*Head Coach Bruce Arians                              *

(On LB Lavonte David's absence from practice)

"Lavonte [David] had a little knee procedure. We're going to hold him out for a while – nothing serious, just a little meniscus tear. [We] fixed it up yesterday, so he'll be ready to go soon."

(On the strength of K Matt Gay's leg)

"Normally, you've got to get to the 35, but with him it's usually the 40 or 42. So, as long as he can consistently do that, he can be a weapon for us. That competition is pretty strong right now between he and Cairo [Santos]."

(On QB Jameis Winston's performance)

"Yeah, that's two really, really solid days. This might've been his best day. I thought Saturday night was his best, but this might've even been better. I thought the offense came out with a little more energy than our defense did today and made some plays. We'll grade the film to really see what really was out there, but I thought we had a lot of big plays, which I don't like defensively, but I do like offensively."

(On if LB/S Deone Bucanon will step in in LB Lavonte David's absence)

"Deone stepped in for right now. We've got about four or five guys. There is really good competition at the inside linebacker position. All of those guys are position flexible, but Deone has jumped in first."

(On what he liked about Winston's performance in the third-down two-minute drills at practice)

"Well, everything. [He was] getting the ball out of his hands to the right guy on time and accurately. He overall had a really good day other than a few plays down in the red zone."

(On if he has already decided on playing time for Friday)

"Yeah, pretty much. We'll play it by ear right now. We've got a couple of guys injured from the other night. We'll see how the rest of this week goes and who is available. It looks like Scotty Miller might have tweaked a hamstring today, so we'll see what his availability is. Whoever is there, we'll see how much they play."

(On the physicality of the team)

"We can be physical. I like where we're at. We rolled the dice and did some tackling and that part of it – [I've got] no qualms about being physical."

(On the depth of the interior defensive line)

"I think we could use some more. There are some young guys, like Jeremiah Ledbetter – some of those guys are getting better. That's one of the things we will look for in the preseason - both lines of scrimmage depth."

(On WR Chris Godwin's performance)

"Yeah, it's exactly what I expected of him – just continuation of growth from last year, playing in the slot, playing outside and being a go-to guy down the middle."

(On the offensive line depth)

"I'm anxious to see them play against somebody else - protecting the quarterback, running the ball – we've got to develop some more younger tackles. There will be a lot of competition going forward in these preseason games."

(On OL Earl Watford's ability to play all five positions on the offensive line)

"Just injuries – with Caleb [Benenoch] down and Dot (Demar Dotson) having the day off – that's his forte, he can play everything."

(On the benefit of having players who already know his system)

"It helps them. They know what to expect. They can answer questions for the other guys on what to expect. They're here because I know they're good football players, and they're tone setters."

 (On Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross' forte as an assistant coach)

"Toughness – just like it was when he was a player. If you're playing for him, you better be tough, and you better be ready to roll."

(On his confidence in S Mike Edwards, and if he has any issues with him as the projected opening day starter)

"So far, no. I mean, I don't want to crown him yet, but that's the first time I saw him drop an interception. He made a great play out of centerfield but didn't come up with it. He's a very smart young man and he's just continuing to get better and better. Again, I'd like to see him against somebody else, – not seeing the same plays over and over every day – seeing somebody else's plays, and then we can better judge him."

(On if it is a big step for this team to now get on the field and implement the new system against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday)

"Yeah, it's about that time. This is about the time in training camp when everybody is tired of playing against each other. You're seeing the same offense and defense over and over and over since the spring. We're really looking forward to getting to Pittsburgh and seeing something else."

(On how to get the defensive intensity back in the next practice)

"Well, we don't practice this afternoon, so we'll talk about it a lot that's for sure, and we'll correct it tomorrow."

(On the progress of the secondary group)

 "They're getting their hands on balls. This was the first day that I thought – you know we came up with one interception and a tip in the red zone, and we got one on the sidelines, but I would've liked to see Mike come up with that other one. I don't want to see our quarterbacks throwing picks, but I want to see us come up with balls every day, at least three."

(On the secondary)

"Oh yeah, they're aggressive."

*Running Back Ronald Jones II                         *

(On if he feels he has improved since his rookie season)

"Definitely. My IQ of the game just went up in the offseason, just watching how defenses work and then trying to find my niche in the offense."

(On if he has a new sense of confidence coming into this season)

"Yeah, most definitely. With the added weight, I'm able to run in between the tackles more. [I] just feel heavier and stronger – faster too a little bit. So, [it was] all those things going in and then just being ahead of the game with the playbook helps, definitely."

(On if he feels he has better vision as a runner)

"Yeah, definitely just running with my eyes more instead of just running just to play. [I'm] just knowing the scheme of what I'm supposed to be hitting and then just making a cut off that."

(On his progress as a receiver)

"I think it's coming. [There's] still a lot of work to do just in terms of my routes and how I'm getting to my spots, but coach says as long as I'm in the spot, I'm good."

(On how much he is looking forward to facing a new defense on Friday)

"Yeah, I'm tired of seeing our defense, so it's going to be good to go against our opponents – the Steelers and the Dolphins and so forth."

(On how important it is to have a strong start in the preseason games)

"I think it's important, to show the new staff I can handle it and all that, and just going out there and trying to make a name for myself."

(On how tough it is to practice against Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles' defense)

"It's tough. He likes to mix it up and switch it up, so he gives us a good look. It's going to be good for us in the long run because when we get to the season, we won't see too many defenses that run that same scheme."

(On how much he has learned under a new coaching staff this offseason)

"I think after the first year, the NFL terminology kind of made it easier to learn this one versus coming from college and having to learn a brand new one. Being in the system last year, it just kind of helped for this year if that makes sense."

(On RB Andre Ellington helping him learn Bruce Arians' system)

"That's helped a lot because it's little words and little keys that you've got to know – triggers that can change the whole play. So, [I'm] definitely talking to him when I'm on the field [about] all that stuff. He's been a big help, for real."

(On hearing Bruce Arians' publicly praise him)

"It's great. That's the head man and the head coach, so coming from him [it] means a lot. [It] just shows that my hard work is paying off and I've just got to keep going from here."

-BUCCANEERS-