HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On his overall assessment of today's practice against the Titans)

"I thought the work was good. I thought we looked a little tired going in, especially on both sides of the ball in the secondary and the receivers, as well, so we've got to get some rest and we have to come out here and practice fresher tomorrow. Because we looked tired, I thought we had too many M.E.s (mental errors)."

(On Titans DT Jeff Simmons headed into his fourth year)

"I was on the other side of the field for the most part, so I didn't see him, but I know he's a great player – I really liked him coming out."

(On the performance of QBs Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask in the 11-on-11s today)

"I think they did a good job in two-minute [drill] of managing the situation and getting us some points out of the game – I'll look at the film for the rest."

(On today's chipiness during joint practice with the Titans)

"I thought the competition was good today. You are going to get a little close here and there – it can't be totally clean. We're trying to do the right things on both sides, and I thought we did a good job."

(On if WR Julio Jones will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans)

"He'll practice tomorrow – he won't play Saturday. He'll get his work in during the week, but he will not play Saturday."

(On if more starters will play on Saturday as compared to the preseason Week 1 game vs. Miami)

"There will be a few more. We'll see how the week goes, but there will be a few more than there were last week."

(On OLB Carl Nassib's first day back)

"I watched him during individuals – he looked good there – but we've got to see him in the heat and go a number of plays and get his fundamentals back down because he missed a lot of time."

(On the relationship between OLB Carl Nassib and OLB Shaq Barrett and if that was a factor in bringing Nassib back)

"It was one of them. We have a good relationship with him and thought he could still play. We thought he would be great because he brings a lot of versatility to what we do, and he knows the system. So, knowing the system, having the ability to still play and having camaraderie with the guys was important for us."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER CARL NASSIB

(On reuniting with OLB Shaquil Barrett)

"Absolutely. Shaq was killing it today. He's an All-Pro guy and I'm excited to keep learning from him and to get the chance to work with him again is pretty cool."

(On how this defensive scheme plays to his strengths)

"Yeah, today was my first day back in this scheme and some things are still up there [points to his brain], but it's going to take me a little while to get back into the speed of the scheme for sure."

(On what he's noticed about OLB Anthony Nelson's game)

"He's definitely flashing some really good athleticism, which I'm really excited to keep seeing. He's developing into an awesome player – I'm really excited to work with him again. I have nothing but good things to say about him."

(On how his life has changed in the last year since coming out)

"It's been great – nothing but a blessing. I've gotten the most support from friends, family, teammates, and I'm really, really happy. It's a new year, I'm excited to be a football player again. I'm excited to just go out there and show what I've been doing [and] help the team in any way I can."

(On becoming an example and a role model for others after coming out)

"Yeah, absolutely – that's been the most rewarding thing about the last year – about people coming up to me and telling me the positive impact that I've had. It's really just so rewarding. That's the reason why I did it and I think that everyone can continue to help and be that positive person in anyone's life to make their day a little bit better. So yeah, I hope that I can be a little push in a positive direction."

DEFENSIVE BACK LOGAN RYAN

(On being back in Nashville where he played for three seasons)

"Yeah, it's great. I love it here. This is where my son was born, and my foundation was born. I have great memories here. They've got a lot more buildings now – it's nice, they've got a whole parking deck – so hopefully I was a part of that. I'm happy for the guys. It's good to see familiar faces and it was good work today."

(On if he has a heightened level of comfortability in the defense now that training camp has been underway for a few weeks)

"Yeah, I think defensively. I think it's a complex system and I'm learning multiple positions, so I think I have a good idea of where they want me to be [and] how to get lined up. I'm a communicator in the defense, so I feel comfortable and confident to line other people up. I think I know it pretty well, so now it's just finding different ways of knowing how to do my job and putting sauce on it, which makes me, me. Now I'm at the sauce stage and I'm trying to get better week by week. There are a lot of practices left until the regular season, so I'm just trying to progress in the right way."

(On if his versatility will be utilized more with Tampa Bay than it was at other teams)

"In past stops, I've played every snap of defense, so I've been used – it just depends on what position. My job and goal is to be ready to play every snap. Wherever they have me, they have me. [I want] to be productive, as well. Look, I have a lot of great players around me on this team – a lot of great linebackers, a lot of great pass rushers, a lot of great DBs. [There are] Pro Bowlers at every level, so my job is to kind of facilitate, set the guys up and allow them to make plays and be successful."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles' ability to create disguises within his defense)

"It is very detailed and nuanced. He has been running defenses for a very long time, and the whole coaching staff has been running his defense for a very long time, so there are tons of layers to the defense – detail-wise [and] disguise-wise. Usually, I try to put my own disguises on it and build that into defenses, but he already has it, so I'm just trying to learn it. I was at a fundraising event with the Bucs, and we were in suits. I went and saw Coach Bowles and within 10 seconds we were talking about football. We weren't talking about the event much – we were talking about football and what idea he had last night when he was sleeping. He is all about ball all the time and that's my type of person."

(On how good the Buccaneers secondary can be)

"It's as talented of a group as I have been on for sure. We are really coached hard and we are coached well. I've said for years, I don't think the NFL has the best teachers. There is not enough time – the turnover is too quick [and] the rosters are too much. They don't teach, they replace. I think that [Nick] Rapone, especially, he is one of the best coaches I've ever had and one of the best teachers I've ever had in terms of teaching everybody. Even the last man on the depth chart is being taught up and being held accountable. He coached [Todd] Bowles in college at safety, and now I'm playing for Coach Bowles at safety. I'm kind of learning from his Jedi Master. I'm happy to be taught like that and to be able to pick something up for my game. Safety is a relatively new position for me – I'm only three or four years into this position, so there is a lot to learn."

-BUCCANEERS-