NFL Strategy Spotlight: Saquon Barkley's Role Evolution

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00:00But in this day and age, Adam, of the NFL, I mean, if we were doing this 10 years ago,

00:07it definitely would be Saquon Barkley.

00:09But this day and age, with running backs, I don't think it's fair to say that.

00:12You probably have a much better read on this team than I do as far as where they're headed.

00:18Fantasy purposes, of course, Saquon Barkley is a big name.

00:20But what about reality?

00:21How do we separate that?

00:23Yeah, so let's look at Barkley.

00:25And in Thursday's practice at Lincoln Financial Stadium, Craig, I thought it was really interesting

00:29because with Kellen Moore, and I've studied Kellen Moore, who's the new offensive coordinator,

00:32and I've talked to people who've worked with him, the backs catch the football.

00:36Tony Pollard caught the ball very well for the Cowboys when Kellen was there.

00:39And when you really look at it, Barkley has caught a lot of passes in training camp.

00:43Now, we saw this last summer with a different play caller, and Brian Johnson is now with

00:48Washington, with DeAndre Swift.

00:49And Swift wound up not catching a lot of passes in the regular season.

00:51But Kellen Moore and running backs, the backs catch the football.

00:56So Barkley's a good.

00:57You saw that chart up there.

00:59This is a big story with a big guy.

01:02This has been like the stunner of their offseason, Craig.

01:05Mekhi Bacton is not currently lining up a tackle, not left tackle, at right tackle.

01:09So he'd line up early in training camp at right tackle.

01:12He's been lining up at right guard.

01:14He started actually their OTAs when they, after he signed after the draft, Craig.

01:19At guard, it's been, these guys never played guard in his life.

01:22So Jeff Stoutland, their offensive line coach, who's really, really good, one of the best

01:25in the National Football League, he thinks he could play it.

01:28I could tell you this without a doubt.

01:30If Bacton lines up week one in San Paolo against the Packers, if he lines up at right guard,

01:36they will have the biggest offensive line in NFL history.

01:39They have three guys 6'7 or taller, three guys probably 340 or bigger.

01:45One guy, Jordan Maillotta, who's 375, 380.

01:49Now again, let's not run with it here.

01:50Tyler Steen was handpicked by the Eagles to play right guard.

01:54Unfortunately, he's dealing with an ankle injury.

01:55But Bacton's been an amazing story, one that no one saw coming.

01:59But right now, he's been lining up at guard.