Giants' Saquon Barkley still thankful amid difficult year

Running back Saquon Barkley suggested ahead of the trade deadline he didn't regret signing an amended one-year franchise tag to report to the New York Giants in time to play through what's been a difficult season for all involved. 

Barkley sang a similar tune during his annual Thanksgiving turkey drive at The Bronx River Community Center. 

"I’m just thankful for everything," Barkley said at the event about still being with the Giants, per Bridget Reilly of the New York Post. "You know, I try to stay really focused on that. Just being blessed. Another day of life. I have a beautiful family, a healthy family. I wake up and I play a child’s game and I get paid a lot of money for it." 

Barkley failed to receive a long-term contract to his liking before he inked the agreement that doesn't prevent Giants general manager Joe Schoen from tagging the 26-year-old again this coming March. The second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft missed three games earlier this season with an ankle issue, and his 3-8 Giants may be months away from drafting a replacement for injured quarterback Daniel Jones, Barkley's good friend. 

"I don’t get caught up in it too much and all the other stuff," Barkley added. "I’m just really thankful that I’m able to do what I’m able to do." 

Barkley raised eyebrows when he said last week he realizes "loyalty means nothing" because life in the NFL is "a business at the end of the day." That business could take the sixth-year pro who was born in the Bronx away from the Big Apple this coming spring, but he remains committed to helping individuals in the region as long as he's employed by the Giants. 

"I feel like it’s something special to come out here and see the look on their faces, put a smile on their faces," Barkley explained about handing out turkeys in person. 

Undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito next guides the Giants into Sunday's home game against the 2-8 New England Patriots. As of Tuesday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Giants as 3.5-point underdogs for that matchup.