Saquon Barkley Looks Forward to Facing Damon Harrison Sunday

Saquon Barkley said he still has a lot of respect for his former teammate, who on Sunday will look to pound him and the Giants running game into submission. Here's a closer look at that matchup and what to expect.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

When the New York Giants meet the Detroit Lions at Ford Field Sunday, running back Saquon Barkley and tackle Damon Harrison, one-time NFL teammates, will be on opposing sidelines for the first time.

It will be Harrison’s job, in part, to stop Barkley--something he has wanted to do since Barkley entered the league last year as a rookie.

When Barkley and Harrison were together on the Giants last season, Harrison said that he did not plan on holding back from hitting the team’s new star running back.

“You get in between the lines, and you get the ball in your hands, I don’t give a damn what anybody says,” Harrison said, according to the New York Post. “I don’t think we’ll be able to hit him too hard, but I’m gonna hit his ass.”

After complimenting Barkley’s talent, Harrison added that he was looking forward to “see what (Barkley is) made of” as far as taking NFL hits.

In his rookie season, Barkley proved that he could take the pounding. The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year winner finished second in the league in total rushing yards with 1,307, just behind league leader Ezekiel Elliott’s 1,434 yards.

But Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, was much more than just a runner for the Giants. He added 91 receptions for 721 yards and contributed 15 of the team’s 36 touchdowns (42%) touchdowns via both the running game (11) and passing game (4) last season.

Barkley, who has been unflappable, took Harrison’s words last year in stride.

“I remember last year he said something like, in the beginning when I first got here, that he can’t wait to hit my ‘you know what,’” Barkley said. “He always used to joke around here and on Twitter and stuff like that.”

Barkley, who has been mostly unflappable since joining the Giants out of Penn State, insisted that he has nothing but respect for arguably the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the league.

“When he was here, he was someone that I was able to go to talk to for advice, how to handle yourself throughout your career. He’s been playing at a high level for a long time. So I’m excited to get to play against a guy like that.

“I wish nothing but the best for (the Lions), but this week I just hope they don’t play to the level that they are capable of.”

Barkley could get his wish if the Lions run defense and Harrison, in particular, continue down the path they’ve been on.

Since entering the league in 2012, Harrison has posted an eye-opening 278 stops (tackles for zero or negative yardage) over his career. That’s more than any other defensive interior lineman who entered the NFL at the same time as Harrison, an undrafted free agent who got his start with the Jets.

This season, Harrison has had some struggles out of the gate.

So far this season, he’s recorded 15 tackles, six stops, and two sacks in six games this year. During the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Giants, Harrison recorded over 50 tackles each year.

Harrison has also popped up on the Lions injury report this week with a groin strain, though that injury is not expected to keep him out of action Sunday.

“I think Damon’s working hard at it and getting better,” said Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni.

“I saw some improvement in areas last week. I think we all have to understand that we played against an outstanding running back last week – a guy that I would put into consideration of really having a hot hand. Damon is working to improve, and I think he’ll progressively get better as we go.”

Pasqualoni’s defense struggled to contain Vikings’ running back Dalvin Cook in last week’s game. And although Barkley is still believed to be still feeling the effects of the high ankle sprain suffered in a Week 3 win over Tampa Bay, Pasqualoni said the Lions run defense better be ready to bring its A-game against Barkley and the Giants.

“He’s an outstanding back,” Pasqualoni said. “They’re averaging over 100 yards a game. He’s averaging, or they’re averaging, about 4.9 (yards per carry), which is a very efficient offensive run average.

“(Barkley) is difficult to tackle. He can hit any gap. We have to do a good job tackling,” Pasqualoni added.

“We have to get the guy on the ground. We have to get multiple people there. There’s a lot of ways to tackle, but the gang tackle is the best tackle. When you have more than one person at the point of attack, you have your best shot.”

In his first game since the injury last week against the Cardinals, Barkley appeared to be more hobbled in the second half. But Barkley ensured that he does not expect to feel any soreness Sunday as he prepares to take on the Lions--and Harrison.

“Your body reacts differently on gameday,” Barkley said. “Especially when you’re out there, and you have adrenaline, your mind is focused on different things. It helps you fight through anything if there is any pain.

“I think we’re doing a really good job so far throughout the week, not only on the practice field but in the training room, with rehabbing it. I’m excited for this week to be able to go out there and get another opportunity to play with my brothers.”

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