Below is a selection of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quotes from today's earlier media availability. Full video of press conferences can be found on Buccaneers.com.

Head Coach Bruce Arians

Tight End O.J. Howard

Defensive Tackle Vita Vea

Head Coach Bruce Arians

(On how the younger offensive lineman are performing so far)

"Yeah, they're doing good. A lot of guys are getting position flexibility, because Donovan [Smith] got sick yesterday – I fought through it, he couldn't do it. So, that's part of it and really we don't have any starters right now."

(On if it's good to build depth with the players)

"Oh, there's no doubt that the more reps you get, the better you get, the more exposure you get. Your tape is your resume. What you're putting on tape – the more you put on tape, the better chance you'll have. These guys are too young to know who the hell Wally Pipp was, but you always tell that story about Wally Pipp, A guy replaced him one day, because Pipp had a headache, he played 2,000 games in a row and you never heard of Wally Pipp again and he was an all-star. So, who's here is here."

(On if he still feels the 3-4 defenses are the easiest to learn)

"Yeah, we have some guys that have played in – inside linebacker, that's probably the hardest position, everybody lined up. The rest of the guys it's still just gap control. You see our Sam linebacker with his hand on the ground, he's still playing linebacker. It's just a matter of sometimes, really. We will do a lot more than most teams, as far as the number of blitzes that we have, and the amount of fronts that we have, so we'll be at 3-4 with the exact same guys that will be a 3-4. So, it's just a matter of lining up and learning your gaps and your responsibilities."

(On his observations on Lavonte David at practice)

"He's amazing, because he missed the first [practice]. He had some personal issues and came in, had no mental errors. But, obviously looking at the tape on his iPad, I don't think he had another one today. He brings that veteran presence that we don't have a lot of on defense, and hopefully Jason [Pierre-Paul] – he's going to be in next week - and we can have more veteran presence on defense." 

(On what the most important thing for him to get across to the players at camp is when he's leading a new group)

"Work habits. That's probably the most pleasing thing right now, seeing how we work and that we're willing to work. That's the thing when you're building culture, it's all about accountability, I hate the word chemistry. It's all about accountability and just building that monopoly."

(On who he believes his best nickel-corner is currently)

"MJ [Stewart] is starting right now. A couple other young guys are in and out. It's hard to really see it right now, until we add more guys. Guys are playing two positions, who don't need to be playing two positions just so that we can get more reps."

Tight End O.J. Howard

(On whether he feels healthy)

"Yeah, I do. I'm just happy to be back out there with the teammates. We are competing and having fun, so that's always exciting to do."

(On his first impressions of Bruce Arians' offense)

"I like what we are doing. Coach has always been a great offensive coach just looking at his resume and bringing that here with us. We have the talent, that has never been the issue. So, just excited to be out here and have an opportunity to learn a new offense and it's going good so far."

(On the hiring of Officiating Consultant Larry Rose to Arians' staff)

"I think it is going to help a lot, being able to have a guy that has referred a Super Bowl and so many games. Just to ask his knowledge on the rules about pass interference or illegal contact down the field, stuff like that. It's just really good to know the rules and what you can and cannot get away with."

(On Arians' comments about never before having tight ends with catching abilities like he has in Cameron Brate and himself)

"Yeah, I do. Every day, we are coming out here and getting better. I already like what we see. We have only been out here for two days, but the offense is very tight-end-friendly. All we can do is go out and execute the plays that are called, but it is very tight-end-friendly for both of us."

Defensive Tackle Vita Vea

(On his adjustment to a 3-4 defense so far)

"Pretty good. I was in a 3-4 in college, so it's kind of coming back to it. It has taken time, but we are getting there."

(On how he has grown since being drafted first round a year ago)

"Just maturing as a football player on and off the field, getting through rookie year and taking all the bumps in the road and just learning from those mistakes and stuff like that. Just bettering myself during this offseason."

(On whether he sees it as beneficial for him to be versatile to play in different positions on the line)

"Definitely. It makes us as a group play better knowing everyone's job, knowing what we have to do and how it's supposed to be played and stuff like that, so it's going to help us in the long run."

-BUCCANEERS-