TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS QUOTE SHEET 12-25-23

HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the Buccaneers going for their third straight NFC South division title on the heels of the New Orleans Saints winning four straight division titles)

"It's definitely been hard to dominate any division. In our division, the Saints had been running it for quite a while. We won a couple games – we won it the last two years. We're trying to win it a third year, but it's always going to be tough sledding when you're in a division and going for a title at the end."

(On if QB Baker Mayfield was able to relate to the young Buccaneers roster as he's only a few years removed from being drafted, himself)

"I think he's relatable because he's different and I think we have a different team. I think we needed to go a different way. It's worked out for us. The attitude that he brought in, I think would be infectious on a young or an older team. I think that's just who he is. That part is not that big of a deal, but the leadership he's shown and the way we've tried to change the team around has been outstanding. He leads the veterans, as well – he sits with the offense and the defense. He really brought camaraderie and chemistry together in the offseason, as well as summer training camp, to have these guys on the same page so that when we hit hard times, we wouldn't panic."

(On what he noticed about the team's pass rush on Sunday against the Jaguars)

"We put in some things that we could kind of use that kind of helped us out during the game. Getting up in the score usually doesn't happen for us – we're usually fighting tooth and nail. When we get up and get ahead, we can be even more aggressive, so that allowed us to take advantage of some things."

(On the progression of DB Dee Delaney)

"He's been a hard worker, but I think he's settled in and getting the scheme down. He has to learn [cornerback], nickel, both safety spots. He's kind of our utility guy back there. Then he became a playmaker in understanding what he needs to do in the scheme, and that's kind of helped him move along – as well as playing special teams. He's a jack of all trades for us and he's a very good Swiss army knife. He comes in and if he's anywhere near the ball, he's going to make plays. I don't think he had a chance to make too many yesterday – maybe a tackle or two here or there – but he's very reliable. The guys count on him back there and you know where he's going to be."

(On if he ever felt the external pressures that came with the team's mid-season losing streak and if that changed his approach at all)

"I've been coaching a long time – I coach the same way [during a] losing streak or a winning streak."

(On CB Zyon McCollum briefly playing safety against the Jaguars and if that might happen more in the future)

"Depending on who we play and what the matchups are, he could be anywhere from safety, nickel, [cornerback] or linebacker. The matchups will determine that – what we can or think we can or can't do with him will determine that. [I am] not sure at this point in time."

(On what's enabled OLB Yaya Diaby to have such a successful rookie campaign)

"When we drafted him, the biggest thing for me was that he was a shutdown run defender and he could close off the edge. We knew he could run straight ahead. We didn't know that much of the pass-rush arsenal that he has because he played inside as a three-technique at Louisville. We knew he was very athletic and once we saw him when he got in and we saw the movements, we said, 'This guy has a chance to be a very good football player.' He's continued to grow and grow and progress and you're kind of seeing a lot of that right now."

(On the number of young players contributing to the team right now and if they just needed opportunities or time to acclimate to the system)

"It was a matter of them getting their shot, but we had a lot of young guys make the team. They were going to be playing no matter what. It's a matter of them settling down in situations and understanding situational football – how to play, when to take advantage of their athleticism and when to play scheme-fit defense for our part. Those guys have done a great job at it. They continue to get better and better – you can see the confidence growing in them and it's growing at the right time."

(On the progression or WR Trey Palmer)

"Trey has been solid. Trey has been very solid. I love the way he blocks, I love the way he works routes inside. [When] you've got Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] getting off pretty [well] like they did yesterday and last week, you're going to be kind of quiet. But, we know where he is, we can count him, he plays with confidence, he's a very good football player. We really like him."

(On WR David Moore)

"David has been a true pro. It [was] great to have a veteran down their on the practice squad, especially one that's been in the system before that can plug-and-play right now. He's tough, he's feisty, he's a good [special] teams player and he has outstanding hands. He understands the game – I think that helps him play fast, as fast as a guy that runs 4.4 [40-yard dash]. He's been very valuable to us the last two weeks, especially. It's good to have."

(On if WR Rakim Jarrett might be back this week and if the team will carry six wide receivers)

"We'll continue to progress him. Based off of injuries, whenever the reports come in after Christmas, we'll see how that goes. We'll monitor it from there."

(On when he saw the team starting to turn the corner)

"I was encouraged actually during the losing streak, because we were fighting and we were making bonehead plays here and there. We knew if we cleaned those up, we could win a game by one or two touchdowns. We just kept looking at it every week and we kept with it. It's okay to correct the guys and coach them and chastise them and all that stuff, but we knew we were close to at least playing solid football if we cleaned those things up. We cleaned those things up and it's kind of working for us right now."

-BUCCANEERS-