Running Back Saquon Barkley
Q: What do you remember about your last visit to New Orleans?
A: It's a tough, fun environment to play in. Dope stadium. And we got a win, so that was fun, but that was many years ago, going against a team that is coming off a win, they're playing great and it's going to be a tough challenge and a tough environment.
Q: Didn't you score a touchdown, the game winner?
A: I did score a game winner there but like I said, that was many years ago. Different coaching staff, whole completely different team. I do remember (Saints linebacker DeMario) Davis was over there at the time, he's a heck of a player. They've got many good players over there and it's going to be a tough challenge and we got to keep this thing rolling, go on a deep stretch. It's going to be fun, it's going to be a fun environment to play in and we've got a tough task at hand, like I said you live for those kinds of games.
Q: What makes DeMario Davis a good player?
A: He's been doing it for so long. He's so smart, so instinctive. He's tough, he's physical. He's a running back matchup nightmare to be honest, just the things he can do. I'd say more of just it really starts with his IQ. I forgot – I don't know what years he's in, but it isn't like he lost a step at all. He's instinctive, he can play anywhere. He's a good player, a really good player.
Q: What happened to you on that carry in the game? Did you get checked for a concussion or anything? It seemed like your head slammed into the turf.
A: No. He slammed me. It was a good hit. Just came on the sideline, shook it off.
Q: I don't think you were asked last week but it looks like (running backs coach) Jeff Nixon is going to Syracuse. What's he been like as a coach?
A: Great. He's a great coach. I feel like he's definitely helped me improve as a player. Obviously not just physically and with the fundamentals of the game but just watching film, studying film, studying opponents. I really, I do extra at home, but I really don't have to do much extra at home because he covers everything. He does a really good job of that. I'm excited for him and Syracuse has got a good coach coming over there.
Q: With the three-game winning streak, not just you but the entire team, do you sense that the focus has picked up or it's always been the same?
A: It's always been the same. We've always had the mindset that we are competitive team and we've just got to find ways to win games and we weren't doing that in the beginning of the season. We can make every excuse in the book, but we didn't make any excuses, we just kept our head down and grind. It does help that our special team and defense are creating I think like 13, 12 turnovers in the last three games. That's got to be a record or something – but that definitely helps. Offense, especially with Tommy (DeVito) being at quarterback, I just feel like we're improving and improving each week and I feel like the younger guys are getting better each week. (Wide receiver) Jalin (Hyatt), you can see (wide
receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson) getting back to himself, (wide receiver Darius) Slay(ton) always makes plays, (wide receiver) Isaiah (Hodgins) stepping up, if we get D-Wall (tight end Darren Waller) back. O-line, you can see the o-line starting to gel together, settle down. Actually, after being able to play a couple games with each other and we find our groove at the right time and hopefully we can keep it going.
Q: How much does Wan'Dale add? He was saying he like he feels like he's back to his old self, like when you have a playmaker like that added to the mix.
A: He helps a lot, man. That's one of the first things I said to him after his one big play, his big catch. That's the (man) I know. It's tough, I've dealt with that injury. Obviously, I've been trying to give the best advice I can to him, he's been asking a lot of questions especially during the season. It's like just coming off it, how you feel at this point. You can see he's starting to come back. He's only going to continue to improve and he's only going to get better. And even after this season, the offseason, working that, then the next season going to feel way better than that. He's definitely a playmaker for us and we've got to continue to find ways to get him the ball and put him in space to help our team win games.
Q: A lot of times we'll see you sitting here, playing chess with (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux), is he a cerebral player or is he a whole package or what?
A: He's really good. He's been playing a lot longer than me, so the record favors him a little more right now, but I told him when I first started, give me a couple months and I'll start winning some games. It's been a lot more competitive. He still gets the best of me a little bit, but he's smart, he's a smart kid and obviously if you have any conversations with him and the way he holds himself and exactly how he is, he carries himself exactly how he plays chess. I've just got to – I've been working a little extra harder on my chess.com app so I can get better to beat him.
