HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On LT Tristan Wirfs being present for mandatory mini-camp, but not practicing)

"Yeah, we don't need to see him. He's getting the plays and he's getting the work in. To come into work for three days would probably be useless [in terms] of getting something out of it."

(On the status of OLB Randy Gregory)

"He wasn't out here. He has an unexcused absence. We'll deal with it."

(On what he looks for from the team during mandatory mini-camp)

"The biggest thing from OTAs coming into mini-camp, [is] it's a continuation but we're trying to be more detailed in situational football – regardless of whether it's third down, two-minute, red zone, or backed up. We want to be detailed by the time we get out of here on Thursday."

(On what he's expecting from OLB Yaya Diaby as he enters his second season)

"I look for his game to grow, mentally. Getting a better grasp of the system, understanding where his help is, understanding what they're trying to do to him and take advantage of that. The game should slow down for him, so he should be able to take advantage of certain things that they try to do to him."

(On bringing in WR Sterling Shepard)

"We'll see. We know he was a good player in the past. He's gotten nicked up a little bit over the years. It's really our first look at him. We'll see what happens in training camp, but he's capable of being a good player."

(On if he's disappointed in OLB Randy Gregory's absence)

"It's disappointing when anybody is not here, but we'll deal with it. It's mini-camp. We'll go accordingly."

(On if he has any idea as to why Gregory was absent)

"We'll deal with it. Right now, I'm only going to coach the guys that are here."

(On the growth of TE Cade Otton)

"I think he's getting it down mentally. The mental part is slowing down for him. We put a lot on him in this system coming in, a lot more than we have in the past. Cade has been steady all the way through. We just look for Baker [Mayfield] to make the right checks and the right calls. We know he'll compete."

(On what he's seen from NT Vita Vea)

"He's quick. He looks good. He's in shape, he's flying around. He's a little faster than he was last year – hopefully that continues. We look forward to him having a great training camp."

(On if Vea's weight loss was motivated by increasing his stamina)

"I don't think it's stamina. I think some of it is weight, some of it is just getting nicked up at the wrong time. It's a combination of a lot of things. But, he looks great right now and I'm happy where he's at."

(On if Vea's weight loss might reduce the number of injuries he sustains)

"You can't explain injuries. Some injuries happen and some are critical. It's a rough game. But, it can always help him be quicker and fitter and faster. He was fit last year and the year before that, but he decided to do this on his own and do something to get a little healthier so he can stay out there longer and make an impact on third downs. He looks good."

(On how much QB Baker Mayfield lobbied to bring in WR Sterling Shepard)

"[They were] teammates – you always want your teammate on your team. I think he lobbied for him, but I don't think he went out there and put his life on the line."

(On if he's noticed fewer mental errors as the offseason program has gone on)

"It's natural when you first start OTAs – especially with a new offense and [when] you've got new people, as well – there [are] going to be some mental errors. But, the gymnastics have slowed down and the mental errors have [been] cut down. I'm pleased with where we're at today. Hopefully we continue and finish it out."

(On if he can see the chemistry between QB Baker Mayfield and WR Sterling Shepard on the field)

"Not yet. I mean, Sterling is learning a whole new system and today was his first day. He's kind of hitting it on the run while these other guys have been here a couple of weeks. We'll see in training camp. They have natural chemistry, I'm sure, but game-plan chemistry and new-system chemistry is a little different than that."

(On Shepard joining a competitive wide receiver room)

"Yeah, and he had a good workout. So, to get another guy in here to compete with the younger guys will make training camp very interesting."

(On what he saw from WR Jalen McMillan

"He's had a nice couple of weeks. He can catch the ball – we know that. He's a good route runner, he's a competitor, he's very intelligent – that impressed me the most. I can't wait to see him in pads."

(On how McMillan fits into this offense)

"Anytime you can get another ball catcher, route runner, and intelligent receiver… He fits in well, no matter where we put him at. We've got a couple of guys behind him – obviously Trey [Palmer], 'Rock' (Rakim Jarrett) and the rest of the guys can play, as well. But, he fits in well with Chris [Godwin] and Mike [Evans]."

(On if he likes McMillan's versatility)

"He had a lot of versatility in college. He played in the slot, he played 'Z,' he played 'X.' He's a very intelligent player. That gives us some advantages."

(On OLB Chris Braswell)

"It's like you said, the pads aren't on yet – I think I could've gotten in the backfield [laughs]. When the shoulder pads come on, we'll see, but he's very tough, he's very steady, he has a very strong lower body. He has semblances of Yaya [Diaby] from last year, as far as raw strength. We'll see when the pads come on how that translates, but I like what I see so far."

(On if he's aware of the allegations against former Tampa Bay WR Deven Thompkins)

"We waived him [with an] injured [designation]. Me and Deven had a conversation either that morning or the morning before that. I don't talk about conversations I have with players, but we'll go from there. We have a very good relationship and we had a conversation."

(On the state of the defense)

"For a defense, mini-camp right now – as well as OTAs – is about communication and understanding where each other are, as far as where they are on the field. That's the biggest thing we're trying to get accomplished. Incorporating the young guys in, and throwing guys in with the first team and the second team and moving them around and seeing how much versatility everyone has, that's what we're trying to get accomplished this camp."

RUNNING BACK RACHAAD WHITE

(On the first day of mandatory mini-camp)

"It felt great. Like you said, everybody – the whole team – [came] out. The vibe, the energy, the competition was great – it was amazing."

(On what he's seen from the revamped offensive line)

"The biggest thing I've seen from them is just [them] learning. They want to learn, they're eager. They compete [when] they come in. They don't have a young mindset. They compete. The older guys do a great job – our older linemen do a great job of coaching them up and teaching them the best they can and passing the game forward. That's the biggest thing you want to see out of them. They compete, they're young 'dawgs,' and they're hungry."

(On how the offense has adapted to Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen's new system)

"Liam came in and he did a great job – he does a great job of just mixing up different looks. He does a great job of throwing the defense off a lot and [marrying] the run and the pass and play-actions, and stuff like that. This offense is hard, though. Like Baker [Mayfield] said, it isn't easy, but he does a great job, Baker, of staying the course and trying to get us in the right play, and leading all of us on offense. We follow his lead."

(On his impression of rookie RB Bucky Irving)

"Bucky does a great job of, first thing, competing, and two, learning. They're all brilliant and they all want to understand the game more, and things like that. We talk a lot. We've got a good relationship. It's huge. I think he brings a playmaker [ability] and in this offense, the more playmakers, the better. It'll be huge. The one-two punch would be nice."

NOSE TACKLE VITA VEA

(On how the first day of mandatory mini-camp went)

"It feels good to be back. It's always a good time coming back out there and being with the guys and getting ready for the season."

(On building chemistry with new teammates and the excitement of a new season)

"I think you always get a little bit of that on the first day – some guys being antsy about being out there and having everybody back together. But, there's a lot of upside in the young guys, though. It's good to be back out there."

(On playing next to a player like DL Calijah Kancey and how that impacts him)

"It's definitely a good thing having him around, because a lot of guys tend to focus on him because they're scared of his quickness and his athleticism. Having him out there is always a plus [because] what he can do is really outstanding for a guy his size, to be able to run around people and also go straight through them."

(On working out with former Tampa Bay DL Ndamukong Suh in the offseason)

"Yeah. I was out there in sunny Portland, just grinding away. [There was] a lot of early morning stuff, but we got it together. He took me under his wing and just took care of me out there."

-BUCCANEERS-