*Head Coach Bruce Arians                              *

(Opening statement)

"Not participating [today was] Demar Dotson – not injury related, just a vet day off. Will Gholston was limited, Carl [Nassib] was limited, Anthony Nelson was out, Jason Pierre-Paul was out with a knee [and] M.J. Stewart [was out]. Jameis [Winston] was a full participant. [It was a] good start to the week."

(On how frustrating TE O.J. Howard's recent struggles have been)

"It's frustrating for him most, I think. He's had opportunities. We try to fit him in the game plan every week and he's had the misfortune of juggling a couple balls this season. There's still six games for him to get out of that funk."

(On TE Cameron Brate seeing increased targets after the first-quarter interception)

"We liked Cam [Brate] in that situation a bunch, so he got all the targets."

(On if he plans to help Howard through sports psychology)

"That's not up to me, that's up to him. It's available for all our guys and they know it's available to them, so if they want to use it, they can use it."

(On if there is a longer adjustment period for players learning a new offense)

"Yeah, totally. It happens all the time."

(On if the Falcons' performance in the last two weeks can serve as an example for what can happen during the season)

"Yeah, just watching the New Orleans film [from] when they beat them in New Orleans, it was a different group of guys – same guys, but it was a different group of guys. There seems to be more energy, especially defensively up front for them. Their coverage and their pass rush is syncing very well right now."

(On QB Jameis Winston mishandling a snap in the red zone against the Saints)

"He was ready – he hadn't said anything about snapping. Ryan Jensen just snapped it."

(On what happened on that play)

"Ryan [Jensen] just couldn't hear, and instead of turning around and [looking], he snapped it. Then, same thing with the second one after we talked about it on the sideline. For a veteran player, that's inexcusable."

(On if that was surprising to see at a home game)

"Yeah, on the road we'd probably be in a silent count. Basically, I told him, 'If you can't hear down there, use silent count,' because there was a bunch of Saints fans in that end zone."

(On if there is something causing the inefficiency on third down)

"Mainly, too many third-and-longs. We're third-and-7 to 12 way too much because of either penalties or negative plays."

(On how he feels about Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich's job as a play caller)

"[I'm] ecstatic. I think he's doing a heck of a job."

(On if the defense allowing 31.3 points per game puts more pressure on the offense)

"There [is] more pressure on our defense – our offense is giving the damn ball up inside the 20 to put our defense in that situation to give up those points, so it's not all defense. When you get the ball inside the 25 four times in three weeks, that's not on the defense. They did a hell of a job of, two weeks ago, turning those into field goals, and this one was a touchdown on the first play."

(On how often he feels the urge to call plays)

"Not very often – the suggestions are made when we don't have the ball, and on the timeout, we just collaborate a little bit."

(On if the number of sacks allowed is a result of coverage or pass protection)

"It's a combination – bad blocking and not getting open. [Jameis Winston's] done a good job in the last three weeks of throwing the ball away. Some of it was on him, trying to make plays early in the season, and he's finally adjusted to getting rid of the ball – some left-handed. I'd rather see it right-handed, but he's getting rid of it."

(On if QB Jameis Winston needs to get rid of the ball quicker)

"Yes and no – the guys still have to get to their depths and we all [need to] block a little bit better. Our backs – I thought Dare [Ogunbowale] blocked pretty well, but the rest of the guys didn't block as well early in the ball game. The first third down, Chris [Godwin] was open, he's ready to throw, but RoJo (Ronald Jones II) didn't get across fast enough to block his blitzer and he's got to pull the ball back down and now he's covered, so [it's] little things like that."

(On why he didn't utilize RB T.J. Logan again after he had an 11-yard reception in the second quarter)

"Never run the same play twice in the passing game. I never have [and] never will. Give the defense too much credit – they've seen it already."

(On the team having a minus-10 giveaway to takeaway ratio)

"We were plus-six."

(On if there is any more analysis that has to be done past that)

"No, especially when it's in the first quarter. That game changes if Lavonte [David's] toe isn't that far out of bounds. It's a game of inches, but that turnover changes a lot of the makeup of that ball game. We've got to quit giving it away, and when we take it away, get the damn thing."

(On how critical the interception that was bobbled by TE O.J. Howard in the first quarter was)

"It was huge. To go down that many points that early, your game plan starts sliding away."

(On if there is a reason WR Justin Watson has not been involved in the offense)

"Right now he's the five (fifth receiver) and he'll play in certain situations, but he's just the five."

(On how realistic it was to believe this coaching staff could fix the problems that led to the team having losing records in the last two seasons)

"Very realistic – we just haven't done it on Sundays. It's not a talent issue – it's a performance issue [and] turning the ball over."

(On what the biggest difference is between this team and the 2013 Arizona Cardinals)

"We might've had five first-year [or] second-year players on that team. It was a very veteran team with a very solid defense. They just didn't have a quarterback, and when Carson Palmer walked in the room, it changed the entire outlook of the game for us. We had two rookie running backs play really well. Tyrann Mathieu was a rookie who was way beyond his years, so we didn't have very many young guys. Our first-round pick broke his leg early – that hurt us – but it was more of a rebuild on offense than a rebuild on defense."

(On if sports psychology is something this team needs)

"It's a fine line. Some kids need it today. I studied to be a counselor. Some kids need counseling [and] some don't. These younger kids today, they're used to it. A lot of them need it."

(On if he is seeing anyone emerge as a viable third option at wide receiver)

"I thought Scotty [Miller] played a little bit better. He's starting to develop, and it's about that time – usually [with] rookies, it takes until Thanksgiving. Breshad [Perriman's] open – he's not getting his opportunities very often but he's doing his job. Our tight ends can do a better job. I thought Cam [Brate] did a good job with his targets. That position – when they're playing double zones – you've got to win inside like T.J. Logan did."

(On if he needs T Donovan Smith and the rest of the offensive line to be the leaders of the offense)

"Yeah – I don't know if they (the sacks) are all his – sometimes, we're holding that ball back there or whatever, but he gets credit for some. But, I think overall, I can't say they've played poorly other than two snaps. I never anticipate something like that from those guys."

(On how he would compare WR Scotty Miller's speed to other players he's coached)

"He's probably eighth, ninth or 10th of some of the guys I've had. I've had some really good ones.

(On if he has been disappointed by the offense's turnovers)

"The last five weeks, and defensively we are just not creating enough. When we're getting hands on balls, we're dropping interceptions – things like that. Fumbles are on the ground [and] we're not getting them. They usually come in bunches, so hopefully we've saved our share for the last six."

(On if TE O.J. Howard needs to go back to working on his fundamentals or rethink his process)

"Probably all of the above. It's fundamentally, it's mentally – just keep playing. Just try to get better every day."

Quarterback Jameis Winston

(On the progression of WR Scotty Miller)

"I just think hard work pays off. He's continued to work hard every day. He is definitely gaining confidence in himself and you're seeing the type of player he's capable of being."

(On Atlanta's defensive improvement over the last two weeks)

"I think they've been doing a really good job. Atlanta has always been a good group of tacklers, but they've been doing a magnificent job of getting to the quarterback with their front four. They've been playing great up front, so we've got to protect well and get the ball out quick."

(On if he is healthy and ready to go this week)

"When it's time to play football, I'm here to play football."

(On the atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

"I think I like the most is that I treat Atlanta as a trip for me to get home. I have probably over 80 family members there. [I] just get a chance to see some of my cousins and get a chance to play in front of a lot of people that can't see me play unless we play against Atlanta, so that's what I take the most from it."

(On his previous success in Atlanta)

"I think it's always a tough matchup against Atlanta – and any division opponent – but I think I enjoy playing in front of my family in the way I enjoy playing in front of Tampa Bay too, in front of our fans here too. Atlanta is like a home game."

(On how many family members will be at the game in Atlanta this weekend)

"Probably 80-plus – there will be a lot."

(On seeing his former coach and current Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter again)

"I'm excited to see Coach Koetter. We did some great things here, while he was here and I just truly appreciate how he coached me and how he handled the team. I'm excited to see him too – he's back in Atlanta where he came from before he came to Tampa. I think he's up in the box, so I probably won't get to see him on the field, but probably pregame I will say hello and give him a hug."

(On where this year's Buccaneers team is doing well)

"I think we do a good job compartmentalizing things and focusing on what's important. If the offense makes a mistake, the defense has their back. If the defense makes the mistake, we as the offense have their back. We've just got to continue to hone in and not beat ourselves a little bit, so we can flourish."

(On preventing the center-quarterback exchange from becoming an issue in games)

"I think it just starts with me being more open to communication on the sideline. If it's loud at home, and we've got more fans than our fans there, we've got to communicate there and lean in toward Ryan [Jensen] because he's got to hear. We have to be on the same page there, especially at that time."

(On fans making noise in the team's end zone while the Buccaneers are on offense)

"Well, we control that. We've just got to get on a roll and start winning some games, so they can show up. The Saints always travel well and we're pretty close to them. We've just got to fix that."

(On Head Coach Bruce Arians emphasizing that not all of the team's interceptions are Winston's fault)

"One, I thank coach for always having my back. But, as a team collectively, we know we all have to get better. We know that we're all in this together, so the better we can eliminate all turnovers period – whether they're coming from me, whether it's anybody else – it's always my fault. It has to be – I'm the quarterback. If we just can eliminate them period, there won't be anyone to point fingers to."

(On what he has said to TE O.J. Howard to try to get him back on track)

"I texted him after that game – O.J. celebrated his birthday the day after that game – I just said, 'Hey, the devil tried to shoot you so many different distractions but look how God has been to us throughout any time in our life. There is so much good that God has done for us. We've got to ignore the little distractions that the devil tried to send you.' He knows what he's capable of. I've got the utmost confidence in him. I know the coaches have got a lot of confidence in him, so we don't want to make a little thing into a big thing."

(On if Howard is confident in himself right now)

"Absolutely, O.J. is a 'Bama Boy' and I know he's got confidence in his self, just because it should be in his blood. I know his parents. I don't know how he was raised, but I know he has a great background and I know O.J. has a will to always persevere. Like I said, everyone makes mistakes. We all do that. We, as a team, have to collectively limit the mistakes. If we – all of us, as one – can do that, we will win games."

(On how important it is to be able to lean on the other skill players when the defense is trying to limit WR Mike Evans and WR Chris Godwin)

"It's the epitome of complementary football. You think about Breshad Perriman in the Seattle game and how he stepped up in a big way – he got a few catches and even a touchdown. Scotty [Miller] has been climbing his way up every single week, so he is continuing to get better. I was really excited to get Cam Brate involved. We have so many weapons and it's unfortunate that we can't get them all the ball, especially on the same play – one of them has to get the ball [and] the others not. It's good from a confidence standpoint because when you've got the receivers that are out there saying, 'Oh, I might not be getting the ball,' [it's detrimental to the team]. But when you've got receivers out there saying, 'Hey, I'm about to run my route as fast as I can because I don't know if I'm going to get the ball, but if I am going to get the ball, I am going to be ready,' it's a good problem to have."

(On if there are any easy throws in the current offensive scheme)

"Yeah, I believe there [are]."

(On people suggesting that he is forced to repeatedly make difficult throws down the field to make this offense work)

"Well, that's how we've got to play. I think we've got good people up front and I think we've got deep threats outside. That goes into the whole rhythm of the offense – knowing guys are down deep and being able to check the ball to RoJo (Ronald Jones) and he gets 20 out of a check down. Guys are going out and you've got Peyton [Barber] trickling out of the backfield. I think it all works together, with just those guys going out, me making a quick decision getting it to them – it's getting in a rhythm and then you'll see easier throws. But, I've got some easy throws in there."

(On if he ever has celebrations planned for when he throws a touchdown pass)

"Never – I always give the glory to God because that's the reason that I'm there. That's the reason that we are in the end zone. After every drive I point up to the sky because I'm thankful for that drive."

(On if they go back to plays that were successful to Evans and Godwin later in the game)

"Very rarely just in terms of tendencies. We've got enough guys and enough scheme that we can get guys open any way possible. We've just got to execute when that time is there. Defenses – sometimes they call the right call. If they happen to call the right call, we've got to find a way to get a completion and keep the chains moving."

(On the Buccaneers offense struggling against the Saints Cover 2 defense in both matchups this season)

"When it comes down to winning and losing a football game, you don't know which play is going to be the play to determine the outcome of that game. We can talk about, 'Where is this, or where is this,' but we've still got opportunities to make certain plays that will make you not want to ask that question because we win the game. If we are winning games, you don't ask that question. But if we miss those small plays – when we miss a run that could've went for 20 yards for them to have to put an extra man in the box – certain things like that kind of mess with the rhythm and the ebb and flow of the game to allow a defense to get the upper hand."

-BUCCANEERS-