, I’m going for Michael Strahan’s record.”
Strahan held the sack record alone for two decades after setting the mark during his 2001 Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Watt tied that record while taking home the same award in 2021.
Thibodeaux, who recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023, has arguably his best opportunity to date to chase history. This offseason, New York acquired two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers to pair with Thibodeaux and another Pro Bowler in Dexter Lawrence.
Although pieces like Burns have been added to make life easier, Thibodeaux will also need to make adjustments in 2024. New York mutually agreed to part ways with former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale following last season and then hired Shane Bowen. In April, Bowen said he wanted the trademark of his new defense to be “violence.” He’ll work on implementing that approach using a dynamic front line with the trio of Burns, Lawrence and Thibodeaux to hunt down opposing quarterbacks.
“Now being here, it’s like he (Strahan) didn’t have as many rush opportunities as I’m going to have,” Thibodeaux said, via the team transcript. “The game wasn’t as much passes as it was before. I have an opportunity that people would wish they could be in. It’s only right if I give the people what they want. I honor myself by putting everything on the line, trying to be the best.”
‘Something to Prove’; Commanders Star Happy With Current Situation - Kade Kimble, Sports Illustrated
Everyone from Washington’s old regime has something to prove under the new one.
It’s likely been an exhausting few months for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen after question regarding his future with the franchise. Now, the focus is back on football.
This time around, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is playing for a franchise eager to improve and get better. No, Allen hasn’t been moved. The Commanders franchise is just that much more different and there’s been a culture reset.
After new ownership brought in a new general manager, which subsequently brought in a new coaching staff, there’s legitimately a new breath of life in Washington D.C. when it comes to the Commanders.
Now, Allen is back to football and the franchise as a whole is striving for more.
“The thing I love most about what we got going on right now is everybody’s determined and everyone’s focused and everybody has something to prove and we’re all pushing towards the same direction,” Allen said. “And I think that’s going to be so great for us. Everybody has the same motive, the same motivation. We’re all chasing after the same goal and we’re all pushing each other to get there. So it has really been exciting being here.”
As a whole, the Commanders are headed in the right direction and the star defensive tackle can feel it.
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