HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES
(On how he feels the team's attention to detail has been this season)
"[The details] have been attended to. They're just being gasket-blown on the field or making a mistake here and there. The study and the effort is there. Certain guys do certain things [and] they got better, certain guys study a lot and got worse so we've got to continue to work at that."
(On the team not making any moves at the trade deadline)
"I'm sure Jason [Licht] is always looking to deal – we're always looking to get better. But if there's not a deal to be made, you don't go out there and reach for one."
(On if the mood feels any different after a long break following Thursday Night Football)
"Anytime you get a couple days off, you're going to get a couple guys back and you're going to get healed up a little bit. We understand we've got to put in the work to study, but the energy is good."
(On if S Antoine Winfield Jr. is still in concussion protocol)
"Yes."
(On the status of TE Cameron Brate)
"He's running around. He's not really out there practicing but he is running around in gear. He's making some progress."
(On why the team has been outscored in the third quarter this season)
"It's been third downs on both sides. We're not converting no matter whether it's third-and-1 or third-and-long [and] we're not getting them off the field, whether it's missed tackles or a busted assignment or otherwise. We're not getting off the field in the second half."
(On if S Antoine Winfield Jr. is making progress)
"He's making progress."
(On if Winfield could play this weekend)
"We'll see how the week goes."
(On what he and the coaches learned from a long weekend to evaluate the team)
"We understand where we can get better as coaches, as we watched it. We understand the tweaks that we want to make. We're working at that this week."
(On if CB Sean Murphy-Bunting could play nickel or if he would stay outside)
"It's possible. We mix the guys up a little bit depending on how we're going to play. He's played it before, Dee [Delaney] has played it, Mike [Edwards] has played it, Zyon [McCollum] has even played it. We're going to continue to monitor during the week and see how everybody is feeling."
(On what Rams WR Cooper Kupp does well)
"He does everything well. He blocks, he runs routes, he's inside, he's outside, he's in the backfield, he's at the line of scrimmage, he's in motion, he throws passes, he catches the ball, he's a very intelligent player, he has a lot of savvy, he's a very athletic player as well, has good size – that goes unnoticed when he's blocking but he has good size to get on you. He's one of the rare players that comes around every couple [of] years but he's a great player."
(On if the team focusing on the fundamentals and if that's out of necessity or by design)
"I think you always need it – it's part of the reset process. Sometimes you get away from it as the season goes. Some of the things on film show the fundamentals were missing in certain guys – whether it was a missed tackle or filling the alley the right way. We got back to some fundamentals."
(On why the team has struggled against the Rams over the last few seasons)
"I think they executed better than us down the stretch – I think they executed certain situational football things better than we did at the time we played them. Hopefully we'll get better at that when we play them this time."
(On if certain players are trying to do too much)
"When there is a breakdown, it's just a breakdown. They're not trying to do too much – they've run it a thousand times, it's just a brain fart here or there. We've got to get better at that."
(On the team playing less cover zero)
"It's based on the opponent and the protection schemes as far as that's concerned. It's always in the gameplan, it's just a matter of whether it gets called."
(On how the team can move past the slow start)
"It's accountability to each other – they're out on the field together, understanding how to prepare and doing things the right way. We're all in this boat together – nobody is pointing fingers or anything else. The only thing that can get us out of it is ourselves. When we start making a play here or there, it becomes contagious. We've got to keep working at that and that's what football is – you've got to go out and believe and make plays. It comes with the little things – [if] we do the little things right, the big things will come."
(On if players are holding each other accountable)
"All the time. All the time."
(On what makes Rams Head Coach Sean McVay so difficult to scheme against)
"He's the head coach, it's his offense. They have a very good offense, he has a very good scheme that he runs. He's a very intelligent guy. They can do power running, they can do edge running, they can do boot-quick-game, they have deep game – they have a lot of guys that are very smart players. They do a very good job with the offensive line – they have some big guys down there [and] they protect each other very well. It makes it tough to play when you have a signal caller that tries to keep you off balance all the time."
(On how frustrating the lack of takeaways have been)
"It's always frustrating when you don't get takeaways – that's what we try to do all the time. Part of the issue of helping us score is getting takeaways on defense. We've got to continue to work on that. Hopefully they come in bunches."
(On if he's worried about losing anybody's attention if the losses continue)
"No, not at all – it's adversity, you go through that in life [and] you go through that in football. It's how you come out of it and reacts towards it which makes you a better player and a better person."
(On if last year's loss against the Rams will be additional motivation)
"I think we have [had] a bad taste in our mouth the last three weeks. We don't have time to worry about the bad taste [from] the Rams. We're trying to win a ballgame – that's all we're worried about."
(On how critical this week's game is)
"They're all critical. They're all critical. We lost three in a row – you've got to get the next one in to feel better about yourself."
(On how crucial red zone opportunities are)
"It's critical because they don't come often. When you get down there, you want seven points – you never want three. You can settle for three here and there but you try to get seven points. Obviously, we're working at that and we're working on defending the red zone as well."
(On if it's difficult defending such a pass-happy team like the Rams)
"It's not difficult to substitute. They do run the ball against us, if you look up the stats. They get in a good 20+ runs a game on us and they keep you off balance that way. A throwing team doesn't make it any more difficult – we've just got to make more plays."
(On how the recent additions of WR Tyler Johnson and DB Ryan Smith can help)
"Understanding the scheme is important – obviously, they can do that. Ryan [Smith] is a heck of a [special] teams player, so if we need somebody to step up on [special] teams…he was a great gunner when he was here before and he looks like he's in great shape now. Tyler [Johnson] knows all three spots on the offense with the three receiving spots. So if someone goes down, we don't have to plug in just a 'Z' or an 'X' or an 'S' – we can plug in Tyler and he can kind of move people everywhere. It'll help if it comes up."
(On if he feels fortunate having a guy like Johnson available)
"It was important – like I said, we liked him in the summer. We liked him in the summer. Bringing in a new guy to learn the system would have [taken] a few more weeks so we needed a guy that already knew the system."
(On how wide receivers Kaylon Geiger Sr. and Deven Thompkins are doing on the practice squad)
"They give our defense a tough time. They're coming along well. They're quick, they're tough, they've got sure hands – they're just waiting their turn."
(On if the team needs to run the ball more to be more balanced)
"You'd like to say that, but if they've got nine guys up there, you're going to have to throw the football. We're going to take what they give us but we're definitely going to try to run it more."
(On how much of a difference DT Akiem Hicks can make)
"He was big before he got hurt. He's practicing this week – we'll see what kind of shape he's in at the end. He'll make a difference because he was one of our better players. Anytime you get a better player back, it helps with depth, number one – we can sub guys and keep them a little fresher. At the same time, he can carry his own. He's a load and he'll be tough to deal with."
(On if losing OLB Shaq Barrett makes it difficult to get pressure)
"It does from a schematic standpoint. Shaq demanded double-teams and that freed up everybody else and got people free. We have to do some things now to scheme up some pressure if we're not getting there and make other guys accountable in certain places and play to guys' strengths."
(On the presence of OLB Carl Nassib)
"It helps to have him in – when he was here before, the scheme was slightly different. He's a different kind of 'SAM' or 'WILL' [linebacker] than Shaq [Barrett]. We've just got to make sure we keep continuing to do the things that Carl can do well, and [Anthony] Nelson can do well, and Joe [Tryon-Shoyinka] can do well and not put them in Shaq's shoes with some of the things that he can do."
(On inside linebackers Olakunle Fatukasi and J.J. Russell)
"Fatukasi is tough – he's not as athletic as the other two that are starting (Lavonte David and Devin White) but he knows the 'MIKE' and the 'MO' [linebacker] spot. He knows multiple positions, he's a very tough, hard-nosed player, very smart player, understands the scheme well. We understand if he has to play, what we have to do. J.J. is very athletic, he helps on [special] teams. He's more of a 'MO' [linebacker] and a nickel linebacker. If he has to play, he can cover, he can move side-to-side and he's tough in the run game as far as filling gaps up. We have a plan if we have to use them and try to play to their strengths."
CORNERBACK CARLTON DAVIS III
(On if last year's loss to the Rams continues to be a motivating factor)
"You could say that, it may bring up some memories seeing them in the stadium again, so we definitely have a chip on our shoulder. Right now, we're just trying to get a win – stack the wins."
(On what makes Rams WR Cooper Kupp so effective)
"I mean, he just fits in with that offense well. They do a lot of play-action passes, a lot of [bootlegs]. He's great at the top of the route. He has a lot of great body control and he's an efficient receiver."
(On getting the team's energy and confidence back)
"It's just going out there and having fun, wanting to make plays, and wanting to go out there and beat the guy in front of you – winning your one-on-one matchups. And when we win, that brings juice. When you get stops, that brings juice. When you make plays, that brings juice. You got to focus on making plays, being aggressive and focus on attacking."
(On how the team has responded to a three-game losing streak)
"I mean, we're just taking it one day at a time – trying to get back on track. Nobody's immune to obstacles and not having the season go your way. It's football. And we're going to battle through it."
(On if there are signs that this team can turn things around)
"Oh, for sure…We've got the same people we've done it with. Like I said, in football, things don't always go your way – so what are you going to do when you have an obstacle presented in front of you? Turn around and run away? Like no, you keep fighting and we get back on track."
(On holding other players accountable)
"I don't care about what they're saying on the outside, like that doesn't come into this locker room. It doesn't come into this brotherhood – it's a free country, so I guess you can say whatever you want to say, right? You can say the sky is green, congrats. But, inside this locker room we're brothers and we're going to stick by each other through thick and thin and we understand that we've got to get back on track and that's what we're doing."
(On if guys need to wear a 'C' on their chest to hold each other accountable)
"Like I said, it's a team sport, so there's not just one guy who makes or breaks this team. So, we need leaders at all positions, all position groups and whenever you're on the field, anyone can be a leader and step up and create some juice. So, 'C' on your chest or not, you're out there making plays and helping us win. And you can be a leader."
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN AKIEM HICKS
(On if he could play on Sunday)
"We're working hard here – working with the rehab guys and trying to make sure I'm prepared to play and we'll give it a go."
(On if he is eager to see what this team can be at full strength)
"Pretty much. Full strength is always better, but in the football world, you've got to play that 'next man up' mentality – I'm sure you've heard that a million times. And you're excited for what can be, but it doesn't mean anything until it actually happens."
(On what the feeling in the locker room has been like after losing three games in a row considering not everybody had lost three straight games before)
"Maybe they haven't been through those things, but they're tough guys, right? And I think everybody has that feeling of like, 'Man, the next one is it.' So, I think as long as you keep that mentality and you keep telling yourself that your time is coming, sure enough, sooner or later, it's going to pop."
(On if it was frustrating not being able to play these last few weeks and help out his team)
"Oh, most definitely – frustrating is a word [that I would use]. You know, you have to put things in perspective. There's a lot of people that are in their 30s, right? And they have a little sister – it's almost November, it's November, right? And so, Thanksgiving – they're going to go out and race and somebody's going to pull a hamstring, right? Most likely the thirty-year-old, you know what I mean? So, you have to be able to understand where you're at in life and take what you can and do the best with it."
(On how much better he feels after a mini bye)
"Quite a bit better. Quite a bit better. Things have been progressing faster for me, so I'm just thankful to be in this position to be able to contribute."
-BUCCANEERS-