OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZAC ROBINSON

(On QB Jalon Daniels' performance in his first NFL start)

"I thought he did a nice job. He came in – it's always going to be difficult in those circumstances – but I thought he did a nice job. He made some plays. Of course, there [are] going to be plays that everybody wants back. In football, since you've played since you were age eight, you think about a few of the good plays, and you think about four or five of the plays that you want back. I know he feels that way, and he's hard on himself just like everybody is, just like I am about a few calls that you want back. It's no different. But I thought he did a nice job handling it. I know at the end of the game, it was moving fast in that situation. Some of those things will get cleaned up and are great teachable moments, but for a young guy coming in, the more experience he gets in those situations – and in any situation, rather – everybody gets better from experience. I anticipate that with just one week more, getting that experience he got last week. But I thought he did a nice job handling things. Like I said, he made some plays. We've got to catch the ball for him in certain circumstances as well. He did a nice job. He made some plays, and of course, just like every player, [he] wants a couple back. But man, [I'm] proud of the way he played."

(On the quarterback pressures late in the game against Green Bay, and if those looks should have been handled differently)

"Yeah, we won't get into too much scheme-specific things there…You know, we did throw a screen on one of them, knowing they were heating us up. Then, you get into a fourth-and-11, and you're kind of like, 'Man, we've got to get something that's close to the sticks.' We do have an answer for it, but I won't get into too much of the specifics for it."

(On the offense's declining scoring production through four games)

"Yeah, it has not been good enough. It starts with me, 100%. Our players have their responsibility, and they know the plays that they want back as well…I know we talked about, I think last week, every game has had its own story, you know? It was obviously the turnovers in the first week, and then kind of the Cleveland week was the missed opportunities with some penalties mixed in at some inopportune times, then Minnesota was very similar in terms of the penalties kind of setting us back. So, we've got to clean up all those things. It's been very tough for us to have a chance as an offense at the end of these games to close it out. That's what you want, and that's what our guys want – those moments. So, for us not to be able to close the game out on our terms has been tough. Again, it starts with me. We've got to be a lot better as coaches and players alike, and we've all got to stay connected in the tough moments. That's what this game is all about. When you face some adversity, you come together and you shoot your shot the next time you get a chance. So, I'm looking forward to the next time we do get that opportunity, but certainly [it] has not been good enough. Again, it starts 100% with me."

(On whether the game began to slow down for QB Jalon Daniels in the second half against Green Bay considering his two first-half interceptions)

"Yeah, I think those two [interceptions] were kind of – whether they would have happened in the second half or the first half, I think he was seeing some stuff pretty [well] even early in the game, spotting Ted Hurst [III] on the sideline for a big conversion there. So, I think those two plays were kind of just mixed in there. They just so happened to be at those times there. But yeah, he still did a nice job seeing the field, scrambled when he needed to when we had pressure. But yeah, there [are] those things that we'll obviously clean up as well and [they're] good teachable moments. But I thought from even the start, [it] felt like he was seeing things fairly well."

(On how the team can create more explosive plays in the passing game)

"I think we've had some great opportunities. You know, obviously we've got to catch the football when we get those opportunities. I know our guys know that as well. Again, everything has got to be so tied together with the protection, the timing, the rhythm of the quarterback, making the throws that are there. Then, it's up to us as coaches to put the guys in the right spots as well. So, all those things factor into it 100%. It's never just one thing or the other. Football is the greatest team sport there is, and it's so true – especially [the] run and pass game, [it] does not matter, everything has to be so connected. That's where we've missed some of those opportunities where we've had some, and then other times where, shoot, I look at myself saying, 'I need to do a better job helping these guys out too.' So, everything kind of goes hand in hand. We're all in this thing together, and we've got to get it fixed quickly."

(On RB Sean Tucker's performance against Green Bay and if he plans to get Tucker more involved moving forward)

"Yeah, I think similar to what we mentioned last week, [it depends on] some of the flows of the game, but that is our responsibility. We've got to get 'Tuck' (Sean Tucker) going some more for sure. [He] did a great job on that short-yardage run, carrying the pile for a gain of eight. That was outstanding. Then the [offensive] line blocked it up very well on the next snap in order to punch that thing in. So yeah, [we've] got to get 'Tuck' going as much as we can. We feel great about all those backs that we've got, and then just deploying them at the proper times, giving them the right opportunities. Again, the flow of the game sometimes, when you're in get-back-on-track [mode] and you're in second-and-8-plus and [second-and-]9-plus and [second-and-]10-plus and third-and-longs, can disrupt that flow a little bit. But [we've] definitely got to do a better job getting 'Tuck' and Kenny [Gainwell], for that matter, involved."

(On how the offense determines which running back is in the game)

"Sure. That's a great question. There are certain personnel tags that we will have within the game plan for all of our players to put them in different spots. Then, Skip [Peete] does a great job of communicating, and we're talking in between series like, 'Hey Kenny [Gainwell] has got this next rack.' So, we're kind of rolling. He'll communicate when Kenny [Gainwell] is out or Bucky [Irving] is back in, but it is a very fluid situation, especially with the running back spot, knowing that if they get three plays in a row, hey, they're gassed [and] they might need a blow. So, to answer your question, some stuff is personnel-specific, and then other stuff is just kind of the flow of the game, and you're calling the stuff just on your normal down-and-distance stuff for whoever is in the game."

(On why RB Sean Tucker did not receive more opportunities after scoring a touchdown against Green Bay)

"Yeah, I think those were situational plays that we had in. Then, it just so happened that we had the next guy up on the next series. But yeah, that's where we've got to continue to evaluate when we can mix them in there. But yeah, it just so happened to be the next guy's series up, and we roll from there."

(On whether Dallas' offensive firepower affects the offense's approach this week)

"Sure. I think you think about that stuff as the week progresses. You know, we don't press for those things. You know, those things just naturally [happen] – you can feel the flow of the game, and you're like, 'Man, we've got to stay in attack mode.' Maybe the defense is getting a bunch of stops, and it's a different game that you've got to play. [I've] definitely felt that in the past, like the '24 Bucs-Atlanta game. Like, you could tell that game on the Thursday night was going to be a shootout from the jump, and it was like, 'Okay, you're going to have to stay on the gas,' and maybe it's going to be a different game than it could have been played. So, you're always ready for those. Football is such a funny game that you just never know how things can play out, but you've definitely got to plan for anything, and you kind of feel that as the game starts to unfold. You've got to make your adjustments and go accordingly."

(On the offense's ability to handle adversity)

"Yeah, it's huge. It's everything. We have a lot of veterans that have been through good moments, have been through tough moments. Obviously, I know last season similar things were happening. So, we've got to make sure that we squash those things and do the best that we can to overcome those late-game moments that we mentioned a moment ago, just in terms of finishing on our terms. But we've got some great leadership in that room. The offensive line, every skill position, the Cade Otton's [of the group]…Obviously, Baker [Mayfield] is still out there – even though he's not playing, he's still doing his thing from a leadership standpoint. But yeah, everybody has got to rally around the young guy, and we've just got to continue to try to build and find out exactly who we are. We're still in that kind of phase there. We've had moments of some good stuff; we've had some moments where we've had too many negative plays. That's kind of our [issue] – we're either hot or cold, there hasn't been a whole lot of in between. That's where we've got to close the gap on some of the negative things with penalties and negative plays and [eliminate] some of those. So yeah, we've got to find a way to do it. There's not a better offense I would rather be around than the guys [in] that locker room. They can handle adversity, they're all grown men, and I'm looking forward to seeing them do that on Thursday."

(On how the team can get the offense's top wide receivers more involved)

"100%. You have your call sheet set up with plays in mind for how many plays a guy could possibly get an opportunity. The coverage on the back end, those guys have a say in some things as well. Like [in] the Cincinnati week, we were dishing it to 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) pretty early. Alright, boom, they go to double [cover] him, so now it kind of opens up some other guys. That's always pretty fluid. But we definitely have an amount of plays that we like for each guy to hopefully get a touch. Football is such an imperfect game, and everything has to be so connected for that to happen each time out. But yeah, [we've] got to continue to find ways to get 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka), 'C.G.' (Chris Godwin Jr.), Cade [Otton], all these guys, Ted [Hurst III]…It was great getting Tez [Johnson] involved last week – he brings an explosive element that we've got to keep exploring with him. So, we've got a number of guys that can do it, and then the ball is just going to find them as long as they're in the right spot, and we're protecting, and we're getting the ball to the right spot at quarterback."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR GEORGE EDWARDS

(Opening statement)

"[It's a] short week, [we're] getting ready for a pretty good offense here this week. We've spent a lot of time trying to handle the situations and the matchups as we go through, but definitely a big challenge for us this week. I think we're looking forward to it and getting a chance to get out there and compete."

(On if the cornerbacks and safeties need to play tighter coverage at the line of scrimmage to limit quick passes)

"That's one way to look at it. I mean, that's one of the tools that you can use to combat it. I mean, the other one is: we've shown a lot of pressure here early in the season, and I think that was one of the things that they knew going into the game, so we weren't allowed to pressure as much. I think it's a combination of things, we can get tighter on the routes. You look at the situations we were in, whether it was third downs, red zone, we felt like we had a pretty good game and pretty good results, game plan wise, what we had out there on them. That's definitely as we go forward - people that try to combat us with protection and those kind of things against it to help out with the rush. But I always say, and I firmly believe this, they all go together. The coverage and the rush, they all go together. You can't take one out and say one did [well] and one did bad. It's the timing of all of it together."

(On the challenges that come from S Antoine Winfield Jr. being out with an injury)

"Yeah, [Antoine] Winfield [Jr.] is definitely a talented player that's been in this system, [he] understands it from top to bottom. Guys have a lot of confidence in him back there running it. With Tykee [Smith], he'll step up, he does a great job of communication. We [have] some guys in some different roles. 'Iffy' (Ifeatu Melifonwu) will be up [to the challenge this week]. Right now, [we're] just going through the game plan and finding different roles for guys as we go into this ball game and different packages and those kind of things. We're looking forward to it. They're working hard. They're detailing what we're looking for as far as the technique and the fundamentals and the matchups as we're going through it right now. I think they'll rise to the occasion and we're looking forward to it."

(On how evaluates OLB David Walker's performance in Weeks 1-4)

"David [Walker] [has] done well. You can see him, he's getting better and more familiar, defensively, with what we're doing. He's playing faster, thinking less, and so we're excited to see him keep taking big steps as we keep moving through the course of the season."

(On if opposing offenses are putting more protection on OLB Yaya Diaby's side)

"I think we've been getting a lot of seven-man protections where they're keeping a tight end on the back end because they're worried about us pressure-wise. I think that's been a part of it. When you've got two chippers and you're rushing four guys, I mean, those kinds of things. When the ball is coming out that way, those are the things you kind of get into the chess match of during the course of how to handle what they're doing from each situation, whether it's first and second down, third down, red zone, whatever that may partake."

(On what he's seen from DL Calijah Kancey's production in Weeks 1-4)

"It's just like last week, he got a holding penalty. I mean, I know that doesn't show up on the stat sheets, but he's going out and he's doing what he's asked to do. Like everybody else, everybody is trying to find a way to get more production. Everybody understands this is a production business, and that's what it's about at the end of the day. So, I told him he's just got to keep working at it, and just like everything else, they'll come in. Turnovers come in bunches. Sacks come in bunches. As we just keep going down the road, I think you'll see that production increase."

(On the two turnovers from the secondary against the Green Bay Packers)

"I mean, that's the one thing we've really been preaching and really harping on: take it from the practice field and now taking it to the game. I mean, that's a credit to them and the hard work that they're putting in every day to try to create those things."

(On CB Jacob Parrish's interception against the Green Bay Packers)

"No doubt about it. Great recognition on his part and then to be able to catch it and then to try to return it. I mean, those are the things we've been emphasizing at practice, and you can see it show up in the game. That's why collectively as a group, they've really put a lot of pressure on themselves to make that a point of emphasis, whether it's knocking the ball out, creating a fumble. We've had some balls knocked out and not recovered them from that aspect of it. Those are the attention to detail things that that's why you like working with this group."

(On what he's seeing on film from the Dallas Cowboys' offense)

"They're tough matchups. There's no doubt about it, but you've got to add the tight end to that mix, too. I mean, [Dallas Cowboys' TE Jake] Ferguson does a great job, but you look at the teams we played this year, there have been a lot of teams with good receivers and good tight ends. Our biggest thing is to handle our business and control what we can control and get ready to go out there and compete."

(On what he's seen from DL A'Shawn Robinson's leadership)

"Yeah, the research that our scouting department had done on him, you had heard those things about it and talking to some of the guys and some of his teammates at Carolina [Panthers], you kind of knew that about him. Everything that was advertised as you're talking about from a leadership standpoint, the energy that he brings every day, the way he approaches his job from a professional manner, the way he leads the young guys, [he] kind of teaches them as he's going through his process, [it] has all been very good and very positive for us."

(On his thoughts on Cornerbacks Coach Rashad Johnson)

"Yeah, I mean, I think when you look in that room and (Cornerbacks Coach) Rashad [Johnson] [has] done a great job and he and [Safeties Coach] Tim [Atkins] are really working collectively together to get that done from week-to-week. You look at the jobs that they've done so far, the results are there, but it's like everything else - this is a continuous process, and we just look forward to keeping to them. Rashad [has] done a great job with the corners. I think they're all on the same page. I think they're working diligently from week-to-week as far as their preparation. I want to credit them, too, because we [have] some corners that have played some different positions. I mean, you look at our secondary, a lot of people don't realize every one of those guys started off as a nickelback. They understand being inside, being outside, and playing the multiple positions. [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles does a good job from week-to-week and from year-to-year with the matchups and getting those guys prepared for that along with our coaches. Our coaches have all been doing a great job of preparing our guys [and] getting ready from week-to-week, and like you said, it's just a matter of keep staying consistent and controlling the things that you can control."

QUARTERBACK JALON DANIELS

(On how he thinks his first career NFL start went)

"Yeah, I mean, like I said before, obviously I wish we were able to come out with a win, but there [were] a lot of learning lessons that I was able to take from that game. Some good plays were made. I think that being able to see and watch the film helped me be able to grow in a lot of different ways. Especially when you're actually getting the reps and you're actually able to see it live and those bullets are flying live, you're able to take that in and just get better from it."

(On what he took away from watching the film from the Green Bay Packers game)

"Yeah, I mean, there [were] some great things on film. [I] wish that we were able to get a win, and like I said, there [are] some things that I'm able to clean up on and those are things that - you can hear it all the time, but until you're actually live getting those reps, it doesn't hit your brain the same. Now that I was actually able to get those reps, be able to see it in front of my face and be able to go through film and be able to talk to [Offensive Coordinator] 'Coach Z-Rob' (Zac Robinson), talk to [Quarterbacks] Coach Chandler (Whitmer) about the calls that need to be made, I think I'll be able to have a great time to grow from that."

(On the challenges preparing for Thursday's game with it being a short week)

"Obviously, the fact that it's a short week. I don't know how long ago it's been since we played a game, but obviously it wasn't that long ago. So for me, with getting all the play calls right now, just trying to be able to hammer every single play call, be able to try

to get every single can criteria, every little nuance of every single play down right now, [and] just being able to spit that out. The more I'm able to get that down, the more I'll be able to feel confident to be able to go out there and make those plays."

(On the pressures on him during the final drive of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers)

"There's an opportunity for me to be able to flip the protection and be able to slide it that way, knowing that they brought that same exact look. I think that being able to see, like I said, see that live and being able to go through that, you obviously hear it a lot, you see Baker [Mayfield] go through it, but until you're actually the one getting those live reps, it's a lot easier said than done until you're actually out there doing it. The fact that I was able to see that and be able to get that learning opportunity for me, I treat that as a lesson."

(On his 55 rushing yards in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers and if he looks to rush the ball more)

"Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say it's something I'm looking to lean towards, because at the end of the day, I think that every play call has a structure behind it. There's something you're trying to be able to accomplish when you're getting a play call. Obviously, like I continue to say, those guys on the other side of the ball, they get paid to go out there and make plays as well. Sometimes you have to give them that and try to be able to make a play from that. I think that the Packers did a great job of being able to go out there and make plays. When they're making plays, you have to do everything that you can. I think that I told you all earlier that sometimes you have to be the eraser. You have to try to be able to get back to the line of scrimmage as much as you can. If you're able to pass that line of scrimmage and try to move the sticks, that's exactly what you need to do."

(On how QB Baker Mayfield has helped him prepare for Thursday's game during the short week)

"I mean, I don't know what else I can ask for [from] Baker [Mayfield]. I think that he's been heavily in tuned with everything, trying to be able to continue to help me prepare for every single situation, whether it's as we go through the week of practice or if we're talking about just on the sideline. Being able to have Baker in my corner, being able to know that I can talk to him about literally anything, be able to ask him any question, it's been great for me because I know that I have confidence from the veteran quarterback who has been playing in the NFL for quite some time now. To be able to have that confidence that I'm able to go up to and talk to him, it gives me even more confidence to go out there and make football plays."

(On his feelings after throwing his first interception and his first touchdown)

"Yeah, when you throw an interception, you hate it, obviously. You're giving the ball to the other team, and especially in the first quarter, like, it's the first quarter. There's still three quarters of football that need to be played, and one bad decision does not define the entire game, especially that early on. So, for me, it was about alright, bet, flush it. It's out of the way now, [I have to] go out there and just try to be able to make plays because at the end of the day, the game is not over. You've still got to try to go out there and be able to win the football game."

(On what he's learned about himself since his first career NFL start)

"Being able to stay composed through every single situation is key. I think one of the questions that I was asked last week before I started was, 'What did you learn from 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) and how much have you learned?' I think that his composure through every single situation, whether its good, bad, things are going your way, things aren't going your way, he's continued to be able to stay the same person, [and] stay resilient through it all. To be able to see that type of composure in front of you, it makes

you say, 'Alright, I have to have that same type of composure.' I think that helped me be

able to go ahead and whatever bad play happened, flush that down the drain and just

continue to keep playing football."

(On how he's able to balance learning from his mistakes while also moving past them)

"Yeah, I mean, I think that when I say that, I mean after a game when I'm actually able to look at the film and be able to see the things that aren't going well. In a game when things are not going bad, 'Alright bet, you can't sit here and harp on that because the more you harp on that bad play, I think it's a trickle-down effect. It will continue to keep happening.' That's exactly why I say when something bad happens, you have to flush it because the more you think about that bad play the more you're putting negative energy in your own brain. I think that in this game of football, there [are] a lot of plays that are being made on both sides of the ball and the more you're able to stay positive and be able to go out there and play with 100% effort, the more you're able to go out there and make football plays."

(On his mentality knowing that the Dallas Cowboys have been a high-scoring team this season)

"In the game of football at the end of the day, the only way to be able to win a football game, you have to be able to score more points than the other team. As an offense, every single time you go out there on the field, you're not thinking, 'Alright, bet, let's punt, let's get three.' You're thinking out there, you're trying to go out there and get six. I don't think the mindset for me changes at all or this entire team. Every time we go out there and get on the field as an offense, we're thinking go out there and get six."

(On his mindset as he prepares for the Dallas Cowboys' defense)

"When I'm going into this game, I'm thinking play free, go out there, play with passion, and fire the troops up. Go out there and play confident. I think that the more confident you are, the more everybody is able to feed off that, and everybody notices that type of confidence. When we talk about when things aren't going right, the more you're able to stay confident, the guys see that because, it's the game of football. You're bound to make a mistake at some point, and it's not about the mistake you make; it's about being able to bounce back from it. So, stay confident, stay poised, and go out there and have fun."

(On his feelings about playing on Thursday night in prime time)

"It's another opportunity to go out there and play football [at] this level. I think that every single opportunity that comes your way, especially in the National Football League, you can't take it for granted. You have to treat it as an opportunity that you get to go out there and be able to play against some of the best football players in the entire world. So, [I'm] going to take it all in, obviously. As I keep telling you all, [I] go through every single emotion, take every single step of the way but stay where [my] feet are, don't look too far ahead and don't look too far behind."

(On how supportive wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. have been)

"Yeah. I mean, those two guys have been as supportive as you can ask, especially when you're talking about a vet like Chris Godwin [Jr.] who he knows that I'm a rookie. He knows that, especially early on, it's like drinking from a fire hose. So, for him, he just continued to keep coming up to me and say, 'No matter what happens, go out there, play your brand of football, go out there, have fun, and if something bad does happen, flush that. You have to be able to play the next play.' Then being able to talk to 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka), he's someone who's, I think he's very cerebral with talking about the game of football. I think that he's somebody who knows the offense very well and being able to have that communication, that confidence within your receiver, it helps you be able to go out there and play freely on game day."

-BUCCANEERS-