OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR DAVE CANALES

(On if there are any 'quick fixes' to the struggling offense or if it's a work in progress)

"Work in progress, yeah. No quick fixes for where we're headed – just a lot of the same conversations. I hate to sound like a broken record, but fundamental execution… I thought the [running] backs ran harder this week – we had some opportunities there. Again, just kind of getting grooved in the system. [We were] better on third down, so that gave us a few more opportunities. I think what you guys saw was just kind of an attempt there to create some yards through the pass game – quick-rhythm stuff that came alive for us pretty [well]. But, again, still would love to be able to run the ball with consistency and do that. Maybe that's me just being able to call more of those runs in different situations. But, yeah, definitely got to be better."

(On if the lack of a running attack is affecting the team's redzone performance)

"For me, yes, but the way I see it is, what's the best opportunity to score? Where are Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] at? [We are] trying to attack coverages and we had plays designed to attack those – [we had] some near misses down there on both redzone opportunities. Again, it's just details in our route running, details in our throws and our reads. The last drive there, we got pressured a little bit. [Matt] Feiler was fighting through something there – he stayed in there. What a stud to give us a chance to do that right there. We really appreciate him for that. But yeah, just the redzone production – we've got to figure that out and do more things that complement the quarterback's skill set and those types of things."

(On if he might start putting an additional lineman on the field to help the run game if they aren't getting the run blocking they need from the tight end position)

"Going heavy is a good option that teams use at times. I think the style of runs that we're getting…our tight ends are doing what they're supposed to do – they're getting guys covered up. We're not expecting Cade [Otton] or Ko [Kieft] or Payne [Durham] to really be those big mauler types of tight ends. I think there's only maybe a couple – a handful – in the league that you can really talk about. The run schemes are really designed for them to just cover it up so the [running] backs can read it and create space. I think, across the board, it's me, the rhythm and flow of when to call those runs, the styles of runs that we're calling, and then it's the guys continuing to improve fundamental skills and then also to finish – the attitude and the finish that we're looking for going forward."

(On if the slowed offensive production is a result of the league finally having footage to study)

"Looking at the film, I feel like it just comes down to execution. I think it's timing and rhythm. I think it's learning the guys that we're throwing to and being on-time and accurate with some of the things. I think we're leaving some good yards out there. At the same time, I'm learning. I'm still growing and learning the rhythms of when to take those shots and what they're expecting. Are they going to just punch out and play this really soft zone while we're trying to take shots? Being able to grow that way. Again, I think it's overall improvement. Yes, defenses are going to have more and more information. I feel like our schemes are working – the players feel the same way. They feel still really excited about what we're doing and they've been really accountable about just finishing plays and making the most of those opportunities."

(On if he senses any frustration from players regarding the lack of offensive production, similar to QB Baker Mayfield saying he was frustrated because the team left points on the field)

"I think [Baker Mayfield] said it best. The cool part is we've created an expectation for what we can be, offensively. I think that we have the talent and the ability to do that. I know I can do better for the guys in situations – they know they can do better for all of us in certain situations. I think it's a group of guys that see the potential of what we can be and I would rather live in that world than to buy in to some other world of, 'Oh, we just don't have this or we just don't have that.' I don't really feel like that at all. Coach [Todd] Bowles doesn't feel like that at all. The guys expect to do really well. Of course, that's part of me just motivating them and showing them, proving it to them on film, 'Guys, look, we have this here. We have these opportunities and this opportunity.' But yeah, it gets frustrating when we can't get in the end zone in a game where we do well on third down and we're moving the ball pretty [well] there at times. Of course, the penalties hurt us, but we overcame a lot of those penalties – even when we got behind in the sticks, we made some big plays to get us back to manageable third downs and were able to convert some of those. I think we're all a little bit frustrated, but at the same time, just encouraging them, 'We should feel frustrated, guys. We should feel like there's more out there for us, because there is.' I think it comes from the expectation we're creating for ourselves."

(On how he would evaluate QB Baker Mayfield's performance and his recent increase in turnovers)

"We're trying harder to throw the ball in certain situations. He would love to have a couple of those back. The tipped interception the other week, those are going to happen. The one on Sunday right there, if he gets the ball to Rachaad [White], we get a big gain. He knows. He knows that. At the same time, Coach [Todd Bowles] has asked us to go and play the best offense we can to try and win the game. He really means that. For us, that means going for it. That means finding these opportunities to be able to stretch the field when we can. Being smart about that, of course, [but] trying to attack the coverages the right way. I love that. The guys love that. We have this free reign to just go and try to put our best foot forward. In the process, man I'd love to get this run game going, for sure."

(On him saying the team had a great week of practice last week but ending up with a loss)

"I've got to be honest about utilizing some of the tempo things we've been doing and trying to keep the tempo package tighter where our guys don't feel like they have good control over what we're doing. I have to look at that and be honest about that. I think that there [were] some mental lapses – some really simple [things]. We're early on a cadence, we lined up improperly on one – we should never have false starts from the receivers. We have growing pains that we're still going through on a lot of those mistakes. Those made it harder for us. But we did, we had a really good week and I was excited about getting out there to be able to do that, but we did step on our foot a little bit at different times throughout the game."

(On RB Chase Edmonds potentially coming back and what he might contribute to the running game)

"He'll be able to find his way in there when he can. Ke'Shawn [Vaughn] had a really good run early in the game, too. We had a mid-zone, wound it back and got us nine [yards] on the play. I wouldn't say he's not running the ball well. I think that our run game is not doing well in general. I think it's kind of a group thing from that point."

(On RB Rachaad White's prowess as a receiver)

"Definitely. Any time that they're attracting attention to Mike [Evans] or to one of our other skill players, Rachaad has been a really reliable target for us there. We had him on a really good opportunity in the Detroit game – speaking of the one target he didn't catch. It was a really nice throw and would have been a fantastic play for him, but he does give us versatility in what we can do there."

(On if OL Matt Feiler might play on Thursday)

"That's more of a question for Coach [Todd Bowles]. I don't really want to talk about injury things."

(On who might replace Feiler if he can't play)

"We've got a couple of guys at guard. Sorry, I don't want to answer it and give the whole world information about what we're doing."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR/INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On the trend of the defense playing well but just falling a few plays short of a victory)

"Every week, you don't want to give up explosives. We've got to play together, we've got to communicate. From a defensive standpoint, we've got to keep the score down. We want to be the difference. We want to make that play. Young guys are learning. A couple plays really dictate every game. Even if you win going away, there's still two or three plays here that dictate the outcome of the game. We've got to be focused. You've got 60 minutes. Look at what happened last night. That's why this game is the number one sport in this country – because it's so competitive and because you can win or lose in a matter of a couple of plays."

(On LB Devin White only having five tackles against the Falcons)

"He didn't miss tackles. It's a zone [blocking] team. Of course, you want more tackles, but there are certain games…Playing in a 3-4, the MIKE [linebacker] might get a lot of tackles one week [and] the MO [linebacker] might get a lot of tackles the next. When they're zoning up, it's just different schemes. You always want to make more tackles, but he wasn't missing tackles, he wasn't getting us gashed. A couple of plays, he could have played better, but sometimes when you play in a 3-4, the other guy might get more one week – sometimes, it might be that month and then the next month it's your turn to pile up a lot of tackles. He wasn't out of his gaps and he didn't get us hurt in the run game. He played it, for the most part, right."

(On S Antoine Winfield Jr. addressing the team after the game)

"By nature, he's not that 'rah-rah' guy. That's just who he is. But, with his play, he's a leader. He demonstrates that on a week-to-week basis. What a better way to learn – to see our best player make that play – that should raise the standard for everybody, all of the guys. If our best player is fighting, defending every blade of grass, everybody should be doing it. That's the example. It's better to show it than talk about it."

(On the importance of being physical in the trenches against the Buffalo Bills offense)

"[Josh Allen] is an all-world quarterback. He can make plays, he can make you miss. It's going to take all 11 [players] to hold that guy down. We've got to plaster. I was telling my guys, it's not the ordinary three-to-four seconds per play, this is going to be five-to-six. He's that type of weapon. The game has turned into that. We see that often when you match up with these types of quarterbacks. This guy is big and strong and elusive. It's going to be a challenge for us. Everybody knows that. We're going to have to plaster. I've been saying that all week."

(On why the team plays man coverage better than zone and if the team needs to play more man coverage)

"A lot of times in zones, a part of it is anticipating. It's a zone for a reason – there are going to be open areas. Film study or just anticipating and playing aggressive – looking at the formation and recognizing what they like to do, what they can do, what the weak spot of the zone is and making plays. That would help our zone coverage. Guys have got to keep growing in that area. Part of it is the pass rush too – getting the quarterback off his spot. That's part of just growing and getting better at what we're weak at now."

(On if the defense needs to play tighter zone)

"That's goes back to knowing where the weak spot is in the zone and squeeze the zone. To answer your question, guys have got to anticipate what they want to do – the formation should tell you that – and they should squeeze the zone. Guys should rotate, stuff like that, that we've got to get better at."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On how he is feeling)

"I mean, yesterday I was pretty sore. Less than 24 hours after the game, that's kind of how it always goes. I just kind of re-aggravated what I did against the Saints. Nothing too bad, just pain tolerance and move on."

(On if there is a key to preparing for Thursday Night Football with the condensed schedule)

"Yeah, for us, it's kind of the same thing that we've been talking about with how to have more success on offense. The short week for us is all about communicating [and] being on the same page. With a defense like they present – they've got a lot of pressure looks, good players, veteran guys that have a lot of experience, so we need to be on the same page. That's kind of the motto when a short week comes. Just making sure that the overcommunication part is not left [behind]."

(On his takeaways from Week 7 after watching the film)

"A few plays I'd like to have back, but we're just so close. I'm getting tired of saying that but it's the truth when you go back and watch it. It's one play here or there that's going to make the difference in us keeping drives sustained, or the big plays over the top to get those explosive plays. We're close. Way too many penalties – that's really what stuck out when re-watching the film. I mentioned it after the game but when you're re-watching it, it really did kill the drives and take away some good plays."

(On the key to having success converting touchdowns inside the redzone)

"As we take a little bit of a step back and look at it, just getting completions. Kind of our third down recipe – getting the guys the ball in their hands and letting them break tackles. I think [there were] just too many incompletions down there. Obviously, running the ball is going to help keep defenses balanced. So yeah, finding completions."

(On walking the thin line between being aggressive while still taking care of the ball)

"Yeah, especially in the redzone, you try to draw up these plays that get guys' eyes in the wrong spots, so you get a touchdown or a one-on-one throw, but they get paid too. If it's covered, move on. Like I said, find completions and good things will happen."

(On if his experience helps him through the ups and downs of the season)

"Absolutely. I think with any of those experiences you learn how to weather some of these storms, and you learn how to grow through them and handle them when certain situations come. For right now – like we keep mentioning – just get our stuff fixed, be more detailed, [more] fundamentally sound and good things will happen. When you re-watch the losses, we've played good teams, but we haven't played our best. So, for us, it's about us playing our best ball and focusing on what we can control and that's being fundamentally sound and doing our jobs."

(On squeezing four days of preparation into two)

"A lot of mental work. You never really get physically ready for these Thursday night games, but it's a lot of mental work during the week. Like I mentioned earlier – overcommunicating, making sure we're on the same page. That preparation really never stops until gametime. You get enough walk-throughs in to where you talk about pretty much every single look you might get. Most of the time you're not going to see anything new on a short week from them, as well, so just making sure we're on the same page and communicating a lot."

(On if it could help the team to go on the road)

"Yeah, I always love road games. Just being in an environment where it's just your team against everybody else, the fans included. You just enjoy the environment, and as competitors, you kind of thrive on that. We're looking to be really focused, play for each other and go in and somehow find a way to win."

(On if it's a heavy lift on the quarterback when a team's running game is struggling)

"Obviously, being able to run the ball efficiently definitely helps. We've talked about how we need to be better – we all know that. It's just little things here and there. We had a big run, and it was called back on a holding call. We're kind of learning that we're not going to be a run-first team, but we're still going to do it when we need to. Those are the times that we have to be targeting the right spots, everybody has to have a hat on a hat and just get the job done when we need to. When it comes down to it, it's just execution. Whatever play is called we just have to find a way to make it work."

(On RB Rachaad White's ability as a receiver and if he has become a nice outlet for him in the passing attack)

"Yeah, absolutely. He's a tremendous athlete, great hands, runs routes really well – different than any running back. He's a talented player. We're learning as we go, too, that he can be a weapon in the pass game."

(On WR Chris Godwin)

"Chris is a stud, man. I've said it from the beginning – he's a pro's pro. Just how consistent he is through injuries, through everything – he is always consistent. We're pretty damn lucky to have him on our team and he just keeps making plays for us. Like I said, find the completions and get the ball in his hands and he's going to make plays."

(On if the importance of the positive vibe being exuded in the building)

"It is because, like I've mentioned, looking at the mistakes we've made, it's things that we can control. It's not like we're just lining up and getting beat scheme-wise or just physically. For us, it's control what we can, fix those things and see where this thing can go. That's the accountability part. Antoine Winfield hit it on the head after the game… 'How great do you want to be?' We have a ton of leaders on this team, a lot of guys that have played a ton of ball so let's do our jobs first and see where this thing goes."

(On if S Antoine Winfield Jr. spoke to the team after the game)

"He did. He is a key leader. Obviously, [he made] a ton of big plays in that game and has been consistent here for a while. Those guys we have to lean on and follow that leadership and everybody else has to fall in line."

(On going up against Bills QB Josh Allen who was in his draft class)

"Josh is a great guy, a tremendous athlete. He's fun to watch… hopefully not too much fun on Thursday, but yeah, it's always good to see him."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On his message to the team after the game)

"Yeah, just that we've got to close those games out. We've got to play better, and we've got to win those close games like that, to summarize it. We've just got to find a way to win."

(On if the team took his message well)

"Yeah, everybody took it well. We're all trying to win here. We're all professionals. I just felt like it needed to be said and so I just said what I said."

(On how often he speaks to the team)

"I feel like I'm a man of a few words, but when I say something, I really mean it."

(On what the team can do on a short week to make improvements)

"Studying. We've been walking through, just making sure we fix the mistakes that we had and just studying to get ready for the next game."

(On Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen)

"We've got to do our best to contain him. He's good [and] he has weapons everywhere. Going into this game, we know he has skill, and he has skill around him, so we've got to do our best to make sure we contain him as much as possible."

(On his forced fumble on Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder in Week 7 and the play being a testament to never giving up)

"Yeah, I was just trying to get there and push him out or something. I just [saw] the ball and I had a perfect opportunity to kind of come in there and punch it out and I just got it in the nick of time. It was a good play."

(On the vibe and energy in the locker room this week)

"On to the next one. We're preparing for Buffalo and so that is where our mindset is – to go out there and put out our best performance."

(On Bills QB Josh Allen's ability to throw on the run and also run himself)

"It's always tough playing dual-threat quarterbacks – guys that can run [and] extend plays. We've got to do our best to contain him in the pocket and also make plays on the backend."

(On how Allen reacts when WR Stefon Diggs is covered)

"[He] scrambles. That's why we've got to do our best to contain him because he extends plays and his players get open, so we've got to do our best to make sure we keep him in there and control everything."

LEFT TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On how he feels physically preparing in a short week)

"Not bad. We know what a short week entails. That's kind of priority number one, [which] is making sure you feel good, and getting your body where it needs to be for a Thursday night game."

(On how he is feeling mentally)

"I think the vibes are pretty good. [We] had two good walk-through days. You know, that helps tremendously, getting your legs back, and also helps us slow things down and make sure we are all getting in the right spots. You know, taking the right technique, right foot work, and really just slowing everything down, so it's been good."

(On what he thinks is missing on offense)

"I think for us upfront – have all five guys on the same page. It's been really tough, because it's one guy here, one guy there, we're all just taking turns, so playing as a collective unit all together on a string is going to be great. I'm really hoping it comes together."

(On S Antoine Winfield's speech after the Atlanta Falcons game)

"Yeah, 'Toine' (Antoine) pretty much told us, 'How good do we want to be?' It's up to us to write our own story. Our destiny is in front of us and have to go out and take it.' It's up to us, it's up to the guys in this locker room, and it's really cool coming from 'Tione' (Antoine). We all know what an incredible player he is. You know, that play he made on the goal line, that's insane. Coming from him, everyone listens, all eyes are on him, [and] it was really cool."

(On if Winfield's speech help boost the morale)

"I think so. You [have] a real bitter taster in your mouth, especially coming right off the field into the locker room, and having him stand up and be like, 'Hey, listen up…' and say that it really huge."

(On Winfield not being a man of many words)

"He's not. For him to do something like that, is kind of like [linebacker] Lavonte [Daivd] too. When they talk, you listen, so it's awesome."

(On why the run game is not effective)

"It's a lot of things. I kind of said it a little bit ago, everyone just taking a turn at messing something up. The frustrating part is how hard we work on it. how much time and effort we put into it, so for it not to go [well] is really frustrating. It's just about getting back to the details, the fundamentals, the little things, and being as crisp as we can through all of that."

-BUCCANEERS-