Kenyan Drake – December 20, 2017
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017
RB Kenyan Drake
(If I could get you to be selfish for just a quick second here, another game with over 100 yards from scrimmage – your third consecutive game with over 100 yards from scrimmage – how do you feel about those totals and the way you’re being used recently?) – “It just boils down to I can’t do it by myself. The game plan is executed to perfection. The o-linemen go out there and do their job to the best of their ability. The receivers do their job to the best of their ability. I do my job to the best of my ability. We just try to get the yards. We didn’t get the win like we wanted to, so that’s the disappointing part. That’s what I’m really concerned about, the end result. Everything else is just added effect. I want to get the win at the end of the day.”
(One more selfish question. The versatility that you have shown in these yards from scrimmage, even if it doesn’t necessarily go well in the rushing department like last week, you’re still getting yards and you still have the ability to make big plays. What do you think that says about your skillset?) – “I’ve always prided myself on being very versatile, putting myself in situations to create mismatches, whether it’s in the back field or lined up out wide. I can only run the plays the (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) calls. He puts me in the position to make the plays, so I have to do my job.”
(How much more comfortable do you feel now getting a lot more action as an NFL player?) – “In a sense, (the more action I get) the more comfortable I get. I’m not comfortable to where I’m complacent, I’m just comfortable to where I feel like I can go out there and just execute my job to my fullest, best ability. The more plays I get, the more comfortable I feel.”
(What was it like before when you didn’t know how many plays were going to get? It’s got to be a different feeling when you go out there.) – “For sure. There’s definitely a level of detail. It’s hard to really pinpoint, because at the end of the day, you try to attack each week, each day, like you’re going to be the starter. That’s how everybody’s mentality is, but that’s not very realistic. Now that I have a lot more opportunities, it’s just really taking the bull by the horns, going out there and seeing what the plays are, honestly.”
(When you’re in this position right now, because there is still is a chance to make the playoffs, do you have to use that as motivation?) – “We just want to win a game. That’s what we’re looking forward to. We’re trying to go up to play a great Kansas City team at KC, in a great environment, with great fans, so we’re just trying to go get a tough win in a tough environment.”
(Every year in the NFL there’s a guy who gets hot late and helps propel some fantasy football people to championships. You happen to be one of those guys this year. Have you heard any feedback from fans or do you know anything about that, the kind of popularity you’ve had?) – “Not really. The championships I’m trying to win are on the field, so whatever fantasy things are, that’s added gravy I guess, at the end of the day. But I’m more concerned with the actual championships.”
(After the way you were used at Alabama, do you think these last three weeks shut down any talk that you’re just a change-of-pace kind of back and that you can be a featured back?) – “I can’t control what people say about me. I just go out there and play to the best of my ability. That’s all I can say about that.”
(How much have you enjoyed the workload?) – “Like I said, I feel like as the game goes on, I get stronger. I’ve always felt like that. It just came with opportunity. I’m glad that I’m making the most of the opportunity because last year, I know personally – I had a chance to start last year against the Browns – I didn’t, personally, come out of that game feeling like I put myself in the best situation to move forward to be like, ‘I’m comfortable and I can help this team win.’ That was dependent on my level of preparation. This year, I got the same opportunity and I wasn’t going to be denied this time.”
(Was it strictly a matter of being more in the playbook that particular week that you started?) – “It all comes with repetition. The more I’m in, the more plays I get, the more comfortable I feel. I was just young. I didn’t have a lot of experience. Now having a whole year under my belt, I feel like … I don’t know if it was the same situation this year, that I would have come in with a different mindset, knowing what I did last year. It’s all about having that experience.”
(It’s funny you mention that because Head Coach Adam Gase said you drove him crazy last year and that’s changed this year. What was it an offseason of, ‘Man, I’ve got to do things right from top to bottom’?) – “We’ve all got to grow up one day, right? It’s just all about taking that step to maturation and becoming a professional.”
(I saw you had a minute with FAU Head Coach Lane Kiffin after one of the FAU games. How much have you been paying attention to what he’s done there?) – “Didn’t they just play? I don’t know the result.”
(Yes, they played last night.) – “Did they win?”
(They only scored 50 and gave up 3.) – “(laughter) They only scored 50? Wow, that’s impressive. I heard he signed like a 10-year contract, too? Leave it to Lane to sign a 10-year contract. That’s pretty cool. I’m happy for him and his success. I wish him much more success at FAU. Hopefully he’ll invite me to more games. (laughter)”
(What was the biggest thing you took out of your time with FAU Head Coach Lane Kiffin while he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama?) – “He’s the same guy. He’s not going to change for anybody or any situation. He’s real down-to-earth, just-want-to-enjoy-the-moment type of guy. That’s what I love about him.”
(Would you help FAU Head Coach Lane Kiffin recruit?) – “Help him recruit? I don’t have anything to do with that. I didn’t go to FAU.” (laughter)
