RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OFFENSIVE LINE COACH KEVIN CARBERRY

(On navigating the constant shuffling of the offensive line to begin the season)

"We're fortunate that a lot of these guys have been with us – Charlie [Heck] going back to the spring – and we had a whole offseason with him…With Graham [Barton], he was the contingency plan at left tackle. During [training] camp we tried it out a few days, and then as it progressed, you saw his athleticism come to life where it could be a weapon for us. We all talked about it and discussed it and thought, with Mike [Jordan]'s experience at left guard, [and] 'Breds' (Ben Bredeson) and some of his experience at center, that it wouldn't be too big of a disruption for us for all five guys up front and thought that ultimately would give us the best chance."

(On having more success throwing the ball down the field this season compared to last year, and how proud he is of the offensive line's ability to pass block to allow that)

"We're certainly proud of [the protection] and proud of the commitment the guys have made to it. We put a lot of time into it. It hasn't always been perfect – it's still a work in progress, still trying to get better [in terms of] that protection related to whether it's play-[action] pass protection, normal down-and-distance protection, third-down protection – all those things. Like I said, the guys take a lot of pride in it. It takes all 11 [players] – it certainly helps when the running backs have been part of the protection throughout the course of the year [and] the runners have done a good job with it…The [wide] receivers getting open, the quarterback getting it out on time. It certainly takes all 11 [players] to do so." –

(On how he's helped guards Elijah Klein and Luke Haggard settle in after early penalty issues)

"It starts with those guys – their maturity and their ability to just fall back on their training, move on to the next play, and learn from the previous play, then apply it to the rest of the ball game. In that Jets game, they settled in, and we were fortunate we were able to get back on track in some of those situations. Those are unfortunate, but they're part of the game. In those instances, [we've got to] apply our techniques and fundamentals you're your point, they did a good job moving on to the next play. It's a long ball game – there's a lot of plays left and you can't let one or two plays early in the ball game affect later on in the game. You have to have a quick memory at this position."

(On what it has been like formulating game plans with Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard when shorthanded, and advising as to what the offensive line for that particular week would be best suited for)

"Our communication is constant throughout the day and throughout the course of the week. Certainly, when we're putting a plan together, be it the run game, protection game, screen game – we want to, like I said, put the guys in the best positions to be successful and give them stuff [they] can handle. At times we haven't always done that – there have been times, as coaches, we'd like to have a play or two back – but like I said, we learn from it and move on and apply it to the rest of the game or the next game plan. The whole staff is in constant communication with one another in terms of putting the plan together, getting everybody on the same page, and getting the guys ready to play the best we can."

(On C Graham Barton moving to left tackle for the first three weeks of the season and whether his experience at the position during college helped with that transition)

"I think the experience in college certainly helps [but] I don't think it mitigates it. The most positive thing about Graham is that he never flinched. Like I said, we repped it in camp a handful of times, and when we decided to make the decision he didn't flinch – he just said, 'All right, let's do this,' Then, he got ready to play against two good fronts in Atlanta and Houston, both on the road, which certainly present some challenges – both outfits have really good pass rushers. He never flinched and just fell back on some of the things he did in college, which he did well, and then applied some of the technique and fundamentals as it relates to pass [protection] at the tackle position. Some of the run techniques and fundamentals – there's some carry over there, but [they're] still certainly different still."

(On whether Barton playing tackle has helped him in pass protection at center)

"Things happen quicker at the center position, and he has to process quicker at the line of scrimmage as it relates to making calls and getting everybody on the same page. Of course, there's less space inside, which probably serves as an advantage going from tackle to center because things happen quicker and it's tighter quarters inside. I'd suppose in some instances there's been a little bit of relief – having to be on an island with all that space at the tackle position versus [being] inside with two guards next to you."

(On OL Dan Feeney's progress since joining the team and his potential to fill at guard)

"Dan has been progressing great. Dan is a great pro. Some guys I know around the league who've had him at previous stops all spoke very highly of him. Dan is doing a good job for us, working at center and guard. We'll see how the week shakes out. Like I said, Dan has been a great pro – he's been a good addition to the room, for sure."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's escapability, competitiveness, and chemistry with the offensive line)

"You have to strain in pass protection because Baker is going to keep plays alive and move his feet. We've got to strain through the down, keep moving our feet in protection, and find ways to stay fit. Every inch matters – if you can just bump a guy past one way or the other and then stay in the pocket…Like I said, he'll find a sweet spot in the pocket to either make a throw or scramble. Everybody – not just the line – respects his competitive nature, his demeanor, the way he is with the team. Our O-line room is a great group of guys, and they get along with Baker. It's not just the quarterback – it's all the guys on our team who get along well – but, certainly, there's a natural gel between Baker and the offensive line in those regards."

(On what has been the most gratifying part of this season for him as a coach)

"Every week is a new week. You come in and try to get the guys ready for the next opponent. Whoever is playing, these guys prepare hard in the meeting room and on the practice field. I'm certainly proud of the efforts of these guys all the time. Like I said, it's a hard-working group that gets along well. We work hard in the meeting room and on the practice field to get ready. For me personally, I enjoy being around the guys and getting to work with these guys – that's my favorite part of the job."

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH BRYAN MCCLENDON

(On what he saw from WR Tez Johnson's tape at Oregon and what he developed with him when he arrived in Tampa)

"The first thing that jumped off when you watch Tez [Johnson] coming out of college was his ability to create explosive plays. Defenses are way too good to go eight, nine, ten plays in a row without you screwing up something on offense right now to be able to score every time. You are constantly looking for guys right now that can create those explosive plays on their own, and that was something that jumped off the tape about Tez. He did it versus everybody, no matter what level he was at, whether he was at Troy, whether he was over there at Oregon, he continuously made plays. That was the first thing that jumped off his tape and then when we had the opportunity to meet him. You see just the bright person he is. He is just a good human being and that is something I talked about before, that is always something you are very conscious of, who you bring into the building, especially in that room. We have a really good room -- a really positive room -- and he just adds to that in a great way. You think the world of the guy. Just like a lot of young players, he comes in and has a lot to learn, but you knew he had the capability -- both mentally and physically -- to be able to do that. You knew he was a guy that was going to be able to get every inch out of all the ability he had in his body. Once you met him and you saw what you saw on tape, it was like, 'Hey man, if there is any way we can bring this guy in, we need to try and get him.' He impressed everybody through the interview process and were obviously fired up to get him and even more fortunate right now to be able to have him."

(On if the performance of the wide receiver room validates his ability as a coach)

"Not at all. We are kind of just so wrapped up in making sure that you are helping these guys be as successful as they can be. That is something we do every single day. I tell the guys all the time there is nothing like an everyday guy. I do not quite use that language all the time, but there is nothing like a person that you know what to expect every single day. I just want to be that guy that can help those guys in every single way reach their full potential. That is what I am completely wrapped up in and like I said, I probably am getting way too much credit. I am not the one out there playing and those guys are the ones that are out there doing their thing, just applying the things right now we put in place and putting good days together, which I am a firm believer. That is what caused the outcome over there on gamedays; it is stacking all the days before then and just making sure they do that.

(On WR Sterling Shepard and how dependable he has been)

"'Shep' (Sterling Shepard) has been just a great addition to the room -- not just to the room, he has been a great addition to the team. The energy that he brings and all the stuff outside of what he actually has been doing over there in between the whistles… [He is] a guy that you saw had all the ability in the world. Obviously, he has had a great career, and you are getting him at a time where, quite frankly, was really benefiting us and him just because he is seasoned. He has been through all the ups and downs right now that you see a guy that could not go through, and he is able to pass on the lessons and everything else. What he has done is he has done a great job of taking care of his body, he has done a great job right now of allowing me to push him. [I am] truly a believer in that he really embodies -- especially at that age -- everything that you want in a guy to be able to go out there on a day-to-day basis and bring as far as energy, knowing what to do, knowing how to do it, and trying to bring as many guys along with him. We are truly blessed to have the guy, but like I said way more off the field than we are on the field."

(On what he has seen from QB Baker Mayfield that has allowed the offense to not miss a beat despite numerous injuries)

"Baker [Mayfield] gives you an opportunity to win every game that you step out there. What you see from him is just his confidence that he exudes and all the guys around him. Regardless of who is out there, he is holding those guys to the same standard that he holds himself to. That is what has been a really good thing right now. That shows the person that he is, the player that he is, the leader that he is, the franchise guy that he is, I could go on-and-on-and-on with what he means to us. The biggest thing is just the confidence that he shows and everybody out there on the field with him [like], 'Hey, you do your job, I am going to do mine and let's go out there and see what happens.'"

(On WR Tez Johnson reading the defense to break away for his first career touchdown)

"Anytime guys go out there and have success, you are happy. If there is anything that you do along the way that can help bring them closer to that, that is where I get my gratification at. To go out there and see that was a look that we talked about, that we stepped through, that we were able to see and for him to go out there and recognize it, it not only shows me, but it shows him how important the preparation part of it is and how that plays into him going out there and being successful over there on gamedays."

(On how the wide receiver room gels together with experience and personalities)

"It is interesting to say the least. It is interesting on a daily basis. I [have] a great room, I [have] a great room and just no ego guys; guys that truly want one another to go out there and do well, regardless of who that is. Just the communication those guys get from me that they give to each other. If one of them sees something out there on the field and they feel like they can help somebody, they do that. It starts with the leaders in the room; when you talk about a guy like Mike [Evans], like Chris [Godwin Jr.], those guys being unselfish [and] those guys wanting to help people, it trickles down. I think the leadership is what starts it off and then obviously those guys being great players that have made a bunch of great plays in this league, and they see that they are willing to help everybody, then everybody else in the room just follows suit and it is just a great culture in there."

(On what WR Kameron Johnson's skillset is, and his potential is as a playmaker)

"Everybody, when I talk about Kam [Johnson], I ask them, have they heard of Barton College? The answer is normally the same, but Kam has a lot of ability and that was something that was very evident when he first came here. You saw his ability when you were saying just how explosive he is and how he can change direction, how fast he can get to full speed and his ability to be able to accelerate and make plays like I was talking about in reference to Tez [Johnson] and his ability to make plays when the ball is in his hands too. You saw that he had the physical tools to be able to do it and Kam is an extremely bright guy too. His ability to go in there and play multiple different receiver spots, it was just like, 'Hey man, he is always going to give himself an ability to go out there and be put in.' Regardless of who is in and who is out, you always feel comfortable putting Kam in the game. When he did that, and then that translated over there to special teams as well… We felt like we were really fortunate to be able to have him last year and like you said, just he had the unfortunate series of events with his injuries, but glad he is back full speed and healthy. He is just scratching the surface of what he could do."

(On if WR Emeka Egbuka's performance through the start of his rookie season surprised him and what Egbuka's ceiling could be in the NFL)

"I would not say it surprised [us] at all. I had an opportunity to actually start recruiting 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) once I went out to the University of Oregon. He had kind of already had his mind made up and I was trying my best to wiggle us in and everything else and obviously he made the right decision for him. You knew at a very early age just how mature he was, his approach to every single day. Similar to what I was saying about Tez [Johnson], you knew he was going to get every ounce of ability out of his body, he was going to be able to reach all of it. A guy like that, who has as much ability as he does, that is what is scary. He is just such a humble person, he knows his purpose and he understands right now kind of where that fits and what he wants to do, and I think that is what drives him, being able to meet his standard every single day. The type of person he is, with the ability he has, I truly think the sky is the limit over there for him. I am excited to be a part of it, I feel like I am blessed to be his coach and like I said, not just with him, but with the rest of the guys. I am excited to see where this group goes."

(On if playing a team like the Detroit Lions helps set a standard for the team and the rest of the season)

"The special thing about the NFL is you can lose every time you go out there. I think as great a team as they are, your approach to every single day cannot change just depending on who you are playing. That is kind of where you get the inconsistency and the up and down right now in your performance. I think you have to uphold the standard right now that you are trying to play at and if you do not, a team like that can run you over. Everyone likes to say, 'You cannot win or lose it on a Tuesday,' but I am a firm believer you cannot win the game on a Tuesday, but I feel like you can lose it. Whatever day that is right now leading up into the game, just making sure we are not missing a step. We are upholding the standard we want to go to, and we know that they are an unbelievable opponent. The success they have had over these past few years, it is hard to do. It is because of physicality, how well they play and everything else. The thing they do well is they do all the stuff that has nothing to do with ability. They have extremely talented guys too, but they play with a toughness and play with high energy, high effort. The thing is just making sure that your level is up there to go in there where none of that stuff takes you by surprise. Like I said, really just upholding the standard right now that we have for ourselves regardless of who that is we are playing over there on Sunday -- or Monday in this case."

(On his messaging approach to younger guys in the wide receiver room to not let the Detroit Lions injured secondary get ahead of them)

"If you want to look at a team that has been hit by injuries -- a position being hit by injuries -- I tell our guys look in the mirror. If they feel like they are somebody that is going to go in there and their standard is going to change, ours did not. Same thing with their level of production and what they want to do and everything else. You look at those guys schematically, you know they [have] good players from top to bottom. It is hard to be good in this league and not have full rosters from top to bottom and you know whoever they put out there is going to uphold the standard that they have to play. At the end of the day, we just have to do a really good job of focusing on us, do a really good job of knowing what they do, knowing how they do it, and understanding that this is going to take all we [have] over there on Monday."

CORNERBACK JAMEL DEAN

(On how he found out he won NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6)

"I literally just found out like three minutes ago [with the team]."

(On his sack against the San Francisco 49ers)

"Well, on the blitz play, I realized I only had one guy to beat. I was just trying to get to his hip so I could at least bend the corner, and once I realized Mac Jones did not get the ball out in time, I was like, 'Oh, this is my opportunity.'"

(On his interception against the San Francisco 49ers)

"We were in a zone coverage. It was fourth-and-five, so I was thinking sticks first and then once that ball did not come out for the stick route, then I just kept sinking. I guess I [sunk] at the right time [because] as soon as I started sinking, that is when he pulled the trigger."

(On if working on catching the ball in the offseason helped bring in interceptions this season)

"Yes, I [did]. I think that the main thing was catching while on the move, so it helped me track the ball better."

(On the defense emphasizing creating more turnovers this season)

"Before practice, we are out there trying to catch balls any opportunity we get. During individual [workouts], trying to catch 20 balls during individual. That is pretty much is, just getting into a repetition."

(On what it means to the defense to have a big impact on games by creating turnovers)

"It shows that we are trending in the right direction to be the best defense in the league. As the season goes along, the better the defense is, it allows for better field position for our offense. That is probably our biggest emphasis."

(On if he is getting any pass rush tips from the Buccaneers' edge rushers)

"For the most part, I would be watching them during individual warmups just to see what works. I was like, 'Okay, I see them dipping their shoulders, so there must be something to it.' Then I also see when Antoine [Winfield Jr.] blitzes, he dips his shoulder too, so I was just like, 'Let me just steal a page from their book.'"

(On if his active recovery progress through the offseason has helped him take his game to where it is now)

"I am a goal-oriented kind of person, so once I start speaking on this is what I am going to focus on, then I basically just lock in and do whatever I can to make sure I can make it possible that it happens."

(On facing the Detroit Lions in Week 7 and what he sees from their new Offensive Coordinator John Morton)

"They are dialing it up pretty [well] on the offensive side of the ball. I know we have to be really disciplined when we go against them because they have a lot of eye candy. They also have weapons all across the board."

(On if he can feel the pass rush in the secondary and if that makes it easier to cover receivers)

"It makes it a whole lot easier because now we know that the quarterback is off rhythm, so we are just banking on him making a bad throw in that instance or maybe we get a tipped ball. If a quarterback is ever relaxed in the pocket, he will dice you up."

-BUCCANEERS-