OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LIAM COEN

(On the difference between calling plays at the NFL level compared to college)

"You look at the difference in some changes people make in-game a little bit from an adjustment standpoint. You look at making sure you have enough football in the plan. You come out in the first half, the first couple of drives – this is what we're getting, this is what we're doing, this is how we've attacked them thus far. In the short period of time you have at halftime to talk about adjustments and make them, you've kind of cut down on the adjustments if you just have the volume, in terms of, 'We haven't even run these six plays – we can get to these that we really like if we continue to get this look.' It's more just the volume you're allowed to carry in the National Football League just gives you a little bit more, I guess you could say, ammo for the second half or when you have to make some adjustments as a staff – which I think our guys have done a nice job of so far. I think just preparation and, in-game, just making sure we have clear, concise communication and understand what we're trying to do and how we want to get to it."

(On if it's difficult to block out the noise of being mentioned in potential head coaching searches)

"Not extremely difficult at the moment, to be honest. There's literally one goal, and that's the only one. I hate to sound [politically correct], but it's the truth. There's just no time in the day. I've got a sick kid throwing up at home last night – I mean there's just no time to truly think about these things. Is that a goal? A dream? Yeah, but that's not at all what's on my mind right now. The one thing is how are we going to try and score points and stop Micah Parsons in this game on Sunday Night Football. That's truly where the focus is, that's where it has to be. You don't have enough time to think otherwise right now."

(On the team's second quarter struggles this season)

"I don't know. It's kind of a weird deal. I guess I haven't looked that far into it. It's more just…We throw a pick, the guy makes a good play, a throw is behind, a route is a little short on a play that is day-one install in training camp, and then we fumble going for extra yardage, but I do understand what you mean by some of the second quarter stuff. I don't really know. I don't know if we're letting up a little bit or maybe we get a lead and maybe we're not as hungry in some moments or maybe not as focused. But I don't think we get arrogant by any means – I don't think it's that mentality. We're still trying to do it for four quarters. I think that's what kind of everybody at this moment in time is still trying to do – do it clean for four quarters. Against other NFL teams, sometimes that's not easy. Ultimately, we want to play four quarters of our cleanest football, but the good thing is we get to continue to strive to do so."

(On the success of the run game this season and rookie RB Bucky Irving potentially rushing for 1,000 yards)

"Yeah, it's a testament to the staff, to the guys that have done a lot of work in trying to get this thing on its feet where we wanted it to go, and to the buy-in from the players and their ability to go execute at a high level. When you look at, like I mentioned last week, the run game, if you just have a little bit of a tweak in mindset from all 11 [players], right? It can't just be the guys up front. It can't just be the guys running the ball. It's got to be an all-11 mindset. And I think that's what you're probably more proud of – seeing the way the guys respond, the way that these guys want to run the football. It's a testament to that, I think."

(On if the extending playing time earlier in the season for wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard is about to start paying off)

"I would think so. I mean, you look at the Jalen McMillans of the world, right? You look at some of those guys, the Sterling Shepards that continue to make plays. It's definitely paid off for us, I would say. I mean, when you go through the walkthroughs in practice, you just see and sense a little bit more of like a less bright-eyed mentality from some of the guys where they're not hearing the play call for the first time, or we've maybe done something prior that hits their brain already. You just start to see a little bit more continuity and chemistry with some of those guys that have had to step up into major roles. It's definitely paying off for us, I think, this late in the season for sure."

(On what tight ends Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and Devin Culp bring to the offense if TE Cade Otton is unable to play)

"Yeah, I think there's a physicality that for sure those first two, with Payne and Ko, that has helped us be able to run the football in a lot of ways and then, in turn, has helped us in the play-action game. When we've had to have those guys staying in play-action and protection, they've done a nice job. Devin hasn't been able to do much for us this year, but if he's up and that's the way we go, I think he'll answer the toll. I believe so. You go back and look at some of the preseason things that he did well…He had a good day of practice today. So, if that's the case, I have a lot of faith in those guys in helping us be able to move the ball to go win this game."

(On WR Jalen McMillan's growth over the last few weeks)

"Like I mentioned, it starts with J-Mac out here. When he is locked in and you can see his intentionality in walkthroughs, practices, and meetings, it typically rolls over for him on Sundays for a good day. That's where he's been trending and that's what he's been doing. You go out and see him catch a few balls on the first drive – obviously the touchdown – but the second play of the game, he catches an in cut, goes and tries to make a play with it. I really enjoy his play energy. He's got a good way about him. He's always brought energy and juice to the huddle, and now you're able to see it come to life more in live games. It's been really helpful for us."

(On how much the opportunity to work with QB Baker Mayfield made this job appealing for him)

"It obviously had a lot to do with it, even though I wanted to be here regardless at that time. This was an opportunity I definitely couldn't pass up, regardless of the quarterback situation, although that was a very nice cherry on top when it ended up working out that way. Over the last few weeks, even when there are mistakes or things happen, you don't need to rip him during a game - he's kind of ticked [off] enough. You have enough communication where you let him cool off, talk to other people, and then come back together to collaborate on things. It's been a great collaboration with him over the last few weeks, really over the whole year. When he plays like he did the other day, when his feet, timing, rhythm, and everything is calm – everything is good – there aren't many people that can throw it as [well] as him."

(On his favorite part of the season so far)

"[I was] in [Los Angeles], right? I'm the offensive coordinator by title, but it's not really my offense, I guess you could say, even though you're a strong part of it. Then you go to college, and, okay, well, this works here – that's cool. It works. Then you go back to the NFL, and you're with a group of guys that have had success, obviously a lot of success in this building. You're trying to help it grow, you're trying to help get better in a way. I think that's probably what's been the most fun – just seeing the improvement from the guys when you can still make really good players better and try to get the most out of them. That's kind of the most fulfilling part of the job – when the guys show growth, and they can look at you and know that you're doing everything you can as a staff to help them get better as a pro."

(On if he believes the Buccaneers' window for success is just beginning to open with how well the offense has been playing paired with the youth of the team and having QB Baker Mayfield under contract for multiple more seasons)

"Yeah, that's the goal, right? That's the goal, like you said, right now. You look at some of the pieces in place that we have, and when you have an offensive line playing the way it is, with some of the youth that is still there existing, and then, okay, you've got a stable of backs you feel good about being able to run the football and a ton of good players and personnel around you. It's absolutely a place that you'd want to be, for sure. I do think there's success to be had. I think these guys still know it still hasn't been up to where we're truly trying to go, and I think that's the beauty of it. You can go win games, have fun doing it, but come back to work and understand we still haven't played our best for four quarters. What's that going to look like?"

(On what has allowed the team to be successful on third downs)

"I think, first of all, shoutout to Josh [Grizzard] and really the staff in general have done a phenomenal job throughout the whole year. The guys in charge of those areas – Thad Lewis is in charge of the red zone, 'B-Mac' (Brian McClendon) is in charge of two-minute, and 'Grizz' (Josh Grizzard) happens to be in charge of third downs. Their ideas, plays, and thoughts and schemes is what does come to life as what you see on Sunday. Definitely, not all of those plays come right from me – we have a full staff. These guys put a lot of work into those areas. Being able to operate a little bit in terms of maybe one week we're operating on man-zone cans, maybe one week we're operating off of all-purpose call-it-and-run-it plays…Mixing in some of those criteria and putting our guys in the best position to be successful. Then, oh by the way, our guys going out and executing. Our offensive line, the way that they've been able to protect, especially on some of those shorter third-and-up-to-7 windows. We've been able to protect at a pretty high level and the ball is able to come out still. I think that's probably the combination. I think when you have Mike Evans, that usually helps too."

(On the collaborative effort among the coaching staff)

"We're in the offensive staff room for hours and hours on end. We're not in our own offices all that much, honestly. It's full collaboration. Every coach is very involved in every sort of piece of the plan, so there's no time where guys are [saying], 'I didn't know that,' or 'That wasn't the case.' You try to have as much collaboration and communication [as possible]. Any coach at any time can make a play better, or say, 'Hey, maybe that isn't something that we should do at this point in the season. We have a play, it's similar to that, let's just do this.' I think having that chemistry and cohesiveness on the staff have been incredibly helpful."

(On the improvement in the run game and the contributions from both new and existing players)

"I think definitely getting some of the new pieces and adding them to an already talented group – especially in the middle – especially in the middle. Graham [Barton] can athletically play in space while also moving people inside there – that's been helpful there. Ben [Bredeson] has been somebody that can get a little bit of thump into the defense. Then you add a back in there that can also make people miss in space. But the guys who were already that were hungry to run the ball better and hungry for that next step when it comes to running the football. It's not just the offensive line – it's all 11 [players] involved in that. The pieces definitely helped, but I think, as a core, the group was yearning for maybe a little more success in that area. That carried over. When we got some of those pieces, the guys that were already here, that kind of meshed together and it worked out pretty well that way."

INSIDE LINEBACKERS/PASS GAME COORDINATOR LARRY FOOTE

(On what kind of problems Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle presents to the defense)

"Like I tell my guys, any time you have 100+ carries and you average five yards a carry, you have some talent. When you start watching the tape, he makes a lot of guys miss. He's hard to bring down, he can make you miss in the hole so we have to be disciplined, got to keep our head up and it's going to be a challenge."

(On Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle having three straight 100+ yard games)

"Well, I'm always comfortable, as far as the run game because we have No. 50 [Vita Vea] in there. We're definitely going to rely on him but it's going to be a challenge. He's a 'no name' [running] back but he is dangerous. I'm quite sure, the more he plays, the country is going to find out who he is, but he's dangerous."

(On how proud he is of how the defense has played following the Bye Week and what's gone into allowing an average of only 15 points per game)
"It starts with the head man, Coach Bowles. We didn't lose him. [He] was frustrated, [there was] a lot of injuries. I was sharing with Cris Collinsworth the other day – I'm just used to it now. Guys [are] going to be injured, guys are going to be injured, we're going to be pulling guys off practice squads, we're going to be getting guys back, and it's the next man up. Our expectations [are] if you're in there, we expect you to play at a high level. The guys stuck together [which] speaks to our leadership and we didn't lose guys. It's frustrating, especially – I think it's the first time since we've been here that we've been getting lit up like that on defense early in the year so I love the way the guys responded and we have to keep it going."

(On if the injuries have sparked creativity out of necessity and enhanced the defense)

"Absolutely. I mean, in some crazy way, I think Coach Bowles liked it, because he can experiment more. He can go into his bag more. He's coming up with wonderful schemes and probably [to] our advantage, they don't know who they're playing against the next week, or have the time to [think], 'Hey, what's that person's weakness? How can we attack that individual?' It helps in our advantage [and] just speaks to the leadership. You know, [Antoine] Winfield Jr. – he's out – [Jordan] Whitehead, but they're in there coaching and teaching, getting these young guys ready to play. The more you can do, we're going to use you. [If you] have a skill set, we're going to put you in a place that you can win for us."

(On if Head Coach Todd Bowles' ability to be creative with the defense comes as a surprise to him)

"I'm used to it now. I've been around him for 10 years. My last year, when I played in the league, I remember we lost our No. 1 pass rusher and he came up with a package Thursday night. I'm telling you, there was about 15 new defenses that you had to learn. He's going to create pressure, he's going to create some looks and try to put guys in the best place."

(On how closely he works with guys like DL Calijah Kancey and S Ryan Neal who are being asked to play different roles)

"Everybody. [If] you're on our roster, you're going to be a linebacker, you're going to be a d-lineman, you're going to be a safety. A couple of weeks ago I told Calijah, I said, 'Hey, don't give [Coach] Bowles no ideas. You better calm down. You better calm down.' It's like little league baseball. I tell my kids, 'When you're trying out for catcher, you better do a bad job or that coach is going to put you behind the plate.' But [Kancey] showed his skill set and Bowles is going to go in the lab if you show him something."

(On if he works closely with the other defensive coaches and positions)

"Yeah, everybody. [I'm] giving them tips. Some guys – we're all hands on deck, but those guys that are playing the linebacker position or anywhere in the middle of the defense, I'm giving them tips and, 'When you get this look, this is how you line up.' Stuff like that."

(On how much the Bye Week helped make coaching adjustments on defense)

"Not that much, really. We just had to reset. I just know after we lost to the 49ers, [Coach] Bowles just set it straight [and] said, 'Hey, our playoffs start now.' And that was my message the other day to the guys, 'Hey, we're in the playoffs, so [we] can't lose.'"

TACKLE LUKE GOEDEKE

(On being in the playoff hunt and how the offense and defense are clicking)

"Oh yeah, I mean, it feels phenomenal. Like you said, we're in the hunt to make the playoffs and hopefully make a playoff run. The offense has been clicking as well as the defense, so it's going to be really exciting in the next few weeks to see what we can do and hopefully continue that into the playoffs."

(On what has contributed to the success of the run game this season)

"I think it has to do with scheme, just understanding it, just new guys and everything. The offensive line has really taken it upon ourselves to really assert our dominance up front, and the wide receivers are doing a great job blocking safeties and corners as well. The running backs are hitting the holes great. I think along with that, as well as scheme-wise, we're presenting different looks that are difficult for defenses to pick up on."

(On Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry)

"He's helped us tremendously. He's different. He definitely always brings juice every day. He's great in the run block and coaching the pass blocking as well."

(On the offensive line continuing to grow with new players)

"This is our first year in the offense, so I feel like we're continuing to grow with time. We have two new guys on the O-line who haven't played next to each other, with Graham [Barton] and Ben [Bredeson], so it's about getting them more familiarized. We're already starting to click more and more, so I think with time, it will only continue to get better and better."

(On how much confidence it gives him to play alongside T Tristan Wirfs)

"Yeah, it gives me extreme confidence. Just knowing the left side is going to be taken care of with Tristan over there. We constantly bouncing ideas off each other, whether it be in the run game or the pass game. In the offseason, when we work out together, we train here together in the offseason – constantly working together. We're just continuing to build that bond. At the end of the day, we know what we can be together for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

(On the most challenging part of facing the Cowboys' defense)

"Obviously, Micah Parsons is a game-wrecker, but they also present a lot of different challenges up front, especially on third downs. They have a bunch of different looks, so it's about getting ready for all of those."

(On what makes Micah Parsons such a strong player)

"His relentless pursuit, his speed – he's one of the most athletic guys in the NFL. He's always chasing the ball. He's like an energizer bunny out there. He's all over the place, and he's a great pass rusher. He plays with an endless motor and has a whole toolbox of moves that he uses. He's a complete total pass rusher in the NFL."

(On G Cody Mauch's growth this season)

"I think, one, confidence and two, all around – in the run game, pass game, you name it. He's holding it down in pass protecting, and in the run game, I feel like our combinations have been off the charts. That's a credit to him. A lot of times, he's setting those blocks up so I can come in there and clean it up. It's helping our offense tremendously."

(On trying to have a 1,000-yard rusher)

"Oh yeah, I mean, I hope it does happen. My goal at the end of the day is to get both [Rachaad White and Bucky Irving] 1,000 yards. Like you said, it hasn't happened for a while here, so that'd be a phenomenal thing to accomplish for us as an offense as a whole."

RUNNING BACK BUCKY IRVING

(On what's different with the run game and why it's working)

"I wasn't here last year, so I couldn't tell you what the run game was. I was focused on my career at Oregon and what my o-line was doing for me at Oregon. I'd pretty much say we put an emphasis on the run game this year that we have to be pretty good at it and I think we took it day by day and we wanted to get better at it and you see that. We go out there every day at practice and put in the work and then when we get to Sunday, we have to execute."

(On what his thought process was while learning the run game and seeing it develop)
"That was a run scheme that I ran a lot in college so I'm pretty comfortable with running that so pretty much just letting the blocks develop, trusting my tracks, and do what I do best."

(On if they are feeling confident as a team because of the success they're having)

"Yeah, we always say that we go as Baker [Mayfield] goes. This is his team and when we see him go, we're going to go."

(On what it would mean for him to have a 1,000-yard season)

"It would mean a lot. I give all the credit to the guys up front. Like I said, they do a fantastic job each and every week on going out there and doing what they do best. I give all credit to them."

(On what goes into making a defender miss the tackle as a running back)

"Just being able to trust [those] guys, trusting my track, and then when I get to the second level, being able to play my game. I dedicate my game [to] making people miss and not letting the first man bring me down, so just always having that mentality when I have the ball in my hands."

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