Devin Singletary surprised how hes turned into Giants afterthought

Hours after the Giants learned that Saquon Barkley was headed to the Eagles, their plan to replace him at running back was revealed when they came to a contract agreement with Devin Singletary. There was no pounding on the table insisting that Singletary was an elite player in the Barkley stratum, but his price tag (three years, $16.5 million) was more in line with what general manager Joe Schoen envisioned for the position.Singletary started the first four games, missed two games with a strained groin and upon his return to health has been a less-than-part-time backup to rookie Tyrone Tracy. “Yeah, I’m surprised,’’ Singletary told The Post.

“That’s just where we are right now.’’ Where the Giants (2-11) are is languishing, especially on offense.It is true that Tracy rushed for 129 yards in his first NFL start, a victory in Seattle.

Tracy ran for 145 yards in a loss in Pittsburgh and 103 yards in a loss to the Panthers in Munich. Tracy lost a fumble in that game on the first play in overtime and lost a fumble the next week in a loss to the Buccaneers.That led to head coach Brian Daboll re-inserting Singletary into the starting lineup in the Week 12 Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys, but it was a cameo, with Singletary getting seven rushing attempts in that game to Tracy’s nine. Singletary had just two rushing attempts in last week’s loss to the Saints. “It’s really tough,’’ he said “I don’t know any backs getting two or three carries going crazy.’’ The two-back system Singletary envisioned — with him as the lead back — has not materialized.

He has just 33 carries in the past seven games.Tracy has 84.

Using two backs in a more equitable system is commonplace about the league, but Singletary has devolved into an afterthought within the Giants’ offense. “[A two-back system] definitely can work,’’ Singletary said.“I don’t call the plays, I don’t make that decision.’’ Daboll was the offensive coordinat...