Transcript: Defensive Lineman Leonard Williams

Defensive Lineman Leonard Williams

Q. What's your sense of what's been going on defense so far?

A: I think overall we've given up too many points. There's definitely areas that each player and each position group wants to tighten up and get better at but at the same time we know it's a lot more involved that we have to pay attention to on film and getting the job done. I think it just starts with execution though. I think we need to just focus on our own individual job as an individual and just lock in on the details.

Q. How do you feel about your individual production so far?

A: I don't think I've been in a situation to make too many plays so far. I think – like I said, a lot of it has to do with the situations that we've been put in. Yeah, I don't know.

Q. What do you mean by not in the situation to make play?

A: I think we've been talking a lot about complimentary football and a lot of times when you're playing from behind or, the first two teams we played have been getting the ball out pretty quickly. Even when we get good rushes or something like that the balls coming out. Overall, like I said, if we're not stopping the run, they're not going to be doing too many drop back passes if they're having a good running offense. I think, like I said, it just goes back to stopping the run, focusing on our details and that's when plays for individuals will start opening up.

Q. How surprising is it not to have a sack, for the team to have a sack or a turnover?

A: For the team? I thought you were asking individually.

Q. Just when you look at it. It kind of stands out not to have that. I know you said obviously you we're way behind in the Dallas game and…

A: I think those type of things come in bunches. I think if we keep focusing on our technique, focusing on our details, and executing our plays individually, like I said, then those plays will start coming. I think it's going to be bad if we start to chase those type of plays because we're hearing about it from the outside, hearing about it from fans or media or stuff like that that we need sacks. That will cause the pressure to force guys to do something outside of their realm to try to chase a play when really, that can affect the whole defense. I think those type of plays come more when you lock in and dial in on the details of the defense and play within the scheme.

Q. What's the greatest challenge about playing this particular team? They're obviously very good.

A: They have a really good offense. I mean, it starts with some of their skill players, (running back Christian) McCaffrey and (wide receiver) Deebo (Samuel), they do a good job of playing in the backfield and being a wide receiver at the same time. They have a pretty good offensive line, (tackle) Trent Williams is a really good left tackle and I think (quarterback Brock) Purdy's been doing a good job of stepping up as a quarterback. We've been describing him as like a point guard type of quarterback. He gets the ball out quick and knows where to go with it.

Q. This team, this defense has its own identity within the locker room. With this kind of challenge, what do you expect from you guys with what you've seen over the last couple of weeks?

A: Knowing my guys and knowing my defense I think we invite this type of challenge. We know it's been tough the first two weeks so far but that doesn't define our season. That doesn't define who we are as a team or as a defense and I think it's never too late to show who we are. What better way to do it (than) against a big challenge like this.

Q. Anything particular about McCaffrey that stands out?

A: Like I said, it's just that fact that he's a dual threat. When he's out there wide as a receiver, you have to treat him as a receiver and when he's in the backfield you have to treat him as a running back. Also, in space he does a really good job of breaking tackles, so we talk a lot about running to the ball and making sure that we gang tackle.

Q. What was (Defensive Coordinator) Wink's (Martindale) demeanor this week? What was his primary message? What was he stressing to you guys?

A: I think his demeanor hasn't changed. I think nobody's demeanor on the defense has changed. We're all the same, we show up to work the same. I think his overall message is just showing us that this is a good offense that we're about to face and it's a challenge and I think he's inviting us to take on that challenge. Not shy away from it and not let those last two games define who we are and it's time to rally together.

Q. I think you, (safety) Xavier (McKinney), and (inside linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) have all mentioned taking care of your own job as players. Are you seeing on the film of the first two games guys trying to do someone else job and playing outside their assignment? Is that why you're saying that?

A: Not so much yet but I think in times like this when people are talking about where are the sacks, or where are the takeaways, I think guys will start trying to play outside the framework of the defense and chasing those specific plays. Like trying to get a strip or trying to get a sack and then now you're not doing what you're supposed to do because you want to try to get this play to get people off your back or something like that. I think that's not the time to do that. I think if we just tighten up the details of our defense and our individual work that we have in front of us, those type of plays will come, like I said.

Q. You usually talk about how much you play. How has it been adjusting to having more rotation and not being on the field as much?

A: It's been nice, actually. We've been having good rotation and it's nice to be able to trust the guys that are going in behind us and it's nice to be able to rotate and keep guys fresh.