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Friday Media Transcript: RB Coach Craig Johnson

Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/16/2016 5:02 pm
Running Backs Coach Craig Johnson

September 16, 2016

Q: I think the stat is that Rashad Jennings leads the NFL since Week 14 last year in rushing yards. What do you think has clicked for him?

A: He's obviously gotten into a great rhythm. Early in the year, a lot of opportunity for a lot of guys. But, right at the end, he's been in a great rhythm, we've been in a great rhythm with him. He's done a good job of finishing his runs and he's been very reliable and available. I'm really pleased with what he's been doing.

Q: Only Shane Vereen and Jennings got carries last week. What can you say about the development of the other guys now that they've made the 53 and have ventured into the season.

A: I'll talk about Orleans Darkwa, who's not gotten a chance this year. For two years in a row in the preseason, he's been tremendous. He's really done a good job. He got a chance to play a lot last year, was very impressive. But the way the game went, our opponent did a good job of controlling the ball so it was hard to get another back in the rotation. Both guys are really doing well, but I really look forward to watching him play. He's been very good. Bobby Rainey, I thought, did a really good job. He came to us this offseason. He made a lot of plays in the offseason, he made a lot of plays in the preseason. He's veteran, he's been there, he's been through it. I'm also looking forward to seeing him get on the field and see what he can do. And then we're still developing Paul Perkins, our rookie draft choice. He's getting a little bit better every day. He missed a lot of the offseason, so he's still trying to get to the little details of some of the small things in our offense. In the big picture, he'll hit you, he can catch, he can run, and he can make moves. I'm looking forward, when that time comes, for him to make a difference for us.

Q: Do you think Bobby or Orleans could find their way into the rotation this week against New Orleans?

A: I think that it's always possible. I don't know quite how every game goes. Every game is a game within itself. But I think both those guys will do a good job of what's asked of them. I expect that, I demand that and I think they'll be ready.

Q: Is Bobby a guy that you have to make a concerted effort to find him spots because you have Shane as the third down back, you have Rashad who's established himself.

A: I'd probably answer the same thing for Orleans. Bobby did a really good job in the preseason. He had a shaky first game, but he understood what he had to do and he got a lot better all the way through. He brings certainly some explosiveness to the position. Look forward to letting that happen. Bu, he earns his reps through how he practices and then when that time comes, I expect him to be able to run, catch and block. That's what it's all about in our system and I expect that he'll do a good job of that when he gets in.

Q: What can Paul Perkins show you?

A: What Paul's done, I'm looking forward to watching him when he gets on the field. But the biggest thing I would say for him in the preseason, since he hasn’t had as many behind the line of scrimmage reps and playing as running back. But, the first thing that I think you find your way, and Rashad proved this also as a younger play, is what you do on special teams. On special teams, I want to see a guy who's going to have good change of direction and is not afraid and will go out there and either can make a tackle or he'll hit somebody when he's blocking and Paul's definitely showing that. I look very forward to the day that he gets on the field.
Man, the coaches must see something special in Perkins...  
Dan in the Springs : 9/16/2016 8:21 pm : link
Usually a rookie buried on the depth chart like he is would be a outside squad candidate. For him to make the roster now when clearly they see him still a long ways away from contributing means they don't want to risk losing him.

Serviceable runners are regularly available. If that was his ceiling there'd be no need to protect him, so he must project beyond that.
Dan, do you remember how Ahmad Bradshaw started out?  
Klaatu : 9/16/2016 9:54 pm : link
Fumbling a couple of kickoff returns early on and not much else in 2007 until Ward got hurt and Droughns hit a wall. He didn't have a regular season carry until Week 12 against Minnesota (and then he only got four). Then, in Week 16 he exploded against Buffalo and the rest is history.

I figure the Giants are going to be very patient with Perkins. They'll most likely ride Jennings and Vereen for all they're worth and sprinkle in Darkwa and Rainey here and there (along with using them on special teams). If Perkins does get a serious shot this year, it will probably be due to injuries to other RBs.
Yeah, it's easy to think of AB too when I look at Perkins...  
Dan in the Springs : 9/17/2016 10:00 am : link
and it's interesting to think of them starting their careers the same way.

I've been high on Perkins from the moment he was drafted. He looks fantastic. Basically the Giants are saying he's not close to ready but he'll be great when he is, so we're sticking with 5 RB on the 53.
They might as well play the long game with Perkins...  
Klaatu : 9/17/2016 10:19 am : link
As long as Vereen stays healthy.

It will be interesting to see how Perkins progresses compared to Jordan Howard, who was drafted by Chicago right after we chose Perkins. By all accounts, Howard had a pretty good preseason, but I think he was inactive for their first game. At least he didn't have a carry.
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