Carl Banks Sides With RB Saquon Barkley, Rips Haters Over Extreme Criticism

One of the wildest NFL offseasons to date has seen a number of franchise players switch teams, even joining divisional rivals. Among them is former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Carl Banks Sides With RB Saquon Barkley, Rips Haters Over Extreme Criticism

It makes perfect sense to be disappointed when a player departs from a team, particularly if the departing player joins the adversary. However, the NFL is a business, thus it is inappropriate to launch personal assaults on a player for doing so.

On the podcast “Bleav in Giants,” which he co-hosts with Bob Papa, veteran Big Blue linebacker Carl Banks discussed how he will continue to support Barkley when he plays for the Eagles and how he thinks that portion of the fan base’s  criticism of the running back was over the top.

Carl Banks, a former linebacker for the Giants, talked about how Barkley deserves support because he gave his all while playing for the team.

“Saquon Barkley has put this team on his back. He’s a New Yorker, once a giant, always a giant. And that fits him. And I hate the effing Eagles. I do. And I’m going to root for Saquon Barkley for 15 weeks. I’m going to wish him love and success for 15 weeks. The other two weeks. I hope he gets two yards. And if they see him in the third week, I hope he gets less yards than that. Other than that, the kid has been everything that you would want a star player to be within your organization and outside of your organization. And, you know, again, I’m not singling out all fans but some of the behavior, some of the rhetoric towards you.”

Banks is alluding to the supporters who have vocally expressed animosity against Barkley’s contract with the Eagles. Though understandably unhappy, the rookie running back gave the Giants all he had.

The Giants organization may come under further criticism from the fans for failing to give Barkely the deal he so richly deserves.

“I mean, I get it. You can be critical of him. You can call him you can call him a traitor if you want because that’s what fandom is. But some of the personal attacks understand he’s in his twenties. He’s somebody. So he’s got a daughter. Right. Of age, which she can see. And that’s hurtful stuff, folks. And understand this. Would you want someone to do that? Go to your son’s job. Somebody would go to you and call you all these types of names because you changed jobs. It ain’t like he didn’t put out for you. He put this team on his back.”

Barkley is “dead” to former Giants running back Tiki Barber, who made light of Barkley’s signing with the Eagles on a three-year contract worth around $38 million with $26 million guaranteed on WFAN. In the end, Barkley shot back at Barber.

The Giants did not sign Barkley to a multi-year contract at that high of a salary for almost a year.

Banks acknowledged on his show that Barkley’s decision to join an NFC East opponent may have led some Giants supporters to view him as a “traitor,” but he advised them to refrain from making “personal attacks.”

Did the Eagles tamper with Saquon Barkley?

Unless the player is representing himself without an agent, the Eagles have disputed that anything improper occurred within the 52-hour window during which clubs are only allowed to speak with representatives.

How many Pro Bowls does Saquon have?

Saquon Barkley spent six seasons with the Giants as a player. In addition to 288 catches for 2,100 yards and 47 touchdowns, he has 1,201 carries for 5,211 yards. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year title and was chosen to participate in two Pro Bowls.

Is Saquon Barkley a free agent?

The Eagles sign Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract when he becomes a free agent.

 

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