New York Giants: How Saquon Barkley is like Lawrence Taylor

The New York Giants season hasn’t even started. Yet, there is already a lot of hype around rookie Saquon Barkley. However, he will live up to that hype.

The New York Giants have just started training camp and theres is already a lot of hype surrounding one player. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley is the one that’s getting a lot of hype.

Giants co-owner John Mara, who is in his 62nd training camp with Big Blue, is a little concerned about the hype around Barkley. Mara said on Thursday, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post:

"“I do get a little nervous about all the hype since he hasn’t played a down yet, but I think he’s capable of living up to it. He’s very mature, beyond his years. We’re excited about him. He obviously has unlimited physical skills and he’s a real fine young man as well. I think he adds a different dimension maybe we haven’t had in our offense in quite some time.”"

Perhaps the best comparison in Giants history to Barkley’s situation and hype is with someone you might of heard of, Lawrence Taylor.

Mara had to go back to 1981 to find someone who came into camp with as much hype as Barkley. he said, to Michael Eisen of Giants.com:

"“Possibly 1981, Lawrence Taylor when he came to camp, but maybe not quite this much,”. I mean, his jersey is already the number-one selling jersey, he’s gotten a lot of attention. But again, I think in speaking to him and watching how he conducts himself, I think he is able to handle that, so I feel good about that. But still, you know I’ve used this line a million times before – let’s not get him ready for Canton just yet, let’s let him play some games first.”"

Barkley is already breaking rookie jersey sales records. Currently he is number two in jersey sales, behind Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles, in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Jersey

That report, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

The question now is will Barkley live up to the hype or will he be a dud?

I think that Saquon will live up to the hype. He finished his career at Penn State by being the school’s all-time rushing touchdown and total touchdown record holder.

He is number two on Penn State’s career rushing yards list and set a lot of records at Penn State, so I think that he will be the Giants’ biggest star this season.

Barkley knows that living up to the hype won’t be easy, but he’s up for the challenge. Hd went on to tell Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com:

"“But it’s easier said than done. I’m aware of that. I’m strongly aware of that, and I know that I have to work my butt off every single day to get to where I want to go, It’s not gonna happen in one day, it’s gonna take baby steps, and it’s gonna take a long trip up that mountain, but every single day I’m willing to work.”"

The last time the Giants picked second overall in the draft was in 1981 when they drafted Lawrence Taylor, who was one of the best players in Giants history and is in the conversation for being the best defensive player the NFL has ever seen.

Just like Taylor, the Giants drafted Barkley with the second overall pick and Saquon will live up to the hype and probably surpass everyone’s expectations of him.

Saquon, you got a lot of hype around you. But, don’t worry there is no pressure on you to live up to it, you will.