NYG Postgame (vs. Commanders) Transcripts: RB Saquon Barkley
October 22, 2023
Q: You had complementary football today, defense set the tone early, held on at the end, you even had a blocked field goal on specials. How important is that to get the complete package?
A: That’s how you win football games. That’s something we haven’t been doing and obviously, we didn’t win 40-0 or we didn’t blow a team out, but at the end of the day we got the Dub (win) and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do the rest of the season is lean on each other. When the defense makes a play, we go out there, respond, and sometimes we need the defense to pick us up and vice versa, and same thing with special teams.
Q: You had a few things in this game go against you guys. Obviously, the fumbled punt and Thibodeaux dropping that potential pick there and obviously, the last strip? What does it say that you were able to overcome those plays?
A: That’s how we always go. That’s how we were last year. That’s the type of team we have. That just wasn’t the product we were showing the first couple games of the season, the first six games of the season. We’ve got to get back to playing that way. That’s Giants football, that is the way we have been playing. This is winning football, complementary football. Playing for each other, feed off each other, have each other’s back. Find a way to win games.
Q: Can you take us through your highs and lows? Can you walk us through the 32-yard touchdown; what did you see on that? And then the fumble, which is only your second lost fumble ever.
A: Tyrod [Giants QB Tyrod Taylor] did a really good job of hitting me on the move. I was able to make a guy miss and find a way to get into the endzone. On the red zone fumble, I have to be better. Simple as that; I have to be better and do a better job of protecting the ball. I’ve been better at protecting the ball throughout my career, but in that moment, that’s a key moment, and you have to find a way to come up with points there. I let my team down, but the defense had my back.
Q: Did your arm have something to do with the fumble?
A: No. I’m not going to sit here and make excuses. Payne [Commanders DT Daron Payne] over there is a really strong dude. He got a good grip on the ball and he won that fight.
Q: Are you ok now? What happened to your arm?
A: I just hyperextended it a little bit. I’ll be alright though.
Q: Are you looking forward to the reinforcements that look like they are coming back this week and next week?
A: Yes, definitely. I don’t want to speak for them and make a prediction that they’re going to play next week or not. They’re going through their rehab process, and we know that the trainers and the strength staff are going to do whatever they can to help them get back on the field as quick as possible and healthy, but it’ll be really good to get some of our best players back on the field.
