Berry responded: “That’s why I’m asking, in your room at night, when you’re by yourself, are you like, ‘I wouldn’t mind if this kid bounced?’ ’’
Schoen pulled no punches with his reply: “I’m torn, Ed, because I still think he can play. And I think he can help us. But I
didn’t want to come in at a number because I don’t have a great idea where
the market is. I’m gonna let the league tell him what it is. … I do think he was our best offensive player.
” Barkley did want to return for a seventh season with the Giants, but both
sides were fairly certain a return was a longshot unless no other NFL team was
willing to sign Barkley for more than the $7 million per year threshold the Giants
wanted to spend on a starting running back.
And so on March 5, when Schoen informed Berry and then Barkley that the Giants would not be using the franchise tag on Barkley again this year,
both sides knew the ensuing conversation likely was not going to remain private.
Schoen told Barkley he loved and appreciated him and that he hoped
something could be worked out, but the tone gave off more of a good-bye-and-good-luck vibe
.
