Kenny Gainwell on life as Saquon Barkley’s backup

Kenny Gainwell on life as Saquon Barkley’s backup originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The hardest part is when he gets asked why he’s not playing more. Why he’s not getting more carries. Especially when those questions come from his own family.

“It’s kind of hard,” he said. “Especially when you hear your family, your family members, coming up to you, like, ‘I know you’re better than that. I know you what you do and I know how hard you work to get to this point.’”

All Gainwell can tell them is that he’s always ready, he’s going to do the most with whatever opportunities he gets and his biggest goal is doing whatever he can to help the Eagles win.

And so far, he’s checking all those boxes.

“I’d say things are better this year than last year,” he said. “Just having Saquon (Barkley) in the room, he’s selfless. That’s how I was at Memphis. Being a guy in the room who always wants to see the other guys eat.

“So I’m taking the opportunities I get and doing the best with those opportunities and eating when I get them.”

If you didn’t see the video from Sunday of Nick Sirianni asking Barkley if he wanted to stay in the Giants game and try to get a career high in rushing yards or let the other backs – Gainwell and rookie Will Shipley – get some carries, it’s incredible. Barkley, just 13 yards shy of his career high, doesn’t hesitate in telling Sirianni, “Let the other guys eat.”

Shows you the respect Barkley has for a guy like Gainwell.

And with the outcome not in doubt, Gainwell got 13 carries – one shy of his career high – for 56 yards in the Eagles’ 28-3 win over the Giants. He also caught a pass for 67 scrimmage yards on 35 snaps.

“I’m always focused, I’m always like the bigger picture of it,” Gainwell said. “We won, I’m on to next week, what can I do next week to own the practice field to show these coaches what I can go into the game and do.”

Gainwell has always responded when he’s gotten…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kenny-gainwell-life-saquon-barkleys-011037653.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-10-24 01:10:37

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