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Kalen Ballage – December 17, 2018 Download PDF version

Monday, December 17, 2018

RB Kalen Ballage

(Your first opportunity for double figures in NFL carries. You obviously had the long touchdown. How would you assess how you played?) – “It was okay. Not to be rude or anything, but we lost. I don’t really care about the 75-yard run and touchdown or any of that. Most importantly is getting back out there this week and working hard and go getting the next one.”

(How many times in practice in recent weeks have you had long runs? Head Coach Adam Gase said there have been several. Do you think a half-dozen or more?) – “Yeah. That’s about right.  (We’re reminded) constantly that practice turns into what happens on game days, so I just try to prepare myself for that.”

(Have you felt that you would be getting more opportunities as the season went on?) – “I just wait. I’m patient. I don’t think about those kind of things. Obviously, (we have) two great running backs – Kenyan Drake, Frank Gore. When my number is called, I try to just go out there and do the best that I can.”

(What have you learned just seeing RB Frank Gore throughout the year and what he brought this year to the team as veteran leadership, for you as a rookie to learn?) – “I think most importantly, just his toughness (and) the way he goes about this business. He comes in here every day, he works hard, he takes care of his body and I think he’s just a great teammate ultimately at the end of the day. It’s been nice to watch him.”

(There was a report today that RB Frank Gore is not going to play in all likelihood this season. Have you seen him this morning? Has he given you any indication he’s down?) – “No. I just sent text messages back and forth. I asked how he’s doing. He said he’s doing good. The other extent of that stuff, I’m not sure. That’s all I know right now.”

(What did you see on the long run?) – “Open. Wide open. Those guys did a great job up front. Like I said, we practice this all the time. I saw the hole, I hit it and was fortunate enough to score.”

(Do you think you might have caught them by surprise with your speed, especially at your size?) – “I’m not sure. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe some of them knew. Maybe some of them didn’t.”

(You guys do the two-back set a lot with the run-pass option that you do. How much more comfortable are you now at this point in the season doing that?) – “It just comes with repetition. Obviously, I did a lot of that stuff in college as well, so it translates a little bit. Obviously, we do it a little bit different, but I think that the more that you rep stuff like that, the more comfortable you’ll be.”

(If RB Frank Gore is not able to go these next two games, the opportunity for you for not only more workload but just to be a part of that like you were yesterday – what do you think of that?) – “I’m ready. Just stay ready. That’s how we do things around here. It’s next-man-up. Obviously, you don’t want to lose somebody like a Hall of Fame running back. Scrimmage yards, he can catch it, run. Frank can do everything. Moving forward, I’ll just be ready to step into whatever role they need me to be in.”

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