HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES
(On how the season gets more challenging as it goes on)
"You try to make it to December and you want to play good December football. Obviously, you want to win early and you want to win during the middle, but you want a chance to play meaningful football in December – that means running it well, playing solid defense and getting turnovers. The [fewer] mistakes you make, the more chances you have to win the ballgame. I think we've been doing that lately and that gives us a chance."
(On if anybody is ruled out for Sunday against Jacksonville)
"Nobody is ruled out."
(On if there are many game-time decisions for Sunday)
"Maybe one."
(On if WR Rakim Jarrett could return for Sunday's game)
"We're watching him a little more. We'll watch him a little more and we'll try to make that decision as the week goes."
(On his relationship with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell)
"He's done an outstanding job over there. Defensively, they've played lights out. They've got two great outside [linebackers]. I look at film sometimes and see some of the calls – some of the little calls – but he does switch things up. I couldn't be happier for him. He's like a brother to me. We've been together for at least 12-13 years, maybe. I love him to death. I hope to hug him after the game if we win – I [am not] hugging him if we lose. He's doing an outstanding job. I know [Jaguars Defensive Line Coach Brentson] Buckner is over there and [Jaguars Safeties Coach] Cody [Grimm] is over there and I know [Jaguars Head Coach] Doug [Pederson], as well. They've got a good group."
(On potentially facing Jaguars QB C.J. Beathard and if he has any memories of Beathard's grandfather, Bobby Beathard, who was the General Manager for Washington when Bowles played there)
"[He] always had a smile on his face. He was one of the sharpest scouts at that time. He knew what he was talking about through-and-through. [He had] a very good football mind. [He was] a heck of a person – a heck of person. I had a lot of respect for him."
(On what he wants for Christmas)
"To win the last three games, and then the first three in the playoffs, and then the last one after that."
-BUCCANEERS-
