HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On WR Sterling Shepard's status)

"He's nursing an injury – he's day by day."

(On WR Rakim Jarrett's status)

"Same thing – nursing an injury."

(On if any players that are sitting out with injuries are in jeopardy of not playing in Week 1)

"Not at this time, no."

(On RB Sean Tucker missing the beginning of training camp last season)

"I think it put him behind, mentally. He got in training camp and he's got to get in camp shape, if you haven't played in that long. Even though he was in shape, he wasn't in football shape. I'm sure that was in his head a little bit, and trying to play catch up was kind of tough."

(On if P Jake Camarda is dealing with an injury considering the signing of P Nolan Cooney)

"He's okay, we just needed another leg for camp."

(On if he is disappointed in Camarda's performance on Saturday)

"He didn't punt well. He didn't punt well. We know we can get better at it."

(On OL Luke Haggard playing both guard and tackle on Saturday night)

"[He brings] versatility. When you're competing for the last couple spots, you've got to be versatile. You've got to be a tackle-guard combo, or a guard-center combo. You've got to be able to play certain spots. You can't just be one guy in one spot and expect to make it."

(On WR Jalen McMillan wearing a non-contact jersey in practice today)

"He's a little sore. I didn't want anybody touching him today."

(On WR Kameron Johnson returning from sitting out of practice with an injury and if he's trending in the right direction)

"Hopefully. He did some things today. We'll see how he progresses."

(On if he expects this week's joint practices to proceed as scheduled)

"Yes."

(On how important joint practices are)

"I think they're huge for fundamental and technique purposes. Going against different schemes and different people, they show you what your weaknesses are and what you need to change and work on. You get a lot of work that way, and that's what we're looking for."

(On if he shares the same message of 'Don't be that guy,' prior to joint practices with another team)

"Always. We're not trying to hurt each other, we're trying to make each other better. I know I've seen some scuffles on TV lately where they're getting heated and all that – hopefully that doesn't happen."

(On the offensive line blocking into the second level against the Bengals on Saturday)

"It was very good to see. I thought those guys did a good job of getting movement and them pushing up to the next level and creating space for the [running] backs. It was good to see."

CENTER ROBERT HAINSEY

(On how his birthday is going)

"I've had a camp birthday the last eight years, college and NFL. So, all I know is we had meetings this morning, I had a lift and we've got practice at 2:40. So that's what matters on [this] birthday...I got some cake yesterday."

(On how the first game action under new Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen's offense felt)

"It felt really good. Honestly, the way that we've been getting coached [and] the way this scheme has, I think, fit our strengths has been a lot of fun to work through and to put on tape what we've been doing in practice. To put [it] on tape against another team in the preseason feels good, [because] if you guys are seeing it, you know it's there. Because sometimes a lot of stuff gets unseen in those scrums, but we're running off the ball, trusting our technique, [and] trusting each other. We're moving guys horizontally and vertically, putting the [running back] in great positions. I mean, I forget who all was in, but Sean had that big cut behind. That's what you want. Cave everything down, cut it back, [and] make the defense cover 53 and a half yards so that when you go to get the ball outside, they have to run [and] worry about the cutback. They have so many things to worry about. I really like what we put on tape and the way things are coming along."

(On what the strengths of the offensive line are)

"We're athletic, can move, and can get guys moving. We're a heady group. We're smart. We can get ourselves in the right position. I think it just works out because the coaches have to go with what they know as well, but I think it's been a good marriage so far. This offseason, this [training] camp, and this preseason – one game – where you've seen how the scheme that Liam [Coen] has brought, the coaching we've got with Coach [Kevin] Carberry, how everything has come together, and you can see us moving in the right direction."

(On the importance of joint practices with other NFL teams)

"It's always a good opportunity to go play another team. In the practice setting, it's a little bit different. It's almost going to be a little more high-energy, [and] high-paced than the games. You guys have seen how the joint practices go, but it's a great opportunity to put stuff on tape versus really good players and kind of evaluate yourself. [Evaluate] how you feel, how you did, [and] what you can work on versus starters from another team."

(On how he feels like the offensive line executed their game plan on Saturday)

"I think the things I've mentioned so far – the running off the ball, the movement – there's so many little things that were great, and so many little things we've got to clean up, technique-wise. The overall emphasis of, 'Hey, we're moving guys, we're running off the ball, we're taking them this way so our back can read it out and if he cuts back, great…Circle the defense, keep it going.' Those are some of the bigger things that we've been focusing on. Like I said, to see it kind of play out was nice."

(On how he thought C Graham Barton performed in his first game)

"I thought Graham played really well. Graham is a great player, a good dude. We have a good relationship. Seeing any young guy grow, no matter what the situation, that's what it's about – these relationships we have with each other. It's important. Everyone remembers what it's like when they came in as a rookie. You've got a lot to figure out and you've got a lot to learn, a long way to go. I was really happy for him and the way he played and the way he jelled with the group, too."

SAFETY KAEVON MERRIWEATHER

(On how it felt to go out there and make plays on Saturday night)

"Oh man. It felt really good [to] go out there, Saturday night lights, play against somebody else besides yourself. It felt really good. [It] felt like football is back around."

(On playing in this defense for another season)

"[I'm] definitely a lot more comfortable. Being able to play a little bit more freely and just knowing where you need to be, what other guys are doing, knowing what I'm doing myself, knowing kind of what Coach [Todd] Bowles is thinking on certain calls, and everything like that. It feels a lot better. It feels a lot more comfortable. [I'm] able to play a little bit faster, especially when you have a lot of talented guys around you who also know what they're doing and know what we're trying to accomplish. It makes your job and the whole job of the defense a whole lot easier."

(On how much it helps to have a year of experience in his role)

"Like I said, it makes myself a lot more comfortable being out there. From a knowledge standpoint – knowing what I have to accomplish and knowing what I have to do, knowing the checks and knowing the calls. It just allows me to play more freely, play a little bit more comfortable, and just play faster and play a little bit better."

(On what the victory means to the group)

"I mean, every time you go out there, you're always going out there to win. Every chance, every little opportunity you get to compete – we're competitors. We're going to go out there to win. To go out there, [the] first game of the season and go out there and get a 'dub' – it means everything. Plus, it keeps that competitive edge going."

(On the new kickoff rules)

"It's a lot faster. The ball hits a lot faster. The ball is coming at you a lot faster. The blocks [are] coming at you a lot faster, so I think it's going to be exciting. I think we're going to see a lot of different things coming around with it – with the new kickoff rule. It's going to be exciting to see."

(On learning different positions)

"It's a lot. Coach [Todd] Bowles, he asks a lot of us safeties, just from a knowledge standpoint, [to] understand the different calls and the various checks that we have, but coming into this second year of being able to know some of the previous calls that we have… it makes it a lot easier. But yeah, it is pretty tough on a first-year player going into it, trying to understand all the calls that we have, but the more practice you get at it, the easier it gets."

(On the talent in the back end)

"I think we're very talented. I think from top to bottom, you know, we have a lot of guys who contribute in a lot of different ways. I think we do have a really deep and talented group of guys even behind those starters."

(On the chemistry in the safety room)

"We're clicking really well. We're always talking. We're always, you know, hanging out whenever we get a chance to. Sometimes we go out to dinner. We're getting a lot of opportunities just to get to know one another, especially playing alongside each other in practice, knowing kind of where we're comfortable and things like that. I think we're doing a good job of jelling together on and off the field."

(On S Tykee Smith)

"[He's] a very smart football player. I remember from Georgia, he played at a very high level. I think he played in two or three national championships, so he's been on the big stage, so I think coming to this level is no difference or change for him. [He's] just a very smart football player, very talented, and he's going to definitely have a very bright future ahead of him."

(On the key to being able to turn it on when it really counts)

"You just have to understand [that] you have a job to do. We all live for all the opportunities to kind of prove yourself, so whenever you get the opportunity to go out there and prove yourself, prove it to others, prove it to anybody who's ever doubted you, I think, you kind of have to appreciate it, and take a hold of the opportunity that you have in front of you. I think that's what a lot of guys kind of…you're either going to sink or you're going to strive so…sink or swim. You're either going to sink or you're going to swim, so I think guys who are able to grab a hold of that and appreciate the opportunity that you have in front of you – no matter the stakes, no matter if you make a good play or make a bad play, [if] you just keep your head afloat, and do what you what you need to do, I think you'll have a lot of success."

(On the mentality he has in the big moments)

"[You] just kind of bring everything that you've done at practice… bring it on to the field, but also add a little bit extra to it too… a little extra sauce to it."

RUNNING BACK SEAN TUCKER

(On his performance against Cincinnati on Saturday night)

"It felt good, just to be back out there in a game – running the ball, doing what I love to do. I feel like it's just been a long process, but I'm just sticking to it and always being ready for the opportunity."

(On having the longest run of the game and how his performance felt)

"It felt good. I've got to give thanks to my o-line up front and everybody just blocking and doing their job. That allowed me to do my job at the best that I can and I'm just helping the team win."

(On how much more comfortable he feels in his second year)

"There's a big difference from college to the pros. The more experience you get in this league and at this level, everything starts to settle down and becomes slower. It allows me to be able to perform better."

(On where he feels like he's grown the most as a player)

"I would say just being able to read a defense and knowing the scheme that we're in and using it to my advantage."

(On what it means to 'run downhill faster' as Head Coach Todd Bowles said in his press conference on Sunday morning)

"Like I said, it just falls into how we practice throughout this training camp and offseason. Coach Liam [Coen] and the offense that he's bringing in is allowing us to just get downhill and play fast. With our o-line being able to block and get off the ball, it's looking good so far."

(On why the team was able to run the ball so well on Saturday night)

"With Coach Liam [Coen] coming in and our guys up front working hard and coming off the ball fast, it's opening up holes and lanes for the running backs to do what we do and get yards."

(On what a rushing performance like Saturday night's can do for this team moving forward)

"It feels good for us as a room – it gives us a lot of confidence that we have in our guys up front, which leans back on us to be able to perform at our best ability and get yards and score touchdowns."

(On if he's been focused on any certain aspect of his game)

"I feel like [it is] my whole [game] as a running back. I'm trying to catch better, run better, block better. I'm working on myself as a whole to become a better player."

(On overcoming a difficult start to his NFL career)

"I feel like towards the start, it had an impact – just not being able to get acclimated as [quickly] as everyone else did, coming in for their first time as a rookie. But, working through that, believing in God, and knowing that it's going to be a process. There's definitely light at the end of the tunnel and I'm seeing the start of it and just trying to keep it going."

(On the team's running back room)

"We've got a good room – some good guys. Chase [Edmonds] – the older guy, the vet in the room – then we've got Rachaad [White], and then of course, Bucky [Irving], Ramon [Jefferson] and D.J. [Williams]. Everyone has jelled together and we're all boys. We've definitely got a funny room going on so far. I like it."

-BUCCANEERS-