Vic Fangio

Q. Sunday was the first time in Eagles history that you guys started 11 players who are 27 or younger. It’s the youngest starting lineup with CB Slay out and CB Isaiah Rodgers playing. Have you ever been around such a young group, and what do you like about being around some of the young guys? (Reuben Frank)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, in 40 years, I don’t know what the numbers would say. I would imagine with the expansion teams we did that a little bit. I don’t see it as an age thing or an experience thing. I see it as a production thing– who can play the best– and we put them out there regardless.

So yeah, would you like experienced guys right in the middle of the prime of their career, 11 of those? Sure you would.

But in today’s day and age, that’s not going to happen very often, but we are not afraid to play young players. I never have been. Never will be. So as long as they can do their job.

Q. One of your young players didn’t play a whole lot on Sunday. DE Bryce Huff, what is going on with him? What was that all about? (Bob Brookover)

VIC FANGIO: He’s got a wrist issue he’s dealing with that flared up in pregame. So, I always kind of feel that somebody that’s a hundred percent is better than somebody that’s dealing with an ailment. Luckily with the way the game went, we were able to play most of it with the other guys sharing the load.

Q. We saw DT Jalen Carter be able to beat some double teams. What’s the key to that and how do you make sure a guy doesn’t get frustrated when he’s getting that extra attention? (Dave Zangaro)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, he can’t get frustrated. A lot of times, the double teams are just a result of the scheme that the offense is running. It’s not so much that it’s tailor-made to an individual.

But you just can’t get frustrated. You’ve got to keep playing. A lot of your guys with their dominant players, they get double teamed a lot but they still seem to get their production. So, they keep going and they don’t get frustrated.

Q. When it comes to LB Nakobe Dean closing the game out the way he did, how much improvement have you seen from him in the coverage aspect from when you first got him? (John McMullen)

VIC FANGIO: He’s gotten better obviously. Made a tremendous play there at the end of the game. I do think he has improved. I still think he can improve some more, but I’m very pleased with the progress he’s made in that area of the game.

Q. What do you think of LB Nolan Smith in that nickel package, and do you think DE Bryce Huff is still your preferred option there if he is healthy? (Brooks Kubena)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, if he’s healthy he’ll obviously play more.

Q. If I can go back to DT Jalen Carter, I think he played all but two snaps on defense. For a defensive tackle, how unusual is that, and how well do you think he played? (Martin Frank)

VIC FANGIO: I thought he played very well. I thought he had — I mean, I don’t know that I can say his best game overall but if not his best, then it’s up there.

The way the game went, we had a fair amount of three-and-outs. So, it is more possible and easier for a defensive lineman to play a good bit of the game. If you’re getting a bunch of seven-, eight-, nine-play series, then it’s harder.

Q. When it came to nine minutes left in the third quarter, you guys had given up 36 yards or something, and then there was a little bit of a lull. Is that just natural? It’s tough to keep up that kind of pace. But what did you see? (John McMullen)

VIC FANGIO: They [Jacksonville] got a decent field position I believe on that drive. They popped a draw for a good gain on us which put them down into the high red zone, and then they beat us on a couple plays. You know, things can happen quickly.

Q. You expressed your opinion about trade deadline moves. Where do you think things stand today? Do you expect to have a new player, and do you think that your opinion factors into that? (Jeff McLane)

VIC FANGIO: I haven’t heard anything, that we’re involved with anything either way. I’m assuming we’re not involved with anything. I’m pleased with what we’ve got and move forward with it.

Q. With LB Zack Baun, you’ve spoken a few times about what you saw on tape, but in your career, when you’re evaluating players and you view them differently than the league does, how do you think about that? Do you worry that you view it differently? Do you try to consider what the rest of the league is thinking? What’s your thought process there? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: No, I don’t consider that at all. I trust my own eyes, my own experience, and go by that.

There are a lot of people that want to know what the majority are thinking and kind of take the easy way out, but I’ve never been that guy.

Q. Is that the position you’re best at evaluating, inside backers? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: I would say linebackers. Just because that was what I coached for a long time. I’ve watched a lot of linebackers.

Q. Do you ever watch guys on special teams? Like you see S Sydney Brown’s play that he made, do you kind of project what that would look like on defense? (Reuben Frank)

VIC FANGIO: I think for inside linebackers and safeties, if they are not good special teams players, they are probably not going to be good inside linebackers or safeties, either.

[Former NFL LB] NaVorro Bowman, his rookie year, which I wasn’t there with him, didn’t play any defense but tore it up on special teams, and then the next year when I got there, he started tearing it up on defense.

Q. How much do you anticipate the Cowboys’ offense changing with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott out? (Chris Franklin)

VIC FANGIO: I don’t think it will change a whole lot. You know, [Cowboys QB Cooper] Rush has been there a long time. He knows the offense as well as anybody there does and he’ll operate it efficiently.

Q. Is Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore any extra resource this week? (Dave Zangaro)

VIC FANGIO: Occasionally, you may ask him something here or there about the quarterback. But he’s been out of there now two years. I’m sure things have changed.

Q. Another inside linebacker question, who is your prototype there that you measure your inside backers against? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: Back in the day, I had [former NFL LBs] Sam Mills, Von Johnson back in the day. More currently, [Ravens LB] Roquan Smith, [49ers LB] Fred Warner, [and former NFL LBs] NaVorro Bowman, [and] Patrick Willis. I haven’t been associated with Warner, but those other three I have been.

Q. How much has it changed over the years? (John McMullen)

VIC FANGIO: It’s changed drastically. It used to be when the fullback disappeared, the ILBs duties changed. It’s just as simple as that. You used to be able to play with some overachieving-type ILBs that could be stout against the run, cover a back in the flat. But now with the game spread out, they are in open spaces way more.

Q. You were a head coach not long ago. Are you ever amazed at how aggressive fourth down offensive calls have become in this league? (Bob Brookover)

VIC FANGIO: I just think it’s a lot of people that are doing it nowadays.

Q. Do you have a hard time, because you come from the old school — (Bob Brookover)

VIC FANGIO: I went for it more than my share. There were times I didn’t where people thought I should have and vice versa. I think it’s the flow of the game that has the determinant.

Q. I know Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore is on the offensive side, but what do you make of how his organization is in terms of how he prepares for game plans? In training camp, we talked about how you went to your own studies. What do you notice about his habits and preparation that sticks out? (Brooks Kubena)

VIC FANGIO: Well, to be honest with you, I’m too busy doing my own [thing]. I’m not involved nor able to observe what they are doing offensively in that regard.

Q. Do you remember a time when, maybe you were with the Broncos or the 49ers, at the trade deadline where you guys got somebody and you thought he’d make a big difference but it didn’t end up really doing that, or vice versa? (Martin Frank)

VIC FANGIO: I can’t, to be honest with you. [Jokingly.] You should have done your research and given me the examples.

Q. Was it hard to see current Bills LB Von Miller go, and then go on and win? (Bob Brookover)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, it was.

Q. When it comes to DE Bryce Huff and you’re being told he’s dealing with something, how does that process work, and then how does he all of a sudden get chosen to go in late in the game at crucial moments? (Jeff McLane)

VIC FANGIO: Like I said, when a guy is dealing with something, you’d rather play a guy that’s a hundred percent or close to a hundred percent. And then at the end of the game, we had those two drives at the end where guys got gassed.