OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On why the offense's red-zone efficiency has improved over the last two games)

"A little bit of it was the execution of first and second down like we talked about a couple weeks ago – being able to shorten some of the third downs. But then even last week, being able to have that explosive play to Kam [Johnson] – it's definitely nice if you don't have to go to a third down [and] you can just score from there, which makes it much easier. But, really, the execution part of it, taking care of the little things on first and second down, continuing the drives, and then ultimately trying to throw it in from time to time from that distance out just to get the six points from there."

(On whether the stability on the left side of the offensive line has contributed to the improved red-zone efficiency)

"It definitely helps once you get guys back in their spots that they're used to playing, in terms of their techniques and the communication up front. It definitely helps. But even when those guys weren't in there, it still came down to the execution of the guys that were in there and putting them in a good position to go out there and make plays."

(On QB Baker Mayfield elevating his teammates)

"I think it starts with [General Manager] Jason [Licht] and [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles on the people that we bring in here, whether it's through the draft or through free agency – they are our kind of guys and they're aligned with the culture and the love of football and the commitment to work and helping each other, and they're good players. So, when they come in here and they're like Kam [Johnson] or they're like Tez [Johnson] or even 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka), and they're willing to learn because they're great people – even in the walkthroughs – and 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) even on the communication to some of the younger guys or guys that haven't played, they're locked in on their assignment for that play and how it can potentially be adjusted in the game. That's why he has the utmost confidence in them – because they're great people and great players and they're willing to listen. And even if it didn't look good today or in a walkthrough, we can adjust it, and he feels like once we're on game day, we can go let it fly because they're going to be in the right spot."

(On how QB Baker Mayfield helps younger players get ready)

"It's constant communication. In the meeting room when we're all there together and we're installing the plays – if it's, 'Here's the pass drawing, here's the example of the route,' he'll speak up right then. 'This is how I'm seeing this; this is where I want you to be.' Let's say it looks a little bit different in practice or a walkthrough – he walks up to them right then, 'Hey, I need you right here, not right there.' They hear that, and then in the game, they have the confidence to go out there and execute it. So right when he sees it, we don't wait – it's right there: this is how we correct it. And then those guys are good from there on, in terms of making the correction and executing it on game day."

(On WR Tez Johnson making an adjustment to his route on the touchdown catch in Week 6)

"That was two football players just playing ball, because it was not exactly how we drew it up, but the protection held up to give him that extra hitch in the pocket to get it done. You draw up these things all night, all day, expecting this to be the look and you attack it, and then that guy is just a hair wider than you think, or he rotated this way…Tez sees nobody there – mailboxes it – 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) sees it and makes a huge play in the game at that point. We can't be running cookie-cutter routes [like], 'You've got to be here, right there.' If the guy's standing right there, let's go the other way. It was really cool to see."

(On having numerous wide receivers step up once WR Emeka Egbuka left with injury in Week 6)

"I think it's the preparation they have, and especially what 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon) has been able to do with them on some of these walkthroughs. The guys are in here early in the morning [and] they're walking through in the afternoons as well. That way, if they end up in a spot where they didn't get that practice rep, they're ready to go. That definitely happened with Kam [Johnson] last week on some of the things he might not have gotten but 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) took during the week – and then in real time, you've still got to run those plays. We've got the confidence in him to do it because we know that he's preparing – 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon) is preparing him that way. If his time comes, it's his turn to make a play."

(On his early impressions of WR Tez Johnson and how they've changed)

"We loved the guy from the start. When me and 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon) went to [Indianapolis] together and met with him during the speed dating – I think the 18 minutes or whatever it might be – you could tell his personality then. We already knew he was a good player because we had watched the tape. Then to hear him talk about football and his love of football and the detail he gave on some of his routes there – which correlated to what we wanted to run here – we knew it would be a pretty good fit. To see him run the time at the combine is a little bit irrelevant, because when you put on the tape, he was running past guys at the top level of college football and making them miss. You always hope that's the case when they get here and once he got here and you saw him do it on the field, and it shows up over and over…He had the Buffalo game where his number was called more than some of the previous two games…I think he missed one of them, potentially, with an injury. From there it was building the confidence, and now you can expand the route tree and do more things with him."

(On if WR Tez Johnson was the most entertaining player he talked to)

"That's tough between him and 'Shep' (Sterling Shepard). That's a good battle."

(On clarifying whether WR Tez Johnson was the most entertaining player he talked to at the NFL Scouting Combine)

"Yeah, definitely. He was definitely the top one in [Indianapolis].

(On if he is familiar with WR Tez Johnson's relationship with Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix and the Nix family)

"I didn't know it going into it, before we started meeting with him at the combine and trying to get into some of the history with going to Troy [University] and then going [to Oregon]. You can tell the communication he's had with Bo and how a quarterback sees it – and having that dialogue for years now – he sees it through that lens and tries to be in the right spot."

(On the increase in pre-snap motion over the last few weeks, and how comfortable he feels adding new wrinkles to the offense each week)

"You hit on it. Now that you get a couple games, you can add to some of the things we've done, or plays off of plays, to try to make them look the same and still try to push the ball down the field. That does, in our mind, puts pressure on the defense. We hope that's something that continues by being able to do that. We do think the use of motion at least makes these guys communicate – even in louder environments like Seattle. It made Seattle communicate even though it's loud for us – it's loud for them, too. The fans might be cheering for them, but the players still hear it – a lot like Detroit. At the end of the day, we want to put pressure on them and continue to try to do that."

(On the challenge that the Detroit Lions' defense poses, specifically with EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson)

"Ton of challenges. He's a really good rusher. He has a lot of tricks. He plays really hard. He rarely comes out of the game. Some of these guys you play, they might take a few reps and then come off…He's out there for 60 minutes, essentially. He's where it starts, but they're really good on each level of the defense. I know they've got some guys banged up. Alim McNeill is a fantastic player, getting him back from his rehab. The stack linebackers – all three of them – have been there together for years. Their communication…They're all on the same page – you don't see these guys cutting people loose. They know where they need to be, when they need to be there. Then, the culture that [Detroit Lions Head] Coach [Dan] Campbell set – the way these guys play hard, they run to the ball, they're very physical – they just play well together. It's a big challenge."

(On what the team learned from last year's game against the Lions in which the Buccaneers won but Lions EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson got 5.0 sacks)

"It was something that really can't happen. He needs to have the attention of the entire offense, really, on each play. We were fortunate to come away with a victory – I think we scored 20 points and were able to win. It was a great job by the defense that day. But his play speed and what he does is something we have to handle from the first quarter all the way through the fourth quarter. [We have to] just know where he is, because he can definitely wreck a game."

(On how last year's game against the Detroit Lions helped him prepare to be an Offensive Coordinator)

"A lot of that goes into the preparation we have on Monday nights and Tuesday nights after we put the previous game to bed and move on to the next game plan. It's [about] who are those game-wreckers that week and how do we handle them? We try to do that through our first- and second-down game plan, to include what we're doing on third down, as well as the red area. That way, once you get on game day, you've at least had the thought [of] whoever that might be for that week – how you're trying to handle them that week."

(On RB Rachaad White's performance since stepping in as the lead back with RB Bucky Irving injured)

"I think Rachaad has done a good job. There were definitely some plays last week that were really good hits. You can see guys getting a hat on a hat and he made some tough runs. There were a couple short-yardage runs where there wasn't much there and 'Chaad' (Rachaad White) fought it out and was able to move the sticks, get us that first down, keep the drive going…Especially in some of the 12-personnel groupings we were able to have last week with Cade [Otton] and Payne [Durham] being able to be really physical and running right at those guys. 'Chaad' has always done a good job, and he's always done a good job in protection and in the pass game as well."

(On Detroit's injured secondary and what WR Mike Evans' potential return allows from a game-plan perspective)

"You never really know what the opponent is going to do. You have an idea going into it on some of the coverage structures and personnel groups they play, but at the end of the day, they've still got to kick the ball off and see how they want to play that week. We know that when he's in there, he does deserve a lot of attention, no matter who we're playing. Once you get in the game, you determine how much attention they're giving to him or not, and be able to adjust things off of that, [whether] they're really pushing the coverage that way or if they're just singling him up."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR GEORGE EDWARDS

(Opening Statement)

"[We are] headed to Detroit again this week. They are a tough opponent -- tough matchups -- playing very good offensively right now. We will have our work cut out for us as we are going through the week and continuing to practice. It has been good to get some guys back and it will be really interesting as we keep progressing through the week, we will see how it turns out."

(On if there is anything he can point to regarding the defense having success against running backs catching the ball)

"I think it has got something to do with matchups. [In the] early part of the season, with missed tackles and missed leverage, I think guys have gotten into a rhythm of understanding the leverage, tracking and using the sideline when you can use the sideline. I think they have just gotten better and more comfortable with what we are doing defensively. [We] put a focus and concentration on it, and that is what they have been doing. Guys have really been very focused here as we progressed over the first couple of weeks, so that needs to look to continue this week because both of those backs are definitely good receivers out of the backfield. We will have our work cut out [for us] matching them this week."

(On LB SirVocea Dennis struggling early in the season and how he has developed through the season)

"I think missing the time that he has missed due to injuries over the last couple of years. I think Bijan [Robinson] has caught the ball on a lot of people and gone all the way, from that aspect of it. I think his continued work and understanding leverage and focus on what it is he has got to do and understanding tracking in the open field. I think it is a combination of all those things, and I think he will just continue to get better understanding that is what is required on certain calls."

(On how the defense can stay disciplined in the red zone against the Detroit Lions)

"It is the whole key, if you can keep them out of the red zone, first of all, that is a big bonus, but at the end of the day, when you get down there, it shrinks and guys have to understand the throws are different -- the drive throws are different -- they do multiple things. There is not a lot of repeated plays down there. They do a very good job of running the ball in the red zone. That is one of the things that they pride themselves on and you look at them, there is a big, heavy tendency and something they do and do well. We will have our work cut out for us, continuing to work on it during the course of the week and getting guys to recognize some of the things we are going to do call-wise and for what they like to do offensively and work through it. Again, you just have to focus on where you are at, understanding the situation and what they are trying to do to you."

(On the Detroit Lions going 1-for-7 in the red zone during their last meeting in Week 2 of the 2024 season)

"I was just going to say... We were very fortunate the last time we played them that we got down there and played some good defense. We will be looking to build on that; I think our guys understand the focus of once they get down there, not to give up touchdowns and try to get turnovers and hold them to a field goal at minimum."

(On what improvements have been made in the secondary in regard to pass coverage defense)

"I think those guys have worked together now for quite a while. [They are] understanding schematically about what we are trying to do. I think the coaches have really done a good job of helping them with the communication and getting them to realize that it is not just you that is out there and you guys have got to communicate with each other and make sure we are on the same page. All of those guys are just putting that extra focus in that area. Our pass rush and our coverage, they go hand-in-hand. When we have success in both of those areas, it gets married and that is when you have your most success at the end of the day."

(On S Tykee Smith's transition to safety from nickel cornerback)

"I think it is going pretty [well]. You look at him and he feels very comfortable playing back there -- whether it is a half, a quarter or playing down near the box or the middle of the field. I think he has transitioned very well. [He] has been very productive for us here as we have been off to this first half of this season."

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On what the key is for the offense going up against the Detroit Lions on Monday)

"I think we just have to match their intensity, that is the biggest thing. I think with No. 97, 'Hutch' (Aidan Hutchinson), high motor guy -- they all are. They [have] Pat O'Connor over there, so we know what he is about. I think across the board, [we have to] match their intensity -- staying connected. They are a little thin in their secondary, so if we can establish the run, get stuff done up front and put it on our backs early, then I think we will be okay. The biggest thing we have said all week is match their intensity. It is going to be a fun environment -- we were up there for the playoffs [in 2023] -- that was wild. We are going to be used to it; it is an exciting matchup."

(On NT Alim McNeill coming back from injury and what his presence means for both sides when he is on the field)

"I think for him coming back for them is just a little boost. We know what he brings, Graham [Barton] might have blocked him before -- he is excited. They are going to come out with good juice -- good energy -- they always do. Every time I have played them, they have been flying around. It is just going to be a little extra [boost] for them and something we have to match."

(On if this year's offensive line group can be better than last year's despite the injuries)

"Yeah, we could be. [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles says it all the time that we do not want there to be any drop-off with some guys out. I think that is just a standard we set for ourselves; to go out there and be as clean as we can. I think it is just us trying our best, honestly. That is how I measure a good day, no sacks or pressures. I think we all have that same mindset. We all fight and scratch and claw -- die a slow death if you are going to get beat -- do not get beat quick, do not get beat inside. We are just going to keep going out there and keep giving it our best and hopefully keep six (Baker Mayfield) clean."

(On RB Rachaad White's performance as the lead running back and as a pass blocker)

"Rachaad [White] has been here awhile now. We all know how important -- how big – he is to this team. I think I said it last week, I cannot remember how many times he has iced the game [with] a slide [or] breaks a big run. He does the selfless thing and slides down, but in pass protection, Rachaad puts his nose in there. He pops guys, and it is really cool to see -- really fun for us as offensive linemen when he comes off the edge and chips some guys, that is always fun -- helping us out a little bit. Rachaad is awesome; he is a great teammate, great player, and we are so blessed to have him."

WIDE RECEIVER STERLING SHEPARD

(On how much it would help the team to get WR Mike Evans back on the field)

"Obviously having Mike out there is a positive for this offense. It's great to get anybody back. We want to be at our full capability, and we've got to have our guys out there to do it. I have confidence in the guys behind and the younger guys – I have complete confidence in them – but like I said, [the closer we are to our] full power, the better."

(On if he feels like a 'proud big brother' watching wide receivers Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson recording their first career touchdown receptions)

"Yeah, absolutely. That's what we play the game for and that's what we're always talking about – making big plays and hitting those explosive plays. Any time you can get those done, for anybody, I'd be happy for them, but especially for those [young players]. I just think it helps their confidence and helps them move along a bit faster."

(On what QB Baker Mayfield does to prepare the young offensive players for the big moment)

"[He is] always talking to them. I think communication is big for us and Baker does a good job of pulling those guys to the side, telling them what he sees and what he expects on certain looks. That helps in the long run. It might be things he says one week that pop up the next week. That's why guys have to be paying attention, and the young guys have done a great job of doing that. The more ball we play, the more comfortable they'll get, and I've been happy to see it."

(On the Detroit Lions defense)

"It's a physical group of guys. They're going to [have] all 11 around the ball, so we've got to do a good job of getting around the ball, as well. At the linebacker level, they're extremely talented, and up front, and the DBs, as well – they're a scrappy group. We've got to be able to match their intensity, and they've got to match ours, as well. It's going to be fun."

-BUCCANEERS-