Running Back Saquon Barkley
Q: (Head Coach) Brian (Daboll) talked about trying to keep this week normal. When you come down on this practice field today, walk down the hill, it's got to feel a little not normal, doesn't it?
A: Yeah, you have to take it in at the end of the day, you're blessed. We're in London getting ready to play a football game, but you've got to keep the same mindset that it's a business trip and you know what the end goal is. That's do whatever you can to come out with a win against a really good team. When you can, have your fun, but when we've got to lock in, lock in and get ready for Sunday.
Q: Reps at QB or RB today?
A: Just reps at RB today.
Q: Do you follow the premier league, the soccer in Europe? Do you expect the reaction of the fans to be the same as scoring a goal from the middle of the field when you have a big run? Do you feel that it's going to be something special here in the UK at Tottenham stadium?
A: Yeah, I really don't know what to expect that's kind of what I'm excited for, the unknown. Dabs kind of said it's like if you played at a big college, like the college playoffs, a big bowl game where it's not just one side. Obviously, we know the Giants' fans will do a great job of coming out and showing love and support. I'm just excited to go out there. I'm all about expanding the game, the brand, not just my brand personally but the Giants, NFL and putting on a show for the fans and get them excited at the same time.
Q: You haven't been down there yet, but in the stadium, they have big pictures outside, one of them was of you, what's that mean to you, what does that say that you are the face of the Giants?
A: I would say that's pretty cool to have the photo, but I really don't look at it like that. Like I said, you've just got to take it in. You're across the pond, and you're playing the game that you love. That's how I look at it. I just want to put on a show and do whatever I can to help my team win the game.
Q: You've been here with the NFL, have you traveled to Europe since you've been in the league?
A: Yeah, I've been to London one time for like less than 24-48 hours.
Q: Was it for fun?
A: Yeah.
Q: Did anybody recognize you?
A: In London? I'm not sure, but I have been, not just in Europe but traveled places outside of the country and they've recognized (me), and I do get a lot of love and support over social media from fans outside of America. I guess when you really break it down it's a cool thing. It's a cool thing to see, and it's also a blessing at the same time. But let's keep the main thing the main thing.
Q: You're on the number one rushing team in the league right now, does it feel different? This offensive line, especially (Tackle) Andrew (Thomas) made a lot of improvement. What does it mean to you to have the number one rushing team?
A: As a running back, it means the world. Like I said, you're going to do whatever you can to help your team win the games. Right now, we've been doing a really good job with running the football and that's been helping us get the job done. Like I said, credit to the offensive line. They've been playing tremendous. Also, the tight ends, wide receivers. My biggest thing that I take pride in is how we're able to adapt and adjust. Every week is something new. We come in with a game plan, a team comes in with a little something different to try to stop us. It's not always the first drive it may be like Carolina, we didn't have the greatest numbers, but at the end of the game we figure it out. We know Green Bay, you can see the big focal this week is probably going to be come in and stop the run and we've got to continue doing what we've been doing, adapt and adjust. Trust in guys like Drew, trust in guys like the o-line, the tight ends and the game plan to put us in positions to be successful.
Q: Players of all positions fight each week to get on the field and stay healthy. When your starting quarterback does it, does that resonate a little with you?
A: Kind of get pressure on me right now because I can see him in the back corner. I really don't want to say nothing nice about him right now. Everyone knows how I feel about (Quarterback Daniel Jones) DJ, just his mentality, his work ethic, type of talent that he is. He's a gritty guy, he's a tough guy. Yes it does speak volumes when you're quarterback has that mindset. Like I said, we're going to continue to rock with him and just keep going.
Q: When you've been through the injuries that you've been through do you now, when you're running this well on the season, take a bit more time to kind of appreciate the job that you're putting in and the football you're playing?
A: Like I kind of said the week before, you can see plays on tape where you're like, 'okay there's a person I know' or especially last week watching film, just being so much more instinctive, trusting the body and letting the body take over. But I've guess I will probably think more of that at the end of the year. Kind of trying to just live in the moment and taking it day by day. We're off to a good start and just got to keep going.
Q: When you said, 'before you started the season that you wanted to prove you're worth and to show what you've got', do you feel that you've shown you've got a lot left in the tank?
A: I feel like we're not in midseason form. The first couple of weeks is always about trying to figure it out. Obviously, we put ourselves in a pretty good position being three and one the first quarter of the season, but I really believe there is so much more we can improve in and continue to get better. Not just in the run game but as a team. That's something that we've got to strive for. Kind of going back to your question, now looking back on it it's not really just proving doubters or haters wrong. It's more just proving to yourself that you still can go out there and make those cuts and make those plays. We're off to a great start but just got to keep working, keep running and hopefully we continue to keep up this pace.
Q: Along those lines, not that you guys need any validation but to improve to 4-1 with a win over a team like the Packers, would that make you guys feel even better about the start to your season?
A: It would make us feel better just because it's another win. The mindset every week is to go '1-0'. That's what we're trying to accomplish.
Q: What were the goals you set for yourself throughout the season?
A: Take it day by day. It's easy to get caught up in, 'oh what can I accomplish? Or what I've got so far?' or you go on social media, 'oh Saquon, (Browns Running Back Nick) Chubb, where everyone's at?'. It's easy to be caught up in that but the way I kind of handle that is focus on the little things, focus on the details. Come in every single day and try to be the best version of myself and the best player I can be for this team. If I keep that mindset, especially with the way the o-line's been playing, at the end of the year we'll look back and be in a pretty good spot.
