Saquon Barkley on Le'Veon Bell: He Epitomizes an NFL Running Back

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley raves about New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell

The best young running back in the NFL cites New York Jets Le’Veon Bell as a role model for his running style. 

Count Saquon Barkley among those who are fans of Bell, the Jets All-Pro running back. Bell’s Jets will host Barkley’s Giants this Sunday, the match-up of these two top running backs one of the only true headlines from this match-up of teams that are a combine 3-14 on the season. 

And Barkley is a huge believer in Bell, even if it has been a down year for the Jets running back who is in his first season in New York. 

“Le’Veon, that’s my guy. He’s a heck of a player. Just the way he sees the field, the way he sees the game, the way he can catch the ball out of the backfield, block, set up his blocks, he epitomizes what a running back, how you’re supposed to set up blocks,” Barkley said.  

“Some people may call his running style hesitant, but no. It’s called patience, it’s called setting up the blocks and putting himself in a position to be more successful. I’ve been a big fan of him since I was in college and it’s going to be fun to be able to watch him live, and I wish nothing but the best for him.” 

It certainly hasn’t been an easy couple of seasons for Bell. Last year while with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell sat out with a contract dispute. He signed with the Jets this offseason,  

Bell suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s 26-18 loss at the Miami Dolphins. He was limited in practice on Friday but head coach Adam Gase cleared him to play for Sunday’s match-up at the Meadowlands. 

The free agent signing is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry with the Jets, the lowest average of his six-year career.