TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS QUOTE SHEET 1-2-25

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LIAM COEN

(On WR Mike Evans presenting a different type of threat in this offense compared to previous seasons)

"When you've got a guy that typically defenses want to cloud and you just stick him out there at No. 1 and say, 'Mike, run vertical,' the chances of him getting one-on-one are, at times, little. You've got to pick and choose your spots where you can get him one-on-one at times, based on the feel of the game. If we just stuck him out there and [told him] to run vertical five or six times a game and you catch one of them, I don't know if [those are] really great odds for us to get him to touch the ball as many times as we'd like him to. So, some of that stuff may be tweaked from what he may have been used to doing, but I think he's doing a great job for us catching the ball over the middle and being that big target inside there. Obviously, if you do leave him one-on-one, [Baker Mayfield] is going to probably give him a chance. It's kind of the best of both worlds, I hope. Hopefully we'll be able to continue to do so."

(On what makes a versatile offensive game plan so difficult to defend)

"I think that's what makes it the hardest to defend a good offense – not just our offense, I'm saying a good offense is balanced. Everybody goes off of tendencies, your personnel, the down-and-distance calls…If you can be as balanced as you can, in my opinion, it gives us an advantage and puts them at a disadvantage to understand maybe what we're trying to get done. Now, there's a fine line between, 'Hey, this is kind of some of the things we'd do to stop it," and I respect that, as well. Being able to run the football and throw it and be, I guess, a little bit off balance at times and not just [say], 'Hey, this is what we do, they have to stop it, and what do we do if we don't have that?' We've been able to win, as Todd [Bowles] mentioned, a few different ways. Whether that's running it or throwing it, I think our guys can compete. I think our coaches have done a really good job of explaining the reason why we're trying to do what we do in both the run and the pass. These guys have done a nice job of understanding all of hat and executing at a high level."

(On TE Devin Culp's first extended playing time this season, and the acclimation process of transitioning from the college level to the NFL)

"That's what I've always said about the no-huddle offense. Quarterbacks in high school and Pop Warner are looking at the sideline for a play. They don't speak, don't say a word, get up to the line of scrimmage, don't speak, don't say a word, clap for the cadence, don't speak and don't say a word. This game is about communication and how we play this game, in terms of the huddles, calls, and the communication that we have to do. It's what's wrong…Everybody just texts, they don't speak to each other. That's what's wrong. I tell the high school coaches all the time – that's what's wrong, we don't talk. It's one of those things where he's had to get in the huddle, hear a play call – multiple calls – and be able to go out and execute at a high level. That's not easy to do for anybody who's never done it. So I'm glad to see him being able to contribute and hopefully continue to do some more moving forward."

(On the Buccaneers being on pace to become the first team in NFL history to complete 70% of passes and average over five yards per carry)

"It's really the ability for these guys to understand the concept, the coverage…There's a lot that goes into any passing game. For you to be able to attack the defense at multiple different levels, whether it's not always just throwing the ball 45 yards down the field, you're going to create…What we say is, 'Make them defend every blade of grass.' That's both [sideways] and [forwards]. I think recently, probably more so after the Bye [Week], we've done a better job of doing that. Early on, when we weren't running it quite as well, we were using some of the dink-and-dunk passes to truly almost help the run game and utilize that to make the defense play this way. Now, being able to run it has allowed us to be able to do a little bit more past that 20-yard depth that we weren't hitting much before the Bye."

(On the contributions of tight ends Payne Durham and Devin Culp in Cade Otton's absence)

"Huge. For us to not get affected by it and also get production out of it…Both those guys had [a] first catch in an NFL game and first touchdown in an NFL game. On the first drive of the game, Payne catches a seam down the field that really kind of started us off and kind of got us going. It's great to see guys get opportunities, no matter what the situation is, and rise to that opportunity and that situation and affect the game in a positive way. That's what those guys have been able to do. Really, so many guys this season have done that for our team in different positions, but those two guys specifically – it's nice to have that."

(On the decision to feed RB Bucky Irving early against the Panthers)

"His ability to make people miss in space while also threatening the defense in multiple ways helps us get going early on. It gets things moving and then we can really kind of say, 'OK, now let's get the guys in specific [spots] where we want [them].' We're just trying to start fast and continue to do so, knowing that, obviously, that's been a decent recipe for us. Just getting him going helps us get going. He's done a great job so far. Really, again, I don't know how many times he touched it during the game – it was under 20, I think. He's still not getting beat on while also having high production, while now, also, some of those other guys can get in and help us out that way, as well."

(On WR Mike Evans' humility and soft-spoken nature)

"Look at the things he does without the ball, as well. The way he's blocked this year for us, talk about somebody that has bought into what we're trying to do, that didn't really have to do that all that often. That just speaks to the character of the person, the leader, the man. That's just who he is. He doesn't say much; he just keeps going about his business and doing it the right way. We've probably gotten him out of his comfort zone, maybe in some ways, not just in the pass game but more so in the run game. That's stuff that he hadn't had to do much of before. Credit him, he just put his head down and went and continued to work. The results speak for themselves."

(On Evans needing 85 receiving yards to continue his 1,000-yard season streak, and how aware Coen will be of how many yards Evans will need)

"I'm pretty aware. Yeah, I'm pretty aware. I was trying a little bit more at the end there, but yeah…Pretty aware. He knows. Obviously, we're all aware. The team wants it just because of the human being. He just asked me that question for a reason, because everybody thinks that way about him back here. You want what's best for him, obviously, with the team-first mentality – which, that's who he is, so it doesn't matter. The guys all want it for him anyway."

(On his aspirations to be a head coach)

"I mean, last week, when you go out into the field and you play that game, which we were hoping our guys would come out and play the way they did, right? We come off the Dallas game – everybody's not thrilled, and you go out and do that. That was one of the best Sundays I've had in a long time, man. And I wasn't thinking about anything else besides this. So really, at the end of the day, that stuff can wait a long time if it's the right thing. And for us to keep moving forward doing the right things, we can wait a long time on that one."

(On WR Jalen McMillan)
"Yeah, everybody's journey is so different. And for him to come in and have so much success when he first got in this building, and now it's really starting to hit stride for everybody else to see, too. For him to have done the work on himself in the system, with his teammates, with his coaches – the work that he's done to put himself in the position to do what he's doing, he earned that. And there was a lot of work that went into it, I know, from him for him to earn the right to play the way he's playing right now. I'm really happy for him and it's helping our offense extremely well right now. I mean, he's playing at a high level. Those guys are blocking their tails off on the perimeter. That just speaks to the coach that they have as well and for the guys that are doing it. But specifically for 'J-Mac' to come out of where he was, kind of, at one point, in Kansas City to be where he's at now, that's some resilience, man."

(On this year's rookie class)
"Yeah, all three of those guys [Graham Barton, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving]…you look at Devin [Culp] now contributing as well. I mean, they did a pretty good job in the draft this past year, I guess, seriously. So, it's really cool because you see guys like Will Stein, the offensive coordinator at Oregon [and] I mean, he hits me up all the time about Bucky. Those guys, they all do. And it's cool to see that those guys are the players that they were last year in college, on the teams that they were, that have been successful and they're coming into this building and making the impact that they've made. It's pretty cool to see."

(On if he feels like he's ready to be a head coach)
"Yeah, I do believe I'm ready to do so. I don't think you're ever truly fully ready, but yeah, that is a dream. Does that need to happen when I'm 39 years old and having probably the most fun of my life coaching and working and being here? No, that doesn't mean that needs to occur right now. But yeah, that is the goal. That is absolutely the goal. But like I said before, that goal can hold off for a while here and continue to do what we're doing. That would be pretty special."

(On what's contributed to the improvement of the running game over the course of this season)

"Yeah, I think you look at maybe how we've shifted schematically, in ways, to a little bit more of the gap schemes and the pullers. That takes a lot of time to get good at. What we've learned is that takes time – not just walk-through reps out here. You can walk through zone all you want and get probably decent at it. But when you're doing the pulling and you're really going full speed on those pulls and having to adjust on the move and the different creases that it creates, it's not always perfect. But they have to figure it out. That takes live repetition. That takes scrimmage reps. And we weren't really repping that stuff that much when we got here. So it's been an evolution of, 'OK, who have we become?' But it also takes time and reps to get good at anything, but specifically gap schemes. There's a lot of moving parts that go with them, and your line is moving a lot more than they are on the zone scheme. So I do think time, repetition, and maybe finding out more who we are and who we were trying to be took a little bit longer than I would have liked."

(On what he's learned about himself as a play-caller)

"I think maybe this year more than any time – I've only called plays at Maine for two years, and then two years at Kentucky, and then here – I've probably trusted a staff maybe a lot more than I ever have. Honestly, working with a group of guys that really see it the same way, that are very good coaches both on and off the field, like trusting them…So much of what we do out there on Sundays is because of the staff that I have here, that we have here, that we're working on this thing, doing it together. You also learn that when you're your most genuine self, typically good things happen…And you're not trying to be anybody else, you're just trying to prove maybe that you know this can work here, you know? And you have a little bit of just saying, 'Let's put our head down and go to work and try to get this thing fixed.' And, you know, it wasn't that it needed to be fixed – that's not what I mean – but just more, hey, how can we make this thing better? That was all we really tried to do as a staff, and you learn to try to be your most authentic self throughout the way, and usually, it works."

(On QB Baker Mayfield not being named to the Pro Bowl)

"He didn't know how many touchdowns he had on the year. Not maybe he did, but I texted him and asked him. I sent him something, and he really responded to me that he did not know, because I was asking, because I did not know. Like, we haven't talked about that stuff at all. Like, we didn't buy each other Christmas gifts. You know what I mean? We've been doing this. Like, we've been doing football. That's all he's been into. I congratulated him on the NFC Player of the Week over the phone on Tuesday and he said, 'Yeah, that's cool. Let's go get this one.' So, he doesn't care. Nobody really cares – I don't think. He knows his worth. He knows what he's done and put out on that field this year production-wise. I think that speaks for itself."

(On what he likes about C Graham Barton)

"It's just the athleticism, the physicality, the way he's able to run block and move people inside while also getting on the perimeter and helping us out in the screen game and getting out in space. Obviously, being the type of person that he is – it's not easy to communicate in our system, it's just not. He has to do a ton, and it's a credit to the guys that are coaching him. Like I said about 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon) and those wideouts, same thing with those coaches that are coaching them, with 'Carbs' (Kevin Carberry) and [Brian] Picucci, but also his work ethic. [Robert] Hainsey being involved in that kind of maturation process, as well – I think he would be the first one to tell you that it's a lot of work, but it kind of takes a village when it comes to that."

(On C Robert Hainsey's role as a mentor and his impact on the team.)
"A lot of ways, yeah, I mean, they are – they're together a ton, man. I mean, Hainsey is in there in the protection meetings before we actually have the protection meeting, going over, 'Hey, this is something that I would call or how I see it.' Whether that's always the case in how we do it, that's just really a lot of experience [from] somebody that can give Graham a ton of knowledge and as well as Baker [Mayfield] and us as coaches. Shoot, we all learn. I call Hainsey when we're trying to create our protection plan. I've called him on multiple occasions while he's at home and asked him how he would see it. So that's just kind of how we've tried to operate, and he's been really great that way. All right, guys, thank you guys."

INSIDE LINEBACKERS/PASS GAME COORDINATOR LARRY FOOTE

(On what he's seen from OLB Shaq Barett upon his return and if he will possibly play on Sunday)

"Well, he's already having impact. I've been joking with the outside linebackers, 'Shaq back, and you guys lit up the sack board last week.' But it's just good to see him out there, just veteran presences. Young guys are going to learn a lot from him, but it's good seeing him out there. [He's] still kind of getting used to the No. 56, I know a couple years – the No. 58 isn't too far off. I said, 'Who's the most famous No. 56'. He did know who Lawrence Taylor was."

(On how hard it is to come out of retirement)

"When you realize that Monday check isn't coming in there [laughs]. It's tough, it's difficult. I know he was coming off the Achillies [injury] and he just didn't feel [like] himself and once that body starts coming back, you start itching and wanting to play the game. You know you're always going to miss it but when that body starts coming back and you feel good, you're going to want to get back out there."

(On what he thinks can help get the defense to force more turnovers)

"Well, you start with the basics. I think, on the back end, you have to study more. You have to have some more anticipation as far as formation, recognition, and understand before it happens what's going to happen so you can get a jump on the quarterback. It ties in hand-in-hand as far as pass rush, getting the quarterback to throw it a little early, but I would start with studying. You have to recognize the formations and get your head around a couple of opportunities, just some basic technique. You have to get your head around, so you can actually catch the ball."

(On what has been key to DL Logan Hall's success this season)

"Just growth. Time on the job. It's his third year and around this league, third year [is when] you really tell the league who you are and what you're capable of doing. I've been definitely happy for his success and he has that ability to get at the quarterbacks as a big, fast guy. I'm proud of him."

(On how good it was to see OLB Chris Braswell Jr. get his first solo NFL sack and his growth)

"Like I said earlier, Shaq [Barrett] came back in the building, those guys started getting sacks [laughs]. That was awesome, especially that forced fumble. I know he's been itching at it. I know he had a couple early ones. I think one of my guys stole one from him, a little bottom feeding. He got it off his back so I expect more from him."

(On what he's seen from LB Lavonte David and his success blitzing this season)

"When Devin [White] was here, Devin wanted to blitz so Lavonte was doing a lot of the coverage but Devin is gone so it just opened up more opportunities for him to rush. We know he has a knack of getting to the quarterback. He has the ability to sack the quarterback. I think he's at 5.5 [sacks]. Did he make the Pro Bowl? Well, he had 5.5 sacks. He has a natural skill, he can rush the passer."

(On LB Lavonte David continuing to play at a high level and how hard it is to know when it's time to retire)

"Well, I'm not surprised. I got 13 [years] in – definitely wasn't playing at that level but I played with a guy [James] Farrior, he played probably 15, London Fletcher, Junior Seau played 20 years. If you stay in shape and you have that focus, you can play for a long time so I'm not surprised. At that high level, and I mean he plays almost every snap, that's just God-given ability. He's focused. Since I've met him, he's always in front of the room, he's asking the correct questions, he stays in the moment. He doesn't drift off and it shows up on Sunday. He's always in the right place for the most part."

(On the impact that LB Deion Jones has had since getting here)

"He's been helping me in the meeting rooms, just coaching the young guys up. He played at a high level in this league. He's very savvy, especially in zones and pass game. I know he got a lot of interceptions. We argue in there who has the best hands but he gets his hands on the ball. He has a knack for it. He's just been giving the guys little tidbits and I'm glad we got him."

(On CB Zyon McCollum saying the defensive line and secondary have been challenging each other)

"I've been begging for that since I got here. That's old-school ball mentality. I always joke with the guys. There's been not one time I broke up a fight on the sideline. Every now and then that's kind of healthy, it's good. I always challenge those guys to hold each other accountable, call each other out, from old guy to young guy. That's healthy in my opinion as long as you kiss and make up in the locker room."

LEFT TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On what it means to be selected to the Pro Bowl)

"It means a lot, especially this one, just being over at [left tackle] now. I was an alternate last year and ended up getting in, which was still really cool, but being able to kind of get it for real… It's been on my mirror in my bathroom for about a year now. It really means a lot."

(On if he is surprised to be the only offensive Buccaneer in the Pro Bowl while they have a top five offense)

"Yeah, pretty much across the board, guys are having great seasons and it's awesome to see. We're doing our best just to go out there and get better and ball out and it's fun to see. Baker [Mayfield], Bucky [Irving], Luke [Goedeke], Mike [Evans] 'C.G.' (Chris Godwin) before he got hurt – it's crazy. We're just working for each other, out there playing for each other, trying to be the best unit we can be."

(On the Saints being one of the more physical opponents)

"It's always a hard game. Games with the Saints are always hard, hard as a mug. I think after earlier in the season too, coming in here, we don't want to spoil things. It's going to be a physical game. It's going to be really physical. I know we're all going to be really sore afterwards. That's how it goes, especially this late in the season. Everyone is dealing with some stuff. It's going to be fun."

(On how the team balances the mentality of focusing on one game at a time while knowing that a win earns them a playoff spot)

"I think what we've done all year is [think] it's a big game because it's the next one. You know, there are big implications with it but you have to control what you can control. That's going out each snap and giving it your all, doing your best and onto the next one so we're going to do that and look up at the score board when it's done and see where we're at."

(On why it's important to him and his teammates that WR Mike Evans continues his 1,000-yard season streak)

"I think because he deserves it. He's been here for so long, done everything the right way, the type of person, the type of player, the type of teammate Mike is. Why wouldn't you want him to get something that's – has anyone done it? Just Jerry Rice? Holy [crap]. I didn't know it was only Jerry Rice. He has to get it now. What does he need, 85 yards? Yeah, that's awesome. That's really cool. I hope he does. We're going to do everything we can. That's crazy. I'm excited. I have goosebumps thinking about it. We want to help him achieve that. That's pretty special."

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