OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZAC ROBINSON

(On the offense's dominant rushing performance against Carolina)
"It was an outstanding effort across the board. Obviously, the big fellas up front set the table, and the tight ends and the [wide] receivers blocked really well. The second play of the game, Ted Hurst [III] is cracking in on a safety [and] he springs the run. So, we always say, 'Hey, it takes all 11 in the run game,' and there was nothing more reflective of that than that game. I've never been a part of anything like that. Obviously, we were almost four-minute-[situation]-ish when we started the second half, and we kept getting positive yards. You've got to earn your run opportunities in the NFL, really at any level, but we kept earning our opportunities because we kept moving the chains [and] we were efficient on early downs. I can't say enough good things about the effort from the collective blocking, and the runners ran outstanding. I mean, Bucky [Irving], you know, Kenny [Gainwell] had a huge run there, breaking that one, and obviously 'Tuck's' (Sean Tucker) at the end of the game, too, was really well blocked, and then his speed shows up when he's got a crease. So yeah, those guys did an outstanding job. The effort, strain, finish, all those things. They played with great energy from the jump, and obviously getting that first drive going kind of set the tone for the rest of the game. But yeah, guys did a great job. They played really well."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's contributions despite attempting just 11 passes)
"Huge plays. He did a great job. That [third-down conversion to Tez Johnson] kept the drive going. Obviously, we're in a third-and-10 situation. If we don't convert that, we're off the grass. So that's where the third-down conversions are always going to be key to stay on the grass, to get a fresh set of downs. Then the other thing is just getting in and out of the right plays in the run game. We have so many cans with our run game to get into the right play so we can run the right thing that we're looking for versus the right look, and he did that a number of times. [There was] great communication across the board, so it was great having him back to hand it off 58 times, and also the operation to get to some of those runs and then those big plays that you mentioned really got us going."

(On the importance of offensive balance against Atlanta's defense)
"Yeah, it'll be huge. Obviously, we'll see what the weather looks like for Sunday. Weather permitting, it could change some things. But [we're] always striving for balance, knowing that they have a good outfit on really both sides of the ball, offense and defense. They do a great job defensively. Obviously, [I] know those guys, have so much respect for 'Brick' (Falcons Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich) and the assistant coaches. I mean, we were a pretty tight-knit group really last year, and then there were some guys that were there in '24 as well. They do a great job. They're great coaches. Their style of play and the stuff that they preach shows up through the tape, and that's reflective every single time you watch those guys. So, [I have] nothing but respect for the way that they play the game and their style. Then you mentioned the players – they've got great players at all three levels. The front is playing really well. Obviously, we'll see where they're at with [Divine] Diablo and the [linebackers], but the young [linebackers] are playing [well]. We know A.J. Terrell is a really good player, and then both safeties are a problem – probably the best safety tandem in the league. So, we'll have our hands full for sure. We know they play a different style of front than what we're coming off of, so our guys have got to be ready for it. I know it'll be a violent, physical football game, and our guys are looking forward to it."

(On the familiarity between himself and Atlanta's defensive coaching staff)
"Yeah, it's interesting. You start thinking about that stuff at the beginning of the week, and you realize, all right, there's some carryover stuff that you remember from practicing against them, but also they have different personnel, too, and they're using guys in different ways now. Then I look at our offense, and it's a lot different than what we were in Atlanta, just based on personnel and the things that we're trying to accomplish here. So, there's some carryover for sure. We practiced against them. At that time, they're installing the defense [and] we're trying to get our offense ready to go. We had some great back-and-forth throughout training camp, and then we would do kind of like these 'Mamba periods,' we called them, where we go good-on-good during the season. So yeah, you know, there's some familiarity for sure, but there's also some new stuff, and then they're probably looking at us saying, 'Man, it's different than the stuff we were practicing against,' to some degree. So, it'll be a great back-and-forth. [I'm] looking forward to seeing those guys, and it'll be a great game. These games are always close – these divisional games – so it'll be a great challenge, and [I'm] looking forward to it."

(On Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.'s development and return from injury)
"I'm so impressed with him. Obviously, we were there when we drafted him. We loved him. He's a great player, very talented. Then seeing the adversity that he's faced and to be able to come back from [that] just shows his mental toughness. [I've] just got nothing but respect for the way that he's done things really his whole life, handling adversity the right way. [He is] extremely talented. He played some great football for us at the end of the '24 year [and] was playing really good football in '25 [but] unfortunately, didn't get to finish out the season. These young guys, they just keep getting better with the more reps they get. I think he's playing good football. I'll pop on their tape – we have crossover tape to see those guys. I'll always be pulling for Mike. Obviously, we'll be on the other side of it, and it's a divisional opponent, but you root for people in this league when you're around them and know what type of people they are and the character that they have. [I] can't say enough good things about the player and obviously how talented he is with his arm and the things he can do from a progression standpoint and reading defenses, and then just the character to keep bouncing back. [It is] pretty cool to see him playing at a high level."

(On WR Tez Johnson's development and role in the offense)
"Yeah, love Tez [and] the way he's approached stuff really from training camp when he started getting a lot of opportunities with the injuries we had. He's done a great job. We didn't get him in the mix much against [Cincinnati], started getting him in the mix against Cleveland, had a couple of opportunities down the field that we just were really close on hitting them – hit the one big play that kind of got us going a little bit in the third quarter. He's done a great job from a mental standpoint. It's a high volume every week, and he's done a great job handling it. Obviously, he brings an explosive element to that room and to the whole offense when he's out there. You feel his speed on every single snap. Whether it's a run or a pass, he's a threat. So, he's done a great job playing without the football, as well. There's some times last week where, shoot, he's away from the football, he's running, he's trying to get an extra block to try to spring the runners. So, Tez has done an awesome job. We've just got to keep elevating his role as much as we can, knowing that we do have some guys down. Obviously, since 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) has been down, his role has really increased. So yeah, [I'm] looking forward to just seeing Tez continue to develop as a player. He's super talented, and [I] love the style of play. He's just got kind of a loose, playing-at-the-playground mentality, and you love that with football players, just knowing it is such an instinctual game. He has great instincts and he's been really detailed with the game plans as well."

(On balancing a successful running game with maintaining offensive versatility)
"Yeah, if we can do that every week, that would be outstanding. Obviously, it was a total team effort. I mean, once the defense is getting turnovers, special teams did their part, everything just kind of started rolling. Then, those guys did a great job all throughout the game. You always want to be able to establish a run and be able to have things that play off of the run game. Then, there [are] going to be weeks where, shoot, you might not have as many run opportunities and you're going to get back on track. That's the nature of the NFL – everything is week to week. If we can play like that, it'll definitely help us out in the long run."

(On last season's third-and-28 conversion against Tampa Bay while coaching in Atlanta)
"Sure. Yeah, those games, every single one from '24, the Thursday night one, I mean, they were all wild games. The first game of the season, same thing, it went down to the wire. Then, you know, that game, guys just kind of kept fighting and scratching and clawing. It really came down to just a couple guys making a play. It wasn't a play call or anything. It was just [David] Sills [V] making a play and Kirk [Cousins] finding him, and those guys just made plays that night. That's basically what I remember about the night – guys played really good football. We were kind of backs against the wall, we were handling adversity, and those guys just made some plays."

(On the versatility provided by 12 and 13 personnel groupings)
"For sure. All those guys can block. Cade [Otton] is a great blocker. He can do everything. Then Payne [Durham], you mentioned the physicality at the line of scrimmage, and Bauer [Sharp] has done a great job. I mean, he is not scared. He'll go in there, he'll throw his face in the fan, and he's had some opportunities to do so, and he's handled it every time he's been out there. So, we've got to keep giving him opportunities. Obviously, every week is different in terms of what you're trying to attack or what you think the best way to attack is. Is it 12, 13, 11? You know, all those different mixes you're trying to figure out from a game plan standpoint. I love the way that those guys have been playing at the tight end spot, and we'll keep kind of elevating and seeing where it can go."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On OLB Yaya Diaby's 3.0 sacks against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7)

"[It was a] career day. The awesome part, he stuck to the plan. It was good for his confidence, he needed that. He'd been pressuring a little bit but wasn't getting home. [He] got the monkey off his back."

(On the performance of the pass rush in the last two games)

"Well, I'm quite sure you guys are listening to me. When the quarterback holds the ball, there's a chance to sack him. It's all tied in together, but our goal is that [if] the quarterback holds the ball for three seconds, we [have] to get him down."

(On what the biggest challenge the Atlanta Falcons offense presents)

"Well, it starts with number seven, 'Mr. Number Seven' (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson). I [have] a ton of respect for that guy. He's dynamic. I was sharing with the guys, this is their generation of Barry Sanders, and he's dynamic. How you stop him: all 11 guys [have] to be committed to getting him on the ground. He can take it anywhere. [I] showed some highlights, I wasn't trying to scare them, I told them I'm not scared of him, but you better know where he's at."

(On the biggest challenge presented by Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson)

"He can get to the backside quicker than anybody. You [have] to stay alive, if you think you're backside and you think you're doing your job, you better be ready for him. He can take it anywhere. If he gets a crease, it's hard to get that guy on the ground, it's hard to even touch him."

(On his thoughts on Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.)

"He can sling it. The ball comes out of his hand awesome. He's lefty, and a little different between the other left-handers that I've seen in the history – it looks like he has that zip, that right-hand zip. You can kind of correlate it to right-handed pitcher versus left-handed pitcher, and it comes out of his hand. He does a great job. I know he's a Tampa kid, and it's going to be a tough challenge to stop him."

(On the biggest challenge presented by Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts)

"Yeah, we [have] to know where he's at. He's getting better, actually, if you watch his game, he's getting better, but we definitely [have] to do a good job trying to slow him down."

(On how DL Calijah Kancey has been an integral part of the defensive line)

"Well, he's getting pressure, and you [have] to account for him. I know last week, I think it was David Walker, I think the Pittsburgh game, he beat two guys and David went high, so the quarterback wasn't able to step up, so he played a big role in getting a sack. He does unselfish stuff, grabbing linemen and picking for other guys. I'm waiting on his three-sack game, and he's due. He's doing a lot of dirty things that are helping us win, and I know he's down and out. He's missing quarterback hits too, so he's getting pressure, he's getting there. He just [has] to get the quarterback on the ground. Awesome [fumble] return last week, as you guys know, but I'm waiting on his breakout."

(On the importance of getting contributions from every member of the defense when facing a dynamic offense such as the Atlanta Falcons)

"Absolutely. You keep guys fresh, and you want quality backups. You can keep those guys up front fresh. What David Walker is doing, those guys are rotating, and you see guys are challenging each other, but it gives our opposition…They [have] to deal with a lot of guys."

(On whether certain games from his career are harder to forget than others, and if the Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 is one of them)

"Oh, they stick with you. They're going to go to the grave. That was one of them. I [have] a few of them. Believe it or not, [if] you stay in this business a long time, you're going to, every now and then, have one of those games, and that was definitely one of them."

NOSE TACKLE VITA VEA

(On the defense's pressure on opposing quarterbacks the last few weeks)

"It felt good, [it's] something that we've been harping on. It just felt good to be able to come together as a collective group and get the job done."

(On his thoughts on DL A'Shawn Robinson's impact on the defense)

"I'm loving it. He's one of those guys that comes in and brings a certain type of mentality to the defense and especially to our room. He's a very vocal guy in that sense, so he definitely brings a lot of energy for us, and it's something that I feel like we've been missing in our room. He brings that intensity for us, so it's definitely good energy to feed off of."

(On the relationships among the defensive line)

"We do a lot of stuff off the field together, so we've built that camaraderie in our group and as a defense. I think it only helps with our play on the field."

(On what the win in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers has done for the team's mentality)

"Actually, I feel like whenever you get a big win like that, I feel like it's very imperative to come back the next week even more locked in because you tend to lose sight and lose focus in the win because you had such a great victory. It's one of those things that we got together as a group and made sure that we stayed locked in throughout the week and not let what we did in the past affect what we [have] coming up."

(On the biggest challenge presented by the Atlanta Falcons offense)

"Atlanta is definitely one of those teams, even before you put on the tape, it's like a headache-type of offense, especially [since] you [have] [Atlanta Falcons RB] Bijan [Robinson] back there, one of the best, if not the best running back in the league currently. It's always a struggle playing them twice a year. It's one of those things that we just have to hone in on our technique and fundamentals and just listen to what the coaches' [game plan is] and just go in there and try to be able to stop the run."

(On the biggest challenge presented by Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson)

"The thing that's hard about him is [that] he's all over the place. He plays all over the field, so that's one thing. The main thing is him coming out of the backfield. He can create a lot of havoc in open space, so that's one thing you want to try to stop, but he's very good at it."

-BUCCANEERS-