There's no doubt halfback Saquon Barkley is the most-hyped rookie to join the New York Giants since future Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor donned the blue in 1981.

Within weeks of being taken second overall in the draft Max Unger Jersey , the likable 21-year-old from Penn State had the hottest-selling jersey in the NFL. Seemingly half the kids wearing jerseys at training camp had his No. 26 look.

When he touched the ball in camp, there were 'oohs and aahs' from the fans, and visions of him going to the house in the regular season to help revive a franchise that went 3-13 last season, the second-worst record in the league.

Dream time is over. With the season opener at home against 2017 AFC runner-up Jacksonville on Sunday, it's time for Barkley to live up to the hype, just as Taylor did after also being taken with the No. 2 overall pick.

"I just want to play," Barkley said after a short practice Monday. "It's finally here. The season is finally here. I didn't get to play as much as I would like in the preseason, but now it's here and it counts now, so I am just excited to get on the road. You can tell, the energy of the team is high and we're all just excited for this game and this season."

Barkley had four carries in the preseason for 43 yards. The number was originally reported as five after the first preseason game against Cleveland, but an official review silently changed it.

It stayed at four after Barkley slightly strained a hamstring on Aug. 13 and didn't play in the final three preseason games. It was a precautionary move.

"The one week I didn't get that much practice, but after that I was back on my normal schedule Ethan Pocic Jersey ," he said. "I feel pretty confident and I feel pretty good. I just have to continue to attack practice and get better.

For the next week, Barkley plans to immerse himself in watching videotapes of the Jaguars' defense, a group that last season was the best in franchise history and is loaded with Pro Bowl players.

Barkley has set some personal goals, but he hopes to focus on his next play.

"I'm not a numbers type of guy who says I need this many yards, this many touchdowns," Barkley said. "My goal is to attack every single day and get better every single day. The rest of the stuff will take care of itself."

Barkley isn't sure how many tickets he will need for his NFL debut. His parents and his family are coming to MetLife Stadium and, of course, there might be some surprise visitors he needs to accommodate.

New coach Pat Shurmur caught Barkley off-guard when he talked about the return game Monday. The Giants waived returners Kalif Raymond and Hunter Sharp over the weekend and were awarded Kaelin Clay on waivers. Clay has handled return work in games and would seem to be the best option Sunday.

If they are ready, Shurmur said that Odell Beckham Jr. and Barkley would be options. He did not mention Cody Latimer, who also has experience as a returner.

"I'll be eager to definitely be in the mix of kickoff return. I did it in college," said Barkley, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last season. "I was able to help my team out in college in that area. If they Rashaan Melvin Jersey , or if I show that I'm capable of doing that for the Giants, why not? It's definitely something I feel comfortable with."

Don't count on it this early in the season.

NOTES: LB Olivier Vernon (ankle) did not practice Monday. Shurmur hopes to have him back Wednesday. ... TE Evan Engram was on the field but remains in the concussion protocol. ... With Davis Webb being cut, Shurmur would not say who is No. 2 behind QB Eli Manning. He hinted it might be Alex Tanney instead of rookie Kyle Lauletta because he likes have a veteran behind the starter.

Nick Markakis kept saying he’d rather have a four-day break with his family than be named an All-Star.

Actually receiving his first All-Star selection changed all that. Suddenly he realized he’ll relish the time with his wife and three sons at a setting where he’ll be recognized as one of the game’s biggest stars.

”Yeah, it’s one of those feelings that you’ve never felt before,” Markakis said. ”It’s definitely special, especially with my kids being old enough to be able to share it and remember it.”

Markakis, 34, collected 2,165 hits and two Gold Gloves in 13 seasons, including nine with Baltimore, before finally breaking through for his first All-Star selection in his fourth season with Atlanta.

His breakthrough left no room for doubt. After so many years of being an also-ran in the voting, Markakis led all National League outfielders with 3 Jordan Mills Jersey ,556,469 votes.

”It’s going to be exciting,” Markakis said. ”It’s going to be a fun couple of days up there. I’m excited to share it with my kids and share it with my teammates who are coming along with me.”

Juan Pierre, who had 2,217 hits for six teams in his 14-year career that ended in 2013, is the only player with more hits than Markakis who was never named an All-Star.

Those who have been around Markakis the longest had the loudest cheers for the selection many said was long overdue.

”One of the happiest moments of my big league career was giving him that All-Star envelope,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

Former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones used his Twitter account to say the All-Star honor was long overdue.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter enjoyed seeing his former right fielder finally thrust into the spotlight.

”I can’t imagine anyone having a more All-Star worthy season than Nick Markakis,” Showalter said when the Orioles visited Atlanta in late June. ”There is such a self-pride there. Contracts don’t drive him. The only thing that drives him is winning.”

Showalter has a special appreciation for the role Markakis holds with a rebuilding Braves team that also features such young players as All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies, 21, and left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., 20.

”To try to put a young team together, to have a guy like Nick around is paramount Chris Conte Jersey ,” Showalter said.

Markakis said he tries to provide a guide for younger players by sticking to a strict routine each day.

”I’ve got myself in a routine I do daily,” he said. ”I try to stay within that and not stray too far from it. Even when I was young I watched the older guys and how they prepared themselves with what they did. It rubbed off on me and now here I am today doing it and hopefully I can help my teammates and the younger guys.”

Even at 34, Markakis said he also can learn from the young rookies.

”I’m learning from them and hopefully they can learn from me, too,” he said. ”Just go about your business and do what you can to help a ballclub win every day.”

Markakis has helped the Braves lead the NL East for much of the season. He entered Friday night’s game against Arizona leading the NL with 116 hits and 38 multi-hit games and tied for the lead with 29 doubles. His .322 batting average ranked second in the league.

Markakis is having his best season, but he has been good for many years. He has a .289 career batting average, though his modest power numbers made it difficult for him to fare well in comparisons with the game’s top sluggers. Markakis has hit 20 or more homers in only two seasons, the last time in 2008 when he hit 20 with Baltimore. He has 10 homers with 60 RBIs.

In an era where all-or-nothing swings earn TV highlights and big contracts, there is still an appreciation for the skills Markakis brings as a disciplined hitter.

”I love the guy,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. ”I saw him many years in Baltimore. I don’t think he probably gets the recognition he deserves. …. He’s still one of the top pure hitters in the game.”

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