TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS QUOTE SHEET 1-18-24

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR DAVE CANALES

(On if it's a challenge to be requested to interview for head coach vacancies while he's game-planning for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions)

"Not at all. I think, for me, the biggest thing is your film is your resume. The biggest thing I can do for any opportunities is to really focus on having another week like last week, where we were in rhythm, the mix of the run and pass, [and] everything coming together. That was a full focus on the opponent. We've got our hands full this week with a fantastic team, going up to a great place – the fans are all fired up there, I'm sure – I've really just got to be locked in on that. Again, this is something I've been thinking about for a long time, so I have some stuff prepared that I've had for a couple of years. I'm really fortunate to have been with Pete [Carroll] for 14 years. His approach was always grooming us for what the next thing is to continue to expand our mind and be prepared. If these opportunities come up, we're ready to talk about philosophy and football and all of those things."

(On the importance of starting fast on Sunday to try and limit the crowd's noise)

"It's critical, right? I've seen that happen. You go to a place that's a really hostile environment and if you can have success, it does quiet them down some. I think this is something they've been waiting for for a really long time and I don't anticipate they're going to let off the gas at all. We're practicing our silent [counts] and the different variations of those things. We've had some good practice at some pretty loud places, so hopefully we can continue the communication and be clean that way."

(On the physical nature of the Lions' secondary)

"We don't think that way. I expect every single week we go out there, you've got a bunch of pros – a bunch of NFL players – that are paid to play hard. This is a fantastic defense. They're aggressive, they're grabby, they're chippy – all of those things. It's only going to get harder and worse the further you get into the playoffs. We're really looking forward to the challenge. Again, like we've talked about throughout the season, it's these types of games that really show us where we're at as a team. I'm really looking forward to the test. It's going to require all of us to be on the same page and play fast."

(On what he sees when he watches the tape from the Week 6 matchup against Detroit)

"We know who we are. Similar conversation as last week – we got to play the Eagles and we know what our identity is. We know the issues that can present themselves. We'll hopefully have some answers for whatever they try to throw at us that day. Coach Aaron Glenn is a fantastic defensive coordinator – he's fiery…The juice comes from him and the head coach. [It is] another great opportunity, great championship moment for us to go out there and play. I think as far as what they're doing, a couple little things that they've added throughout a long season. For us, it's really about the execution and the place that we're at now."

(On the dropped passes that the team had against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half)

"I couldn't really tell you – that just happens sometimes. I'd love to see a day where we made all of those plays for the guys that were coming to life – Cade [Otton] really doing a fantastic job in the game. We've been talking about that complement to Mike [Evans]. When teams do stuff to neutralize Mike, everybody else has to contribute. Trey [Palmer], David Moore, Cade, Chris [Godwin] had a couple of [opportunities] in there – and certainly the run game is a big part of that, too. Really not over-emphasizing those things. I really don't like to get into our players' heads with those types of things. They're excited, it's a playoff game, and we've just got to learn how to play with composure and those things and make the easy ones when they're there."

(On how much he agrees with LT Tristan Wirfs saying that the two things you can control every day are attitude and effort)

"It's huge. I think that's the greatest way to keep things simple and keep the focus really clean of things that we can actually worry about – that we can actually have an impact and an effect on. It helped us through a four-game losing streak, it helped us through a four-game winning streak, as well. It's like, 'Guys, whatever happened last week, we've got things to fix from this game. Let's attack those fundamentals, let's communicate well.' We did a good job of taking care of the ball and eliminating penalties, for the most part, last week. That was huge. I think across the playoff world in Wild Card weekend – crazy weekend – but the quarterbacks who had no turnovers ended up winning those games. [Jalen] Hurts didn't, he didn't have a turnover, but we had a safety, there was a turnover on downs – that's where it kind of flipped in our favor. But, the little things are really critical for us."

(On how QB Baker Mayfield was able to work through his injuries to play well on Sunday against the Eagles)

"It starts with his mentality. I think, for him, it was like, 'Here's our game – this is the only one we've got. There's no saving myself for next week.' There's no thought that way – it's this game is the most important. He woke up feeling good, he had all day to rest and recover and be ready. I think, even throughout the week, last week felt like a celebration of a bunch of guys who have been through some hard days together. I woke up feeling that way on Monday. It wasn't like I woke up feeling like, 'Hey, we're going to win this one.' I didn't have that thought in my mind. It was just [that] I woke up thinking, 'How cool is this? We get to celebrate this moment together, at home, with our fans, winning the division so you get a home game.' It was really special. The feeling was special with the guys. As we had some early success, I saw us play faster and tougher and more physical. And then, the balance of the runs and the [play-]actions, it was beautiful. It was another one of those moments that we talked about early on. I said in training camp, 'Guys, there's going to be a game where you can feel it.' We talked about that last week. I asked them, I said, 'Guys, talk to me about the games where you could feel it.' They talked about Houston, they talked about Green Bay, they talked about San Francisco. The tide changed on the turnover before the half, but…Just some of those drives and moments – the Falcons game, to win it at the end. The second half, knowing that we can run the ball if we have to if they're going to make it hard on us in other ways. [It was] just a celebration of all of those things coming together again."

(On what the past 12 months have been like)

"Quick timeline: for me, the excitement of what was here – Mike [Evans] was still here, Chris [Godwin] was here, Tristan [Wirfs] was here, there was a possibility of Ryan Jensen, Rachaad [White] – who I really liked, we liked him coming out – Cade [Otton], who we really liked, I liked him coming out. There were a lot of pieces that were already in place here on the offensive side. For me, the football excitement of, 'Wow.' Even talking to Brad [Idzik], who was my first hire, I was like, 'Brad, really tough year you've got this year. You've got Mike [Evans] and Chris Godwin as your first time coaching [wide] receivers.' That's kind of the football part of it and the excitement of what could be and what we could become. From the personal, family side of it, it was rough. Moving our family all the way across the country – about as far as you could get away from Seattle, Washington – and my wife really holding it down for a couple of weeks to get to the point where we could bring our kids. Then, we had to find a school. [We were] bopping in and out of hotels, we lived with Brad [Idzik] for a little while – which is a challenge in and of itself. Then, as we've settled into Tampa and meeting the community, meeting the people here in this building, the parks, the baseball teams, all of those things. [It] has really become a special place for us. Then, of course, a new offense – starting a new offense and getting those words down, getting the mentality the right way, and playing the football that I had envisioned we could become. It's been a crazy year, for sure. Also, so blessed and so fortunate. Obviously, Coach [Pete] Carroll gets fired and here I am sitting in this opportunity to go to the playoffs again and I can't help but feel gratitude for this moment, for the timing of it all. I'm still waking up everyday with that thought, like, 'Wow, how cool is this?'"

(On how much the playbook opens up when wide receivers Trey Palmer and David Moore are playing well)

"It's deadly, right? Everyone is going to try to tilt something to Mike [Evans] – they're going to try to put an extra safety over there or have a [linebacker] kind of play inside and take some things away. So, that whole other side of the field, make them defend all of the grass – it really becomes a factor for us. How it helps in the run game, too – if they're going to sell out on taking Mike away, we've got a real run game and some [play-]actions that came to life for us in the game, too."

(On what it would mean to have another season with QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans)

"Continuity is huge, right? But we all know every team is going to be different. Even the guys that come back are all going to be different. There are contract things, there are family things, people are getting married, people are having kids, there are deaths in the family – it really changes each player, individually. It becomes really important for us to reconnect as we come back in after the season, whenever that happens. Having some of those big, key pieces – very important, very important for us going forward. The first thing I think about, though, is don't miss any single day. Enjoy every practice, enjoy every meeting we get to be in, going through the same stuff we always go through. We've got all these inside jokes at this point – we've been together for so long – and just really cherishing each week at a time. For me, it really start to feel that way in the Carolina week in the last week of the season. We don't know what's going to happen. We're trying to make the playoffs, so enjoying that week, and then enjoying the Wild Card week, and now just enjoying this Divisional Round to be able to work together. I can't wait to get upstairs to just talk to the coaches, watch the film, and make little tweaks. It's kind of the highlight of my week – to sit with the staff and troubleshoot things."

(On how he remains grateful for the moments he experiences while trying to stay focused on game-planning)

"For me, it starts with my faith. It's about this amazing story that the lord is telling. It's about the timing of being here at this right time. It's Baker [Mayfield] for this moment. For me, that allows me to rise above the pressure of, 'You've got to do this, you've got to do that.' I know there's high expectations every single week and nothing is promised for us. If I can keep the big picture of just how amazing this moment is, then it just dissolves all that pressure and it allows me to stay focused, stay connected with the guys – especially during the games, when it gets heated. It's like, 'Let's come off, let's talk, let's work through it together.' [It's about] maintaining that togetherness and gratitude of where we're at."

(On if it helps facing the Lions for the second time this season)

"It helps a lot. It feels a lot different than going into Minnesota Week 1 and Brian Flores – who's an amazing coordinator. [He] did some really difficult stuff. At the same time, they know us and they've played against a similar system. He's going to have some answers and some things we're going to have to adjust throughout the game. [There are] definitely advantages on both sides to this."

(On how much he thinks his offense has evolved from training camp to now)

"I think it was just the excitement and anticipation of becoming us. Each game kind of takes on that, as well. I think from a core offensive identity, the great part about our system is it's versatile and it allows us to adjust to who the quarterback is. Who are these offensive linemen? What's my [running] back like? What are the route stems that are great for Mike [Evans], for Chris [Godwin]? As we all know, grinding through, learning Chris, learning how to use him the best way – it was like a full season's [worth of] work to get that done. I'm really excited about where we've ended up. The commitment to becoming us – not us becoming the system. I think we've seen that happen. Last week was a real culmination and celebration of what it could look like with all of the different things we were able to do."

(On how difficult it is to not do too much as a play caller)

"It takes discipline. It takes real discipline to just call the next play for the right situation as opposed to chasing plays. I think that's part of my growth as a first-time playcaller throughout the season – don't chase that exciting call when it's a low percentage that you're going to get the right look that you want. It is difficult in that regard. The consistency, the commitment to the run game early on – especially when we were getting those 65-yard, 75-yard rushing days – to say, 'Guys, we're going to need this at the end of the season and into the playoffs. We're going to need our run game to be committed to those things.' [It was] a real challenge."

(On how he would describe this team in one word)

"Finish. We've done it all year. We've finished halves, we've finished games. Whether we were ahead in four-minute [situation] or whether it was a two-minute drive, it's been our calling card for the skill players, Baker [Mayfield], for the offensive line, for guys to rise up, for Rachaad [White] to finish games aggressively. How many times have we seen it? We're in a four-minute [situation] and here he goes, he's clipping off these yards and there goes a 30-yarder at the end. I think finish – at least for our side, and I know for the defensive side – has been one of our calling cards this year."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE LINE COACH KACY RODGERS

(On DL Calijah Kancey's development)

"It's funny you mentioned that. Just the other day he was talking about, 'Wow, we're still playing.' Coming from a college career, he was saying, 'We would've been gone. We would've been done a long time ago.' It was funny he was talking about the length of the season and stuff. As he matures and everything, the sky is limit because he is a very coachable young man and extremely talented, so that combination right there [means] the sky is the limit for him."

(On if Kancey can become a double-digit sack guy)

"With everything in play, he can definitely be a double-digit sack guy. He has that kind of ability, but a lot of other factors go along with it – who you have coming off the edge [and] playing with leads, but he has the ability to win one-on-ones at a high level, definitely."

(On how Kancey's relationship with OLB Yaya Diaby has evolved over the course of the season)

"It's funny because they end up on the same side quite a bit and they communicate very well. I think they have a really good relationship. You see them and you're talking about two rookies that we ask an awful, awful lot of and they really responded well."

(On the process for Head Coach Todd Bowles balancing the duties of being both a head coach and the defensive play caller and the gameplan he put into place last week against the Philadelphia Eagles)

"Well, the thing is, he is an early bird. He's in at like 3:30 and he has started watching all of the tape. Then when we start putting it together like this and that, [it's] kind of a staple for us that we want to stop the run. The team last week – you want to definitely make them one-dimensional, and it worked to our favor. Really, it's very unique because of the way he sees it and the way he wants to approach it. We have a situation where you have to manage our personnel, too – we need to stop this, but we have to protect this or give up something. You're robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's a juggling act. We kind of want to stay true to our principles. First, let's take care of this and then we'll figure out the rest."

(On the six-man defensive front the team used vs. the Eagles and why it was so successful)

"It's just math the way it was… and eliminating space, that's really all it was. We kind of told them to do something that maybe they didn't want to do and that's what we were saying. They were going to be hard-headed about it and we had to be hard-headed the other way."

(On the origin of the six-man defensive front)

"Well, we had pulled it out before when we were at the [New York] Jets and when [Leonard] Fournette was there in the Jacksonville [Jaguars] days and it was some of the same concepts that we had used back in the past. We just had to dust it off and clean it up. It kind of fit for what our guys could do. When you got to looking at that, it was, 'He can do this, he can do that,' and it just lined up perfectly for what they were trying to do."

(On the importance of having versatile players in the defense such as CB Zyon McCollum that allow them to do more as a defense)

"Right, and the thing is, with Todd [Bowles'] background and everything it kind of helped because you say you're in this and you can only play one coverage when actually we had multiple, multiple coverages out of the same deal. It was kind of a chess match that worked out in our favor."

(On what allowed Head Coach Todd Bowles to be successful this season)

"Well, the thing about him – something you might've heard me say in the past – Todd… in the middle of our year, it was definitely a rough spot there, but the unique thing about Todd is he's the same guy when we won five in a row as he is when we lost six in a row. He's the same guy – he's never too high, he's never too low, and always stays positive and keeps coaching. That's very unique because I've worked with some guys who would be losing it if you lost two or three in a row and then one guy will be sky high if you win three in a row. But he's the same guy every day so that makes him unique, and it keeps everybody calm, especially these young players here. He kept them calm and kept working them and things turned around."

(On having a locker room full of players that are always giving it their all)

"I told the guys before we went out there the other night – coaching this group has been very, very exciting. You look out and there's a lot of young cats out there running around. And playing the first-place schedule – you look at the people we've played, a lot of them are still playing. From the standpoint of you play tough people, you kind of show up every day – being this young, they don't know any better. They just go out there, but they don't know who they're playing, they don't know what they're doing – just go out and play. We just go with that."

(On if he foresaw a point in the season when there would be a big group of young defensive players on the field all at the same time)

"I think it was a couple games back – two or three – and we looked out there and there were four or five rookies on the field at the same time. We knew it was going to come. It was maybe an injury or maybe something [else] but it kind of forced the issue and then guys started making plays and we just kind of [went] with it. The thing is, we looked back and we didn't change anything. It wasn't like we had to water it down for these guys. No, they got the full gamut, and they've responded well with it."

(On how the team is using linebackers K.J. Britt and Devin White)

"As you look at it, we just kind of use what these guys can do – that's kind of been the staple of this defense. Why is this guy in there? Well, he can cover the 'Z' [receiver]. Why is he in there? He can cover the tight end. The way it is kind of pushed together – you show us what you can do, and the scheme has enough to help you help yourself. That's just the way it has worked out." 

(On the job CB Zyon McCollum has done moving around in the secondary)

"We ask Zyon to go in and cover the slot inside. Then, by the way, we can't leave you at slot all the time because they'll know what coverage we're in, so you've got to play some safety to kind of disguise it. My hat goes off to him – these guys are wearing a lot of hats and doing a lot of different jobs. Three weeks ago, he had to go cover the 'X' and 'Z' the whole game – now, you have to go play safety. Everybody has a role and they're doing a great job stepping up."

WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(On if the word 'finish' would be the best word to describe how they are playing)

"Yeah, I think that's accurate. It's going to be something that is very important for us in this game. We [have] to go out there with a finish mentality. That's finishing plays, finishing drives, and ultimately trying to finish the game."

(On not peaking before Sunday's game)

"You really just [have] to be in the moment, right. You can't get too far ahead of yourself. If you take care of the work throughout the week, then that will kind handle the game for itself, right? If you're looking too far down the road, like you said, you're going to peak too soon, and you definitely don't need that. The energy in the stadium is going to be enough for you, just wait [until] you get there, handle your business now, and then handle everything when you get there."

(On what the excitement is like on a Thursday before the Divisional Round)

"I think it's different for different people, right? If you haven't been in it before then you're probably really excited because you have no idea what to expect. Having been there before, obviously, you know what the excitement is going to be like, but like you said, you try not to peak too soon. So, not to spend too much time focusing on like getting excited for the game because there's a lot of details that we have to iron out, a lot of game plan that we have to do and kind of focus on."

(On how valuable it will be to establish something early to quiet the loud crowd)

"I think it's going to be very important. At the same time, I don't expect to go there and completely silence the crowd, you know, in the first drive, right?  They've been waiting for this moment for so long and they have a great team, so they're excited. They're not [going] to be like, 'Oh well, they score once and now we look like we're going to lose.' It's not [going] to be that type of deal. We're willing to go out there and expecting to deal with the crowd the entire game. At the end of the day, we have to handle our business. We have to work on our communication, our silent communication, and just work on executing at a high level."

(On what he sees looking at the Detroit Lions secondary and personnel)

"I think the first thing that kind of pops up is the energy that they play with. They play with a lot of energy, and I think it's very reflective of the coaching staff that they have. If you watch anything that they've been apart of over the last couple of years, that's something they've been preaching. (Detroit Lions Head Coach) Dan Campbell does a good job at getting those guys ready, [and] (Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator) Aaron Glenn does the same thing. They are very fiery, very competitive, but I think they also just [have] those guys to cover in a bunch of different scenarios that you wouldn't expect, right? You wouldn't expect a bunch a safeties covering receivers, but they do it. It's clear that they have a lot of trust in those guys and it's because they've proven [themselves], so they have a good group back there. It's going to be a challenge for us."

(On his advice to younger players)

"I think the first thing that I really expressed to a lot of the younger guys is just understand what we are stepping into. The postseason is nothing like the regular season, and like as fast at the regular season was, this is another level. The intensity level is going to be up here, especially when you have an exciting crowd like we're about to have. It's going to crank it up even more, so we have to go in there ready to handle whatever comes our way. But I think above everything, we [have] to stay together."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER YAYA DIABY

(On playing in the Divisional Round for the first time)

"I can't wait. I can't wait for the guys, for all of us, to put a good gameplan together and go out there and have each other's backs and perform."

(On how to carry over last week's success into Detroit)

"We've just got to be us. We can't go out [there] and do something different. We've got to perform the way we've been performing."

(On what he means by the defense "being ourselves")

"Violent, dominant, and just getting after it. We like to fly around to the ball and get after it. We like attacking, we like bringing pressure, we like doing everything. It's a really fun defense and I'm just happy to be part of it."

(On how he handles the emotions and intensity of the playoffs)

"For me, I just breathe before every game and just do my little things and try not to do anything that I wouldn't do normally. Doing what I've been doing is what got me here and has helped the team out. If I just go out of my comfort zone and start doing stuff differently, I'm going to make the team look bad. That's not what I want to do."

(On how the defense has changed since the Week 6 matchup against Detroit)

"We just found all of our leaders. All of our leaders put it out there – something had to change. Having guys like Lavonte [David] and Vita [Vea] and Shaq [Barrett] and Baker [Mayfield] and all of those guys, it's just fun to come to work and see guys like that that want it and want it badly. For me, as a rookie, it just makes me want to go even harder."

(On he and DL Calijah Kancey's relationship)

"We're just both hungry. We both love this game and getting after the quarterback is what we love to do. He loves that and I love it, as well. It just brings us even closer."

(On how to take the Detroit crowd out of the game)

"We've got to start fast. We've got to start fast. This is their first time, so it's going to be loud. For me, I love games like that – being the opposing team and going up there and try to shut it down and start fast. That's what we have to do. We've got to start fast and get after it. Then, you'll see it start to [quiet] down a little bit."

-BUCCANEERS-