NYG Postgame (vs. Dolphins) Transcripts: RB Saquon Barkley -- December 15, 2019
Q: What does it mean to send Eli off with a win like that in such a strong offensive effort?
A: If that is his last game and that's the way we send Eli off, then that's the way we envisioned doing. I know I wanted to go out there and play my tail off and I know those guys wanted to do the same too for #10. He's meant so much to this city and to this franchise for such a long time. He's a special person and a special player. If that is the way he gets sent off, I'm glad we were able to do it in a win and do it in that fashion.
Q: You talked how hard it is to get over that hump. You guys have been searching for a way to win. Did you feel something click that was tangible in the second half that got you over that hump as an offense or as a team in general?
A: We ran the ball well. We were more consistent. We didn't have a lot of penalties or dropped plays. We played football as a team. I had a great game. When Buck came in, he had a great running game. The O-line played lights out, giving Eli time and opening up holes for me. Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate Darius Slayton - all of those guys were making plays. Tight ends were blocking well and making plays as we need them to. Defense was playing well, special teams were playing well. We were playing complementary football. I think it was the first time we did it in a very long time. When you do that, you're going to find yourself winning a lot more games. Hopefully we can continue to do that and finish the season off strong and have this winning become contagious.
Q: How much confidence does the offense get when you come out and score that way in the third quarter?
A: That definitely gives you a lot of confidence. Just the way we were able to do it. The whole game, we were able to run the ball and get five, six yards. We got some of them split. When we were in the red zone, we scored. Eli was stepping up and making big plays for us. All around, we were consistent. That's why in the last nine games we lost, we weren't a consistent team. We were consistent in all three phases of the game today. We had a good win today.
Q: What was it like for Eli to get that curtain call?
A: Special. I kept saying, 'I'm getting chills over here.' I kept saying I might give him a thug tear. For those who don't know what that means, that means one tear. Even though I've only been playing with him for only two years, that meant a lot to me. I know he means a lot to everyone here in this organization. Like I said, he's a special player and a special person. For him to go out with a standing ovation like that, that is the way to go out - and that is the way he deserves to go out. It says a lot about the type of person he is.
Q: Did it mean a lot for you to go over 100 and get back in the end zone? You hadn't been over 100 since Week 2 and the touchdown in Week 7. Does that mean anything to you?
A: No. I don't care. The only way that means something is because of the win. I don't care how we did it. That's what matters.
Q: Did you feel like you were emotional on the sideline? You were jumping. What were you doing on the celebration?
A: I don't know. Usually I don't do stuff like that, but I just did it.
Q: You were blowing kisses to the crowd.
A: I did that the first time I scored. It's a thank you and an appreciation to the fans.
Q: Were you getting tired of people wondering if you were hurt?
A: I've been tired of that. After the bye week, there's no excuse. I felt like I showed flashes in Chicago and Philly and Green Bay. But realistically, where it was today is where it was going to go. Meaning if we run the ball, stick to the run. We didn't go away from the run. We had nice, long drives where you can wear and tear them down. Everyone loves it when we're popping it for 60 and 80 yards, but sometimes it's those fourd or fives or gritty runs that wear a defense down. That was the first time this year we were able to go out and get a four-minute situation and a six-minute situation and run away with the game.
Q: Is this the offense you envisioned from Day One?
A: I know we have the players on the offensive line to do it. But it's been an up and down season for us. Inconsistent season for us and the run game, you can call it ineffective, but it's easier to run the ball in the fourth quarter when everyone is saying, 'Take the dirty runs'. But when you take the dirty runs and you get into the fourth quarter and you're down by two touchdowns, it doesn't matter which window you're taking. You can't lean on them. You have to go back on the attack and I think we were able to do that today.
Q: Is there a way to quantify what breaking this losing streak means? Is the team able to breathe again now?
A: It's a breath of fresh air, for sure. Winning is fun. I don't want to say that we go out there to have fun. The way you have fun is win the game. Eli said that to us. I think he said it perfectly. It's definitely a breath of fresh air. We work so hard and everything feels like it's been going against us. Today we were finally able to get that win and hopefully it becomes contagious and we finish the season off strong.
