HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the team returning to a standard practice after a week of joint practices in Jacksonville)

"[It was] work-like. The guys understand they're getting ready to play. [There was] a lot of recall from the past couple of days off for the guys that didn't play. We've just got to keep working."

(On OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka returning to practice)

"He's coming around. We're not going to rush it, but he's coming around. He's trending towards Week 1 – he should be good."

(On how he would assess this year's training camp overall)

"Overall, from a health standpoint – we've got a few nicks, but nothing serious – so we're pretty good from that standpoint. I think they got in shape pretty well, it's just a matter of being in game-shape and playing in ballgames. As a group, overall, I think it went well."

(On what his priorities are for the final week of the preseason)

"There are some guys that have a chance to make this team. We just want to finish out with the guys that are playing this week for the first time – have their uniform ready, the substitutions go well, we don't get penalties with the play clock going down, we don't get a lot of penalties, and they get in the game flow."

(On if WR Kameron Johnson is going to play against the Miami Dolphins)

"He's trending that way, yes. He should be fine."

(On WR Kameron Johnson)

"He's very athletic, he's a heck of a receiver, he's got good return skills. I'd like to see him under the lights a little bit and see him play, but he's very athletic."

(On if it's rare to find a player like Johnson from such a small school)

"I think there's always somebody you're not going to know right now. For him to be that athletic, coming from a small school, it's pretty good."

(On OLB Chris Braswell's development)

"He's still coming along. He's doing well. Mentally, he's stopped thinking [and] is just getting some technique things down. He'll be fine."

(On if he thinks there are any position groups that will be difficult to make cuts in, outside of the outside linebacker room)

"There's a few. There's a couple wide receiver spots at the end, how many running backs we keep, how many tight ends we keep, the offensive line is still moving and shaking at the end – we'll see what happens and who comes out healthy and who doesn't. The depth at D-line will be very interesting to see this week."

(On where C Graham Barton has grown the most as a player)

"Just mentally. He hadn't played center in a while, so just getting in, playing center, and understanding the scheme and understanding what he has to do and competing every day. You see the game slowing down for him. You can see the guy that was in college that we drafted. He's getting better and better."

(On this team's depth compared to recent years)

"I think it's deep at maybe two or three spots, but it's not very deep otherwise. We're trying to find those guys."

(On OLB Anthony Nelson's interception in practice today)

"He has very good hands. He looked like Kevin McHale when he used to play for the Celtics."

WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(On how important it is to get playing time in games during preseason)

"I think there's a value there, like, just getting out there and getting the feel of the flow of a game again. Obviously, [there's] the operational stuff of switching personnel, hearing a call in the huddle, playing specific situations, right… so I think there's a lot of value in it, not just for veteran guys but for young guys as well."

(On how he thinks joint practices against the Jaguars went last week)

"I thought they went pretty [well]. As with anything, you have your ups and your downs, and something that you want to improve on, but I think generally, we made like a lot of big plays. I think we improved on a lot of our emphasis – get some really good stuff in the run game. Obviously, I think the second practice wasn't – we didn't have any pads on so it's hard to really get much run game work there, so, try to focus on the pass game. We got some good work though. They have some good guys over there."

(On comparing where the team was last year at this point in the season to now)

"Honestly, I think we're in a good spot. [We're] not perfect, right. There's still a lot of nuances to learn, but just in terms of our general understanding of the scheme itself and like what we're trying to do as an offense… I think a lot of guys have a really good feel for it, and I mean that's a testament to the coaching staff and the way that they installed it. They'd been working really hard in the OTA's really just installing everything and trying to figure out the best way to go about it so that everyone really, really understands it. I think we're in a good spot now but obviously there's room to grow."

(On what stands out to him about the team)
"I don't know if there have been any surprises, but I think each year, one of the things that kind of stands out to me is I feel like the classes of rookies come in a little bit more ready, or just like more able to handle the workload. Obviously, the transition from college to the pros, I guess, is a speed difference, a conceptual difference, and an understanding [of] how to play ball, but speaking about receivers… I feel like each year, our receiver group gets better and better, and when you have more and more guys that, in my opinion, can legitimately have a shot at making the team, which is – that's impressive. That's a testament to those guys and the work that they put in and just being willing to come in and work under the – it's tough conditions, right. You're fighting for your livelihood and it's hot out here. The expectation levels rise. I think that's probably the biggest thing that stands out to me, is just how guys come in ready to work."

(On what advice he gives to guys that are potentially on the bubble)
"I try to give guys advice throughout… as situations kind of arise. I'm a firm believer that the way that we further the game is to pass the information that was passed to us, and continue to pass that down. So, I always give guys advice whenever things come up. Not necessarily specifically to being on the bubble, but like, just trying to take advantage of your opportunities. All of us are blessed to be in this position… whether you're a bubble guy or whether you're a guy that's solidified, or a guy on your way out. It's an unbelievable blessing to be in this position, to get to do what we love, and do what a lot of people would dream of doing for a living, so [I] just try to encourage guys to be present, to just be in the moment, and just enjoy it."

(On WR Kameron Johnson and the plays that he's made when he's available)
"'Kam' (Kameron Johnson) is somebody that's come in, and I think he's been a great fit for our room. I don't know if many people knew about him coming in, but you can tell immediately when you watch him that he's a baller. With receivers, one of the things that I look for the most is their eye discipline when it comes to catching the ball, and if you watch him, his eyes are always on the ball. His tracking of the ball in traffic, he makes tough catches like in contact. He makes good catches out in the open space. He runs really good routes. He's a strong guy, [and a] smart kid. I like him and he's a really good player."

(On the differences he's noticed in QB Baker Mayfield from last year to this year)
"I think the biggest difference is [that] there's not a question about who the guy is. He knows that it's his team and I think he moves accordingly. Not even in like an arrogant way or anything, but just like understanding the level of communication that needs to happen between him and the rest of the guys about where we need to be at, about improving specific plays, or just trying to communicate the things that him and Liam [Coen] talk about, so that we're all on the same page."

(On what he thinks makes Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen unique as a play caller)
"I would say what stands out about Liam is his eagerness. You can tell he's very excited to be an offensive coordinator… like to have the opportunity to run the show offensively. He loves [football]. You can tell his mind is always running, like, he's trying to figure out the best way to do things while taking information in – like schemes that he's used or been part of in the past, while implementing and tailoring things to the guys that we have. He's always talking about football and trying to figure out the best way to be as effective as we can as an offense. When he's on the field, you can tell it means a lot to him. He wants it to be perfect and he's trying to push us to be to that point."

(On who's stood out to him when it comes to the final spots on the roster)
"To be honest, I really feel like we have like 10 guys that can realistically make the roster. We have a loaded group, and like I mentioned earlier, I feel like each year, you have more and more guys that can legitimately play. 'Kam' (Kameron Johnson) has been doing a really good job. Cody [Thompson], Ryan [Miller] has been doing a great job. Raleigh [Webb] has done things. I think throughout camp, 'Rock' (Rakim Jarrett) has been doing good things. There's been a lot of guys that have made a lot of plays throughout camp, to show that they are capable of doing it. It's just unfortunate that we can't have 10 guys on [the] active [roster]. I don't envy the people that have to make those decisions. I try not to think too, too much about it. I try to encourage guys to be where their feet are, regardless of if it works out here for certain guys or not. There are 31 other teams, [there are] practice squads. I just try to encourage guys to put their best foot forward. That way, at the very least, you know that you gave it your all."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER MARKEES WATTS

(On Tampa Bay's outside linebacker corps finding success on Saturday against Jacksonville)

"Seeing other guys have success, [after] working with [them] in practice, seeing the reps that they get, seeing them having conversations with the coaches right in front of you…Everyone has their own personal challenges [to] work on during practice, [and] the game is the outcome of a week's hard practice—seeing those guys go out and [succeed] in those things that you've seen them working on, it's a proud moment. To go out there and play alongside them and [then to find] your own success, it feels good to be out there with your brothers and playing and winning."

(On where he has grown as a player since entering the league)

"Consistency, and really staying off the 'M.E.' (mental error) list. That's been a huge goal for me. Last year, as hard as I studied, I would get out there and still have an 'M.E.' (mental error) here and there. It adds up, [because] if I have one and another guy has one, and [then] a couple of plays down the road, you've got 10 [mental errors]. I've [emphasized] staying off the 'M.E.' Board, and I'm doing a good job of staying consistent and being able to be trusted by the coaches."

(On whether he takes more from joint practices or preseason games)

"In preseason games, you get a chance to play against somebody else. You get to change up, [and] you get to practice your ability to adjust to a different player. Everybody [won't] play the same, so you [have] to adjust your own game to a certain extent without changing your abilities. A joint practice, [however], allows us to do that outside of the game. It still [allows you] to practice and practice, but it doesn't take away or dull that moment in the game. So when you get to the game, it's just a polished look at what you've been grinding at all week."

(On if he thinks staying off the 'M.E.' (mental error) Board is more mental or physical)

"I think it's a combination of it all. Starting out, it was just knowing I wasn't a rookie [anymore, and knowing] I had to come out there and be a player. And honestly, let's just think about Shaq Barrett. When I first started out, I used to watch Shaq. We'd go through an install [and] he'd look it over and [be] ready to go. When I looked at Lavonte [David], he's been in this game for so long [that] he barely [needs] a pen and paper because he's done everything. I used to watch those guys, [and] last season, I couldn't wait to get to a point where I could go in there, take some notes, look at what I needed to do, and go out there and do it. Like I said, that was a goal for me. It was something I really emphasized, looking over the plays [and] making sure I came out on the field ready to go. It's been good so far. The process that I've been using to do that [has] been working, [and] I don't plan on changing it."

(On the competition in the outside linebacker room)

"The competition is still there. There [are] a lot of guys in the room fighting and scratching to get [a] spot. Even though the number of competitions [has] changed, the competition [itself] still hasn't changed. The guys that we have in our room, I trust them to be the greatest they can be. It changes from trying to make it into the league, [then] being in the league, [now] staying in the league. So the competition is still there, [but] I'm confident that the guys [will] put their best foot forward, and I'm confident that I will have my opportunity to stay."

(On whether increased reps in practice have been beneficial to him)

"It's been a benefit of having all those extra plays. To be honest, it [makes it] harder when you first start, [because] you get the extra plays, [but] you're still running around, flying to the ball. The number [of reps] goes up fast, but [so do] the details [when you] do it over and over again at a much faster pace. [Over] a longer period during practice, all [of the] extra work goes somewhere, and it goes in [a] bank. I'm just storing up those reps, paying attention to detail, going up there, and having more and more confidence in what I've done during the week so I can do it on the weekend."

(On how he has attempted to become a more complete player)

"So far, I've just been building [a] process. I've been going on this path, making sure that every week, I do the things that bring me success and [eliminate] the things that have not. In [the] past, I've been working on that here and there, [but] I didn't see success in a couple of moves, so I scrapped those. I reemphasized and practiced the ones that [worked], and I worked with George [Edwards], getting his [opinion] on everything. We just sat down, we game-planned, and it's worked. It worked in the game, and that's a process that I plan to continue to work on, sitting down with George and doing [it weekly]."

-BUCCANEERS-