OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On what has enabled the team to be successful on throwing more downfield passes)

"I think it starts up front, being able to protect it up. If it was that week where it was something we thought we could get to and attack it – which was last week – being able to have those guys hold up in protection, giving us a good dish to let it rip. Then it comes down to practice, execution of it, being able to get it done out here and assuming some of the looks are going to be similar in the game to be able to attack the defense and put pressure on them. It was good to see last week."

(On if QB Baker Mayfield's football IQ is overlooked)

"I think it definitely does [get overlooked] because you [hear] the sound bites, you see the way he plays the game, the demeanor he has…But everything behind the scenes – in the meeting room, whether it's in the quarterback room or meeting with the O-line and talking to every position – he's very cerebral and understands exactly how we're trying to attack the defense, understands why we're changing plays. He watches a ton of tape, whether it's from the blitz side of it, the coverage structure, what [defensive backs] are out there. You see the way he talks and presents himself, but behind the scenes it's all football IQ and studying and getting himself in a really good position to put other guys in position as well."

(On his evaluation of RT Charlie Heck's performance since stepping in for Luke Goedeke)

"He's done a good job, even with more reps, being able to enter the game versus Houston on the fly and know the game plan and execute it. You've just seen each week him getting better. He's in a good spot right now. We have all the confidence in the world in him. Just to see his ownership of that position and taking it over since Luke has been out – those guys now having the same communication that might've been with Luke and Cody [Mauch] in there, and all getting on the same page to adjust protections and who we're going to in the run game. He's done a nice job."

(On if Heck's growing comfortability is a reason why TE Cade Otton was more involved in the passing game in Week 5)

"To an extent. It's something we've been trying [to do] – get him the ball a little more over the last couple weeks and it just didn't happen [earlier]. It was good to see, like we've talked about, the patience he's had and his selflessness helping in some of the protection things, but then to see the ball get to him and have some really explosive plays that were critical for us in the game. He's done a really good job with that. Typical Cade – whether he was getting it or wasn't getting it, he's still operating the same way, practicing the same way. It was really good to see."

(On how hard it is to game plan amid injuries and rotating lineups)

"I wouldn't say there's necessarily a percentage [of the playbook] we haven't gotten to. At the end of the day, that's what we're tasked to do – whoever is out there, put those guys in position to make plays and not ask them to do what the guy ahead of them might do differently – or do they have a different skill set to do that? It's been a little bit of a revolving door, but at the end of the day, that's why we spend the long hours – trying to get these guys in the right position to go out there and score points each week."

(On WR Tez Johnson's 'coming out' game and the value he presents)

"He did a really nice job. It was good to see – a lot like Cade [Otton] – where the ball was going to him and you could see what he can do when he's out there, whether in the intermediate pass game or some of the stuff down the field. Hats off to B-Mac (Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon) for the job he's done with not only 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) and getting him to the point where he's at, but also with Tez and what Tez has been able to do following Mike [Evans] and following Chris [Godwin Jr.]. He might not even get that rep, but he's back there taking the mental rep, then talking about it. He's very clear in his communication – and he wants the ball, like all of them do. It was really good production from him. What B-Mac has done with him and the rest of that group on being able to adjust on the fly and getting those guys in a great spot has been really cool to see."

(On the value of veteran WR Sterling Shepard)

"He brings juice anytime he makes a play. I know he didn't have the best celebration in the world after he scored his touchdown, but same thing out here today – he just talks and talks and talks non-stop, so there's always energy. He could be picking on somebody or a younger receiver or getting on the same page on a route conversion. That kind of energy – I know he's not ancient, but he's not the youngest receiver in that room – and he has just as much juice, if not more, than all of them. Having him around has been really cool, especially on game day. He's always amped up."

(On what makes San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh's defenses so difficult)

"They play extremely hard – from the front, through the stack linebackers, through the [defensive backs], the corners come up and tackle. These guys are well-coached and very fundamentally sound. They don't do a ton, but when they do, they go fast. It starts with Coach Saleh. I was with Coach [Kris] Kocurek, the D-Line coach there, in Miami – those guys are coming off the rock. [They've got a] really good front. They've got guys at every level but it goes through [Fred] Warner. Warner is as good as there is in this league. His ability to communicate, find where the ball's going, attack it – very cerebral. He makes everything go – you know where he is every play. He makes the whole unit feed off his energy. He's truly the quarterback of that defense, and it makes it very difficult to prepare for."

(On the importance of the screen game to set up the offense)

"It was good to see the production on it last week. It's something we do look at on a week-to-week basis – how much can you do schematically based on what they do? It is good because we like to get our guys in space – whether it is the receivers, or whether it is some of the things you saw Rachaad [White] do last week to make these guys cover 53 and a third [yards]. In some of the pass game that goes down the field, if you put the pressure, you might throw it deep or you could get one of these underneath screens…We feel like it at least keeps those guys off balance a bit."

(On late game-winning drives, QB Baker Mayfield's role, and the collective execution)

"It goes through the quarterback – no matter what team – and he's clearly the leader. He never flinches in that moment, but he'll be the first to tell you it truly takes all 11 [players] to be able to hold up and really getting that first explosive play we were talking about to get the drive going. Even on the route to 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka), 'Mek' had to be in the right spot. Cade [Otton] didn't get the ball, but he ran an unbelievable route, and we held up in protection. It starts with all 11 to get the drive going. Before the drive, it's like it was those other three weeks, it's clear communication on his end – 'This is what we need; this is how we'll do it.' Everybody has built confidence each time to go down there and try to put seven on the board."

(On how much the early success has increased his comfort level as a first-year play-caller)

"Every week – even through the preseason – you get more comfortable with the way the game's being played and the communication with the coaches. We've had some on-the-fly adjustments whether it be personnel or schematics that needed to happen. It's about having a game plan going into it and how much can you can stick to it or how much you need to adjust? I have all the confidence in the world because of the veteran leadership that really starts with 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) on being able to handle that on the fly, as well as the communication with the coaches with trying to get to things that might not be how we saw them coming in. Like any job, the more you do it, the more reps you get, hopefully you improve."

(On how high WR Emeka Egbuka's ceiling is, given the early comparisons)

"To see how it's been compared statistically to what guys have done before him is pretty cool to see. It's just his commitment to practice, being in the right spots and the ball finding him, and 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) having the confidence, especially on that long one, that he's going to be in the right spot. Only time will tell, but he's off to a hell of a start."

(On if Grizzard expected Egbuka to be such a vertical threat)

"Yeah. There was an element to his game where they had him on overs and deeper routes at Ohio State. I know he played more in the slot and here he's been all over the field. His ability to win versus press coverage and his strength allow you to fit some balls down the field – even like the one in the red area where the guy's draped all over him and he can get it. His time speed, a lot like Tez [Johnson], might not be burner speed, but you see him get behind a lot of [defensive backs]."

(On what makes San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey unique)

"[He is] really good in the run game in terms of handing him the football. What he does in their choice routes where he's coming out of the backfield and he has three options on the route is really good, and it's something I've studied all the way back to my time coming into the league. He's really good in protection as well. They use him in a lot of different ways – it's pretty cool to see the scheme and how they can fit what he does well. The amount of things he can do is pretty rare."

(On the Buccaneers not being able to get touchdowns on their first two red zone possessions in Week 5, but being able to find red zone success later in the game)

"Part of it is execution. We had the one drive, we were going down, I think it was third-and-four, we unfortunately had a drop – it ended and we got three points out of there. It came down to execution on the previous drive too where we needed better production on early downs – meaning first and second down – when we're in that part of the field. I think on the first one, we got down there and it was third-and-9, third-and-8 – very tough downs once you get into the red area, especially the one that was third-and-15 from the 20 or whatever that was. It's a very low percentage on getting those down. Those need to be more third-and-manageable. Taking care of the early downs will really help the third downs to continue the drive."

(On what he's learned in terms of in-game adjustments and two-minute takeaways)

"In-game adjustments as much as anything have been personnel-driven this year – being able to adjust on the fly to make sure everybody's in a good spot. Some has been scheme where we come out here and practice and you're thinking you're going to get one thing and if they're playing something completely different, some plays won't be as good versus that. That part of it is a challenge and always will be a challenge. You hear a lot coaches say that, 'They came out in something we weren't prepared for.' [For two-minute] when we know what we're getting to, what the plays are, and it's things we know at heart, that way guys are in the right spot and can play fast. They're not thinking about the moment, they're just executing plays we've run since April. That way, they have the confidence to go do it. Especially being able to start off drives with a big play gets the juice going for everybody – especially the sideline – to be able to go out there and operate."

(On if he saves certain plays for two-minute situations)

"I wouldn't say it's necessarily saved for that. That particular [throw to Emeka Egbuka] was something we meant to get to beforehand. But those are one of those situations where after you've had essentially four quarters of football, now you're thinking, 'What's the best thing to start with?' Hopefully that schematically fits against what they're doing. It's not necessarily, 'If we start two-minute, we're definitely going to this play.'"

(On how much a long-distance, cross-country win against a tough opponent like the Seattle Seahawks can build a team's confidence)

"It does build a lot of confidence in the fact that we were able to go on the road and stayed together in a very loud, very cool environment. I had never been out there – that place was rocking. To be able to keep the pressure on and get the win, and the camaraderie that's associated with any road game because of the time you spend in the hotel and on the plane – especially coming back – hopefully should build off that each week. I know we're back at home, but being able to go on the road and [say], 'We've done this there; let's keep this rolling.'"

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On some of the challenges the defense has had with coverage for their linebackers)

"We play a lot of zone. We have a game plan, but you want [those] guys to have a natural feel, instincts [have] to take over, you [have] to read the quarterback, you [have] to anticipate, you [have] to study stacks and bunches and how they are trying to attack us, but you have to have feel. You have to have a feel for underneath coverage, [have] to read the quarterbacks. Some of the savvy ones can lie to you better than other ones. It is just a natural feel, you [have] to anticipate, you [have] to hit your landmark. [In] what we are trying to get accomplished, you [have] to do that first, but then you [have] to have your natural feel and that comes with time. You [have] to anticipate, really."

(On if the coverage from the linebackers is getting better throughout the season)

"It ebbs and flows right now. Last week did not show it. It is tough, especially reading the quarterback and [when] that ball comes out, you have to transition [from the] quarterback to wide receiver. My wife is critical all the time and I hear coaches... playing that position, that is not easy but looking at the quarterback then you [have] to transition to a wide receiver with the ball they might have it coming towards you. You have to work on your angles, that is stuff we do in individual drills -- some days are better than others, of course -- but, overall, I think the guys are getting better, especially... you see it in practice, as soon as it happens, they know went too far here or there. At the end of the day, it is anticipation and just growing and learning how to play."

(On the challenge of covering San Francisco 49ers' RB Christian McCaffrey in the passing game)

"He is definitely a weapon, and he gives [them] high volume. They throw him the ball and that is going to be a big challenge. It is going to take a collective group to slow him down. He understands route-running -- he was there last year. He understands how to get open. He is a challenge for linebackers, and it is not easy."

(On OLB Yaya Diaby and OLB Haason Reddick's roles on the defense and getting to the quarterback)

"The challenge for them, that I have personally -- just a little insight -- is I need more activity. Sometimes that pass rusher can get frustrated when that ball is coming out fast; you cannot control that. Every snap -- when that ball is snapped -- you need to think the quarterback is going to hold it for three seconds and you are going to be able to get [to] him. That is my challenge: I need more activity. They are doing a lot of good things, but I need more activity. Do not worry about the sack numbers and when the ball is being thrown. Each snap think about you are going to have an opportunity to get the quarterback, and do not let the short, quick game frustrate you."

(On how satisfied he is with the process the pass rush is showing despite the results)

"Well, we are 4-1. They have juice, they are doing a lot of good things in the run game. Ultimately, we measure pressure, sacks [and] quarterback hits, and we have to pick it up. It ties in on the backend, we [have] to get the quarterback to hold the ball as far as tighter coverage or whatnot. Ultimately, let us control what we can control and that is effort and getting to that quarterback."

(On if it is harder to play tight coverage as a team that primarily plays zone)

"We mix it up here and there. We play a little bit of zone, play a little bit of man, but it is a lot of match-zones, and it is a lot of man, of course, but it ties in. Up front, those pass rushers, we have to get on [them]. We [have] to anticipate the quarterback is going to hold it and at the end of the day, win your one-on-one matchup."

(On the challenge of going up against the San Francisco 49ers who have had success despite injuries to various positions)

"They can run the ball. They do not have big numbers yet, but they are still running the ball, so we are going to have to stop it no matter what. We do not want [those] guys to get going this week. They are going to run the ball, they are going to give us a lot of different formations and looks -- fullback is in the game, he is out wide, so [we] are going to get a lot of different looks. [Our] guys just have to key in to how they line up, look at the formation and play ball. They challenge you; they mess with your eyes. A lot of eye candy, so you have to zone in and look at what you are supposed to look at."

(On what NT Vita Vea does for the defense, and his endurance to be able to stay on the field more often this season)

"He is the best in the league. That is why we are allowed to play a lot of zones, because he takes up a lot of space. He has that little kid nature to him -- big guy -- he loves to play. [He] brings a lot of juice, and I have seen him grow from a young guy, now he is the savvy vet in the meeting room. He makes us go and he is one of the best in the league. I am glad he is on our side."

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On how much easier it felt to have the same starting offensive line as the week prior for the first time during the season)

"The continuity is big. The more reps we get together, the more comfortable we are going to be, the more confident we are going to be. They went through a rolodex for the first few weeks and rolled with it. Now we can hopefully just get settled in and keep rolling."

(On making key blocks on Seattle Seahawks' defenders to pave the way for RB Rachaad White to score a touchdown)

"Getting out in space is awesome. I do not get to do it a ton, but [I am] trying to make the most of it when I do get those opportunities. [I] saw a couple guys out there and I was like, 'We are inside the 10 at the seven yard-line, we have to score this one.' [I was] trying to make something happen, trying to get Rachaad [White] in the end zone."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's demeanor in the huddle during two-minute drills in games)

"I think he is just calm and collected. [He] knows what he has got to do, [he] knows what we all have to do. He puts us on his back and gets after it. It has been pretty cool to see, he is pretty dialed in, it is kind of wild."

(On what it means to a team when a quarterback is able to lead the offense during crucial drives)

"I think that the confidence he brings to everybody... If he is comfortable and he is confident, we are all like, 'Hell yeah, let's do this.' He never wavers, he is just always positive, wants us to be great and his willingness to do that."

(On OT Charlie Heck's performance)

"I think 'Chucky' (Charlie Heck) has been doing great. All [of] camp, he has been at left tackle and then [they] moved Graham [Barton] out there and are like, 'Hey, go play right tackle now.' The switch is never easy. He went out this week and balled out. He was throwing his hands, moving his feet well, it was awesome to see. Being able to stay in one position for multiple weeks is big for anybody, but for him to get comfortable there and for us all to be dialed in was pretty sweet."

TIGHT END CADE OTTON

(On getting more action in the passing game during the Seattle Seahawks game)

"It is fun when you have the ball in your hands. [You are] kind of using that different instinct [of] trying not to get tackled. I just enjoy playing football in general, whether it is blocking in line or on the edge or whatever it is. If I get the ball, that is great, if not and we win, that is great too."

(On the success the offense has had in two-minute situations)

"I think a huge part, obviously, is No. 6 (Baker Mayfield) having the ball and just having command of the offense. I was thinking about this, and I do not think people realize how big a deal it is to be past the first year in a system. Over the course of Baker [Mayfield]'s career, obviously having so many different coordinators, just having a little bit more continuity this year. We all trust him, and he knows the playbook inside-and-out and we feel like he is going to get us in the right spots, as well as 'Grizz' (Josh Grizzard) has a big part in that. I think that is the biggest part."

(On what QB Baker Mayfield is like in the huddle during two-minute situations)

"I think the biggest thing that stands out to me about it is that he is the same in practice -- like we just did a two-minute situation today -- and he is the same, confident, ready to go but [is] also aware. He is the person you want in charge of the offense when we are in that situation."

(On if practicing two-minute drills is a part of the success they have in those drives during games)

"Absolutely, and credit to [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles to script time in practice for that. I am sure as a coach, those minutes are precious, and he thinks it is important to have situational football ready for us as a team. I think it has obviously shown up a lot in these first weeks in the season."

(On if he has seen any rookie come in and make an immediate impact on the offense like WR Emeka Egbuka)

"No, he is the first -- I guess I have been here for four years now. The maturity and the intelligence and the willingness to learn and then the confidence to make plays in games is really impressive."

-BUCCANEERS-