HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On players returning to practice after a few days off)

"I thought the older guys came back ready to play and the younger guys have got some mental work to do."

(On if he's decided which players will play on Saturday)

"We haven't decided yet. Somewhere around Wednesday or Thursday, we'll probably make that decision."

(On CB Zyon McCollum's interception in practice today)

"There's no such thing as a bad pick. He made a heck of a play with his hands. He's been playing well."

(On if there's an update on OLB Yaya Diaby, and his assessment of DL Calijah Kancey's play)

"No more update on Diaby – it's the same. Calijah has been playing great. He understands everything, he's playing faster. We've got to pull him off a lot, but he's doing a lot of things for us the right way."

(On if there's an update on S Jordan Whitehead's status)

"Not yet – status quo."

(On if the energy level naturally increases with the first preseason game)

"It probably takes a notch up towards the end of the week because you're tired of practicing against each other. The mental part of it has got to be key for us going into this ballgame – especially the young guys we want to see play. It's going to be important."

(On WR Chris Godwin catching a touchdown pass off a ricochet from a bobbled interception by CB Tavierre Thomas)

"The offensive me told them a touchdown is a touchdown, no matter how you get it; the defensive side of me says Tavierre [Thomas] has got to put the ball away."

(On if any rookies are competing for starting jobs)

"[Jalen] McMillan has been playing well, Tykee [Smith] has been playing well. Bucky [Irving] has been playing well. There are a lot of guys. [Tyrek] Funderburk shows up. We've got to see how they play in games. There [are] a lot of other guys that we've got to see in games that have kind of caught our eyes here and there. The next couple games will tell a lot."

(On how OL Elijah Klein has progressed)

"I think he's cleaned up his footwork a lot. He's playing with more technique. We knew he had power coming in, but playing with more technique is really helping his game and he's figuring that out."

(On if he sees the chemistry between DL Calijah Kancey and NT Vita Vea growing)

"I think they're figuring out each other's game and they know how to help each other and set up offensive linemen a lot better than they did in the past when they were rookies. Both have missed some time here and there, but right now, they're on the same page and it's going well."

NOSE TACKLE VITA VEA

(On if he can feel that he's in better shape during this training camp)

"You feel good. There's obviously nothing you can do to get in football shape – it takes being in it to get used to it. I think we've been having a good camp so far, especially with the young guys taking it up [to the] next level. The guys that came back for year two, from last year, they're showing strides, as well. It's looking bright."

(On DL Calijah Kancey going into his second season)

"Calijah, he's always had the talent, ever since he got here. I think the biggest step for him is his knowledge in the game [and] how much quicker everything is coming for him. I think the game is slowing down for him. I think we'll see how good he'll be this year."

(On how he stays strong and powerful despite losing some weight)

"Just work out."

(On if he has the same workout routine)

"Yeah, just working out, making sure [I am] taking the right steps. Having the right people behind you – making sure they know what they're doing. I think it was helpful for me having Ndamukong Suh, someone like him who's played 13 years, and him knowing how to be a pro and learning from him and working with the people he's worked with. Knowing that obviously they know what they're doing and they helped him his whole career. [It was] just really good insight from him and the people he's introduced me [to] and connected me with. It [will be] pretty exciting to see where I'll take it from here."

(On if he keeps up with Suh during the season)

"We still keep in contact, whether it's just joking around or if it's me having a question about anything. He's always there for me, which I appreciate. We still keep in contact. If I have questions about the game or stuff about life itself, he's always there, like a mentor for me."

(On how this year's defense will be different from last year's following the departure of LB Devin White and CB Carlton Davis III)

"Those are definitely good players…But our coaches, they always say, 'The great ones adapt.' We'll just see what the coaches have done and the changes they've made and the new guys they brought in. I think it's exciting to see where it'll take us. We'll see when the time comes."

(On offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Graham Barton)

"It's always good going against new people. I think, the people that have been here, they kind of know your moves and stuff, so you only have a short time to work your go-to moves on them before they pick it up. It's like a back-and-forth, like how they say iron sharpens iron. That's basically how it is. They figure us out, we figure them out, and we go from there. I think Graham has been showing big strides and is taking big steps as a young guy – especially as an O-lineman and being the center for the most part… Bredeson is also being the leader that he is, coming in and picking everything up and hitting it in stride."

(On this team's culture)

"We're in Florida, the sun is shining, the grass is green. We're having a good time. I think the environment that the players make – not only the players, but the staff, the coaches – it makes it a fun environment. It's fun to be around a group of guys like this. We're all working towards the same goal. The team camaraderie is there. I think, why not have fun?"

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER CHRIS BRASWELL

(On where he's at with his speed and ability to pick up the defense)

"I'm getting better and better every day with the play calls, the speed of the game, and the physicality. Each and every day I try to go out there and just try to work something… something little in my game. Before practice, I go out there with Coach George [Edwards] and we just go over some things as well."

(On what Saturday's game will be like for him)

"I mean, I've been playing football my whole life, so I'm looking forward to Saturday… you know, my first NFL game. Just going out there and playing with the guys, so I just have to go out there and play football."

(On what specifically he is trying to work on)

"I'm just trying to get a little bit better foot work in my stance. That's like just the main thing for me is just fixing my stance."

(On the benefits of practicing against T Luke Goedeke)

"You know, it's definitely good to go against guys like that. Best in the league – I think he's one of the best tackles in the league. Just being able to go up against him and just work moves… it'll help me get into the game and just translate because you know, when you go against guys like that, it's really good."

(On how the rest of the defensive linemen have helped him transition to the NFL)

"A lot. Yaya [Diaby], Joe [Tyron-Shoyinka], 'Nelly' (Anthony Nelson) – all those guys in the room, in my room and Vita [Vea] – all those guys. They [are] helping all the rookies out, not just me, and just being able to pick their brains and see how they go about their days, especially in training camp, is really beneficial."

(On what he want to accomplish in the preseason)

"Just to go out there, play hard, play physical, and just make plays, and you know, play to my standard."

(On if the speed of the game is similar to what he saw in college)

"I'd say the speed is similar. I feel like the offensive linemen may be like a tad [faster], a little bit more athletic, like they're able to move a little bit more laterally… better than college and I feel like in college, you might have a little bit of drop off with some offensive linemen, but in the league, everybody's great."

(On how much of the game at the NFL level is about technique and hand placement)
"Technique plays a bigger role in this league because everybody's good. You [are] pretty much going against the best in the world, so the only way you can win is you have to have better technique than the other person, because at the end of the day, everybody's great, and everybody can play football."

TIGHT END DEVIN CULP

(On where playing in his first NFL preseason game ranks in his career accomplishments)

"I feel like it's the ultimate blessing and achievement. It's taken a lot of hard work, and although it's just a preseason game, it's still suiting up for an NFL game. So, you know, I'm super excited, and I'm super blessed."

(On how his skillset suits Tampa Bay's offense)

"I'm really loving this offense so far. I feel like Coach [Liam] Coen and our offensive staff [are] doing a great job of, you know, just putting guys in the right spots and just highlighting and showcasing their abilities. So that's why I feel like, you know, we've done a great job, and I like this offense so much."

(On being able to showcase his full range of abilities at the NFL level)

"I'm loving this whole NFL thing because, like I just said, you know, [the coaches are] trying to highlight each and every one of our strengths in our game. And, you know, obviously, my speed and athleticism [are some] of those things. So having those opportunities to be spread out wide and have some one-on-one matchups is really cool because it wasn't something I got to experience a lot in college."

(On adjusting to the speed of the NFL)

"I feel like I've [been getting] a little acclimated. Obviously, this Saturday will be the first time it's live bullets going against someone else in a different-colored jersey. So, you know, the elevation of speed and physicality, I would expect to be bumped up just a little bit. At the end of the day, once you get to college and at this level, you know, you're playing high-level football, so everybody's just trying to play as fast as possible."

(On what part of his game he has focused on improving the most during training camp)

"The more that I get the playbook down, it's [come] down to a lot more of the details in my route running. You know, creating separation at the top, being able to be physical, getting defenders off me at the top of routes, using my speed, eyes, and route running to sell certain routes on certain concepts. Just small detail things: the type of releases you're supposed to take, routes that you can tempo and not tempo, different things like that. Just [the] small details that I've been trying to iron out every day that come out here."

(On the relationships between Tampa Bay's tight end room)

"I definitely love the energy in our room. It's a good, funny group of dudes. I enjoy being in the meetings and practicing every single day with them. We all just try to uplift and encourage one another and push each other to be the best versions of ourselves, so I appreciate all the guys in my room."

-BUCCANEERS-