OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BYRON LEFTWICH

(On QB Tom Brady's longevity and success)

"You can't really speak on what [we've seen] and what we're really seeing, right? There's nobody else to really compare it to. The consistency that he's had from the time he came in and became the starter is really unreal – we haven't really seen it [before]. There's been some consistent players, some Hall of Fame players, but man this even supersedes that, right? When you really think about what he's doing on a day-in, day-out basis, changing teams and still being a part of that and still having those same things happen – that's a unique thing. I think it speaks a lot for who he is as a player, how he prepares, why he prepares, why he [does] all those things – he does all those things for those moments, to have success in those moments."

(On Brady being resilient even when he's not playing at his best)

"When you play as long as he has, you don't play great every time you go out, so you have moments where you have two interceptions or whatever. The key goal, which he understands, is winning the football game – everything that we do is to try to win the game. Win the game however you've got to win the game. None of that [other stuff] matters. At the end, nothing matters. Nobody is thinking, 'Oh, he had two interceptions' – that's the last thing [going] through his mind. Everybody that's out there is trying to figure out who's going to make the play to win the football game. When you're in the game, trust me, just being out there – that last play is not even in your thought process, really. The opponent is too good, what you're trying to do is very hard to do – you don't really have time to think about what happened early on in the game. You've just got to go play and try to play your best, down-in and down-out."

(On the loss to the Panthers in Week 7)

"Oh yeah, you watch everything. You watch the last couple of times you played these guys. From a personnel standpoint, you go back a long time, really, from a preparation standpoint and what you're thinking, what you're seeing from their personnel, what they're doing scheme-wise. You watch it all, you watch it all and try to learn as much as you can from it – learn things not to do, learn things to do. That's part of it, really. That's part of getting ready to play – getting ready to play and understanding what happened to you. It's a division opponent, so we know each other well and there won't be [any] surprises."

(On if the offense might run more hurry-up)

"You guys have seen it before – you guys have seen it all year. It's been here, really, all year. It's just when we use it and win football games with it, it's a good thing – it's exciting. We've been in so many games like that where we've won at the end, but it's been there all year. It's been there all year – we've been using it all year, from Week 1 to right now, really."

(On why the offense is so successful when running the hurry-up)

"It's all 11 [players]. [Tom Brady] has to throw it to somebody, somebody has to block for him, we have to get [guys] in the right place. I look at it as our ability to be in that situation and win the football game, really. Regardless of what's been going on throughout the game, are we capable of finding a way to win the football game? We preach as coaches all the time – everybody goes to their team and says, 'Hey, it comes down to who has the ball last – the last four minutes of the game.' When it does [come down to that], we want to be capable of winning those football games. That's what I think you guys saw throughout the season, but we've run some no-huddle in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter – it's just that when you win football games with it at the end, it puts a little bit more emotion and makes it a little bit more dramatic, but it's no different than what we practice every day."

(On if the Panthers are a team that you have to try to get an early lead on)

"We felt that way – that's how I see football, really. That's how I've viewed it all the time – try and score as much as you can and put the other team in a bad spot so they're chasing. That's every week. Since I've been a coach, I've always tried to do that. That's really an offensive philosophy – trying to start fast, everybody preaches that. Go out, start fast, and score as many points as possible – that's really always been our philosophy."

(On QB Tom Brady throwing interceptions when targeting WR Mike Evans)

"I think that's one of those analytics things where it's factual but it means nothing, really. When you look at the interceptions and you really evaluate them, I don't know if that connection means anything – it's just one of things that numbers will say. [It] gives us something to talk about, but I don't think that has anything to do with anything, to be honest with you. When you watch them behind each other and see where the turnovers come from, I don't think they're connected."

(On the connection between Brady and Evans this season)

"Each year is different – each year is different. What you connect on, how you connect on it, it's different, it's different every week, every year, every game, really. We've got a lot of football – that's how I see it. We've got a great opportunity on Sunday to win the division, playing against a good team, a good opponent. We're just getting ready and are excited to play."

(On what Brady still enjoys about the game)

"He loves the game – he loves the game. He loves these moments, right? We've got an opportunity to win the division on Sunday. I said it a couple weeks ago – everything that we said we wanted to do, we [still] have that opportunity. Now, it looks different than what it's been in the past, but it's the same thing still in front of you. Two good football teams are about to play each other Sunday. We've got an opportunity to win the division – that in itself is fun. We're about winning, trying to advance and get to the tournament, and we've got a good opportunity for that this weekend."

(On the rotation between running backs Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White)

"That's what we're doing when we're in the game – I know who's in the game at the time. Sometimes what happens within that series determines who gets sometimes the most repetitions, but we're just playing. I see it as every other position – we're going to put whoever is out there, go play to your skillset, play the best you can play and help us win football games. We're at that time of year where we're in December football, really, where we've just got to have all our thoughts on winning and how to win football games. Whatever it is, whatever it takes, we're going to try to do that."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR/INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On what he's seen from OLBs Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson playing every snap of the game)

"Those guys are young, they can handle it. That's tough when you see pass rushers – normally you give those guys a breather. But old school, when I was playing, [those] guys didn't want to come off the field. They didn't want to miss an opportunity for a sack, but they're doing a good job. Those guys are energetic – they're young, they can handle it."

(On the defense getting a stop last week to give the offense a chance to win the game in overtime)

"It's a team effort on the defense – the back end, up front. That's a different offense we faced – a lot of elements that we had to prepare for – screen-game, lot of spacing. Guys did a good job – [defensive backs] played well, they limited a lot of big plays and we tackled."

(On stopping Carolina's run game)

"Got to bring your big-boy pants, you've got to be gap sound, you've got to be physical and bring that demeanor to the game. They've got big backs – 'No. 33' (D'Onta Foreman) is a big guy, No. 30 (Chuba Hubbard) is slashing. But you've got to be gap sound, you've got to know what to do about the ball, you've got to know where your help is at and play fundamentally sound up front. You've got to be willing and ready to come meet it head on."

(On mentally preparing for a long, physical game up front)

"That's a great day as a linebacker. This is what you want – you can't wait for this game. You love to play these types of games, especially in my [linebacker] room, guys are excited and it's really going to be who's tougher. And [the Panthers] bring that type of game and I can't wait for Sunday to see."

(On the importance of CB Carlton Davis III to the defensive unit and if he's raised his game over the last few games)

"Well, it's been like that since he's been here. I think the contract he signed this offseason speaks to that. He's the No. 1 corner, does a great job. What's not being talked about is [Panthers wide receivers] DJ Moore and [Terrace] Marshall Jr., those guys are making big plays for [the Panthers], so you've got to load the box, stop the run of course, but we're going to need those guys to hold up on the back end. You see on tape, all the rushing yards – those guys are making big plays. So, it's going to be a big challenge and Carlton and those guys are buttoning up for the challenge."

(On the job that CB Sean Murphy-Bunting did last week against Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins)

"He was locked in, he was locked in. He has the experience playing outside – he did a good job for us. That was a big-time challenge last week playing against Hopkins and those guys. It's December – they've been there, done that – they know what it takes to win during this time of the year and those guys are locked in."

(On if there is a key to making sure the defense has fresher legs later in the game)

"It's December-ball. We've got to stop those guys. The tape tells us it's going to be a long game – [we've] got to get off the field. It's like one of those heavy-weight fights – they're going to keep punching and punching. We're going to see who wears down first."

QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

(On consistently battling for division titles in his career)

"I think the important part is it's something that's earned. There's nothing given, and there's nothing you really take for granted. Every year is something different, and I think obviously this year has been…for all of us, dealt with some injuries and dealt with a lot of different lineup changes and some tough games and a lot of tough calls and close calls. But we have an opportunity now to do something really positive and that's beat a team that's been playing well. I think they've won four of five or something like that. They're playing hard, they run the ball well, they're good on defense, really well prepared. It's a big challenge, it's a great opportunity and you don't take it for granted. You just go out there and you cut it loose and you play your best. That's what this team has an opportunity to do."

(On his connection with WR Russell Gage Jr. picking up)

"He's done a great job. Again, he's dealt with some injury in the spring and then in summer camp and at different points throughout the season. But it looks like he's feeling more like himself and he's playing really well. He's got a great skillset. I know that's why obviously we signed him, because we thought he could contribute in the way that he has the last few weeks. It's great to get production. Everyone who's really out there has to be able to produce for us. All of us have a very important job. When you dress for the game, you've got to make yards, you've got to make first downs, you've got to make catches, you've got to do those things that the team is really counting on. Russ did a great job of that, and everyone has a lot of confidence in him. Everyone's got a lot of confidence in Julio [Jones], obviously in Breshad [Perriman] and Scotty [Miller], and in Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin], the regulars. We've just got to do some things a little bit better."

(On seven of his nine interceptions being on passes to WR Mike Evans)

"I think everything has been a little…this year, it just hasn't been as good as we would have probably all hoped from the beginning of the year, but that's the reality of where we're at. I love Mike. I love playing with Mike, I love being out there with him. He's a fighter, he's a warrior, he's so tough, he's talented and I've got to make better throws. At the end of the day, I've got to do a better job getting him the ball."

(On having C Ryan Jensen on the field for practice again)

"It's good. It's definitely good. I mean, everyone loves having Ryan out there. He's kind of a pain in the butt when he's in the locker room by himself. It's nice to get him on the field and he gets [in] a little more of a happier place. I think we're all a little happier when we're out there. But it's great to have him out there. We love having him out there."

(On what will determine his decision on retirement)

"Honestly, it's the furthest thing from my mind. I'm just going to go out there and try to play a great game this week. Our biggest games are ahead of us. We've got to do a good job and I've got to play quarterback, I've got to prepare well and that's what I'm thinking about."

(On having spent exactly half of his life in the NFL as of Thursday)

"Wow, that's crazy. That's crazy. That's crazy – there's stats and data everywhere. It's a data-driven world, but that's crazy. That's hard for me to imagine. I've loved it. I've certainly loved my opportunity to play. It's been a lot of memories and relationships, and I've certainly had my fair share of those."

(On what former Head Coach Bruce Arians has meant to the second chapter in his career)

"He's been amazing. He's a big reason why I came here. He's just a great person, he's a great leader, he's obviously a great coach, Coach of the Year a couple times. But he's going into the Bucs' Ring of Honor because he's a Super Bowl-winning coach, as he should be. That was a magical year and it's nice to be able to be celebrated for when you do amazing things, and he certainly is. He'll have great support. I have a great relationship with him. I can't say enough good things about him and how I feel about him. I think we're going to be friends for a long time. Really happy for him and his family, and he's very deserving. He's had an amazing coaching life and journey. He's been around some great players, some great coaches, and he's really built a winning foundation here, which is pretty spectacular."

(On what he takes from his time with Arians as his coach)

"Every minute of it, I've loved, from the day that I kind of got recruited to come here. He was, if not the first then the second person to call, him and Jason [Licht]. I didn't know, obviously, what my future held, but he's just great style of communication. He makes you feel comfortable right away, and I got really comfortable with the thought of being here. And when I got here, it was no different. We started off, you're always getting to know someone, and getting to know people, a lot of people I had to get to know. I just love my time here. I loved my time with him, and everyone here. It's been amazing. Bruce coming here was a big part of the reason why this team got to where it got to. He provided great leadership. A lot of tough decisions are made, in terms of we've got to keep this guy and get rid of that guy, and we've got to make these plays. He has a great knack and intuition for making the right decisions."

(On the Eagles' Jalen Hurts success on QB sneaks this season)

"Yeah, it's a great tool to have and I like the way they're doing it. They're kind of making it like a rugby scrum a little bit, putting a lot of bodies in there, which is kind of a new take on it. It will be interesting to see how defenses start to defend that. But he's doing a great job and he's a great young player. He's throwing the ball well, running it well, sneaking it well, they're scoring touchdowns. They've got a great team."

-BUCCANEERS-