HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On if there's an update on the statuses of WR Chris Godwin Jr., RB Bucky Irving, or OLB Haason Reddick, and if any of them might return to practice this week)

"They're coming along. Obviously, they're getting treatment and they're training. They do a lot of stuff in the morning. So, when they're capable of coming back out there doing more, we'll have them do more. It's possible. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

(On how T Luke Goedeke looked in practice on Wednesday)

"He was limited. It was just good to see him out there running around. Obviously, he's got to go through some things and we've got to get in pads and he's got to do quite a few things, but it was good to see him out there moving." –

(On whether the team came close to making a move at the trade deadline, and if compensation was the issue)

"I think it's always a matter of compensation. Things [were] discussed, but nothing really materialized close."

(On if standing pat at the trade deadline reflects confidence in injured players returning down the stretch)

"It's not just confidence. It's just a matter of things working out how you want them to work out. It's not a confidence thing with the other guys, or it's not a detriment [thing] at the same time if we don't get anybody…It's just, you see some things that can try to make you better, and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't fit you and it doesn't fit what you're trying to do, then you just move on."

(On when exactly the team found out about the extent of WR Jalen McMillan's neck injury after Bowles had previously referred to it as "severely sprained")

"It was a little while after that. We kind of knew it. I mean, it was a while after that, but we kind of knew it when he got tests – as he went and got more tests done. So, as far as we're concerned, you know, it was very similar to what he had, but it just takes longer to heal."

(Why the 'fracture' wording wasn't mentioned earlier)

"He would be out the same length of time. I'm not a doctor, and I really don't have a reason to give you for that. He's going to be out the same amount of time."

(On whether the team is still eyeing a December return for WR Jalen McMillan)

"We'll see how it heals."

(On how McMillan is doing mentally and physically)

"Mentally, he's tough. He's been in the building. I mean, everybody's seen him. He comes around. So, he's been good."

(On what impresses him about the New England Patriots)

"[They're a] tough football team. I think [Mike] Vrabel does a very good job getting those guys ready – crossing the t's and dotting their i's. They're very tough defensively up front. Offensively, they're huge. The quarterback's playing out of the world right now – he's playing great ball with his legs and his arm. [He] has a great touch and great feel for everything they're doing, and they're really on a roll."

(On how the team can maintain its defensive momentum through the Bye Week)

"Just starting over, doing the little things right. At this point, everybody has seen what you're going to do, you've seen what they're going to do. It's a matter of executing and who executes more."

(On if he can clarify whether RB Bucky Irving's foot injury or shoulder injury is holding him back more)

"I mean, he's still coming along. He's running, but, you know, he hasn't taken any contact with the shoulder, so we'll see how it heals."

(On whether WR Chris Godwin Jr. is running in his recovery yet)

"Everybody is running. It's just a matter of them getting ready to play."

(On taking any progress they can get as far as player injuries are concerned)

"You got it."

(On QB Baker Mayfield not running the ball as much as of late)

"I don't think it [has] presented itself. I think people got it on film now, and everybody is kind of spying and keeping somebody in the middle and they're taking away those lanes. So, that kind of has a lot to do with it, as well."

(On what he can Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard have identified as areas for improvement on the offense)

"It's execution. I mean, we've got to coach it better [and] we've got to play it better. It's execution, really. Everybody has seen some things – we've got to tweak a few things on both sides of the ball, special teams as well. We've got to grind out some points. There are going to be some days where we don't score as many – we've got to grind them out. And there are going to be games where we score quite a bit of points. So, as long as we win them, that's the key. We're not going to score 30 [or] 40 points every week, and we're not going to shut people out every week. But, as a team – two or three of our units – you try to get them all to play well at the same time, and that'll help you in the second half of the season. That's what we're trying to do."

(On if he knows who might start at right guard this week if everyone is healthy)

"Not at this time. Obviously, they all can't get first-team reps there, but we'll see when we get in shoulder pads tomorrow and kind of make decisions going from there."

(On what makes New England Patriots QB Drake Maye so effective)

"[He has] great legs – he really has a knack for finding the hole to run in. At the same time, [he has] great touch on the ball, great arm strength, a great feel for the game – understanding where his guys are. I think Josh [McDaniels] has done a great job getting him ready to play and understanding how he has to play and executing for him."

(On if the team is "refreshed" after the Bye Week

"As refreshed as you're going to be. I mean, it's more of a mental thing than it is a physical thing. If you can just not think about football from a game-plan standpoint for a couple days, that kind of refreshes you. Now, we've got to lock back in and get ready for the stretch run."

(On if he was able to unplug for a few days during the Bye Week)

"I was able to do that for a day and a half…And that was like two weeks for me. So, it was great."

(On visiting his son at the University of Michigan to watch him play college football)

"He played. He did a good job. I was proud of him."

(On what the offense can do to get the running game going)

"We've got to block it better. At the same time, we've got to understand that we're not going to hit our head up against a brick wall. If they've got too many people up there, we've got to throw it and loosen it up as well. So, again, we've got to coach it and scheme it up and at the same time, the guys have got to block it, too."

(On the defense stepping up in Week 8 vs. New Orleans amid offensive injuries)

"I mean, it was huge. I mean, that's what good teams do. They have different guys step up every week regardless of what side of the ball. Everybody cheers for each other – Baker [Mayfield] cheers for the defense, the defense cheers for the offense, special teams…If somebody can come up and make a play, that's how you win games. You're not going to win games with the same guys every week. Different guys have to step up in order for your team to get better."

(On how WR Emeka Egbuka looks after the Bye Week)

"He looks good. I mean, he looked good today. He was full speed. He ran around. He looked like his normal self."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On having OT Luke Goedeke back practicing after being designated to return from Injured Reserve)

"It is good, always good to see Luke [Goedeke] back. Obviously, when you lose a guy like Cody [Mauch], and then Luke's been out for a while -- two of our guys that enforce the physicality on the offense. Good to see Luke back out there, hopefully he keeps progressing and he is able to go, but if not, still have trust in Charlie [Heck] to go out there and do his job like he has been doing."

(On how the Bye Week helped him physically)

"It definitely helps getting rest. [I was] still moving my body around a little bit, not letting yourself get too sore, but then also just the non-contact definitely helps."

(On if the Bye Week helped him mentally)

"Absolutely."

(On if his oblique injury affected his performance in the last few weeks)

"It is not really an excuse, you just [have] to get used to it, figure it out and go from there. Some throws, I did not have my feet perfect, they were not going to be accurate. Normally, I can make up for it with how I change my arm angle and stuff like that. Some of it was different, but you just have to live and learn."

(On the team stepping up through injuries)

"I think we have already shown that. With all the guys that have come in there and stepped up in a big way, some of the young guys or vets that have stepped up for us. Guys have shown it is a resilient group and that they are able to handle whatever we throw at them in whatever we have installed. [Have] to keep going, and at this point real football starts and we have a really, really good opponent coming out here."

(On if teams were keeping a quarterback spy on him in the past few weeks, or if his body was not physically able to make as many scrambles)

"A little bit of both. Detroit did a great job with their pass rush lanes and also the spy -- the scheme overall. New Orleans did not do that as much, but [I] just have to get the ball out on time. Some of the lanes were there, but also was able to get the throws out in scramble drill instead of taking off and running. A little bit of both, but mostly schematically."

(On the defense being able to generate sacks and takeaways this season)

"Obviously, it makes our life a lot easier on offense. After seeing them in practice, during training camp, offseason and all that, all the pressures [Head Coach Todd Bowles] can dial up. There [are] some guys that are nicked up on the defense, but the young guys have stepped up in a big way. Tykee [Smith] moving to safety, being versatile, Jacob Parrish moving around [and] playing nickel. Just the versatility of those guys and the health of those guys have been a big reason why, but I think [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] hit on it. They are starting to play together and realize how to disguise certain things, and it is really fun to watch. I do not love playing against it, but it is fun to watch."

(On defensive players being able to set the tone for the offense)
"I have hit on it 1,000 times talking about the culture here, the competition level within the building, trying to elevate the standard and to just elevate our game overall. When you have any of our players that have stepped up in a big way, you want to be the next one to go out there and make the play. It just comes down to doing your job at a high level and those guys are in the right spot at the right time."

(On Patriots' Head Coach Mike Vrabel "putting a stamp" on his defense)

"In his playing days, [he was a] real physical, smart football player. He has translated that and those guys are playing really, really hard. They communicate well, they disguise well; On tape, it looks like it is a [Mike] Vrabel coached football team. They play hard and it is a good, sound defense."

(On the strength of the New England Patriots' defense)

"[It] starts up front. Between [Christian] Barmore and Milton Williams, two really good interior defensive line players. From there, their defensive backs are making a lot of plays. They had some changes, a couple guys traded off, but defensive backs are playing aggressive because that front is getting some pass rush."

(On what he likes about New England LB Robert Spillane's tape)

"[He is a] tackling machine. [He] seems to always be around the ball. That is his study habits or just knowing the game and schemes; he does a really good job at that recognition of certain plays, and just flying until the echo of the whistle."

(On if he talked to Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard during the Bye Week, and how Grizzard has handled some adversity the offense has gone through the few weeks before the Bye Week)

"Did not talk to him during the bye, blocked his phone number... Did not want to hear anything from him... But no, he has handled it well; you talk about guys dropping like flies and good play callers always said adjust to what they have on the field. They call it to their players' strengths and Josh [Grizzard] has done a really good job of that and adjusted, and continue to do that as we go along in the season."

(On the team not making a trade before the trade deadline, and if it is a morale boost for the team to know that the front office has confidence in them)

"The history of how Jason [Licht] has done things, that is how it is. You do not expect anything, and we have said we feel really good about the team we have from the beginning. You always run the risk of bringing in somebody that might throw off the culture a little bit. There is always that risk, unless you bring in Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson out of retirement, I do not think we had any other options. We trust what we have; [it is] just getting healthy and trying to get guys back on the field and still communicating and trust in who we have."

(On how his experience on the Monday Night Football Manning Cast was)

"It was fun. Those guys make it easy. Peyton [Manning] definitely takes it more seriously than Eli [Manning] does."

(On if Peyton Manning was upset that he brought out the Oklahoma Sooners gear)

"He probably took it a little personally."

(On OT Tristan Wirfs commenting on his ice-skating abilities during an in-game interview at a Tampa Bay Lightning game)

"I believe it. Anytime you grow up in Iowa, I am sure there is not a whole lot to do in the wintertime. So, whether he was skating or not, those have to be some really, really strong reinforced skates to hold him up. Then again, that would not be surprising considering how athletic he is in all the videos of him jumping out of the pool and all that stuff."

(On if his football playstyle could translate to a hockey career)

"I would try; [I] already have the gap in my teeth, so if I just lost one, I would look pretty good. [I would] look natural out there."

(On what he likes about Patriots' QB Drake Maye's game)

"First of all, Drake [Maye][as a person -- I love Drake, really good guy. But, just how he is playing, efficient. I think the down-the-field passing is something that he was really good at in college, and it is translating now. You can just tell he is getting comfortable. [The] game is slowing down for him, he is athletic -- although he is a big guy -- he can take off and run. He is using all the attributes that he has."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER ANTHONY NELSON

(On winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 8)

"It is good, games like that do not come around often. It was a special one for me, but it was a good road win in the division. It was all good vibes going into the Bye Week."

(On what he did with the game ball he got after his performance against the New Orleans Saints game)

"I took it home and my son [and I] threw it around the house a little bit. So, I am not sure where it is at. It is in my house somewhere, I have to ask him where it is, I do not know if he will remember."

(On what it is like for the defense when they create turnovers and big plays on a consistent basis)
"I think it is just contagious. That is all we practice, that is what is emphasized when we talk about it. Once one person starts the game off that way, it just seems like we get that snowball rolling, and we just keep going. It is fun when you get into those rhythms when we are attacking the ball and playing aggressively."

(On what has been key to getting more takeaways this season than previous years)

"Like I already talked about, just emphasizing it -- talking about it. [It is also] playing loose and aggressive, we are all playing aggressive out there and feed off the energy, and it gets that going for us."

(On the difficulty of playing a quarterback like Patriots' QB Drake Maye regarding his ability to scramble)

"They can just beat you in so many ways. He is very good, and quarterbacks around the league, it seems like every week it is the same question. He is special with his legs, [and] he can pick you apart with his arm. They are a good offense, and he just gives you a lot of different things to worry about, which really requires us to be on our job, all 11, every play. There is a lot going on and a lot could happen on every play."

(On what is key to avoiding a slump after the Bye Week)

"The work is never done. We had a pretty good first eight games, but there is a lot of stuff to correct. If you are not on it, this league will eat you up fast. You see it every week, so just keep that mentality and understand that we are trying to take steps forward. Whatever we have to do, we have to scratch and claw and just have to have that mentality of keep moving forward."

CENTER GRAHAM BARTON

(On what the Bye Week helped with for the team)
"I think that was huge for our team. Offensively speaking, tough couple of weeks there leading up to the Bye Week. I think having a week to refresh and reset and maybe hang out with some friends and family and ground yourself a little bit -- remind yourself that there are other things in the world besides football... It is good to get away for a second. I think it brings you back stronger mentally and physically. I thought we came out today and had a great Wednesday. A lot of energy, guys were flying around and practicing hard. I think that is the benefit of having a Bye Week, a refresher mentally to go attack this playoff push."

(On how the offensive line has dealt with injury adversity the whole season)

"The team has been through a lot of stuff this year, off the field and on the field. You just have to stick together. You guys are great, but sometimes you have to ignore the outside noise in the media and leave that to you guys, because it can be hard when you have the injuries that we have had and the rotation that we have had and guys coming in and out. You just have to stick together, you have to keep your heads down, and that is the beauty of football. You lean on your teammates and guys in the locker room. Like I said, keep your head down, keep working and we will keep improving. We are ready to come out of this Bye Week and try to put together some good performances."

(On QB Baker Mayfield slowing down offensively the previous two games, and what he can point to as the reason)

"It starts with the offensive line play. No matter what they throw at us, no matter how many different looks and how many different varieties of things we are getting, we have go to be able to keep him upright, protect him and give him time to make those throws and be Baker Mayfield. It starts with us, I think we have to look within ourselves to keep improving and be very self-critical. I think we are doing that -- we are doing a great job at that -- but we all know the type of player Baker is and the type of talent he has and the leader he is. We have to be better up front to give him the time and the ability to do what he does."

(On having OT Luke Goedeke back in practice)

"Luke [Goedeke] is awesome. He is an enforcer for us; he brings a lot of physical violence and aggression. That is why the Bucs pay him a lot of money; he is a really good football player. We are hopeful to have him back and glad -- I know it has been tough on him, and he really cares about this team and the guys, so it has been tough for him to be out. [We are] really happy to have him back, he is a stud and he is only going to make us better."

(On what he has seen from the New England Patriots' defensive line)

"Let me start with this, the Patriots play really hard, they play together, they are a really good team... It is funny though, I keep a tally of how many weeks that we walk into a team meeting on Wednesday and it is like, 'Starts with the defensive line.' You look around the NFL, pretty much every week we are playing a really talented defensive line. I do not think we are approaching this one any differently than most games. Do not get me wrong, they are great and talented up front. Those guys in the middle are really good and really talented, and [Head Coach Mike] Vrabel is a hell of a coach. They play in unison, they play together, and we have a ton of respect for them. I do not think we look at it differently than any other week. We are going to approach the game the same way, execute how we know how to execute, stick to our rules and fundamentals and I think just try to improve and get out of this little offensive lull we have had the last couple of weeks."

CORNERBACK BENJAMIN MORRISON

(On how he thinks the first half of the season went and what they are focusing on as a team after the Bye Week)
"It has gone great. Obviously, [there are] errors that we can improve on, but going into the Bye Week 6-2 is huge, and now we have to gain the momentum and lean into it for the remainder of the season."

(On what it has been like having CB Jamel Dean and CB Zyon McCollum as mentors)

"It has been a blessing. [They are] two talented cornerbacks who I can learn from coming in as a rookie. I feel like I am in a great position learning from two guys who are not scared to share knowledge and give me anything I need. I respect them so much just being able to go out there and play, not just for myself, but for them and the older guys, it means a lot."

(On the biggest thing he has learned halfway through his rookie season)

"I think it is that we all have goals and plans, but ultimately, it is up to God. If it was up to me, I would have played every single game, I would not have any injuries and stuff like that. I am blessed for the time I was able to be on the field. Understanding how fleeting the season goes, so just being able to just enjoy every single game. Missing some games already has been hard for me, but it has given me the proper perspective going into each week."

(On what he has learned from Head Coach Todd Bowles' defensive system)
"Everything matters, every small little detail. That is one thing I wanted to make sure I honed in on throughout the Bye. Although we were off a little bit, make sure I still stayed up to date on some smaller details that would [have the] alternate effect if I did not. There is so much to know, so it is always a good time to open the playbook."

(On seeing the defense create takeaways and what he has learned from the defensive group)

"It is cool to see. Seeing the way they are competing, going for the ball, for young guys, this is the standard. I do not know any better, so it is cool for me because this is the standard, they do not expect less. I get in there and I have to uphold that and go get the ball."

-BUCCANEERS-