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 Dirk Koetter

Defensive Coordinator Mark Duffner

Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy

Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul

Head Coach Dirk Koetter

(On what he thinks the Cowboys did to shut down the Saints)

"It was two hot teams – two teams that are both red hot. Dallas latter part of the year here and the Saints 10 [straight] games. Low-scoring, which is lowest by far for the Saints. I thought Dallas just played really hard. Saints usually get off to such a fast start. I thought the fact I think [Drew] Brees missed his first four passes for the first time in a long, long time. They were incomplete, whether he missed them or not. I just thought Dallas played hard, got some momentum. That's a tough place to play. It's hard from a crowd noise standpoint to communicate there. Dallas got that early lead and held it. I just thought they executed very well."

(On if the Cowboys provided a blueprint for beating the Saints)

"I would just say that to win 10 straight in the NFL seems pretty good. As we've said many times, this is a week-to-week league and there's good players on both sides. I don't think the Saints are going to be losing too much sleep over losing being 10-2."

(On how much he can take from their win over the Saints in Week 1 and apply it Sunday)

"It does seem like a long time ago. Scheme-wise, there's a lot of things to carry over. When you play your division games, there's not a whole lot of change-over in scheme. There's a few players that are gone off both sides that have gone onto IR. There's a few players that have come back. It does seem like a long, long, time ago when that game was played. As far as scheme, you're still incorporating what we did against them, what they did against us – that's still going to be weaved into your game plan on both sides. The unknown is – how much will they change and how much will we change?"

(On how the team has improved since Week 1)

"Over the last few weeks, obviously we've improved the most defensively by the ability to put pressure on the passer. I think that and then our whole issue with our football team this year has been winning the turnover battle and we won it in that game in Week 1 and we won the turnover battle these last two games. I think just the biggest change is if you look back at who's on our team now – especially on the defensive side of the ball or maybe who's not playing for us now –

there's been a lot of changes in personnel. I think our D is doing a much better job of having the coverage and the front working together in pass defense."

(On the reason for defensive improvements)

"That's a good question. I couldn't give you an exact answer on that. My take on it would be I think that guys – the staff and the players – are doing a good job of mixing it up. Mixing up the man coverage, zone coverage – different types of man, different types of zone. We're playing a few more packages. I think our D-line has kind of settled into a rotation where our pass rush games, all the different combinations of picks that they run for each other, I think we're doing a lot better job of that and I think we're getting the most consistent play from those two ends. I said before – JPP (Jason Pierre-Paul) and [Carl] Nassib – that's nothing against anybody else on the D-line, but I think those two ends are setting the tone."

(On if he is able to keep the defensive line fresh during games with the rotation they have)

"These last three or four games we've kind of been in a five defensive end, three defensive tackle [rotation] and then [William] Gholston can go either way in base. They still put some of those ends inside for sub rushers. Gerald [McCoy] doesn't like to come out. I mean, Gerald still plays a lot of plays. It's not the rotation that we envisioned at the start of the year, but I think we have finally gotten into a better spot and we're still not completely healthy. Several of those D-lineman are battling every week, Gerald included. I think hardly anybody isn't. Getting Vinny Curry back up where he's playing more snaps, I think that's helped as well."

(On the biggest difference maker on the Saints defense from Week 1 to now)

"I think the most surprising thing is when you played in the first game of the year you don't know all the changes that they might have made scheme-wise in the offseason and they also have some new players. [Alex] Okafor was coming off an Achilles injury. Their linebackers have kind of undergone some changes. The thing that you probably wouldn't guess is that their leading the league in rush defense. When you're watching the tape, it's just because they're good, but you could also say because they're playing with the lead a lot and team are throwing the ball. Still, when you watch the tape you go, 'Man these guys are pretty good against the run.' I think their front seven is really playing hard and I think their two ends are really playing well. [Sheldon] Rankins, their first-round pick a few years ago, is having his best year and kind of coming to his own. 93 (David Onyemato) also had three sacks last week against Dallas. They've kind of changed their linebacker rotation a little bit. I think they've sort of settled in. They had quite a rotation of DBs earlier in the year – some of that due to injury. They changed out one of their corners, they traded for [Eli] Apple, so they've evolved. I think their defense is playing pretty well at this time, all the way across."

(On the Saints playing mostly man coverage during Week 1)

"They're still playing a lot of man. They're a pressure man team. They're a man oriented five-man rush – that's what they hang their hat on."

(On the potential of winning a third consecutive game against the Saints)

"I just look at it as we're playing the Saints and we were fortunate to get them at the end of last season. We got off to a good start against them this season, but you look at their body of work for this season they're sitting right there with the second-best record in the league. It has nothing to do with me versus Coach [Sean] Payton. This is Bucs against Saints and we're going to do everything we can to try to get the W and they're going to do the same."

(On quarterback Drew Brees)

"Very impressive. At one point I think it was 27 touchdowns against one interception and then I don't know where it ended up after last week. 77 percent completion, which is going to be an NFL record if he keeps it there. It's very impressive what he's doing. The quarterback play in our division has always been good and you've got two recent MVPs in Matt Ryan in Atlanta and Cam [Newton], but it's hard to imagine Brees not being in the mix."

(On Brees' yards per attempt decreasing)

"There was a thing in their clips today about how many passes travel the shorter distance – maybe some more screens. They've always been a good screen team. I've heard the rumblings of that. When you watch the tape, that's not something that you're watching the tape going, 'Oh my God, Drew Brees can't throw it down the field,' not at all. They're running a regular offense. Conceptually, we do a lot of the same things. I think they set the passing-game tempo for a lot of teams in this league. You can't really notice it on tape, but I think the stats are there to say that."

(On if it's because their offense has many different levels)

"Could be. Their ball distribution is mostly through [Michael] Thomas and the two backs. Years ago when they had let's say Coby Fleener, they've had downfield tight ends before. You look at changes on the roster, they've gone through a few wide receivers now. Besides Thomas, they've gone through a bunch of wide receivers – Ted Ginn being the most noticeable of their downfield [threats]. They had that game a couple weeks ago where they showed where he threw four touchdowns to four guys who god-forbid weren't on even on anybody's fantasy team. How could we even play a game?"

(On how much 'calm' kicker Cairo Santos has brought to the team)

"Every guy out there is trying to do their job and Cairo is doing his. I don't think anybody's sleeping any better because Cairo's our kicker, but he's done a good job."

(On how his staff handles projected weather forecasts)

"We look at it. We started to look at it one Monday and then we monitor it during the week. One thing I've learned in my time here, whatever's projected four or five days out that probably isn't what it's going to be on Sunday. This time their sticking to it that it's going to be 74 and stormy, so wear your raincoats."

(On what the defensive improvement speaks of the coaching staff)

"I think the defensive staff has done an excellent job of working together. They spend a lot of time in that meeting room. I know even on game day Duff's (Mark Duffner) calling it from the field, but he's also going back and forth between the other defensive coaches, getting input. When you say getting input on game day, that window of time that you have to get input is seconds because the next call has to go in. Then you have a little bit more time in between series. I think they've done a good job of utilizing players and putting guys in different roles. Then I think they've done a good job of collaborating, on getting guys in the right spots and then giving more varied looks. I think they've done a really nice job in that area.

(On wide receiver DeSean Jackson's injury)

"DeSean's got a thumb injury. It's on the injury report and that's really all I know. We'll be putting an injury report and you'll see all of our injuries."

Defensive Coordinator Mark Duffner

(On the key to the team's improvement on defense)

"I think maybe the fact that we've played them once and we had a little bit of an awareness. I think our players so far have continued to work hard in the practice plan and execute the scheme and the plan that we've got. I think our execution was better. I think our eyes were better – things that we felt like we had to improve on, we did I think in some measure. We still have to tackle better than we did and we had a couple missed fits in the run game, but overall I think the push has been about us as much as anything getting better at the techniques that we're employing by scheme and executing better and tackling better."

(On how to execute the pass rush against Saints quarterback Drew Brees)

"It is – Cam [Newton] being so noted for his ability to scramble and extend plays. Brees is so accurate throwing, number one. Number two, he's quick with getting rid of the ball and they've done a great job of protecting him. It's all together a different challenge each and every week. We will all have our hands full, that's for sure."

(On the increase in sacks)

"It comes down to the coaching – I think the D-Line coaches have done a really good job in all the pressures that we're getting in total defense. That I think's a plus. I think our players are getting better at technique also. I think it's a combination of the continued work in practice of timing, of technique and being sudden in terms of when you have the opportunity to rush either as a rusher or blitzer."

(On the improvement of cornerback Javien Elliott)

"Once he got into our camp, before, he's been here now. When he's been called on to play, he's played pretty well. He's a football player, another guy. I think he walked on at Florida State and when you see what he did there and then he came in here as kind of an unheralded guy. He just made noise with his actions when he came into the program. He's again, a focused player. A guy that's got ambition to be as good a s he can be and he's following through with it in terms of the preparation and the way he's playing."

(On if Saints Michael Thomas is an elite wide receiver)

"Absolutely. I mean, this guy is an exceptional, exceptional receiver and they've got weapons – as you already know – across the board. He's certainly going to command our attention and then some. Like we said last week, if you put all your eyes on one player they've got other weapons that can make you bleed too. It's a very talented group we're going up against."

Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy

(On the reason for the team improvements)

"Guys just playing for each other. You play for the man next to you. When JPP (Jason Pierre-Paul) goes out there, he knows I've got five kids I've got to feed – he plays like that. Lavonte [David] does the same. Vita [Vea's] a young guy, so we know we've got to play for him. A lot of people have a lot of different situations they deal with off the field and they try and leave that at home and come perform at work. With us being as tight-knit as we are, that's why we got to those dinners and hang out a lot. When you step on that grass, you know what you're playing for."

(On what the Cowboys did to slow down the Saints' offense)

"They hit them every play – didn't let them breathe. Just didn't let them breathe. You hit somebody – I don't know how many street-fights you guys have been in, but when you get somebody on the ground, you just keep hitting them. They can't recover, and that's kind of what Dallas did. Don't be fooled by that. This is Drew Brees and Sean Peyton we're talking about – don't be fooled by that at all."

(On where the defense has improved most since Week 1)

"Taking the ball away. Take the ball away, man, it helps. It's a collective effort. I'm not just saying we take the ball away like all the DBs are finally getting picks – no. Taking the ball away is a group effort. You can take the ball away from a D-lineman on a sack-fumble or it can be a run play – somebody poked the ball out. Collectively, the defense just taking the ball away. It changes everything. When we beat them, I think we won the turnover margin. They do a great job of not losing the turnover margin, that's why they win so many games. That's an indicator right there of what we've got to do on Sunday."

Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul

(On the reason for the team's defensive improvements)

"Playing for each other, having chemistry. We know that our playoff game has started already – lose one, we're out. We know that – I know that. That's basically it."

(On how he approached a quarterback that has a quick release of the football like Brees)

"Good coverage and try to get there as fast as I can and everybody else. We already [have] the height advantage over Brees, but he's a good quarterback so you put that in perspective. I just say good coverage and getting their as fast as we can."

(On where their improvement has come from)

"It all starts with practice. Guys out there playing their hearts out. D-Line playing together, offense playing together, special teams – we click. Any time a team clicks, it's a great thing and that's what we're doing right now."

-BUCCANEERS-