New York Giants SB XXV Champ Says Saquon Didn’t “Man Up”

When you turn down about $20 million in guaranteed money in any profession, people are going to question your decision. When the criticism comes from a person who had the same job and was tremendously successful at it, the assessment carries a little more weight.

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Ottis Anderson played in the NFL for 14 seasons, a little less than half of that was spent with the New York Giants. Anderson was the Super Bowl XXV Most Valuable Player and endured the demands of the running back position on a championship team. The former Giants workhorse has a pretty good understanding and strong opinions on Saquon Barkley's handling of his contract situation.

Friend of 'The Drive with Charlie & Dan', Paul Schwartz of nypost.com, talked to Anderson about the Barkley contract situation. The former Super Bowl MVP gave a solid evaluation. “I get where Barkley feels he’s at the point in his career where he wants that one big check, that one big contract, because everybody wants that, because you’re not sure you’re gonna get another one," Anderson told Paul Schwartz. “Two years from now, he’ll be in his seventh year, and that’s when most teams let go of running backs. I wish him luck, but management is looking at it totally differently than how Barkley is looking at it." That is a point that seemed to allude his fellow running back and Anderson's evaluation got stronger.

“That’s what’s scary about negotiating and listening to people in your corner, which is what you’re supposed to do," Anderson told nypost.com. “But there comes a point in time where you got to man up and make your own decision. You had money on the table, more than you got now, now you got less, now you might not play at all, so now what happens?" That appears to be a fairly sensible appraisal, that included some harsh words towards to fellow professional football player. Using the term "man up" never seems to be taken very lightly in the sport. However, you don't succeed the in the NFL for a decade and a half by being soft.

Anderson goes on to explain several likely scenarios, none of which work out particularly well for Saquon Barkley. Be sure to read all of Paul Schwartz's New York Giants coverage at nypost.com and download His "Blue Rush" podcast.