Latest news with #Saquon
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams' Kobie Turner has this game circled on 2025 schedule
Kobie Turner already knows which game he's looking forward to most on the teams' 2025 regular-season schedule. The Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle told NFL Network's The Insiders recently that he's been excited for a rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 since he saw when the game would take place. "I've had that loss in the back of my mind for a while," Turner said. "Obviously, it's on to a new season and on to continue to progress, but I definitely have — I believe it's Week 3 — circled. I mean, even in the individual training right now, we're breaking down, 'OK, this is how some of the guys, some of the offensive linemen for the Eagles, this is how they block, and this is how we're going to defeat that.'" L.A. lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions twice in 2024: First in Week 12 and then by just six points in the NFC Divisional Round. The defense played a big role in both defeats after giving up 599 combined rushing yards in those two games, 460 of which from the legs of running back Saquon Barkley. "So, I mean, ultimately, the thing that really got us last year is there's a couple of big runs," Turner added. "We stopped the run for the most part, handled it really well, but a couple of those runs where we didn't fit it up right, where Saquon was able to get to the second level fast, and he's super dangerous there. So at the end of the day, it's about getting Saquon down, and that's what we're gonna do a lot better of this year, making sure that we stop the run on the run." To combat this, the Rams upgraded their defensive front with the addition of nose tackle Poona Ford. L.A. also drafted Ohio State defensive tackle Ty Hamilton in the fifth round to add to the team's depth. Turner doesn't want to continue to dwell on the past, but he didn't deny he's excited for a shot at revenge so early in the season. "I'm just super excited to be able to run that back," he said. "Obviously those guys are Super Bowl champs, they won it, they deserve it and whatnot, but this year's a new year, and man, we definitely have that game circled, I definitely have that game circled, and I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys."
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saquon Barkley talks of using his belt to the Commanders
Is Saquon Barkley guilty of historical revisionism? The Philadelphia Eagles' star running back might be doing just that right now. It might be fun, and Eagles fans will like it, but is it likely to be the truth? According to CBS Sports' Cody Nagel, Saquon is apparently attempting to create a story by saying the Cowboys or Commanders did not pursue Barkley in free agency following the 2023 season, his last with the New York Giants. Let's see, the Commanders were coming off of their horrendous, non-competitive 2023 season when they finished 4-13. They were a disaster, losing in large blowouts coming down the stretch of the season. Ron Rivera was understandably fired, and the Commanders owned the second selection in the draft. This meant that everyone knew they were going to take a quarterback and would be expected to start the rookie, without any idea what that rookie's career was going to be like. Barkley, meanwhile, had finished 2023 with the Giants going 6-11. If Barkley wants to tell everyone the Cowboys demonstrated no interest in him, that is one thing. You see, Dallas had finished 12-5 at the top of the NFC East. Barkley would have been very interested in going to Dallas, playing alongside established offensive stalwarts Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. However, the Commanders were a train wreck, Rivera's drafts were pitiful, and remember, Dan Quinn was not a popular hire initially, being referred to more than a few times as a 'retread head coach.' Sure, Saquan can easily say the Commanders showed no interest, but the question is, did Saquan have any interest in signing with the 4-13 Commanders? Would he have even possessed the slightest interest? Weren't the Commanders gutting their roster, determined to be in the process of starting over with Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, and rookie Jayden Daniels? Why on earth would Peters, taking over such a train wreck, have gone out and paid a running back with an ACL surgery a three-year $37.75 million contract? The Eagles, meanwhile, had gone 11-6 the previous season and finished second in the NFC East. Now, which team would be more inclined to spend that type of money on an experienced running back? It's the Eagles, of course! And that is why they paid Barkley the big contract for a running back. Keep in mind also, the Eagles, knowing their roster was full of talented players, felt a top running back would be just the thing to give their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, a great running back to help him and the offense. In addition, anyone care to recall the comparison between the Commanders' offensive line after the 2023 season and the Eagles' offensive line, widely regarded as perhaps the best in the NFL? Yeah, sure, Saquon was interested in the Commanders. Only the naive can believe this created narrative. But there is Barkley being quoted as saying, 'Nah, never heard a word from the Commanders or Dallas. That's why it's BTA when I see them.' If you are wondering, Saquon is trying to persuade NFL followers that because Dallas and Washington did not pursue him in free agency, when he plays against them, he is applying his 'Belt to A-- (BTA).' Oh, please, can't you recognize that Barkley is making it up as he goes along? Perhaps he really wanted to leave the Giants and become a Cowboy, but he is not going to be able to truly convince anyone with an NFL memory of the situation following the 2023 season that he wanted to leave the Giants for the Commanders. Barkley sure is talking a lot about the Commanders, isn't he? Over the weekend, he also said that Washington's celebrating a win over the Eagles in Week 16 proved to be a motivating factor in the NFC championship game. It's easier, of course, for Barkley to talk of how pumped up he gets to play Washington because they ignored him in free agency. Wouldn't it require more honesty and more humility to simply admit that his success against Washington was more because the Eagles' offensive line was perhaps the best in the NFL, while the Commanders' run defense left much to be desired? That's the truth, but not as entertaining a narrative, is it?
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saquon Issues NSFW Warning to Cowboys
Saquon Issues NSFW Warning to Cowboys originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys offseason ahead of the 2024 campaign was notoriously inactive, with just one external free agent hardly feeling like such in the reunion with running back Ezekiel Elliott. Advertisement Jerry Jones and the Cowboys were desperate for some help in the backfield after leading rusher Tony Pollard darted to another team. Fans pleaded for the Cowboys to contact either of the game's two best running backs who both happened to be free agents: Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. Henry would sign with the Baltimore Ravens and eventually have his best season in years, earning himself a high-dollar extension this offseason to stay in Baltimore. Barkley would be even better. After beginning his career with the New York Giants and slowly inching toward stardom (when he was healthy), Barkley broke out for 2,000 rushing yards in 2024 on the way to being an integral part in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl title run. Cowboys fans' frustration grew not just after the Eagles dominated the NFC East with Barkley, but when they learned that Dallas had not contacted either of the star ball carriers throughout free agency ... even when they were obvious fits for the team. Advertisement Barkley remembers that offseason well, and at a recent celebrity softball game issued some noteworthy remarks about his division foes. "Nah, never heard a word from the [Washington] Commanders or Dallas," Barkley said of his free agency last year. "That's why it's 'BTA' (beat that expletive) when I see them." Now hold on. There's no question Barkley and the Eagles beat up on their opposition for most of last season (except losing to Washington in Week 15). That includes two bludgeoning affairs over the Cowboys in Week 10 and 17. But shouldn't Saquon always have a "BTA" mindset against his division rivals? He has played in the NFC East for his entire seven-year career. Advertisement Six of those years, of course, were spent on the lowly Giants, who have taken up real estate at the bottom of the division in recent seasons. Let's look at the numbers... Barkley has a career 2-10 record against the Cowboys as of today ... with those two wins coming with the Eagles last season. Meaning ... He was 0-10 against the Cowboys in his tenure pre-Philly and when Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is healthy. As our insider Mike Fisher puts it: "So - as great as he is - Saquon DOES NOT "beat that [bleep]" v. Dallas." Hats off to Barkley for feeling a sense of confidence in this rivalry now that he's finally felt what it's like to win it. Advertisement But ... If this is his first time with any motivation toward the NFC East, then what does that really tell us about how much "beating" has gone on? The Eagles and Cowboys won't have to wait long to settle this feud in 2025, as one of the NFL's best rivalries kicks off the regular-season schedule on Thursday Night Football in Philly on Sept. 4. Related: 'Silly' vs. 'Crazy' Dallas Cowboys Prediction on Winning NFC East Related: Super Bowl Clock Is Ticking For Cowboys' Dak Prescott This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Saquon Barkley reveals the sources motivating his drive to succeed
Eagles' All-Pro RB and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year shares some of his primary motivations. It's pretty impressive to walk into an NFL game, take in the atmosphere, and see the high-profile individuals who are there. Who knew? Many of the athletes, actors, and politicians we admire often find their way to a Philadelphia Eagles game to unwind and have some fun. Maybe competition entertains competitive people. Perhaps people we admire are sometimes fans themselves, but that makes sense. Somewhere, there's an actor who wishes he could perform a reverse hurdle. Somewhere, there's a kid in the backyard, football in hand, and he or she wants to rush for 2,000 yards like Saquon Barkley. Eagles star Saquon Barkley shares his inspiration If Saquon Barkley never played another down for the Philadelphia Eagles, his place in this great organization's history and framework is secure. His first season with the Birds doubles as one of the most riveting in franchise history. Saquon is a Super Bowl champion now. That can never be taken away from him. He's the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He should have been given the MVP trophy. No disrespect is intended to Josh Allen, but somewhere deep down, he has to know that. Nothing we saw during the most recent pro football season compares to what we saw from Saquon. How did he do it? Where does one of the greats draw his inspiration from? Recently, he provided some behind-the-scenes access while hanging out with one of the most popular people in the YouTube golf space, Grant Horvat. He credits his Christian faith, a relationship strengthened by new surroundings. During their chat, Saquon also shared that he, too, is a fan. He revealed that he is a fan of golfing legend and 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year, Tiger Woods. Studying one of the great athletes of an era has added to his fuel to be the best on the NFL gridiron. "I've been trying to learn so much more about Tiger," Barkley told Grant Horvat via CBS Sports. "I had a really good season last year. But just like how dominant he was, his mentality. So in 2000, [he had an] amazing year. But 1999, he had an amazing year too, right? To be able to stack years like that. There's never been a back that's rushed for 2,000 yards twice, and definitely not back-to-back. Tiger was the man. There's no doubt about it. If one is looking to reach the pinnacle of excellence in their field, he's a great person to look to and study. Perhaps Barkley says it best. I think it's just the confidence. I think when you have the year like I had last year, I'm coming into this season, and to my training,it's not a fluke. I watch film. And, people talk about what I did and what I accomplished, but in my mindset, it should have been even more. When you have that confidence and you play with that swagger." Well said Saquon. Here's to another dominant season in 2025.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Saquon Barkley credits Christianity for unlocking the best year of his NFL career
Saquon Barkley says becoming a Christian changed his life and sparked his best NFL season yet. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) Faith, football, and a record-breaking season? Saquon Barkley just connected all three. The Eagles star running back recently opened up about how becoming a Christian gave him something he didn't even know he was missing—clarity. And according to Saquon, it's no coincidence that his spiritual shift came during the biggest year of his NFL career. Saquon Barkley says finding faith brought clarity and his best football ever followed Speaking to golf creator Grant Horvat, Barkley got real about his personal growth, saying: 'I just became a Christian not too long ago… I don't think it's a coincidence that the best year I had in my career, I found my faith. It gives me some clarity in life.' He didn't hold back, Saquon made it clear that his success on the field isn't just about training or talent anymore. It's about something deeper. He backed it up with the best numbers of his career And when he says 'best year,' he means it. In the 2024 season: Barkley rushed for over 2,000 yards Scored 15 touchdowns Helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX victory And took home the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award Coincidence? According to Saquon, not at all. He credits his growth as a Christian for keeping him focused and grounded through it all. His agent is also his pastor and that made all the difference Saquon shared that his agent, Ed Barry, also happens to be a pastor and that relationship has helped him explore his faith in an even deeper way. Through regular Bible studies and spiritual guidance, Barkley says he's learning more every day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo 'I'm not going to sit here and tell you I know the Bible in and out… It's something I'm learning… But having a relationship with God and understanding who Jesus is—that's what's giving me peace and clarity.' In a league where everything is measured by numbers, yards, touchdowns, rings, Saquon Barkley is now powered by something different: faith. And if 2024 is any indication, that shift just might be the secret behind the best version of him we've ever seen. Also read - "Prime Aaron Rodgers was better than Patrick Mahomes" says Ben Roethlisberger and NFL fans are divided Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
