Running Back Saquon Barkley
Q: How do you look at this next game? Obviously, two to go.
A: Same way. This is the NFL. Go out there and compete, try to win. That's the goal every week, go out try to find a way to win the football game, and it doesn't change. Obviously, in two weeks we'll be going home, so the mindset is try to finish the season as strong as we can.
Q: Has it gotten old, though, not getting into the playoffs? I mean, I know last year you did have the run, so you had the taste of it, but how disappointing is it not to follow that up?
A: I think it definitely sucks more knowing–having a feeling of playing in the playoffs and going there the season prior. Obviously, that was the expectation to make the playoffs again this year, but we fell short. There are a lot of games that we wish we could have back to be in a different scenario coming into Week 17. But that's not the case and the case is we have two games left, and we have a tough opponent who is playing really well, and I think they're still continuing to fight for the playoffs, so you know you're going to get their best shot. As a competitor, that's what you want. So, our job is to go out there and compete and try our best to come out with a win, and we've got to be ready to play great football in all three phases.
Q: You being a leader on the team, or one of the leaders, do you sense that there's any attitude with some people who are just playing out the season, or is everybody having your attitude, 'No, let's win these two games?'
A: I think everyone is kind of focused with the same attitude not only that I have; I think that's kind of just the message from the coaches, from Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll), to go out there and win and compete. That's what the NFL is about. Obviously, like I said, it's unfortunate that we're not in a scenario where we can continue to compete and make the playoffs, but there's a lot of people that would love to be in our position, so you've just got to keep that mindset, go out there, play at high level, and try your best to come out with a win like every other week.
Q: How hard is it for you not to think about your future?
A: I feel like everybody is in a different position. Some people know that this is their last year here, technically. You never know, you could sign back or not. Some guys have multiple-year deals where they are here. Me personally, knowing that the future is kind of unknown, it definitely crosses your mind, but I just try to take in every moment and just enjoy my time and go out there and compete with my teammates. That's kind of the mindset that I've been having. Obviously, the future is uncertain. My contract situation last year was a hot topic, but I feel like whenever that happens, I'll worry about that then. So, just live in the moment, take care of these last few games, and focus on the Rams first.
Q: 1,000 yards mean anything to you?
A: Definitely. Definitely would be an important thing. Definitely a goal of mine to get, not just selfishly, for the offensive line. I feel like it's a big thing, 1,000 yards, and maybe even more hopefully. A year like this where we had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of adversity and me being injured, missing a couple of games, I feel like it definitely wouldn't hurt with the things I want to accomplish in my career. So, it's definitely a goal of mine and I would love to do that, and I feel me accomplishing that would be a big thing not only for myself, but for the offensive line, too.
Q: On the fourth down call, was that just a good play (Eagles linebacker Haason) Reddick?
A: Yeah, I mean, I can't take anything away from him. That's one of those things where, just miscommunication that happens. We've just got to do a better job of being locked in a critical situation. I'm not going to take anything away from him, he's a heck of a player, made a great play. Probably had an idea who was getting the ball, we were running it there, but he jumped it, made a great play. We definitely could help ourselves out a little bit more, and that's stuff you've got to learn from and you can't let it happen again.
Q. As someone who appreciates history so much, can you appreciate going up against (Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald?
A: Yeah, I'm excited for that one. Probably shouldn't say that, I don't want to–they say don't poke the bear. My mindset is – I really don't – whoever we're going up against, that doesn't bother me, but knowing how great of a player he is, arguably, probably the greatest defensive player of alltime, between him and probably (Pro Football and Giants Hall of Famer) Lawrence Taylor, it's definitely going to be fun. As a competitor, you want to go up against a guy like that. You know he's going to give you your best and you want to try to have a performance against a guy like that, so definitely a little extra motivation, too.
Q. Have your paths crossed at all?
A: Aaron?
Q. Yeah, you and Aaron in any Pro Bowl or anything? Nothing like that?
A: I don't think so. I don't think so, actually. Not that I remember. I've probably met him before, but I think this definitely will be–I know this will be the first time I've played against him and like I said, I'm super excited. Not just him, the challenge of that whole team. They have a great team. They have a really good defense, and the defense has been playing great, they've been playing great as a team, so it's going to be a fun challenge.
Q. I know you addressed this in Philly for the most part but if I may, to be out the playoffs means what, though? Because after last year I'm assuming maybe there was some heightened anticipation that you could continue the run and the run obviously stopped after just the one appearance last year.
A: Like I said, it sucks not being in there. You definitely wanted to build off that. I definitely do think we have the talent on this team, but one thing I've learned, I've kind of always known, each year is a new year. This year wasn't this team's year, for whatever reason. Obviously, there's a lot of stuff we could've done differently and just didn't accomplish that goal. Next year, it's a reset and every team in the league has the same goal: it's to try to compete for a Super Bowl. Make it to the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl.
Q. You're a student of the game. Is (Rams running back Kyren) Williams a different kind of running back or is he just a guy who isn't flying under the radar?
A: To be honest, I haven't really gotten to watch him. I got to watch him a little bit against the Saints, when'd they play? Last Thursday night? I got to watch him a little bit. Obviously, knowing the backs and seeing how well he's doing. I haven't actually gotten to sit down and watch his film so I'm excited to watch him play. He's been playing really well, hopefully he doesn't play well against us, but like you said, being a student of the game and being a fan of the position, definitely, when I get the opportunity to be able to sit down and watch all these guys, he's definitely someone that I'm going to try my best to watch and study him and see the reason why he's been so successful this year.
