Friday Transcript: Running Backs Coach Craig Johnson

Running Backs Coach Craig Johnson

September 22, 2017

Q: How do you feel your run game is doing?

A: Well, obviously, we have left some room for improvement right there. It’s not where we need it to be. To have a good offense, the kind of offense that we want to have, we have to have a well-rounded one and all phases have to work. Running game is certainly a part of that. We’re going to continue to work to make sure we do what we can do to make sure we have a balanced offense.

Q: What does RB Orleans Darkwa have to do to get more carries?

A: I think Orleans needs to continue to do as he’s played. He’s touched the ball, running the ball, he’s done a good job for the most part, but like most every back that has touched it, he’ll tell you, ‘I have that play or two I have to do a little bit better job. I wish I would have.’ That’s kind of what every guy goes through, so he’s done some good things. He needs to continue to keep doing good things.

Q: What does RB Paul Perkins need to do better?

A: His average is not where I’m sure he likes or certainly where we like, and I’d say Paul is reflective of everybody that’s touching the ball in the backfield. At the end of the day, we are not playing at the level that we need to. We need to all pick it up. He needs to pick it up and so my challenge to our guys is don’t worry about all the outside noise – what’s happening with everywhere else or anything else. Handle the business that we can control and what we need to do when we touch it, is get consistency so we can make more first downs, so we have more chances to have more plays and then we’ll have a chance to run along with that.

Q: Does RB Paul Perkins look less decisive?

A: As I look at it, I’d say he’s reflective of pretty much everybody in the backfield. For me to single out and say a guy is doing a good job with the production that we give him would be hard for me to say. So, I’m just going to say everybody that touches that room needs to pick up their game and raise it to a championship level. Right now, we haven’t done that. So, the run unit as a whole, specifically the backs, have to do a better job.

Q: Do you expect the running backs to break more tackles and what do you expect out of them where there isn’t anywhere to run?

A: I expect them to maximize every opportunity and, well, if you had more carries, well if we do the little things, we might make some more third down conversions, which can help in that or maybe have shorter situations so we can convert third downs. If you’re able to do that, you can get more touches. That’s kind of how the game goes. So, I’m going to tell them don’t be denied. Continue to do everything you can to break tackles, get extra yardage. But, don’t press and don’t look for the big play. That’s the biggest thing that will get them in trouble. Just do what you do and do it better than you’ve been doing it and everything else will fall into place.

Q: Do you see indecision when there have been holes?

A: I always think they like to have another play over and again, I’m going to go back to don’t worry about too much noise, if this, then that. Bottom line, trust yourself. Trust your mechanics. Trust your technique. Trust your fundamentals and when the hole is there, take it. Don’t worry if this, then that. That’s what gets guys to hesitate. So, I’m trying to keep them from it.

Q: Is that good advice overall for the offense since you’re 0-2?

A: It might be, but I very much try to tell the backs let’s worry and take care of what we can do. Don’t worry about our offense as a unit. Everybody has their units, has their hand. Right now, all we have to do is worry about getting our unit better. Trust your training. Trust your technique. Trust your teammates. Go do what you need to do and don’t try to go look for the big plays, the spectacular play because those ordinary plays will become big plays when we’re fundamentally better and break tackles and make stuff when stuff isn’t there.

Q: How much has trying to do too much been a problem in the last two games?

A: I don’t really think it’s been a problem so far, but I think a lot of times if people get overly concerned about, ‘Well, this is what’s being said, this is what we have to do, I need to go make some big plays,’ I think for the backs, just do your job, pick it up and do it better. My history as a football coach has told me at positions that when you do that, just take care of your job and doing it better, everything else will come into flow. That will get us in a rhythm. We’ll be on the field more. Everybody will be happy that they’ll be able to touch the ball.

Q: How has TE Shane Smith played?

A: I think that for a rookie, and I’m always hard on the rookies, but I think for a rookie, he has done a good job when he’s gotten opportunities. He, like everybody that’s in that room, has left room for improvement. He’s versatile. He brings some versatility to our offense. I like that, but I’m going to continue to ask of him as I ask of everybody. Raise your level of play to help our offense get into a rhythm. When that happens, everybody will be happy.

Q: How does your job change when you have a fullback in the mix?

A: I think the biggest thing is a fullback usually has got to bring a physical attitude to the team. So, I have to do a couple extra drills with a fullback tact that I might not do with a halfback type because of the lead blocking that he has to do. So, he’ll have to use some of the tight end type skillset for that. Outside of that, I kind of have leaned on some of the backs or having a fullback in the room to tell him, ‘This guy is going to be a physical player. He’s going to take care of his business. So, he’s going to be physical. Backs, you have to be physical like him.’ That’s the kind of things that you kind of bring to the mentality when you have a fullback.

Q: Does TE Shane Smith’s physicality trickle down?

A: Well, that is absolutely the goal for that position.

Q: What does using the running backs to chip block take away and what does it add?

A: That’s a great question. I think so much has been said – we as backs, a) are obviously out there to run the ball. Second, we are a part of pass protection with where we’re supposed to fit in the pass protection and who we’re supposed to help. And then, c) we’re supposed to be able to catch the ball and make plays when that happens. As far as a pass protection unit, every game plan is different. I don’t get too much into strategy, but the bottom line is, we are a part of the pass protection unit when called for. We have to do a good job on the edge and I tell them, a lot of people can just go out there and catch the ball. If you’re able to go out there and help out the line and then go catch the ball – difficult situations, but that’s why you’re in this room and that’s what we expect out of you.

Q: Is RB Wayne Gallman a victim of the numbers in terms of getting carries and how do you deal with his progression while focusing on the backs that are getting carries?

A: I think you always want to continue to develop your younger players. Wayne got a lot of reps in the preseason. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I think he was our leading ball carrier, as far as attempts. I think he’s got a really good future. We’ve got some guys ahead of him that have a little bit more experience and we’re going with them right now. But, he understands this and all the young players have to understand this. When you’re a young player and you’re trying to find your way, I’ve always believed that your team and your coaches see when you’re ready. I think that they’re starting to see that he’s doing some flashy things at practice, which is good. But, you have to be ready and you don’t get the reps, so you just have to show up when you get put in there because he’s an ankle injury or whatever it may be from playing. So, I tell him you have to prepare like you’re starting every game. That’s hard for a young player, but in the NFL, that’s the way the rules are. So, he’s doing a really good job. He’s shown some good looks and I think that we’ll be excited when that time comes that he gets on the field.

Q: How’s RB Wayne Gallman handled himself mentally since he probably hasn’t been in this position before?

A: Correct. A lot of young players have been getting a lot of shine as I call it when they have been playing and all the sudden they’re on the look team and it’s a little different. I think that’s part of, like when you asked about Shane Smith, kind of the mental toughness. I have to be ready mentally and emotionally even if physically I’m not in the game, but I have to play the game in my head so that when the time comes I’m not slowing down looking, I’m able to do what I’ve shown in practice, which means play with a clear mind, play hard and show the people what I can do and continue to show it over and over.

Q: How have you seen RB Wayne Gallman do in that regard?

A: I think he’s doing a really good job at practice. Can’t wait until the time that we get him on the field, when that time comes.

Q: How do you think RB Paul Perkins is handling the expectations as far as his approach?

A: If you watch him in practice, I’ll answer it this way that when I watch Paul Perkins, I know that he’s one of the first players on the field. He’s one of the last to leave. I don’t think any of that stuff phases him. He has a strong mind, strong spirit and I think he’s going to continue to show people what he’s all about. Again, sometimes you get too much with, ‘Well, I have to show people.’ Just be yourself and go out, play fast with a clear mind and don’t overthink things. When that happens for a back, I think good things will happen. But, you have to play with confidence. You have to continue to understand where we fit into the equation, which, if we do our job better, then it helps the quarterback, it helps the line, it helps the tight ends and everybody does their job better. Then, our offense will be like we want. We’ll get more swings at the bat, so to speak, because we’ll get more plays and then everything goes away. I’ve learned that from being in football for a year or two.