Below is a selection of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quotes from today's earlier media availability. Full video of press conferences can be found on Buccaneers.com.

Head Coach Dirk Koetter

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy

Head Coach Dirk Koetter

(On the quarterbacks taking care of the football)

"Well, not turning it over is a good thing. Overall in preseason and practice other than the second week. Week 1 I think we had one turnover the whole week. Week 2 we had a bunch. And then after that we kind got back kind of on a good track. So, we need to just keep it right where it is."

(On if he looked at quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick starting the first three regular season games as a possibility or if he liked what he did the year before and wanted him back)

"Both. I mean Jason [Licht] always has an eye on what's ahead and does a good job of thinking about what situations could possibly come up. And then the fact that we had a possibility of Jameis [Winston] being suspended and then Fitz coming back. We signed Griff (Ryan Griffin) even before we knew Fitz was coming back."

(On the biggest hurdles he saw coming with the new kickoff rules and how well the special teams adjusted)

"I think they've adjusted fine. The scary thing is you don't know – with the new rule change – what, if anything, people have been saving. You know you always have that fear on offense and defense as well. Nate [Kaczor] and Carlos [Polk] have watched all of the new plays for whole league. In preseason, you get them every week and you watch all the new plays and try to get a feel for what different things people are doing. But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if these special teams guys around the league – they're creative just like everybody else is, so I wouldn't be surprised if guys are going to try to test the boundaries a little bit once the season starts. But we're not going to know that until we see it."

(On how the new rule will change the strategy of kick returns)

"I think that will still come down to teams. It factored in last year that if you were a team that was going to mortar it or kick it inside the five-[yard line], that most of the time by average you were going to keep teams inside the 25-[yard line]. I think the data shows tight now that kick-off returns in preseason were up about three yards per kick off, so every team's got to make those decisions. Are you going to pin teams inside the 25? Are you going to be content to take it on the 25? What's your kicker capable of? And then, as the season goes on, what's the weather dictate you do?"

(On how the indoor facility helps simulate the Mercedes Benz Superdome)

"Yeah, much better. We actually have done a portion of practice inside the last two days – yesterday and again today. And it's absolutely with that in mind. I mean you guys have been in there and a combination of the acoustics and then how loud we can blast our sound in there, at least in our minds we feel like we're getting work at it."

(On the versatility of the secondary)

"You always have to have at least – the whole nickel position is kind of like the center position. I mean you've got to have multiple guys that can play nickel, so if somebody goes down in a game, somebody's got to move. As you go through the season, when injuries pop up and you don't know who's up form week-to-week, then the more guys who can play nickel, the better or more versatile I should say it makes you."

(On if he sees special teams breakdowns because new guys are playing)

"I think one of the things is when you get to 46 on gameday – 46 players up, most of your linemen aren't going to play on cover teams, so that narrows down who it is. Really you're talking about rookies – guys who haven't maybe in college they didn't play special teams because they were the guys that didn't have to or whatever. I think those are the guys that, until they adjust to, 'Hey I do have to cover kickoffs. I do have to cover punts,' that can be a little bit of a challenge."

(On if the team signed kicker Chalder Catanzaro because he consistently keeps the ball inside the 25-yard line)

"That was part of it. Just kickoff in general, a guy that had the ability to kick it to the end zone. Now you remember last year, when we played the Saints, [Alvin] Kamara – the ball was nine-yards deep in the end zone and he took it out. That was definitely part of it and they did exhaustive studies, the guys upstairs along with Nate [Kaczor] and Carlos [Polk] and Jason's [Licht] guys. They looked at all aspects of that kicking situation and we're happy with where Chandler's at."

(On Week 1 being different from other game weeks)

"Sure, well it's just the unknown. Once a team – most teams use between a three to five game breakdown, so until you get to three to five games in the year, you don't know what a team is like. Some teams have new coordinators, or they brought in a pass rush specialist or you don't know who they studied in the offseason. Every team – it's well documented what our weaknesses are, guess what we studied in the offseason? We studied our weaknesses. Every team does that. So, if the team is perfectly with how they were playing, but I've just kind of seen too many teams that don't add or subtract from their package. So, in that respect, playing a team that you know well, I mean we're looking at stuff – you know we've played against these guys five times with these coordinators over the last two-and-a-half years. That's a lot of film to study plus all their other games and all their other games from last year, so there's a lot of stuff there. You're always a little it paranoid of what they might do."

(On if some teams coaches change things every year)

"I would just say it usually ties into new coordinators. Either new staffs or new coordinators or did they get a new O-line coach or a new D-line coach, somebody that would really have a factor in changing the scheme. New Orleans is not a team that falls into that category."

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken

(On how wide receiver Chris Godwin's standout play against the Saints last season has propelled him into the 2018 season)

"Well, he's big, fast, smart, physical, the consummate pro, takes care of his body, always studying the game. He knows all the spots on the field, so it gives him an opportunity to take advantage of his skillset. That's really what it does. He's improved steadily from the time he got here until now and you guys have seen it. We've seen it and he's a good player."

(On quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's preseason)

"I though he [had a] really good preseason. The biggest thing with all the quarterbacks is not turning it over, and that's what we didn't do. That's the number one thing. There's no stat for how many five-yard or 10-yard completions you get that gives you a chance to win. It's the turnovers that kill you and they've done a great job. That's a carryover from practice."

(On what makes wide receiver Mike Evans a great play-caller)

"Well first of all, Mike's had a great camp – really has. He got banged up a couple weeks ago, but he's had a great camp. First of all, he's a number one receiver in this league, so that in itself gives you the comfort – when you need a play, Mike's going to put himself in a position to make a play not only with his size, but also his ability to make contested catches."

(On how big of a challenge it is to win with a backup quarterback)

"Well I don't think it's very big at all. We went 2-1 last year with Fitz as our quarterback. It's a team game. We've got to play well around him. I thought we played well around him last year. I think we've played well around him in the preseason, so I don't see that at all as an issue."

(On what makes New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees a great quarterback)

"Decision making and accuracy, probably. I mean, he gets it out of his hands. He doesn't wait. You know, I think his decision making is elite. I think his accuracy is elite. I think those are obviously two pretty good characteristics to start with. I think that's – the decisions he makes and the accuracy."

(On if he has more confidence in the offense)

"Well, first, as I talked about, is the turnovers. I think that's the start. That's where it all starts. I think as you mentioned, the weapons: Chris Godwin's a year older, O.J. Howard's a year older, we brought Cam [Brate] back, I think Mike's [Evans] played better, Hump (Adam Humphries) is a year older, our O-line, bringing Ryan [Jensen] to the mix. So I just think – Caleb Benenoch a year older – that's probably as much as anything, just you still have the same core guys that are you older players, but I the think the younger players are only going to continue to get better."

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

(On if knowing he's going to start weeks in advance is more of an advantage than knowing days before a game)

"I think that the reps that I was able to get with some of the guys during training camp – I think that's helpful. You know, having a year under my belt of being comfortable in the offense and then getting some time to throw some balls to those guys to interact and talk with the lineman to get on the same page. And Ryan Jensen being a new guy in our system, the more time the better, and because of the situation, I was able to get a few more reps than I normally would."

(On what he admires about Drew Brees)

"I think the first thing as a quarterback that I look at and that I have a ton of respect for him in is his consistency every year. Week-in and week-out, year-in, year-out, his ability to perform at a high level consistently is not easy to do. So, I admire that from afar for sure and you know, even just Drew in general, not your prototypical size-wise and all those things. QB, but a guy that came in and against from a far not knowing him just seems like he has the ultimate confidence in who he is and his ability and well that's turned into a Hall of Fame career for him."

(On what makes Mike Evans such a reliable player)

"Well, Mike has a ton of range. Obviously, his combination of the speed and the size are special and he's a really confident player as well. He's a guy that we feed off of his energy, his play making ability and it's just something – I was watching some high school film the other day – it's something that he's always been able to do, and he's a fun guy to be in the huddle and to look at him at the line of scrimmage even to know that he's on my team – that's a fun feeling for me."

(On what confidence he has in this team)

"It's yet to be determined. The group that we have this year, we've got to go out there and do it, but the potential is there. The talent is there in all position groups, but potential only goes so far. We've got to go out there and prove it, but so far the way those guys – especially in that receiver room – the way that they've worked this offseason and the attitude they bring to practice every day, the skillsets, the different varying skillsets that we have in that room are really impressive, so does that mean a whole lot? No, if we don't produce. We've got to be able to – I've got to be able to spread it out to those guys and let them do what they're good at and hopefully the production comes."

Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy

(On opening day against the Saints)

"It's my ninth year, and to be blessed enough to see a ninth year in the NFL is huge. To be blessed enough to be on the same team – especially a team I love, is even bigger. Even more than that I'm competing against one of the greatest players to ever do It – Drew Brees. So, I would have to say opening day is going to be a big one. I look forward to it. I couldn't wait for tonight actually. Football is back. I love it. I get an itch every time. My wife is like 'Football season is coming, you're starting to scratch you neck.' Yeah, I love it man."

(On New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees)

 "Nah, so here's thing. I think outside people think once you get to the NFL you lose sight of being a fan of the game and I think sometimes even the players think, 'Well I can't be a fan because now I have to compete against him.' I'm in the NFL too. I have to go against him. But me? That's not the case. I love Drew when we're not preparing for him. Right now, I hate him. I don't care if he knows. He knows I don't like him when we're preparing for him. When we're playing against him I don't like him, but overall, I never want to see him retire. I love to watch him play. I love to see him compete. He's one of the most fierce competitors I've ever seen. Ever been around period. As many opportunities as I have to compete against him, I'll take them because I love competition. You don't make it to the NFL unless you love competition, and I want to go against the best. I enjoy it. I have fun with it."

(On how to put pressure on Brees)

"With Drew, you can't get frustrated. You can't get flustered. What you have to do is just keep playing the game. Drew's almost 40 and what's made him so great over the years is that he doesn't get hit much. He doesn't get sacked a lot because of how well he prepares. He doesn't hold on to the ball. He's one of those guys when you play against him you just have to keep going keep going. If you do things the right way – not just doing it – doing it the right way, eventually it'll open up. You just have to makes sure you're doing things the right way."

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