I say Bell, at least for now. For Barkley, time will tell.
Last season the New York Giants drafted Saquon Barkley. This week, the New York Jets signed free agent Le’Veon Bell. Both backs are versatile, have patience in the backfield, and are excellent pass catchers. They are dual threats with speed, and they rarely get tackled by the first defender.
The significant differences between Barkley and Bell are age and experience.
Saquon Barkley (photo, Bergen Record)
Saquon Barkley wins the age game. He just turned 22 and is entering his second season in the league. The reigning offensive ROY, he had one of the best freshman seasons the NFL has seen in a long time–especially considering how much pressure was on him as the second overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Le’Veon Bell wins the experience battle. A proven commodity, he’s one of the best–if not the very best–running back in football. He can do it all. That’s why Fantasy players pray they can take Bell. He’s gonna’ run it. He’s gonna’ catch it. He’s gonna’ pile up yards and score touchdowns.
Bell, at 27, isn’t old by any means, even though he is approaching ‘old age’ in NFL terms. And he’s somewhat of a question mark after having sat out last season in a contract dispute.
Will Bell return refreshed or rusty? I vote for refreshed. Bell will be a threat every time he touches the ball.
But one issue for Bell is the injury bug. During his four years in the pros, Bell has managed to play only one full season (his sophomore year). The next year (in 2015), Le’Veon suited up for just six games.
Le’Veon Bell (photo, YouTube)
That’s a risk for the Jets, who just signed Bell to a $52.5 million contract with about $25 million of that money guaranteed. So make no mistake about it: the Jets will use Bell as much as they can.
He’s a perfect fit for this offense, too. Bell gives sophomore quarterback in Sam Darnold the ultimate security blanket. Opposing defenses will stack the box more often and spy on the Jets’ new toy. That will give Darnold more one-on-one looks and easier reads down the field.
The Giants already know what Barkley can do. He had over 350 touches last season and was arguably the Giants best offensive player. Now that OBJ is gone, the Giants will turn to Barkley as their primary focus.
The problem is that NYG may look to Barkley too much, and run him into the ground. The reality is that Barkley can amass phenomenal stats that don’t translate into NYG having an outstanding season. Just look at what happened last year. Barkley had over 2000 yards from the scrimmage–only the third rookie RB to achieve that a feat (Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James were the others) and it wasn’t enough to make the Giants a legit team.
What’s worse is that the best years of Barkley’s career will be wasted unless GM Dave Gettleman gets him help–as in BIG help–from QB to offensive line to more receiving help (in addition to signing journeyman Golden Tate).
What’s a commonality between Barkley and Bell? They’re both going to take a beating in 2019.
But, just like Barkley, even at his best Bell wasn’t a difference-maker in Pittsburgh–even when he had Antonio Brown on the outside (a player that demanded double coverage) and a QB of Big Ben’s caliber (with a great arm and smarts). Now, without a legit #1 WR on the Jets and a generally weak O-line, Bell’s job will get tougher … much tougher.
These backs share another similarity: neither one has much of a supporting cast.
Bell has experience. He has been productive. Barkley had a record-breaking rookie season. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen.
Yes, I give the edge to Bell … at least for now. But if Barkley can sustain his numbers, he’ll go down in history as the better running back.
