Saquon Barkley Needs To Catch That Ball… Period
There is a new thing circulating around the airwaves on 97.5 about what happened in the Eagles 22-21 loss to the Falcons. It is something that is disrespectful to the audience because it isn’t genuine. I think when we lie to the audience, we do them a gigantic disservice. It has boosted a fringe section of Eagles’ fans who think that Saquon Barkley walks on water because he attended Penn State. I apologize on behalf of my colleagues.
Related: Eagles Let Easy Win Slip Through Their Fingers, Literally
On the 3rd and 3 play in the 4th quarter, Saquon Barkley had to catch the ball. Period. Saquon Barkley must catch the ball in that situation. Period. This should be obvious, and it is to every reasonable person. Why do you go sign a free-agent running back, if he can’t convert that easy play? That does not mean that Barkley is the only reason the Eagles lost to the Falcons. The defense that Howie Roseman built is horrible. It was a huge mistake to sign Bryce Huff. It does mean that if Barkley makes a very easy play, they win the game.
The job of a coach is to put their players in a position to succeed. Their job is not to play for them. I am not suggesting that Nick Sirianni did a good job coaching during the Monday night game. I don’t think Kellen Moore or Vic Fangio coached well either. I do know that it wouldn’t have mattered if Barkley made an easy catch.
The Play Was There, Saquon Barkley Just Dropped It
The play that was drawn up got Barkley wide open. The pass from Hurts hit Barkley in both hands. It went off Barkley’s hands with room to get the first down and end the football game. Barkley failed when the Eagles needed him the most.
To suggest anything other than Barkley blew a chance to end the game is suggesting lies. Barkley has 7.75 very good quarters to start his Eagles’ career. He has looked explosive at times and was fully accountable after the loss. He also has led all running backs in the NFL in drops since the start of the 2021 season despite missing time with injuries. Even though Barkley can make big plays like he did against the Packers, he is mistake-prone as a receiver. The drop against the Falcons help cost the Eagles the game. That isn’t an opinion, it’s a fact.
There are still 15 games left in the season. A lot can happen. The Saints in New Orleans won’t be easy. If the coaches put Saquon in a position to make a big play in the passing game again, I think he will deliver. He didn’t against the Falcons and it cost the Eagles the game.
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