You don't suit up to break records.  That's bush league.  What will be even more bush league is having him break the record and then removing him from the game, which would only go to prove that he was not playing in an effort to win the game but just to set the record (and arguably not truly set the record since it will be in 17 games vs Dickerson 16 vs OJ 14).  Sirianni letting him play would be Brett Favre giving himself up to Michael Strahan, one of the most bush league moves I've seen in the NFL.

Barkley should short-circuit this whole thing by announcing that "Records are nice and all, but I play football to try to win a championship, not set records, and with us locked into the #2 seed the smart thing this week is for me to make sure my body is record for a playoff run, so I have voluntarily told Coach Sirianni that if he is resting the starters, I am resting too."  My respect for him would be way way way higher from that than if he sets the record.

9 minutes ago, BayAreaLennie said:

You don't suit up to break records.  That's bush league.  What will be even more bush league is having him break the record and then removing him from the game, which would only go to prove that he was not playing in an effort to win the game but just to set the record (and arguably not truly set the record since it will be in 17 games vs Dickerson 16 vs OJ 14).  Sirianni letting him play would be Brett Favre giving himself up to Michael Strahan, one of the most bush league moves I've seen in the NFL.

Barkley should short-circuit this whole thing by announcing that "Records are nice and all, but I play football to try to win a championship, not set records, and with us locked into the #2 seed the smart thing this week is for me to make sure my body is record for a playoff run, so I have voluntarily told Coach Sirianni that if he is resting the starters, I am resting too."  My respect for him would be way way way higher from that than if he sets the record.

Read my last post (the one in the Eagles season thread not in this thread).  I think that's a more realistic scenario.  You don't want Hurts entering the playoffs ice cold from having 4 weeks between snaps. 

Throw a guardian cap on all the starters, as well as knee braces on all the linemen like in college. And get it done.

Does he have any contract incentives with regard to rushing yards?

All morning, the only thing the talking heads can talk about is a 40-year record being broken. They'll be another championship this season, next season, the season after, but we may never have another season like this in our lifetime.

I think this is more than about Saquon. Let the starting O-line play for a half, or maybe a bit longer. Get the record, how buzzing do you think they will all be for the postseason? If you don't even try that's a massive deflation. The record at this point does more for the team than an extra half of rest

4 minutes ago, kiwinavega said:

I think this is more than about Saquon. Let the starting O-line play for a half, or maybe a bit longer. Get the record, how buzzing do you think they will all be for the postseason? If you don't even try that's a massive deflation. The record at this point does more for the team than an extra half of rest

Yeah, it is more than about Saquon and while I want the record, I see the other side of the coin too. What if Lane blows out a knee, or Hurts gets another concussion or AJ breaks a collarbone? So it's about more than just Saquon playing and risking getting hurt, every other starter would have to play too. 

That's all part of the game though, and any of those injuries could happen on any given play in any given game. So do you play/coach scared or to you just go out and do it for the full season? 

That's up to people that make more money than I do. 

An injury can happen on any down in a game, any snap or rep in practice. A chance to break a 40-year-old record happens once in a career, if you are very lucky. An injury is a freak occurence, at least sometimes. A record like the single season rushing record, as the current longevity of the record shows, is a once in two generations deal. At least give it a reasonable shot, even if only to recognise just how much it has taken to get there.

Edit to add that I know of soccer players missing the World Cup Finals (the knockout tournament for those who don't follow) because they dropped a bottle of cologne on their foot, or because they scalded their balls with super-heated baby formula. I'm not joking. Saquon could concuss himself opening his fridge, wouldn't even be in a top ten of freak injuries.

Let him play for the record.  You don't have a chance like this and it is foolish not going for it.  He may even say the correct thing that SB is more important.  Deep down, he would sorry not giving it a trial.  The way he and OL are playing, it might take a half to get to the record.  Then they can all get the rest and be ready for the playoff.

 

1 hour ago, Portyansky said:

Throw a guardian cap on all the starters, as well as knee braces on all the linemen like in college. And get it done.

That would be incredible to see.

I say go for it...we might lose in the playoffs anyway and then we end up with nothing....

2 hours ago, Portyansky said:

Throw a guardian cap on all the starters, as well as knee braces on all the linemen like in college. And get it done.

 

22 hours ago, Uscg-green said:

I also think if Barkley breaks the record, he has to be MVP. 

Yes, but a 2000 yard year should also matter. 

3 hours ago, BayAreaLennie said:

and arguably not truly set the record since it will be in 17 games vs Dickerson 16

It has already been stated that Barkley can get it done with less carries so that extra game means nothing. I am with yiu on sitting him though. 

Honestly if I was the Giants and see Barkley trying for the record. I'd just stack the box with all 11, not even cover the WRs. Lose 100-0 but don't give up 101 to Barkley lol.

Seriously doubt we see him again till playoffs. If they wanted the record, they would have kept him out there against the Cows to get even closer.

7 minutes ago, Portyansky said:

If they wanted the record, they would have kept him out there against the Cows to get even closer.

Good point.... That is my fear, the giants are going to be told to do everything and anything possible to stop him from getting that record against them. If it was another team id be more for putting him out there but, not the Giants. Sure it would be fun to break it against his old team but, would not be fun if they are out there trying to break him so he doesn't get it against them. 

I feel really strongly about this and I’m surprised that some feel differently. 
 

Barkley should be nowhere near this game. 
 

It’s not just about injuries, although that is a factor, but it’s mainly about getting a bye week. Ever since I’ve been a fan we’ve been great after bye weeks. We were 2-2 this year then went 10 straight after a bye. The benefits of having all the starters rest and the extra time spent on preparing for the playoffs this week could be the difference between a good season and the lampposts on Broad Street being greased. Time spent scheming to put 100 rush yards on the Giants when they know that’s what we’re trying to do is an utter waste. 

For me, this needs Sirianni to show some leadership and put this to bed. 

If we want Barkley to get the rushing record then he can come back next year and get it. We should be offering him a big contract to ensure that happens. That should be his reward for this season, rather than giving him a shot at some personal record to the detriment of our season. 

AJ himself said he wants to rest up and heal up. 

I'm surprised so many of you guys want Barkley to play for the record.  I respectfully disagree.  He's got 345 carries, which is a lot of wear and tear.  He should rest up and then just destroy in the playoffs like we all need him to.  Honestly, 2k in 16 games is an enormous accomplishment.

6 hours ago, judunno said:

No.

Championship > Rushing Record

We need the rest for the run! Fact of the matter is he could have easily gotten it if he weren't pulled from games earlier in the season. They have bigger plans. Break the Playoffs and Superbowl rushing record how bout that!

It's not one or the other. Both can be accomplished.

rest your starters. all of them.

46 minutes ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

AJ himself said he wants to rest up and heal up. 

AJ also said he wants him to play for the record. Yesterday. 

8 minutes ago, Uscg-green said:

AJ also said he wants him to play for the record. Yesterday. 

I know thats why i said himself... They cant half ass it and only play some starters. Its either they all play for a half or they all sit. You dont want to send Barkley and hurts out theur with 2nd and 3rd stringers. It seems like the team is torn on the whole thing. Some want to sit and others want to play. 

8 hours ago, VaBeach_Eagle said:

Does he have any contract incentives with regard to rushing yards?

From what I remember they read on the Fanatic.... just all pro, pro bowl, make NFCCG, make SB. I believe 250k each. So he will have 2m headed his way.