OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On what worked in the run game vs. Buffalo)

"We were really getting a hat on a hat coming off the Bye Week, and pressing on these guys that we've got to have that to get really explosive runs and turn those five- and six-yard runs into some of the explosives. The one that sticks out is the one with 'Tuck' (Sean Tucker), and he made a hell of a run, but if you look at really everybody on that play – I mean, Tristan [Wirfs] is pulling around there, able to get to the safety, and Ryan [Miller] is straining on the perimeter, able to block [Christian] Benford, and then Cade [Otton] had an unbelievable block on the stack backer, as well. So, it's not coach-speak when you say that it takes all 11 [players], but that's really what it takes. And I thought the guys – we challenged them with that going into that game, especially on the road – and they accepted the challenge."

(On why RB Sean Tucker isn't featured more)

"Even two to three weeks ago when I think the question was posed in here on that – he had been doing a good job and he continues to play better. I think you see in the game, he had 19 carries and Rachaad [White] had 10 or so. So, without giving away competitive disadvantage in terms of those guys' roles, I think what Sean has proven is that he deserves more carries. From the time that he's been playing more with 'Buck' (Bucky Irving) out, he's really gotten more carries essentially each week. And I expect that to continue because he's played really well – and Rachaad [White] did as well. I think it was over five a clip from Rachaad [White]. So, when both those guys are going and you can really have a two-headed monster when it comes to that, then it's a really good thing for the Bucs."

(On how encouraging the successful rushing performance against Buffalo is for the offensive line)

"Really good, because I think those guys are coming along as well. I think you're starting to see Mike [Jordan] get even healthier. I think you're seeing [Dan] Feeney doing a really good job. Now, having these banked reps of the communication with those guys and the physical nature they play with – as well as the way they practiced today – is really good to see. So, being able to have those guys just step in and that keeps rolling, and trying to carry that on from the New England game – where it was a really good rush defense and we were able to go for over 100 [yards] – and then have that kind of performance on the road is something we talk about all the time. It really needs to continue as the season comes down the stretch."

(On QB Baker Mayfield running more against the Bills)

"It was huge. He's definitely feeling better coming off the Bye [Week] and having a couple weeks to really get healthy there. A couple of those were the first really ones of the year where it was designed to potentially run it. So, he's definitely a threat with the ball in his hands. Again, we don't want him scrambling all the time on some of the third downs, but if he gets the first down, then that's exactly what we want out of the play. For him to be able to do that – and it really puts pressure on the defense to an extent, too – where some of these teams that just try to tackle the ball-carrier on some of the zone reads, it really makes them play it honest. They don't know exactly, are you handing it or pulling it? So, it should put a little pressure on them as well."

(On the biggest challenge with the Los Angeles Rams' defense)

"It's a very good unit. Coach [Chris] Shula has been there for a long time, so you can tell these guys have a system that they all know. They all have the banked reps of the communication side of it. In terms of the scheme, it is a very good scheme – we've seen a very similar scheme this season. But when it comes down to the players, the guys up front – I feel like we talk about it every week – but having [Byron] Young on the edge, and then having [Kobie] Turner in the middle, and of course [Jared] Verse on the outside as well…Those guys are really good. The communication between [Omar] Speights and [Nate] Landman in the middle is really good, and then on the outside, they've got guys that can run as well. I think another thing you see from them is the depth – especially at the safety position – having [Kam] Curl and having [Kamren] Kinchens and those guys being able to rotate in there. So, not only do they play fast, they're very physical, it's a good scheme, but they have very good depth where they can play with six [defensive backs] on the field at times. They can move guys from outside to inside and this thing really keeps humming. I mean, they're not number two in the league in terms of points scored for no reason."

(On how dangerous the Los Angeles Rams' front seven is)

"They are. You can tell that – to your point about the youth – they come off and they have a good time playing out there. They're really playing off each other. They get after the quarterback on the early downs, but especially on some of the third-down package. And even, like I said, inside, [Kobie] Turner is a force to be reckoned with inside, and [Braden] Fiske, he plays super hard as well. So, it starts with those guys, but again, there's three levels of this defense and those guys are all physical. They run to the football, and it shows up on tape."

(On integrating WR Chris Godwin Jr. and RB Bucky Irving into the gameplan as they ramp up)

"They're both getting better. You see them out there, and really, compared to last week, you see the strides they made even over a week. I'd say it's still a little early in terms of knowing, going into the week, where you're definitely going to get that guy to be able to have gameplan plays for them. But it is something that I feel like is getting closer, seeing these guys running. So, it's great to see them, and again – like we talked about – the energy they bring and the juice they have is really good."

(On if WR Chris Godwin Jr. or RB Bucky Irving might initially return in a limited capacity, in terms of their snap count)

"Yeah, I think that – whether it's 'Buck' (Bucky Irving) or whether it's Chris – it's kind of the same thing where these guys haven't played in so long…To be able to think that they're going to go out there and play 50 snaps or 55 snaps would be unfair to those guys. So, seeing how much they can handle, getting them in there on the plays where we know it's really critical to that play – let them build their play strength to get their confidence back up, to get back to their top shape."

(On G Ben Bredeson's progress)

"'Breds' (Ben Bredeson) has been improving. [there is] still a little bit to go before the game, but he's still been out there. I think you see strides each day, and he's in a good spot."

(On the fourth-and-two decision-making process in the fourth quarter vs. Buffalo)

"At the end of the day, I want to keep some of those that are really in-time between the communication that we have on the field. If we say we're going for it, I think as an offense, we're always [thinking], 'Okay, let's go for it.' And then if we're punting, we're punting – we go out there and try to get a stop, get the ball back, and go score. But it's new each week – it can happen in the first half as well."

(On settling for a field goal after taking possession of the ball inside the Buffalo 10-yard line following an interception)

"It killed us. That's what we hit on right after the game – well, not right after the game, but on Monday – in that when the defense turns it over and we get the ball on the seven-[or] eight-yard line, whatever it is, and can't turn that thing into seven [points], then that's definitely a missed opportunity in a game. I know it ended up being a 12-point differential, but at that point, we've got to be able to play complementary football, like we talked about. They did a great job turning it over, we need to be able to go get seven [points] – and that was not a good part of the game there for the offense."

(On whether he thinks about potential yardage needed to justify going for it on fourth down when he's calling a play on third down)

"You think about it to an extent, but at the end of the day on the play call, you're really having the expectation that you're going to get the first down – it's not even going to get to that. So, whether it's third-and-1, third-and-2, third-and-3, it's always the assumption that the play design is going to get the line to gain. So, the fact that it was one or two [yards], I wouldn't say comes into play quite as much."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR GEORGE EDWARDS

(Opening Statement)

"[We have had] good preparation so far this week. We have a tough week ahead of us as far as some of the matchups we have got. You've got an MVP candidate at quarterback as everybody knows. You've got two receivers, one has got 10 touchdowns on the years already, the other one is probably the best in the league as far as runs after catch. It will be a challenge for us, but guys have had a good week of practice so far, [and] we're excited about the opportunity to go out and play better... We're looking forward to it."

(On needing to limit big plays on defense)

"No question about it. It's unfortunate [that] it happened again last week. [It was a] combination of things that happened on those plays, which I'm sure [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles talked to you about yesterday. [With] people in and out and just in different positions, it just unfolded badly. It's bad, it's bad for all of us, we have to do a better job as coaches, making sure our players understand those situations and what we are trying to get accomplished with the calls. We have to play it better – at the end of the day, that's what it boils down to – where everybody is accountable [for] each other, and that's what needs to take place."

(On if the big plays given up are due to the amount of personnel rushing the passer compared to those in the secondary)

"When you look at the play, if you go through it and dissect all of the plays, we had more people on the backend on one of them because it was a three-man rush. There have been some big plays that happened [during] pressures, but again, everything is timing... Just like life. When you make those calls and are out there, it's a timing deal. If everybody doesn't do their job, big plays are given up, whether it's a technique assignment, whether it's busted alignment, whether it's a busted leverage, whether we didn't do as good in pass rush as we like. It's a combination of all those things together, and we have to make sure the timing is right every play because, at the end of the day, everybody in this league is good enough to beat you."

(On if CB Jacob Parrish has an opportunity to play outside cornerback if CB Jamel Dean is not ready to go for Week 12)

"We're working through that process through the course of the week. As you know, [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles -- throughout his history here -- [has] different packages with different guys doing different roles. We're just taking it one day at a time, handling the situations as we go through the week. [We are] looking at the different matchups. They do a lot of things [with their formations] that we have to be very subconscious of going in and who we've got matched. We're excited about the guys that we have. We have continued to keep grinding and keep working, and I think everybody understands that we cannot allow ourselves to beat ourselves in football games by giving up explosive plays."

(On what challenge the Los Angeles Rams usage of the 13-personnel formation on offense can present to the defense)

"They use 13-personnel -- they make like 12-personnel formations, 11-personnel formations, heck they're even in empty [formation] out of it. So, at the end of the day, they're trying to create matchups. You look at the tight ends they're using; they're very well adapted with the route trees they run. They are tough matchups down the field, so that is essentially what they're doing. If you go a small package against them, then they just shrink it and then just line up and pound you in the run game with their tailbacks. That is the chess match that you are playing, and like I said again, it boils down to timing of what's happening in each situation. Again, it will be a challenge for us, but we're excited about where we are in the preparation of it and look forward to going out and executing better this weekend."

(On how he helps young players keep their confidence after making a mistake)

"That's our job as coaches, to get them to focus on one play at a time, one technique at a time. In this league, I don't think anybody has jumped on a horse and [not] been thrown off at the end of the day. It's going to keep coming, let's line up and let's focus on the next play and the next play and the next play. You cannot worry about the rearview mirror; everything has got to be looking out that front windshield at the end of the day."

CORNERBACK JACOB PARRISH

(On if the Los Angeles Rams matchup is a must-win for the team)

"I don't want to make it bigger than it is. It's the next game up, so it's the most important game. We just [have] to go out there and execute and play fast, and I like our odds."

(On facing Rams' Head Coach Sean McVay's offense)

"[They have] great players on that other side of the ball, but I trust my defense. I trust my guys on defense, [and] we just have to go out there, execute and play fast."

(On his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills)

"It was good pressure by 'Voss' (SirVocea Dennis), so I was chilling by [my] man and I saw the ball last minute. I was like, 'No way he threw this ball.' I caught it, it felt good, [and] I should have scored, but it was a great feeling."

(On what Head Coach Todd Bowles has preached to the defense to do better at down the final half of the season)

"I would say eliminate the explosive plays. I feel like we're playing good defense if you take out the explosive plays, but overall, we just [have] to communicate better in the back end. If we do that, it's going to eliminate the explosive plays."

(On going up against Rams' QB Matthew Stafford)

"Yeah, I grew up watching him a lot. He has an elite arm talent. He trusts his arm a lot and he does those no-look passes. He's a great quarterback and I am ready for the challenge."

-BUCCANEERS-