Running Back Saquon Barkley
Q: How meaningful was it to beat the Eagles in such a fashion as you did being that they've had this team's number for so long?
A: Yeah, definitely, it's a bonus when you're able to beat a division rival, but at the end of the day it's just important to finish the season how we wanted to. We didn't have the season we want, but we were able to control this last game and how we go out and we all made up in our mind that we wanted to go out on top with a win and we were able to get that.
Q: Do you think this is your last game (with the Giants)?
A: I have no idea.
Q: If it is your last game, how does a performance like this cement your legacy with this franchise?
A: I don't know. I feel like that's something that you reflect on when it's all said and done. Like I said over there in an interview with TV, I can't control that. If it is my last game, playing here, if it is, it was a fun six years. Made a lot of great memories, but it's not like the last time I'm ever playing football. I can't control that, so I'm not letting my emotions. If I knew that it was my last game, I probably would feel a little different but like I said, I have no idea.
Q: Did you feel at all different coming off the field? Did you think about it when you walked off the field?
A: [Nods no].
Q: What was it like to be out there with (Giants WR Sterling) Shep(ard)?
A: That was fun. Happy to see him end up top five (in all time Giants WR receptions). Obviously, statistically in his career is probably not what he thought it was going to be, but he battled a lot of adversity throughout his career. But he epitomizes what it means to be a Giant. That's why you see him get the love that he gets from the fans, from us. Every single day the energy he brings in, no matter if we lose, win, I've got nothing but tremendous respect for that guy and I think I can speak for the whole locker room that we all feel the same way. So just happy for him and it definitely helps the bonus to get a win to end the season.
Q: You had your arm wrapped around him as time expired or close to then. What did you say to him?
A: That's my brother, man. It's deeper than football with me and him. He's kind of like a big brother to me. We've got a lot in common, our kids are best friends. And if this is the last time playing football, that's my last time playing football with him. I think I would think about that more—going back to your question what I thought about leaving the field—more emotional, probably because that's the last time I'm going to strap it up with Sterling Shepard which that's fun. Lots of fun.
Q: You had a lot of ups, good times and bad here, but how would you describe the six-year journey so far because there has been a lot of frustration [inaudible}. It's been a roller coaster.
A: I don't know how to answer that. When I'm done playing football, we'll [inaudible]. I really don't have a great answer for that. [Inaudible]
Q: Who did you give the ball to?
A: A kid. I don't know.
Q; Oh, just a random kid?
A: Yeah, both of them.
Q: Did you treat this game any differently mentally, thinking that it possibly could be your last game?
A: The same way how I would treat it knowing obviously our season is over. Go out, try to go out with a win and come out healthy. That was the whole goal.
Q: To beat the Eagles handily, does it do something for you [inaudible] this season?
A: It definitely helps. Like I said, it's a bonus. You want to go out on top and to be able to beat a division rival, a team that's kind of had our number in recent years, definitely helps, but hopefully we can catapult this team into the right direction and get on the brighter side against our division rivals.
Q: It seemed like today there was so many different people kind of getting accomplishments today and that kind of thing. What did you think of (Giants Safety) Xavier McKinney and the two interceptions?
A: Yeah, man he's money. I don't know. It might be the Giants or whoever, he's a heck of a player, he's a heck of a leader and he deserves it for sure.
Q: What did you hear from the crowd today?
A: I think it was great, especially the love that (Giants WR Sterling) Shep(ard) was able to get. That means a lot to us as players. We go out there, we put our life and body on the line every single time we step on that field. With him being here in recent years, all of us. I don't think there's one player that hasn't had any adversity or dealt with a severe injury and he's probably dealt with two or three. For him to come back every single time and never complain and never make excuses, and just work his butt off and just lead and bring the energy and get the love that he deserves from the fans means a lot. It goes a long way and like I said, was just happy for him.
Q: How frustrating is it to not be in the playoffs and to know your season ends before the fun begins really?
A: I mean, I think it's more frustrating when you first realize you're eliminated, which was probably about two or three weeks ago. Now, you come into this game knowing that this is the last game of the year, but the beauty of it – it's not the beauty of it, it's just the nature of the NFL, that this is the last time we're going to be a locker room. No matter what. This locker room is going to be completely different. That's how it works. Through my six years, every year has been a whole new team. Obviously, we keep a lot of the key players and core players but you're going to have new players every year. So, to go out on a win with these guys is meaningful. It means a lot and I just make sure that I went around and told every single player that I'm thankful for them and it was an honor to play alongside all these guys.
