OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR DAVE CANALES

(On if the offensive success against the Packers was due to WR Chris Godwin playing more out of the slot position)

"Not really. He's been playing a good mix of it throughout. I think really what you saw was the guys all together, collectively – from the front, to the [wide] receivers, to the quarterback – just really buying into the details of what we're trying to do. I think we talked about it last week: [we are] spending a little bit more time detailing out some of those pass game things that we've been trying to get going for a while now. At the beginning of the season, my sell to them was, 'Guys, there's going to be a game, and you're going to feel it, where the run game is going, we're efficient on third down and making some of those, and working in the redzone.' That was that game that it all came together. I was just really proud of the lumps we've taken, the challenges that we've faced, and continuing to come back on Mondays and Tuesdays and really work through those issues and for it to all come together in a really cool environment. [It was] my first win in Green Bay of my career. It was really amazing, just the feeling of it."

(On how important it is for the offense to see themselves having success)

"I think it's the standard for our guys – the standard of execution and performance. For them to see that this is what's in us, this is what's out there for us when we're all on the same page, [when] we're running crisp routes all across the board – guys contributing from different spots. Even 'D-Mo' (David Moore) [made] some plays for us there. I think [it was] really important for the guys to believe that. It's a different feeling where, at times, it's felt like the guys were waiting for the bottom to fall out – waiting for the next shoe to drop. We don't need to think that way. Let's think about how good we can become and not worry about the bad things that can happen. How great can we be? It's all just a testament to the hard work put in by the full group. So, [it was a] really good feeling."

(On what led to QB Baker Mayfield's record-setting performance against the Packers)

"Poise – we had the sack-fumble on the second drive. In that situation, we give up a touchdown and we spot them seven points right there. For him, throughout the season, we've had these really difficult games that have happened to us or we get behind in score and to see him continue to believe, just go right back to work, right back to the [Microsoft] Surface: 'Alright, what's it looking like?' [That is] another example of that, for him, staying the course. Baker, yes, fantastic game, but I really think the story is the group doing right together – the receivers being where they're supposed to be, the tight ends in their blocking or whether it's the route assignments – all of it coming together. With all the variety of the different things we can do, there is a lot of learning and a lot of detail that goes in, and feel. I think it was a group thing."

(On what he liked about the play call that RB Rachaad White caught a touchdown pass on)

"It met the perfect look for what they were running and the coverage we wanted to attack with the play. It was one of those situations where I've had a few other calls in different games where I might have tried to get to a great call a little bit too early, before the appropriate place. That's me learning and growing and being patient and [seeing], 'Hey, they're doing it. Let's attack it with this play we've been practicing, really, for a long time out of different looks.' It was the timing of it. Of course, the timing and the throw, the landmark of Rachaad [White] – I think there were four guys open on that play. Baker [Mayfield] could have kind of gone anywhere with the ball on that one. I was really excited that we got that one right in that right situation, where we could attack the coverage they were going to be in."

(On if it's a stretch to suggest that RB Rachaad White is the best pass-catching running back in the NFL)

"I don't think it's a stretch at all. For me, it's about becoming who our guys are. Rachaad has taught us a lot about who he is in the run game [and] who he is in the pass game. He's just a really reliable target. He's a weapon – he really is. His body control to the catch – that's a big one there. Of course, you talked about his hands. His consistent production…I know we didn't have the rush yards for him earlier in the season, but as we've gotten the run game going, then he always throws in his 50+ yards of receiving on it. It really does put him in the top echelon of [running] backs as far as being that multi-faceted, multi-purpose [running] back."

(On how much more confident he is as a play caller at this point of the season)

"Yeah, I feel really confident. Honestly, the thing that I have at my disposal is, I've got to talk about my staff. I've got to talk about 'Goodie' (Harold Goodwin). You want to talk about the run game? It all starts with 'Goodie.' Nobody works harder through the weekend, prepping for the following week, seeing what calls we're making in those games. 'Are these the right block combos for my guys?' Really detailing it out for what style of runs [are] best for Rachaad [White] and Chase [Edmonds]. 'How can I put the tight ends in good situations, leverage-wise?' I can't say enough for the job that he's done, really, to get this run game going. Then, I have confidence to call it. We've gotten [into] a really good rhythm during the game of 'Goodie' and Joe [Gilbert] talk together and then 'Goodie' goes to the line and he's talking to them. Joe and I have our little period on the defensive series, where he says, 'Hey, it's these next three runs. These are the ones we like right now.' That communication is huge. Brad [Idzik] giving me, 'Hey, it's this kind of day on third down,' or, 'It's what we thought it was going to be.' Thad [Lewis] – the redzone designs. Really, I've got to mention Jeff Kastl. I know I'm talking about everybody, but I've got to mention Jeff Kastl, who's our empty[-set], quick-game, first and second down, dropback-attack, different personnels [guy]. [He is] trying to give movement and variety, getting Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] into spots, getting Rachaad [White] into spots. A lot of Jeff's plays really showed up on gameday. Then, it becomes about taking in that information and then being able to utilize it in the flow of the game based on, 'Alright, what's my earned-first look like? What's my P-and-10 (first play of the possession) look like? Are we too much run [or] too much pass here?' It's a collective group giving me great information [where] I feel so confident about calling the next plays and staying on track."

(On if Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore gives him suggestions as well)

"The fantastic part about Tom is he has one-on-one moments with all of us. Whether it's the staff – myself included, just in terms of the rhythm of calling plays [and] the feel of it, the belief [that] at the end of the day, you've got to believe in what you call. He's got these one-on-ones where he just kind of goes around and has these touch points of things that need a little help, that need a little sharpening, that need a little more detail work. He always finishes with, 'It's just a suggestion.' For me, it's been like a 100% deal now. When he brings something up, he goes, 'Hey, just a suggestion,' and I go, 'Alright, we're doing this, so we'll make sure we get that worked into the practice.'"

(On how it makes him feel when he can get touchdowns from four different players)

"That's what's key right? That's what we've talked about here – those other players. Everybody knows Mike [Evans] is the feature, so as teams deploy things to [him], everybody else opens up. Baker [Mayfield] sees those things, when they push it. You talk about the 24-yard catch to Chris Godwin – Mike is doubled on the left side and we're in empty [set]. Chris runs a stick-nod on the back side, kind of in the middle of the field. [That is] a classic example right there of Baker seeing, 'It's push coverage over here, here comes my secondary route,' which was Chris on that one, and just finishing it in the rhythm. Then, of course, the protection all coming together that way. I was really excited about that."

(On if QB Baker Mayfield has solidified himself as a solid starting quarterback in the league, similar to how Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith did last year)

"Absolutely. [There are] a lot of parallels there. It really speaks to the character of those two guys – the belief in themselves, the belief in their abilities, the people around them who are speaking life into them. While I know some people might use negative narratives to help fuel them, I think the both of those guys are aware of those things and so they both have that real chip on their shoulder. You love having guys in that type of position who can handle that – some guys can't handle that. That's part of it, but it's not the whole story. The whole story is their belief in themselves. For me, I just kind of come alongside and try and reaffirm who they are – reaffirm the bigger picture of who they are outside of the lines, because I truly believe that, as you strengthen as a person, as your character is strengthened, then everything else doesn't shake you as much. Of course, pairing it up with, 'Guys, you're both veteran quarterbacks… You've seen every coverage, you've seen every pass concept with the different coordinators you've been with, so don't make it harder than it needs to be. Trust what you see, be confident on that back foot.' The back foot tells the whole story about what it was. You saw Baker last week – he's solid and confident on that back foot [and] the ball is coming out. That's the same thing that Geno was doing while we were in Seattle. Both guys, yeah, very much so have that similar attribute there."

(On if his game plan was to originally run the ball more and if he decided to change the game plan based on Green Bay's defensive habits)

"I never really go into a game saying, 'We're going to pound the rock,' or saying, 'Hey, we're going to spread it out and rip them.' I try to go into the game and say, 'What are they giving us today.' This is going back to Pete [Carroll] – the way that he trained me. We were always known as a running team – playing good defense and a running team. But he was never telling our coordinators, 'Hey, you've got to establish the run.' That was never his message. His message was, 'I don't care about that. Score points. Take what they're giving you.' The guys I respect around the league, that's what they do. If it's a day where we're moving them up front and the [running] backs aren't getting tackled and we're getting six and seven [yards per carry] early, it's going to be a good running day. If It's a day where their defense is a little bit off in their coverages and guys are getting open and the quarterback is in rhythm and our protection looks great, we can go attack them in the pass game and get yards and points. I try to approach it that way. I'm glad the guys were fired up about trying to get after it in the run game. That's the attitude we want."

(On the difference that LG Aaron Stinnie has made in the run game)

"I thought Matt [Feiler] was doing a great job early on. He's a massive man. He was doing a great job getting guys covered up and getting some movement over there with Tristan [Wirfs]. But, Stinnie came in and he showed he's got power, too. I go back to the Buffalo game and he was really moving guys off the spot there. I think that he and Tristan are still learning how to play with each other over there – getting that chemistry going. I know it's been weeks here, but it does take time passing off stunts in the pass game and different things. Stinnie has done a fantastic job and he is a really good athlete, as well. Getting him out in space on screens, as well as having Cody [Mauch] and [Robert] Hainsey does give us some ability to get the ball on the perimeter and run a little bit."

(On WR David Moore and the experience he brings to the wide receiver room)

"It really does help. I think that Trey [Palmer] has a whole other set of skills that he brings. Mike [Evans]' touchdown, Trey is 100 miles-an-hour going across the field – he's probably got a touchdown on that play, as well. His speed and what he does does open things up. 'D-Mo' (David Moore) and the familiarity I have with him – but also a great story of a guy who, for two years, really struggled [and] bounced around a couple of places after he left Seattle and really had a hard time finding a home. But, that's something that was near-and-dear to my heart. I was the receivers coach and we drafted him in the seventh round out of East Central Oklahoma. To watch his growth as a young player, and then now… You talk about a positive guy – not just the football player. You see what he can do after the catch, but really, just as a man, for our group – even during the stretch where we had lost six-out-of-seven, he was a steady, constant smile. He was checking in on guys. He just floated around and really is a connector. It's bigger than that and I think that comes from his gratitude for having another place where he gets a chance. I was so happy for him. Green Bay being one of the spots that had him for a while and just didn't want him – that was a special moment and a really scary moment, almost getting the ball punched out. All of us were about to strangle him on the sideline there [laughs]. I was really happy, my wife, Lizzy, was really happy for him, too. That's one of her guys, too. It was a special moment."

(On if he saw Pete Carroll's dance after Seattle's last win)

"I've seen it live a bunch of times. I didn't get to see that one. He's just so full of life and he wants the best for his team and for them to really get that one after having a four-game skid right there was huge. I'm happy for those guys, for sure."

(On Seattle Seahawks QB Drew Lock)

"Oh yeah, another great story. I think all of you can agree, I fall in love with these stories of guys who have to go through hard things but continue to believe. You talk about Drew coming from Denver to [Seattle] in this crazy trade and competing for the job…But, really, being able to find the joy and the love for football again, where they enjoy coming to work, they enjoy being in the meeting rooms – that stuff is special to me, those types of stories. That's one of the biggest reasons I'm in it for. Here we are, we've got our own story going on with this group, with this team. While we try not to pay attention to the headlines and the narratives that are being created for our team, as Coach [Todd] Bowles always says, we want to try and create our own narrative. At the same time, you can't avoid hearing those things and to feel a group who just continues to work through adversity, work through challenges – [it is] another great story happening right here. I know we've got a lot of ball left and we've got to focus on this week, but I'm really grateful to be a part of it."

(On if the offense's success as of late is validating)

"Absolutely. First and foremost, I want to make Coach [Todd] Bowles proud. I want to make him right…[He is] just a guy who believed in me and gave me a shot. For me, it's about grinding, working hard, and trying to prove him right. Jason Licht, too, and the whole group – it means a lot to me, it's important. As we approach every week and as I challenge the guys, the other part of it is I want to build something that they can be proud of. I want to build something that guys can say, 'This is who we are. This is the [Buccaneers].' We've had a couple of those statement games. Throughout the whole thing, it's been great finishes. Even when the games were way out of reach, the guys never quit. Those are the things that really drive me, to know that we all have this chance. I can't help but see the best, so when I came here for the interview and I see this roster and I see the names still in place, I'm like, 'Okay, we've just got to find some people to develop – to grow with this thing.' The flip side of it is when I look at every defense we play – here we go again with the [Jaguars] – I also see the best in those groups. I can't think of a week where I feel just amazing going into the game plan, like 'Guys, we've got this one.' It's that same mentality, like they have a lot of fantastic players – if they play to their potential, we've got our hands full today. It works both ways. But yeah, it means a lot to me, yeah."

(On how much support he received during the team's slump in the middle of the season)

"So much. So much. Especially from guys like Coach [Tom] Moore, Keith Armstrong, Nick Rapone, of course Todd [Bowles], 'Goodie' (Harold Goodwin), Joe [Gilbert]. All of the guys that have been around for a long time. Nick Rapone, he told me a story, he said he was a head coach, they went 1-13 and he said he was calling the same defense and [they] were one of the worst defenses in the league. He came back the next year – he was the defensive coordinator at [University of] Delaware, I think it was – and they went 13-1, just in a year. He was like, 'Same defensive calls, same scheme. Bottom line, don't change.' It was during a special teams period, he walked over and said, 'Don't change. Be you. Don't change. You've got to evolve, you've got to grow, but don't change.' Those things meant the world to me – first-time coordinator and I'm starting to [think], 'Okay, what's going on here, do I really have it?' They were like, 'Don't change, just stay the course.' That really helped encourage me, too."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE LINE COACH KACY RODGERS

(On handling a situation in which a player is playing well in a certain role and the starter comes back from injury as is the case with linebackers K.J. Britt and Devin White)

"From our situation, we have two guys that we think a lot of and they're both playing well. The way it is playing out right now, they both will play a big role for us."

(On if the plan is to put them in the best situations that fit what they do well)

"Kind of the way it has been working is K.J. [Britt] has been in base. Devin [White] is the nickel [linebacker]. Right now, that has kind of been working for us."

(On the various positions in which the team rotates)

"For my position (the defensive line), we rotate all the time. We have run stoppers, we have pass rushers, and we have a couple that do both. For us, really, you look at certain positions that they play every snap, but normal rotations are normal rotations. Plus, we want to keep everybody fresh."

(On Tampa Bay utilizing two every-down inside linebackers over the past few years)

"Right, but that sometimes gets you in trouble. Somebody gets banged up and now a guy has zero experience. We've been down that road too. We played with a safety at linebacker, so we've been there."

(On if the defense is preparing as if they will see Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence on Sunday)

"Yeah, considering he has never really missed a start. This guy always answers the bell and that's who we're preparing for because he really makes them go and [because of] the problems he poses us defensively."

(On the Jaguars offensive playmakers)

"The problems they create for you is that they're on all different levels. They've got a tight end that's hard to cover that might be at wideout. They've got an elite receiver and then they've got a [running] back that can make things happen too. Then, [they have] a quarterback that can get out and run, if need be, too, and he is a problem on the perimeter. They just pose a lot of problems for you. You just kind of pick and choose and hope the game plays out your way, but they are a dangerous, dangerous team with all of the weapons that they have."

(On if the young players in the defense needed time to develop or if they could have given them bigger roles earlier in the season)

"I think they needed to grow. They're still all first-year players. This is definitely a big boy league, anyway, across the board. The transition from college to pro is not here [gestures low], it's there [gestures high]. Those guys are still growing in what they are doing. They're still making mistakes but they're growing on the run now. You tell me we're 14 games in, and now if you throw in the preseason, you're really not a rookie anymore. Really now, you had time to hit the rookie wall, get through the rookie wall and adjust. Now, even when we make presentations, a lot of the plays we're seeing, you've seen them before now. This is not your first time seeing this and that's helping us. It really is."

(On winning with a large number of rookies playing large roles defensively and if that is rewarding as a coaching staff)

"No doubt. To see these guys grow up… We knew going in we were young, but like I've said, I thought they were very talented. They can play, they're just young and you don't know, but we've got to put them out there. So far, they're kind of answering the bell. The more experience they get now, the more they're playing in games under more and more pressure. It's only going to help them going forward."

WIDE RECEIVER DAVID MOORE

(On what it was like being able to contribute in a big way in Sunday's win over Green Bay)

"It really was just a blessing. Battling all year, staying at it, trying to be there for the team and be there whenever they need me. It was just really big for me, and the team too, as well. It was really just a happy moment to get to celebrate with the guys I've been battling with, that were picking me up when I was down and vice versa. It was just huge for me."

(On Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales saying Moore is one of the more positive guys in the room)

"It's really just an everyday thing – nobody wants to be negative every day. Just come in with a positive mindset, pick everybody else up and you hope for the same for everybody else to do it. Dave does that himself. He comes in and he's a cheery guy – always smiling, happy guy. We just learn from it and go with it."

(On if there was a moment in his touchdown play in which he realized he could break away and score)

"After that second guy, I saw Chris [Godwin] out of the corner of my eye. He actually made the play, you know. If he wouldn't have blocked that guy, I don't know if I would have scored, so big congrats to Chris on that one for sure."

(On if he sees a similarity between QB Baker Mayfield and reigning AP Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith)

"Oh, for sure, no doubt. 'Bake's' story – everybody has seen it; everybody has heard it. For him to come back out here this year on a new team and do the things he has done is huge. Geno was the same way. He was behind 'Russ' [Wilson] all those years and he was just waiting patiently. As soon as he got his chance, he made something with it. I think 'Bake' is doing the exact same thing, so I think you can really compare them from that standpoint."

(On playing alongside wide receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and what he can add to the group)

"Shoot, whatever they need. Whatever they need, just try to be that guy for them. Chris and Mike will handle the rest. Trey [Palmer], D.T. (Deven Thompkins), 'Rock' (Rakim Jarrett) coming back – all these young guys, they learn, and they pick up things from two of the greatest, so I'm kind of doing the same thing in a sense. Just being there for whatever they need, whenever they need is kind of the motto."

WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(On what the win meant for Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales)

"I felt like it was a big game for him and not necessarily because of anything in particular. It's good when your hard work comes to fruition. I think the interesting thing about Dave is even through losing six out of seven, he never waivered. He was still the same guy, you know, day in and day out. It was cool to have the game that we had and for him to feel the love that he was getting from people."

(On how he plans to bring last week's success into this week)

"Trying to be better than the week before. Last week was last week and we [have] to treat it like any other game. After 24 hours, we put it in the past and move forward because it's not going to help us at all this week. [We are] going up against another good defense and we just have to figure out a way to attack them the best way we can. Obviously, it starts at practice. We've been on the same page a lot recently, so we just [have] to keep it going."

(On RB Rachaad White and his versatility)

"Obviously, like you said, he's very versatile. I think the size that he possesses, like he's 6'1", 220 [lbs], for a running back. that's a big back, so I think that's very important. He's durable, he's strong, he's fast, he has really good ball skills. I think he has some of better hands I've seen for a running back. I've seen him make some really crazy catches in practice and that's starting to really translate into the games. I think it really presents a challenge to defenses for him just be able to make catches out of the backfield and to really do something with it, I think he's had a receiving touchdown in each of the last couple of game, so it's a big factor for us, but you see him start to come into his own as a young player."

(On if he will be healthy to play Sunday)

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just continue to just get my body right. Try to make sure things are good for Sunday."

(On why he thinks QB Baker Mayfield is playing so well right now)

"Obviously, I think he's doing a great job preparing, but I think it's a total team effort. I think you can start to see him get a little more comfortable with the calls. I think communication is getting a little bit better as an offense. We are starting to see the bigger picture, see how things are coming together, and I think it's starting to gel at the right time. Now the challenge for us is to continue it. We [have] to keep it going, we [have] to keep putting in the work, because again you can't rest on your laurels. This is the time where we need to continue to get hot, so we have to do everything we can to make sure we're still moving forward."

(On what WR David Moore has meant to the team)

"'D-Mo', he's been a great presence in our locker room. Me and him [have] got in closer over the year, so seeing him get his opportunity at a place where he has played in the past, then you call a simple little out route, and [he] took it the distance, right? I think it just shows his value as an experienced guy, as a vet in this league who has a good amount of experience, and [is] ready to fill in whenever he is needed. It's a lesson of perseverance for a lot of young guys, but just more so another example of guys stepping up when their number is called on our team. We have a bunch of guys on there… on our roster that can do that. It's just the matter of getting the opportunity to."

(On the unselfishness of him and WR Mike Evans)

"That's kind of just who we are, right? We've just never been too concerned about which one of us is going off. We just want to win. We want to do whatever we can to contribute to that, but that's the personality of the locker room. We try to embody that, we try to be a good example for the guys, and to understand that the bigger picture is to win as a team and, you know, try to put us in the best position to do that."

TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On the improvement in the run game over the last few games)

"Yeah, I think slowly but surely. Like I've said for a lot of weeks now, we're putting a big emphasis on it – we're trying, and it's starting to come together. We have a long way to go. Rachaad [White] is running hard [and] we're trying our best to stay connected, get connected. Yeah, it's going alright."

(On the ups and downs of the season and how good it feels to be on a three-game winning streak with the momentum trending in the right direction)

"Yeah, it feels really good. For a while we always said everything is in front of us. We just have to come out here every week and perform to the best of our abilities. With everything being in front of us right now, it's kind of business as usual. [We will] go out there and control what we can control and do our best to help the team get a 'W.'"

(On playing with G Aaron Stinnie)

"I think it's been awesome. So, me and Stinnie, I think we've been together for four years now. We got to play next to each other on the right side all through the playoffs up to the Super Bowl, so we have chemistry. I think it's been great. I think me and Stinnie are great together in the run game [and] pass game. We've gotten hit on a couple twist games and most of it is my fault. I've kind of switched up doing a little jump set, putting us on different levels, so that's kind of my fault putting us in a bad situation. I love playing next to Stinnie and it's been great."

(On if WR Mike Evans' comments about how the offense is still learning are accurate)

"Yeah, it's our first year in this offense. I think we got to a point where we were comfortable with everything we were doing scheme-wise. Now, it's just playing fast. The faster you play, the better you play – the more comfortable you are, the better you play. Mike's right – it is all new to us and we're taking every week in stride and trying to do the best we can."

(On this team's story)

"I think our story [is] we had a pretty hot start, it was fun. There were a lot of questions in the air about us. Not a lot of people picked us to win ballgames, but that's alright. We went through a rough patch and stuff is starting to click for us now. Just the resiliency of this group. We could have packed it in. In all honesty, we could have been like 'OK'... All the narrative outside of this building at that time was – everything I seemed to see on Twitter was like, 'Oh, the Bucs are going to get a quarterback in the draft or something.' I'm like, 'Dude, I'm playing with 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) and he's a dawg – just give us some time to get stuff rolling, to feel confident. I love everybody in this locker room. I feel confident in everyone in this locker room. I know we're a very tight-knit group – us as an O-line, us as a team. Just go fight for your brother on Sunday."

-BUCCANEERS-