Q. Team tackling numbers have been good the last three weeks. What do you attribute that to?
VIC FANGIO: Just better overall play by the whole defense. You know, we had some of those earlier games running backs getting through the second, third level too easily and those are hard tackles.
I think we played better overall.
Q. I know you guys have changed up the practice elements of tackling. Has that helped at all?
VIC FANGIO: I think any time you emphasize something in practice it's going to get better.
Q. On that fourth down play where Cooper got scraped over the top looked like they were trying to out-leverage him. How rare is it for a rookie to be able to diagnose?
VIC FANGIO: Well, he did a good job keeping his eyes on it. He's had that play in practice in the last few weeks with guys trying to mess with you with the motion and get your eyes off him.
He did a good job keeping his eyes on him the entire time. That's really what allowed him to make the play.
Q. Two takeaways; I know you've been close in a couple previous games. How much of a difference does that make? Can that snowball, do you think?
VIC FANGIO: Makes a huge difference. I mean, those last three drives, not counting the last, last one, but the fourth down stop is like a takeaway, interception, and then the quick fumble. Three series got stopped right away.
Has a huge affect on everything, both defense's confidence to make a play like that, field position for the offense, and I believe it was just a seven point game on the fourth down stop and all of a sudden we have the ball already in field goal range.
So huge plays.
Q. As a coach, what part of the interception did you most appreciate?
VIC FANGIO: It was a great play by Isaiah against a really good receiver and a really good quarterback. He got his hand on the ball. He didn't panic. A lot of times guys panic when the ball is up in the air like that on a deep ball. He didn't panic. Got his hand on it. Luckily Chauncey was there to get the lollipop.
Q. Is that something you drill, that type of play?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, that's something that corners have to be able to master, playing those deep balls.
Q. Zach and Nakobe, you mentioned how little experience they both have at that position. What have you seen from their growth from the start of the camp or OTAs to now individually and as a unit?
VIC FANGIO: They're both getting better and better each and every week. In Zach's case he's never played inside linebacker so this whole season is new to time. Nakobe played in college but didn't play much the first two years.
As far as being on ILB, Nakobe actually has more experience. They've both done a good job growing in the position. I think Bobby has done a really good job coaching them. They're getting better and better.
Q. Were you worried at all about the team's defensive depth at the start of the season? Have some of those concerns been allayed through what you've seen?
VIC FANGIO: I mean, every team has its depth issues. It's hard to have quality, quality backups everywhere. You have them at some places. When we have had to call on guys, they've come in and done a nice job.
Q. When it comes to in-game adjustments, how much of that narrative is true and how much is it just really more just a product of you switching to whatever defenses you have at your disposal based on what you're seeing offensively?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, when you say in-game adjustments, I think they don't have to be drastic stuff to where you draw something up on the sideline and put something totally new in. It's just shifting gears as to how you're playing a certain team, whether it be because you're having trouble or whether it just to give them different looks.
So the adjustments are ongoing. Some of them are through the normal flow of the game; some are because you're having trouble; some are because you don't want to get too tend deny seed in what you're doing yourself.
Q. What have you seen lately from Kelee Wingo and Eli Ricks?
VIC FANGIO: Kelee came in one of the games recently and did well in his few plays. He's been practicing good, so feel very confident about him.
Eli hasn't had any action I don't believe in the regular season so far. In training camp had a nice camp. If he has to suit up and be ready to go, he'll be ready to go.
Q. When it comes to the younger players in general and their growing and getting better, how much of that is them being more comfortable with the scheme versus you figuring out what they do best?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, probably more of the first part than the second. But that is part of it, too. So I would say 75/25.
Q. With the trade deadline coming up, is there any position you're advocating for?
VIC FANGIO: No.
Q. So you feel good about the kind of state of the roster defensively then?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah. I mean, it's hard to improve your team drastically this time of year. I think if you look at some of those trades over the years they really haven't had the affect that some teams were hoping for.
You know, unless it's a trade that -- where you're getting a guy that you're going to have for a few years. More of a bigger trade than swapping guys, trading a 6 for a 7, those type things.
Q. (Indiscernible) What's the key in combatting this?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, it's hard. They spread you out. Makes the game more one-on-one-ish. The ball usually comes out quicker. It tests your ability. Really does.
Q. Seems like you kind of settled into a nice rotation at edge rusher. What kind of impresses you about like that group as a whole? Then do you see Jalyx Hunt mixing his way in there as the season goes on?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, possible he could mix his way in there. I think the group overall plays well. They take pride in their performance both as individuals and as the unit.
I think Wash does a good job with them and especially rotating them during the game. I think overall the unit is playing good.
Q. When it comes to the guy with the green dot you're calling plays into, is it as simple as him relaying what you said? Is there a skillset that's involved with that? Does Nakobe have anything this sets him apart from other guys?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, some guys are more comfortable with it. There has been some players in the league that don't want it. They just want somebody else to handle it and get the call. They don't want the add at burden of it.
Nakobe likes doing it. When we do go to six DBs and Baun stays in the game, he does it. Now, when he does it it has to be more through signals because you can't have two of them. But if we know Nakobe is not going to -- like at the two-minute drive at the half the other day, which only turned out to be two plays, we put it in Zach's helmet because we went to dime.
Q. When signs are being sent in, who does it from the sideline?
VIC FANGIO: Bobby.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
VIC FANGIO: Yeah.
Q. How important do you think Christian Parker is to the level you're getting from two rookies?
VIC FANGIO: Very important. He does a good job with them. Does a good job in the meetings. Spends individual time with them in his office which helps with a lot of the guys. Doing an excellent job for sure.
Q. You mentioned the trade deadline with players maybe not matching up to what teams want or needed out of them. Sounds look you studied that a little bit. Why don't you think that performance comes that quickly?
VIC FANGIO: Well, I mean, each and every case is different obviously. Sometimes the guys come in with no prior relationship with the coaches and everything is totally new.
I think if the guy had been with you somewhere along the line and has system knowledge and comfortability, that helps.
You know, every scenario is a little different. Every position is a little different, too.
Q. You made the point that you're a youngest defense since the beginning. Any of those young guys surprised you beyond what you expected?
VIC FANGIO: Not really. You know, Q has done well since we got him here. We thought he was going to be a good player when we drafted him and he's been that since we got him.
Really didn't know much about Cooper because he missed all the training camp. Didn't know what it would look like when he got out there. Done well the last couple weeks.
Jalyx hadn't got much playing time. Nolan has done well and keeps improving. Who else we talking about there?
Q. Nakobe is kind of still...
VIC FANGIO: Just more playing time. These guys will naturally improve.
Q. You mentioned the positions are different bringing guys in. What positions do you think defensively are a little easier, which ones are harder for guys to come in and be able to contribute right way?
VIC FANGIO: ILB is probably a little harder. Safety is a little harder. You know, maybe corner is a little easier maybe depending on how you're playing. Maybe D-line a little easier. Again, depending on how you're playing.
Q. In the first press conference back in camp you said you had no problem playing rookies if they were capable of playing. What indicators did you look for early on?
VIC FANGIO: Just their play, how they're performing in practice and hopefully taking it to the pre-season games and showing it.
Just their play overall.
Q. You saw Trevor Lawrence very early into his career and struggled in that game. What do you see now three years later that makes him different?
VIC FANGIO: Yeah, he's highly talented. Got a big arm. Really good scrambler. Fast when he pulls it down and runs. Can make every throw. I think he does a good job running their offense. You could feel that. It's his third year there now with that coaching staff.
So there is familiarity. They do some audibling. He has a going to command of that. I think he's a really good player from a talent standpoint and quarterback intangibles.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports