LINEBACKER LAVONTE DAVID

(On his decision to return for his 14^th season in Tampa Bay, and what motivates him to continue playing football)

"When I'm home, I just try to unwind and relax – see if I can get my mind of football and just focus on the responsibilities and things that I've got to take care of outside of football. After that, once I've got all of that in line, I just try to figure out what's next. What's next? What do I want to do? What are the steps I've got to take to keep living a structured life? Taking care of responsibilities that I've got to take care of. Obviously, my love for the game is still there. I still love playing the game of football. Can I still uphold the standard that I've made for myself when I play the game? This year, it took longer than usual, just because unfortunately at the end of the playoff game, I was injured, so I had to make sure I healed from that and [see] how serious it was and go from there. Then, spending time with family, getting people's opinions, picking everybody's brain and things like that…Having people by my side who still believe in me and believe in my ability – obviously teammates, people who I've built relationships [with] throughout playing this game, and then getting a little encouragement and motivation from them and stuff like that. That kind of, ultimately, led to me making that decision. For me to get going, I like to have a foundation in place, so I need to make a decision on what I want to do to be able to move forward and get myself together and go on. I just got that extra bump [inside], saying, 'I still love the game, I still have the ability to play, I still trust myself, I still believe in myself.' Why not? Why not give it another shot? Obviously, the staff, Jason [Licht] and all those guys – they wanted me back. That was one of the main things – they wanted me back. It wasn't like they were letting me do whatever. All they did was give me a little time to make a decision, but they said, 'We have a contract here ready for you if you're ready.' That made it easier for me."

(On if his decision would have been different had the Buccaneers not had as successful of a 2024 season as they did)

"I don't think so. I don't think so. It's a team game. I always believe in the people that we have in the locker room. At the same time, I kind of think about, can I contribute more into that? Even if we came off a 6-11 year, maybe I'd feel like, 'Okay, I can be better at this [aspect],' and then that 6-11 could turn around to a better record. So, I don't really think about that part. If I did think about that, I'd probably have been gone a long time ago. I just think about my ability and seeing what I can do. Luckily, we didn't come off a 6-11 [record] and luckily, we have some great football players in this locker room and that also added to my decision – having these guys and seeing Chris [Godwin] come back was great to see, amazing to see. Then, adding people and just being in the locker room all the time, just seeing what those guys bring to the table make me motivated even more."

(On what he's done, physically, to be able to continue to play at a high level deep into his 30s)

"I think the main thing for me is just taking care of things while it's a little problem, before making it a big problem. Any time I feel any nicks or bumps, any small little thing, I try to get on top of it really fast so it doesn't become a big problem. Then, getting my conditioning level to where it needs to be and taking care of my body right away – eating right, doing what I'm supposed to be doing, being disciplined in all aspects…I just feel like the off the field life when you're disciplined, it [carries] over to the on the field life."

(On approaching LB Derrick Brooks' all-time career tackle total)

"It's there. I mean, all of the stats come in and out – there are so many stats out there – but I did kind of know about that one. It wasn't a big focus. I'm not competing with Derrick Brooks – Derrick Brooks is still lightyears ahead of where I want to be. To go back to what you said, it would be an incredible accomplishment, to be the leader for a franchise in tackles – that's something that every kid dreams of, especially a kid in my position. I never thought I would be signing a contract to play my 14^th season with the same organization. It's incredible, man. It's very humbling, it's very amazing. It would be great to do that, but at the same time, I'm just blessed to be able to play this game. 'D.B' (Derrick Brooks) is Mr. Franchise. Everybody wants to model what they do after Derrick Brooks, on the field and off the field. To be mentioned in the same breath is always incredible for me."

(On how he has recovered from the injury he sustained in the playoff game)

"It's in the past. I'm here, I've signed, so it's definitely in the past. I'm all well, I'm all good – no complaints. I'm going to keep on moving forward to be my best this season."

(On how hard the playoff loss to the Commanders was)

"It was tough, man. It was really hard. I felt like we had the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl this past season. I felt like we had the guys, I felt like we had the right pieces in place, I felt like we were motivated, but things just didn't go our way. [There were] a lot of things that maybe we could've done better, and I feel like once you learn from those things, you get seasoned, and you feel like you can take it to that next step. For us to be motivated the way we were around that time, I feel like we're even more motivated now. Having those guys, like I said, having the same amount of guys in the locker room that we played with last year – they know what it takes now. I feel like we can get over that next step."

(On his level of confidence in the team's inside linebacker position)

"I think it'll be great, man. Obviously, 'Voss' (SirVocea Dennis) hopefully being healthy all season, we know what he can bring to the table. Then, Anthony Walker [is] a great friend of mine and it's great to see that he's signing with us. I know what he brings to the table, I know what type of work ethic, personally, he puts in, and his cerebral part of the game and how smart he is. I know he'll be able to make plays for us. It's going to be a very competitive inside linebacker room and I'm ready for it and I'm excited for our position group."

(On Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell returning to the Buccaneers)

"I'm very excited. Mike is my guy. I won a Super Bowl with Mike. Mike even made the decision easier – him coming back and being our inside linebackers coach, that was dope. Then, obviously, I have a great relationship with Larry Foote. It's going to be different, but I still have that relationship with Foote so I can still piggyback on Foote and get some lessons from him. But, having Mike back is really cool. It's not like a new coach coming in, it's somebody who we're comfortable with and somebody we know and somebody who knows the game."

(On how the league and the linebacker position has changed since he was drafted)

"That's something that I just started thinking about. Somebody in my position playing inside linebacker who basically has to be the leader of the defense – the quarterback of the defense. In my 14 years of playing, I've probably played with five defensive coordinators. Each defense, I adapted to it and I made it what's good for me – I prevailed in each one. So, just adapting, taking what I learned from those defenses, and putting it into my game right now…The game doesn't change, people do the same thing but in different ways. Once you learn that and try to adjust to that, the game just slows down to you. It's just fun to see all of that just come together – all of the things that you learn from your rookie year all the way until now and putting it into fruition and watch yourself and see your product on the field, how you're moving through stuff like that and how you adapt to the game the way it's played now…It's a great feeling for you, personally."

(On what kind of impact OLB Haason Reddick can have this season)

"A huge impact, man. I know a lot of people [weren't] happy with what guys are doing on the outside, but I know the guys we have, I know what they're capable of, and I know a lot of different things took place. A lot of it was the way teams schemed us to not let those guys get pressures as much. Even though we did have a lot of pressures, we weren't actually getting to the quarterback and getting him down and getting sacks and stuff like that. I think he brings an added [aspect] to that. Even though we have great guys already, he just adds to fire that we already have. His resume speaks for itself. I'm definitely excited to have him on board and I think him and those guys will jell really well…Yaya [Diaby], [Chris] Braswell Jr., getting 'Nelly' (Anthony Nelson) back – I think that was a great signing, too. Just getting guys in that room to know what it takes and know that a lot of pressure is added onto them, I think he's going to be a great fit for them."

(On if he was surprised that former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly didn't make the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year)

"I was surprised, actually. I thought he was going to get in. I personally feel, not being biased, but I honestly feel like he was a first-ballot guy. I know he was a great football player and he's somebody that I obviously always watched and always tried to compete with. I'm definitely surprised, but I'm sure, I know, the next one here, he'll probably get in there. I was definitely happy to see him there and someone who you know personally getting those accolades and that recognition was great to see. I definitely was surprised to see that he didn't get in."

(On the Buccaneers being able to draft and continually resign himself and wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin)

"I think it's incredible, man. I don't know if that's talked about enough. [The Buccaneers] have been loyal to their guys – a lot of organizations aren't like that. For those guys to be transparent with us and have that back-and-forth communication about how important they feel we are to them and how much we want to be back and play for this city, I think that's incredible. For everybody to just get on board and get on the same page and make things happen ASAP, that's really underrated. I don't think it's talked about enough. That just goes to show how much they believe in the guys they bring in. I think is a testament from the ownership all the way down. They want their guys, they believe in their guys, and they're going to stick with us. I think for the young guys to see that, that gives them even more motivation. They ask guys like me, Chris, and Mike for advice and things like that, so when those guys see that, I think they get even more motivated. They want to play for this organization – an organization like that – and it just becomes a mutual respect thing. The thing that I really like and respect is when you hear about other organizations and how people always have these situations where they're not really close with their [general manager] and not really having that back-and-forth conversation with those guys. It's the complete opposite here. I haven't had the chance to experience it anywhere else, but you don't see it like that. For me to really go through and experience it and have back-and-forth conversations where you hear [about] different places. It's really, really great to be a part of and it makes you want to stay."

(On what he thought about his play in 2024)

"Could be better, man, could be better. [There were] some areas – obviously, interceptions…I want to get a lot of interceptions. I want to make game-changing plays. I always tell the young guys and they're always asking me, 'What makes a great linebacker?' Linebackers have got to be playmakers – you've got to find a way to impact the game some way, somehow…Splash plays, creating tackles for losses, getting ball-disrupting plays – not just making tackles – trying to get the ball out and not just being comfortable knocking the ball down, getting the interceptions. All of that contributes to winning organizations, and that's all around. We didn't have a lot of interceptions this year as a defense, and I want that to change. I think we need to be more aggressive, have more confidence in ourselves, be able to make the play and don't just be satisfied with doing your job – go above and beyond."

(On if the defense felt like they let the offense down last year)

"Yeah, for sure. For sure. We talked about that. We had our private defensive meetings and then our meetings with Coach [Todd] Bowles. Every time we take the field, we've got to put the game on us. Every time we're in a situation where we can close out the game, we've got to close out the game. We've got to be better. We've got to be better defensively, and we didn't do our best to help us get over that obstacle in the Wild Card [game]. We had countless opportunities to do that, and we didn't get it done. We know that and all the guys on defense know that. I feel like we're going to be better. I feel like guys are more motivated. I have close relationships with all of the guys, and we talk, and we talk about things that we can get better at and how things are going to be different. I definitely do think we could have gotten our team to the Super Bowl last year, but we didn't do our part defensively. We did okay, but we didn't do what we were capable of."

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CHARLIE HECK

(On joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

"I'm really excited to be here. I've done a workout here before and I'm glad that it came around full circle like this and now I'm back here. I'm excited to be a part of this team. OTAs is when I will really get down here and start getting to know everybody, and that's the fun part."

(On if he has a relationship with anybody already on the Tampa Bay roster)

"Off the top of my head? No, but that's why I'm excited to get down here during OTAs and get to know everybody – coaches, players and all of that."

(On being able to play both tackle positions)

"Yeah, I mean that's your job as a swing tackle is you've got to be ready to play both sides. Some people are more comfortable at one or the other, but when push comes to shove, you've got to be ready to play both."

(On how special of a player T Tristan Wirfs is)

"Unbelievable. I just saw him in the locker room – that dude is enormous. He's unbelievable, especially, I mean, talk about somebody who was able to go from right tackle and then over to left, and he's doing it at an All-Pro level. So, I'm excited to be in an O-line room with somebody like that."

(On what makes Wirfs special)

"Size, strength, athletic ability. I mean, he's one of those rare freaks that don't come around often."

(On if the offensive line coaches factored into his decision to sign with Tampa Bay)

"Absolutely. I mean, just keeping up with different O-lines during my career, this is one that I've always kind of kept my eyes on. It's been a group that I would be excited to be a part of, so I'm happy to be here. They've done a great job."

(On the transformation of his body since he first entered the league)

"You know, coming out of college everybody has still got a little bit of baby fat on them. [It's about] dialing into nutrition and all of that just so you can really take advantage of your opportunity in the NFL. That was something… that first year in the NFL, I didn't play that many games, so that was a huge thing for me getting in the weight room and getting my nutrition dialed in. That played to my advantage my rookie year."

(On if he has any experience blocking newly acquired pass rusher Haason Reddick)

"I don't think we've played each other, no. I've been on some teams where we've played the Eagles, but I haven't played him specifically."

(On how he stays prepared as a swing tackle)

"When you're in that backup role as a swing, you've got to be going into the week picturing that you're going to be the starter. You're probably not going to get nearly as many reps in practice, so that just comes down to watching the starter there and visualizing how you would do that. Anything can happen – you've got to be ready."

(On how close this Buccaneers team is to contending for a Super Bowl championship)

"They're right there. I'm excited to get here, learn the offense and just be here. They've got all of the talent in the world on this offense, so I'm excited."

(On having Bill Belichick become the head coach at his alma mater)

"It's wild. I saw they were going to do the 'Hard Knocks.' I'm a little bummed that that got canceled. I was looking forward to seeing that, but yeah, I'm excited to get [up] there sometime and watch a spring game or something like that."

(On his mentality when it comes to run blocking)

"Yeah, I would say for every offensive lineman that's where you make your statement is in the run game. I think that as a unit the O-line wants to establish the run. That makes everything else easy. And, when you're able to do that as an offensive lineman, like I said, it makes your job easy. So, that's what is fun and that's what is important. Getting after it in the run game is what sets an O-line in motion."

(On being the son of former NFL offensive lineman Andy Heck)

"It was awesome. He was always our dad first, but my brother and I, we looked up to him and we wanted to be O-linemen just like him. He never forced the coaching on us or anything like that. I think he was pretty happy when he saw us filling out a little bit, knowing that we might be able to fill in his shoes."

(On starting out as a tight end)

"I was a tight end until I showed up to college my first day. That's when I made the switch."

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