The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tremendous defense — a Super Bowl caliber defense — but they’re well aware that New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley can alter the course of a game quick, fast and in a hurry.
It’s for that reason Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has spent an inordinate amount of time focusing on Barkley early this week, stressing to his players that the all-around back must be contained and curtailed the moment he touches the ball.
“I had a great deal of respect for him when he came out of Penn State, being a regional guy, but hadn’t seen a lot of him since he’s been in the league and an NFC guy,” Tomlin said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
“Hadn’t” being the operative word. Hours of film have changed that.
“He’s got the quicks and the vision to be a quality interior runner and the power, also, to be a quality interior runner,” said Tomlin. “He’s got burst and acceleration and top-end speed that allows him to excel on the perimeter game and in open grass. Five to 10-yard runs can quickly become 50- and 60-yard runs when you’re facing a guy with the talent of Saquon.”
Ultimately, Tomlin said, their defensive focus must be on minimizing Barkley’s impact on the game.
“We are going to spend a lot of time preparing to minimize his impact,” Tomlin added.
If the Steelers are able to isolate and take Barkley away — good luck with that — the onus falls on the shoulders of quarterback Daniel Jones and his four primary receiving targets, Evan Engram, Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton.
