Q. You guys are almost 50 yards less rushing a game this year than you were last year. I know you keep trying to run the ball. What has happened to the running game?
DANNY BARRETT: Well, that's a good question and I can't give you a definitive answer right now. But we're looking at different ways in which we can change that scenario to get those 50 yards back.
A lot of it's about opportunities more than anything else. That's what we need to do moving forward, is get more opportunities the run game. Hopefully that will help get those 50 yards back and even more.
Q. Because David Johnson is such a good receiver, doesn't seem like Duke is getting on the field as much as last year when he played most passing situations. How do you feel that rotation needs to go over the last nine games?
DANNY BARRETT: That's a good question, too. Again, trying to get Duke more opportunities, more so than just third downs. Probably getting him on the field a little bit more on first and second down situations. I think that will also go back to your first question, help our run game as well, he's because he's a little different style of runner, patience and everything.
Again, last week he had 20 snaps, get him on the field more, because when he does have the ball in his hands he does make things happen.
Q. We talked with David last Friday. He acknowledged that he's pressed some, put some pressure on himself, needs to be a more patient runner. Overall how would you evaluate what David has done on the field? Seems like he's had a lot of trouble breaking tackles inside and getting much done on the interior. What do you think of him? You made a big trade to get him, so obviously a lot is expected from him.
DANNY BARRETT: Exactly right. I think you go back to your initial estimate from his comment. He mentioned about being more patient, taking what's there. Those are the things that we talk about throughout the week, even throughout the game, is take what's given.
He has put that onus on himself. He wants to get out there and probably try to hit a home run at the time where he probably needs to take what's given. We talk about being patient and the game will come to him.
I think that happened in the Jacksonville game. The most success he's had running the football. We came out early, wasn't patient. Then he started being patient. We got to get back to that, but also more opportunities for him as well.
We do need more space. I'd be the first to say that. He would say that. We all would say that. We all need more space. Not enough for myself to get through but for those guys to get through. They've shown when they have some space, they can make it happen. We talk about it every week, if they can get it up to the second level, it's now up to us. We need to find ways once we get to the second level, to make a guy miss in space and be able to get some chunk plays.
Q. You mentioned earlier that David and Duke are different style runners, they offer different things. Can you describe that, the difference between the two? Also could you kind of speak to the vision of David and what you're seeing from him there.
DANNY BARRETT: To answer the latter question first. Vision, both guys, great vision, also great feet. Being able to make the moves in the hole, but also see the holes as well. That's never been an issue for either guy.
When you're talking about different styles, I think David is more of a power runner, more straight up, down-the-field sometimes. Have to work with him on getting his pads down more than anything else.
And Duke, his style of running, he's not as fast as David, but I think with his feet and the ability to make a guy miss in the hole, that's where you'll see the difference. He'll press and cut and get behind the blocks maybe more because of the size than everything else. That would be the biggest difference, I would say.
Q. Duke and David both had productive games against Green Bay. In general their receiving numbers are down from most of their career. What have you thought of their performance at receivers, the challenge of getting them involved in the passing game this year?
DANNY BARRETT: Again, you look at the type of lineup that we have with the receivers, the tight ends and the backs, it's always tough with football. Their numbers have always been up because they've usually been "the guy" out on the football field at various times.
Last year Duke was our third down receiving back. In Arizona, David was that guy as well. Now you have a shared role. As you saw last week, we were able to take what the defense gave us, got them both involved because they were playing so much heavy zone, taking away the speed we have at our receiving corps. The guys were able tot the football and do something with it.
It always comes down to opportunity. I look at the end result, the amount of target, how many catches within those targets. This year, once the ball is thrown, we've been pretty good at catching it and doing something with it given the opportunities.
Q. Looking at the young guys, is Scottie Phillips someone you would want to get on the field and see what he can do? You guys cut CJ Prosise, but what about Scottie? He got some praise from your former head coach during camp.
DANNY BARRETT: Scottie is doing a good job. We're spending extra time with Scottie before and after practice getting him ready in case something were to happen to either David or Duke, especially in the receiving role. He didn't do a lot of that in college.
He's shown that he can get it done. But at the same time right now my focus is on the big two, which I call David and Duke, trying to get them more opportunities. If something was to happen to those guys, God forbid, Scottie would be the next guy to step up to the plate.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Coach.
DANNY BARRETT: Thank you.
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