Giants Notebook: Okekere Says Saquon's Tops, Jones Passes on Quarterbacks, and More

As a member of the Indianapolis Colts last season, current New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke had to face future teammate Saquon Barkley who was not only running on individual motivation but who was looking to help the Giants lock up their first postseason berth since 2016.

That afternoon, Barkley only ran for 58 yards on 12 carries (4.8 average), but don't let those pedestrian numbers fool you. Barkley not only can rip off a 100-yard rushing performance at the drop of a hat, but he is also a dangerous route runner that can create fits for a linebacker, especially when he works from the slot.

"Thinking back to last year when we played him, it was, ‘Get on Saquon, don’t give Saquon any space,’ just because of how dynamic and special he is with the ball in his hand in space," Okereke recalled on Monday. "He's a threat anytime he's on the field. He's one of the best football players."

Okereke was asked what Saquon brings to the table that no one else does.

"He’s got speed. He’s got shiftiness. His wiggle is really good," Okerek said when asked what makes Barkley so good as a dual threat. "He’s just a dominant player."

The Giants haven't used Barkley much as anything more than a check-down receiver. That is something, though, that could change if the formations and plays run during training camp are any indication, and Okereke is excited about that possibility.

"Yeah, I love it," he said. "I think it just makes our offense more dynamic."

Yes, even if it means that Okereke has to defend against Barkley in practice every day.

"Yeah. I mean, iron sharpens iron, right? So I try to give him the best I can, and I always know I will get a great look from him.

"It's honestly great practice for me because I don't think there's—I mean, I think (49ers running back) Christian McCaffrey is a great route runner, but I think Saquon might be the best," Okereke said.

Daniel Jones Says No to "Quarterbacks"

The Netflix docuseries Quarterbacks was so successful that the show was renewed for a second season.

But don't expect Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to be appearing on the program. Although he was asked to be on the series, Jones told WFAN's Boomer and Gio that he declined the offer.

Whether intentional or otherwise, Jones has pretty much followed the Eli Manning blueprint when it comes to his career. Besides being a tireless worker like Manning, Jones has been refreshingly modest about his off-field endeavors.

Giants fans might recall that Manning was initially approached to host Saturday Night Live after winning his first Super Bowl with the Giants in 2007. He turned down the offer, saying that the timing wasn't right. Four years later, in 2011, Manning won his second Super Bowl. He then agreed to host SNL in what was a wildly successful appearance.

Jones? He's coming off a solid season last year, which helped him earn a new contract, but he is still relatively unaccomplished when it comes to his craft. So it's probably wise that he punted on the opportunity to appear on Quarterbacks for now.

Belton Finding His Groove

Giants second-year safety Dane Belton spent three seasons at Iowa, recording five interceptions, all coming in his final year of the program in 2021.

Since arriving in East Rutherford as the Giants fourth-round pick last year, Belton has shown glimpses of being a ballhawk. He had two interceptions last year, and already this summer, he's already pulled down two picks, including one pick-6, in training camp practices.

If Belton, who projects as the third safety when the Giants go three safeties, can keep that up, that will be a nice boost to a Giants defensive backfield that last year only managed to pull in five of the team's six interceptions all season.

"We’ve got a really good room, we’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of guys that have the ability to go get the ball, so we’re just going to keep stacking, for sure," said safety Xavier McKinney, who has six interceptions in three seasons for the Giants, all six of those coming in his first two seasons with the club.

"We’ve got a lot of guys that can play really good football, so having all of us available and healthy will be super important with the number of games we have," he added.

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