Stephen A's Take: Stephen A's thoughts on the benching of Saquon Barkley. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

Summary of "Stephen A's Take: Stephen A's Thoughts on the Benching of Saquon Barkley"

Podcast Information:

Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host/Author: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
Episode: Stephen A's Take: Stephen A's thoughts on the benching of Saquon Barkley
Release Date: January 5, 2025

Introduction to Saquon Barkley's Achievements

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the controversial decision by the Philadelphia Eagles to bench their star running back, Saquon Barkley, for the final game of the season. Smith begins by highlighting Barkley's remarkable performance throughout the year, emphasizing his significant contribution to the team.

“What Saquon Barkley has accomplished this year is incredible, no doubt about it.” ([01:05])

Barkley's Near Record and Benching Controversy

Smith points out that Barkley is just 101 rushing yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record. Despite this near-milestone, the Eagles opted to rest Barkley to ensure his health for the playoffs, a decision that Smith finds frustrating given Barkley's extraordinary season.

“But he's sitting out the last game of the season because the Eagles want to make sure that he's ready for the playoffs and he doesn't get injured.” ([01:10])

Critique of the Running Back Position in the NFL

A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to critiquing the NFL's treatment of the running back position. Smith argues that regardless of performance, running backs are undervalued based on their age, leading to a lack of long-term investment in their careers.

“It's the running back position. It's the one position in the National Football League where no matter what numbers you produce, no matter how extraordinary your season is, they look at your birth certificate and say, oh, you're 30, you're done.” ([01:30])

Comparison with Other NFL Running Backs

Smith draws parallels between Barkley and other notable running backs like Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs, emphasizing that Barkley's situation is part of a larger trend of diminishing the role and value of running backs in the league.

“Derrick Henry did it, too. Josh Jacobs did it, too. But especially Saquon Barkley really, really stinks.” ([04:00])

Criticism of the New York Giants Organization

A substantial segment of the episode is dedicated to criticizing the New York Giants' handling of Saquon Barkley. Smith recounts how the Giants publicly undervalued Barkley despite his outstanding performance, comparing the organization to a failing franchise that contaminates its locale.

“That pathetic, moribund franchise that's contaminating the city of New York and all of northern New Jersey worse than the damn swamps and its surrounding areas.” ([02:10])

Smith also criticizes the Giants for their high investment in Daniel Jones, whom he deems as an overpaid quarterback who was ultimately benched and released, suggesting that similar short-sightedness could harm Barkley's career.

“You could have paid Saquon Barkley. He has an opportunity to go up against that team this Sunday, and you're not letting them do it.” ([03:20])

Potential Outcomes and Stakes for the Eagles

Smith discusses the high stakes for the Philadelphia Eagles, emphasizing that the decision to bench Barkley comes with expectations for the team to perform exceptionally in the playoffs. He challenges the Eagles to win the NFC and the Super Bowl to justify their decision.

“Since you made this decision, you better win that. You better win this shit. You better go out there and win the NFC. You better go in the Super Bowl.” ([04:50])

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Concluding his analysis, Stephen A. Smith reiterates the prestige of Barkley's achievements and the missed opportunity for him to break the rushing record. He underscores the broader implications of undervaluing running backs and urges the Eagles to capitalize on their investment by securing postseason success.

“This man, Saquon Barkley, is one of nine players in league history to rush for 2,000 yards in the season.” ([05:20])

Smith leaves listeners with a critical view of the current NFL dynamics, advocating for better recognition and investment in running back talents like Saquon Barkley.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

Stephen A. Smith: “What Saquon Barkley has accomplished this year is incredible, no doubt about it.” ([01:05])
Stephen A. Smith: “It's the running back position... Oh, you're 30, you're done.” ([01:30])
Stephen A. Smith: “That pathetic, moribund franchise... worse than the damn swamps...” ([02:10])
Stephen A. Smith: “You could have paid Saquon Barkley... you're not letting them do it.” ([03:20])
Stephen A. Smith: “Since you made this decision, you better win that... you better go in the Super Bowl.” ([04:50])
Stephen A. Smith: “This man, Saquon Barkley, is one of nine players in league history to rush for 2,000 yards in the season.” ([05:20])

Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith's analysis offers a passionate critique of both the NFL's undervaluation of running backs and the specific handling of Saquon Barkley's exceptional season by the Philadelphia Eagles. Through detailed examination and pointed commentary, Smith underscores the need for a shift in how running backs are perceived and invested in within professional football.

Transcript

Greg Rosenthal (0:00)

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Julie Swerbinks (0:30)

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (0:35)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swerbinks (0:38)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (0:41)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swerbinks (0:46)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (0:50)

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swerbinks (0:55)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Stephen A. Smith (1:05)

My next topic has to be Saquon Barkley. Only in this regard, I'm kind of disgusted. He's a star running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's rushed for over 2,000 yards. Six of the eight previous players to rush for 2,000 yards all reached the post season, but only one of them played in the super bowl, which was Terrell Davis, who won the Super bowl in 1998 with the Denver Broncos. What Saquon Barkley has accomplished this year is incredible, no doubt about it. But he's sitting out the last game of the season because the Eagles want to make sure that he's ready for the playoffs and he doesn't get injured. So you're trying to protect them. As a result, he. He's 101 yards shy of the all time single season rushing record set by Eric Dickerson. And he's not gonna get an opportunity to go for it because they wanna rest him now under most circumstances, I will completely understand that. Here's my issue. It's the running back position. It's the one position in the National Football League where no matter what numbers you produce, no matter how extraordinary your season is, they look at your birth certificate and say, oh, you're 30, you're done. We ain't investing in you long term. We not paying you. We're not making that investment in you. Your birth certificate's Collected too much dust. We ain't messing with that. Bye. This is what they do. Remember demarco Murray with the Dallas Cowboys years ago? Remember when they gave him the ball 392 times? The brother was an Eagle after that because they said, yo, we don't need you. We used you up and now we gonna throw you out with the bathwater. The Giants. The New York Giants. That pathetic, moribund franchise that's contaminating the city of New York and all of northern New Jersey worse than the damn swamps and its surrounding areas. That's how much the stench from the New York Giants has smelled up East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is right by the Lincoln Tunnel. That New York Giants squad, they had hard knocks on television last year. They talked about Saquon Barkley like he was nothing. They said, let him go, we don't need him. Pushed him right out the door, advertised it, damn near mocked him. Act like, yo, we don't care. And it was after you gave Daniel Jones 40 million, the same Daniel Jones that you ultimately benched before you let him go. That dude, you gave him four years, 160 million. 40 million per. You could have paid Saquon Barkley. He has an opportunity to go up against that team this Sunday, and you're not letting them do it. Leaves bad taste in my mouth. Now, I know you're kind of worried because it's like, all right, he might get hurt. Did it ever occur to you the Giants might let him get the yardage? Because they just as pissed off at the organization that they let him go as he was. Never know. I mean, if Brett Favre could sit up there and give Michael Strahan that sack like Mark Gastonau was crying about. As if Strahan didn't have an illustrious career before that damn last sack, breaking the all time single season sack record. I mean, if something like that could happen, and I'm not saying it did, who's to say that the Giants can do the same thing with Saquon Barkley this weekend? By the way, game's gonna be in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field. You think the offensive linemen don't wanna block for Saquon Barkley? They don't wanna wear as a badge of honor, those were the individuals that blocked for the all time single season rushing leader. You don't think they want that? What stinks about this is that the running back position has been minimized and diminished for years. And this dude went out this season and reminded you just what the hell a running back can do for a team. And he wasn't the only one. Derrick Henry did it, too. Josh Jacobs did it, too. But especially Saquon Barkley really, really stinks. Really, really stinks that this is happening to him. But I'll say this. Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, so be it, bro. You go ahead and do your thing. I'm going to say this. This man, Saquon Barkley, is one of nine players in league history to rush for 2,000 yards in the season. I told you about the other eight. Let me say this to you. Since you made this decision, you better win that. You better win this shit. You better go out there and win the nfc. You better go in the Super Bowl. You better not be home for the Super Bowl. And Saquon Barkley didn't get the record. I know that much. I know that much. Foreign.