Faulk is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Craig probably should be. Faulk had his dual 1,000-yard season during his fifth NFL year. Craig did so in his third. Barkley, who has already broken the Giants' franchise record for receptions by a rookie running back, is in his first NFL season.
Barkley may be the Giants' best weapon against the 49ers on Monday night. His 1,016 total yards this season account for 33.2 percent of New York's total offense. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows the San Francisco defense has to stop Barkley both as a running back and as a receiver.
"He's dynamic now," Saleh told reporters on Friday afternoon. "For his size, it's very deceptive because it doesn't look like he's moving but the son of a gun, he's moving. He's got tremendous balance. He's got great feet. He's obviously used in the pass game. I think they're pretty much even, rushing to passing yards.
"His actual yards per carry are sitting at I think 4.7, so he's doing a really good job running the ball. He creates holes.
"I don't want to put him in Barry Sanders' world yet (but) he's got a chance. He's got great patience. He finds holes. He makes people miss. Well worth the investment, for sure."
The 49ers defense is allowing an average of 102.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 12 in the NFL.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Throwback: Ricky "Running" Watters runs all over the Giants
Ricky Watters can arguably be considered one of the top five running backs in San Francisco 49ers history, despite spending only a relatively short time with the team. Some would argue that, had Watters remained in San Francisco, he could have potentially broken Joe Perry's... -
49ers reach injury settlement with veteran running back
According to the NFL transaction report, the San Francisco 49ers have reached an injury settlement with veteran running back Patrick Taylor Jr., removing him from the team's injured reserve list. Taylor was placed on injured reserve on August 20 with an adductor injury. He... -
49ers expect several players back at practice next week
The list of injured San Francisco 49ers players has been lengthy. Not counting players on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team was missing 21 players during Tuesday's practice, the final full session of training camp. The good news is that... -
49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling explains number change, reveals goal for Australia trip
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling will play his first regular-season NFL game nearly 7,900 miles from home when the team travels to Melbourne, Australia, to face the Los Angeles Rams on September 10. "What an experience, going to Australia," Stribling...