OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On how beneficial it was to have WR Chris Godwin Jr. and RB Bucky Irving return to action in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals)

"It's huge when you're able to get two starters and two starters of their caliber. You can see what those guys do when the ball is in their hand in terms of the explosive play ability, even when it's not blocked up perfectly or they're one-on-one in space with a defender. You [saw] that a little bit on Bucky's run or on Chris' play on the third down where the guy is draped all over him and he turns it into an explosive play. What they bring from a practice element too and a competitive standpoint in their energy and how they talk to, not only the position group, but the rest of the unit, is really good. Then, being able to translate that to more production on the field is also great to see too."

(On if WR Mike Evans will be on a 'pitch count' when he returns to action, similar to how it was for WR Chris Godwin Jr.)

"Yeah, I think so. I think the same plan we had with Chris, like you were talking about, and [it's] really the same thought with 'Buck' (Bucky Irving) where when these guys are back, to be able to expect them to play a full game like they normally would, wouldn't be fair to them. But, to bring him along, allow his play strength to build up – not that Mike needs confidence, I think we've talked about that sometimes, he doesn't need any of that – but it's more of the stamina and his strength."

(On what he needs to see from wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan before they get the 'green light' to play)

"I think it's more days of just the consistency of seeing it. It was really the first time being able to see those guys move around. So, being able to see that for a couple days in a row, seeing it in a competitive nature of going against the defense in practice…Then, really, just looking at their movement skills and being able to compare it to what it was when they were in top shape, to be able to feel like those guys are out there and they're able to compete at the level that they need to compete at."

(On if facing an opponent for the second time in a season presents a challenge)

"It does because – I know with Coach [Brandon] Staley there, it's a new scheme in terms of last season but with a lot of the same players that they've had, even though they're bringing along a lot of these rookies – where you know them, they know us so we know their strengths and weaknesses and vice versa. So, being able to play them a second time, a lot of the things you wanted to run the first time or second time, you need to be able to dress it up, you need to be able to keep them off balance, and then also be able to adjust to some of the things they've done personnel-wise with some of the guys that have been banged up. So, it's really that cat-and-mouse game, especially in the game, [where it's], 'Is their plan similar to the first go around? Or do we need to adjust that to change in-game.'"

(On whether having Thursday Night Football in Week 15 affects the decision to play wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan in Week 14)

"At this point in the season, we really look at it like it's all a one-game season. So, if there's someone that's healthy enough to be able to help us win versus New Orleans, and then we think about Atlanta after that, then we cross that bridge when we get to it. But, if they're ready to rock and these guys are going to help us out, then we're looking at it one game at a time. If they're ready, then we'll let them rock."

(On how the team can improve their red-zone consistency)

"Yeah, definitely, the last Saints game did not go how we planned in the low red [zone] for sure. But, I think you saw a little bit of it last week where Bucky [Irving] was able to score from the – what was it, 13- [or] 14-yard line? We get down there again and we just weren't able to convert on that third down, which was unfortunate. Then, with Tristan [Wirfs]'s touchdown, [then] I think the last one we kneeled down in the red area, so you get that knock…So at the end of the day, we want to get those closer too, because that's a tough down. On the one that we threw to Chris [Godwin Jr.] where it's third-and-8 from the eight[-yard line], it's one of the toughest downs in football because there's no depth to the field…Are they going to blitz it, not blitz it? Really, some of the early-down production to be able to get that thing to third-and-2 or third-and-1, where some of the plays like Tristan's or some of the low-red [zone] either runs or passes could show up and not have that far to go."

(On using '12' personnel and how TE Payne Durham complements TE Cade Otton)

"Yeah, I think they play off each other well. We play, as you guys know, essentially in all of our 12-personnel groupings, it's both of those guys. So, the amount of motion we use with those guys and trying to keep the defense off balance…That play could have gone to Cade or it could have gone to Payne based on what the coverage was. So, for him to be able to get that and make a really good play up the sideline too – I think it was an 11- or 12-yard gain – is something that we can definitely utilize. Then, there was something that we had him on in the red area where the ball just kind of went somewhere else, but there were a couple of those 12-personnel passes this past game where he didn't get it, but we've definitely seen that production down there and it's something that definitely could happen."

(On how excited he was to call the play that resulted in a touchdown pass to T Tristan Wirfs)

"It was pretty cool because we scored, and that was the main highlight of just getting it in the box. But, it was cool to see – we talk about all the time – the practice-execution side of it becoming a game reality. It was a play that we had had up for a couple weeks and it didn't necessarily happen in those games. So, we had a couple reps and it looked good in practice, and with any play that we design, if it looks good in practice, we're ready to call it in the game. So, to have it at that point and him to execute it – and it really took all 11 [players] on the substitution side of it; that can be very detailed when it comes to who's in the game, who's out of the game…They executed at a high level. 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) threw him a little bit of a 'BB' there…He kind of lofted it in practice but he put it on him. Budda [Baker] was pretty close, so it was great execution."

(On what he likes most about WR Jalen McMillan's skill set)

"He could do it, of course, in college, and he could do it when he got here in terms of beating man coverage, but where he got to at the end of his rookie season and how he was able to carry that over into training camp was really good to see. When you say it's mano-y-mano and that guy's trying to guard him and he can go beat him, that's a great skill set to have in this league. So, his ability to go beat the defender across from him – as well as his YAC (yards after catch) and big-play ability on making people miss as well, so those two things. I think he had a great [training] camp and he looked good out there today, and I know he's heading in the right direction."

(On if he thinks QB Baker Mayfield's shoulder is improving)

"I think so. I think you could see it to some extent towards the end of last week in practice, and then for him to be able to get out of a game and not take any of those shots…Before I go on about him, it was really a testament to the offensive line, to Rachaad [White], to 'Buck' (Bucky Irving), to him on the protection plan [and] what they were able to execute against a really tough defense from Coach [Nick] Rallis. They do a lot of different things, and those guys were able to communicate and keep him healthy for the most part. So, being able to come out of the game healthy, have a couple days off, try to build that strength back up – I think he's in a really good spot moving forward."

(On why QB Baker Mayfield deserved to be the Buccaneers' Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee)

"You can just tell the things that he does off the field is the same way that he conducts himself on the field and in the meeting rooms – being the leader that he is and being selfless and just knowing that he can help other people and pay it forward [to] people that helped him in the past. So, everything he does off the field – and you guys see it – again, it's the same way that he operates in here, and he's just the ultimate competitor and leader, and it shows up, I think, in all walks of his life."

(On him previously saying that QB Baker Mayfield "plays like a UFC fighter" and if it's difficult to call plays for someone like Mayfield when Mayfield is dealing with an injury)

"Yeah, there [are] definitely some things where you try to take that element out of it with some of the designs of the plays where it could put him at a little bit more risk in terms of first- and second-down play calls…But, when it comes to third down and you're dropping back and they're blitzing and you're trying to get guys open and get it out on time – at that portion of it, it kind of is what it is. It's about being able to fix the protections and get the ball out and, on my end of it, getting guys open so he doesn't have to scramble and take those shots because, as we know, he continues to play like a UFC fighter and he's as tough as they come."

(On if it's difficult to try and get QB Baker Mayfield to avoid contact)

"I think you've been around him enough to be able to tell him one thing and he's still going to do it his own way. We do try to mitigate that risk as much as possible, but once the ball is snapped and the bullets are live, he's going to go compete. So, we do talk to him about it…Whether he listens to that, that's up to him."

(On WR Chris Godwin Jr.'s toughness and how he looks now that he's fully healthy)

"Yeah, he's as tough as they come, and his ability to be resilient and fight through that and then be back – and not really be at full strength – but go out there and compete and play…I mean, the last two to three plays of that Seattle game, he couldn't hardly walk, and so he's out there blocking in a four-minute drill when we're just trying to ice the game and the guy can't even move. So, when other people see that, they know they're not going to take the play off…But then for him to be at that spot and he's hurt, and then he had the time off, it's really hats off to him for getting [himself] back. It's hats off to 'B-Mac' (Bryan McClendon), because when the scout team is up, these guys are in the end zone doing footwork drills, conditioning drills, to be able to get him back to it. You hit the nail on the head – he does look a lot better than he did for that Seattle game. You can just see it really at the top of his routes – his explosion, his ability to separate, his ability to fight through tacklers…The epitome of that was the play I talked about on third down – the guy is draped on him, he shrugs him off, gets up the sideline, fights the sideline. It's a great play."

(On his assessment of the offense up to this point of the season)

"No matter who's been in there, I think that the group as a whole has been very tough and resilient on being able to adjust some of the game plans and things to be able to tailor it to the guys that are in there on those weeks where we needed potential chip help on one of the sides for the tackles…And, for a guy – I think Cade [Otton] sticks out as someone like that – that's been, if you're in his role if you're trying to chip and help, and then his number is called and he has a few good weeks there in a row where he's now back to the receiver spot. Then, the coaching side of it as well – where these guys are getting rookie receivers or young running backs ready, getting Bucky [Irving] back right. So, it's really been one thing or another, but nobody blinks. I know they're all in a good spot in terms of the players and getting guys back healthy, so, at the end of the day, that's what they're tasked to do, that's what we're tasked to do, but we don't take it for granted because it's not something that's easy to do. I think they've done a good job of it for the most part."

(On the rivalry with the Saints and keeping emotions in check)

"Yeah, we try to give them examples on tape each week – whether it's the Saints or anyone else – on if we see that they're doing something after the whistle that could elicit a personal foul, or not going back and forth with these guys…I know it's a division rival and there's hatred between both teams, but we do it on a week-to-week basis on how does that team play? We just want to conduct business as business is being conducted. I know that's how it goes with any kind of rivalry."

PASS GAME COORDINATOR GEORGE EDWARDS

(Opening Statement)

"[We are] getting back on the right track with a win last week. [We] definitely had some things we had to improve upon after the game going into this week's contest. [We are] getting ready for New Orleans which is always an in-division, big battle game. They made a quarterback change in our [previous] game, and [we] have [had] a chance to see him [and] how he's progressed since we last saw their second half of our ball game. It will be a good test for us this week; we're looking forward to the opportunity to have a chance to go out and get better again this week and working with things we definitely need to improve upon."

(On OLB Haason Reddick's impact in the pass rush coming back from injury)

"I think just his presence as far as his speed off the edge, the threat of some of the things we can do with him with his athleticism and his skillset, whether it's rushing, dropping, all those types of things -- he kind of adds that to us defensively. As we get him back into the flow of things starting last week, hopefully he'll continue to progress moving forward."

(On what his focus is for the defense to improve this week)

"One of the things coming out of this last contest was tackling. We had some opportunities... thinking about the third-down play where we had three of our players in position to make it, we didn't get off the field on that. You look at that same play, same three guys at the end of the game, make the play. [It is] just an emphasis of there's never a time to relax in this league. The matchups are the matchups, and anybody can do anything. We [have] to stay focused, [we have] to do a good job to wrap up and driving our feet on contact. That will be pivotal this week against a divisional opponent."

(On how the team can fix missed tackles on defense)

"A lot of missed tackles boil down to tracking. How you're tracking the ball carrier, how you're tracking the quarterback when he throws the ball, it boils down to your finish. There are different aspects of tackling that you can actually teach, whether that's the tracking phase of it or the actual power and explosion out of your hips, wrapping up [and] making sure that you know you wrap up and grab cloth. There's a plethora of things we can get better at, I can promise you."

(On Saints' QB Tyler Shough)

"He can make all the throws, he's very mobile in the pocket and his quick release. He gets the ball out really quick. [Head Coach] Kellen [Moore] has done a good job of designing what it is he's looking at and he's making a good decision right away with it. That's what we'll be facing against him this week, and like I said, Kellen does a great job... They've had a lot of missing pieces throughout the course of the season with injuries also. He's done a good job from week-to-week looking at them and how he's paired different matchups from week-to-week."

(On CB Jamel Dean's performance this season)

"As he's been healthy throughout the course of the game he's been able to play, you see his familiarity systematically of what we're doing, and [he] is really going and going after the ball. He's really confident in where he needs to be from a leverage standpoint [in] what we're trying to get accomplished with the different coverages that we're playing and the matchups from week-to-week. Credit to him, he's a smart player, really does do a good job of understanding what we're trying to do conceptually and able to really help the young guys even to relay that as we go through the process of getting prepped for each week."

WIDE RECEIVER EMEKA EGBUKA

(On what drew him to Ohio State as a recruit with new USF Head Coach Brian Hartline being the Wide Receivers Coach at the time)
"I would say mostly what drew me there is we're like-minded. I think that's the same for a lot of the wide receivers -- pretty much every wide receiver -- who go there. We're all perfectionists, so when we're in that film room and we're perfecting our craft, good job isn't really the thing that we want to hear come out of his mouth, and he's kind of the same way. No matter if we catch a one-handed pass or score a 99-yard touchdown, there's always something that could've been done better on the rep. I think that's kind of been my mentality since I've been growing up, and he shares the same token. I think that's part of what makes the lineage of wide receivers at Ohio State so special."

(On having WR Mike Evans and WR Jalen McMillan back at practice after their 21-day practice window opened to return off Injured Reserve)

"It was amazing. Obviously, as a wide receiver unit, we're all pretty much best friends in the locker room and in our receiver room. Whenever one of us is out, no matter who it is, we can all feel it and it hurts just as bad as the person who is out. When they're all back together and we're all out there, it's such a blast, it's such a blessing and a privilege and an honor to be on this team with guys like those."

(On having WR Chris Godwin Jr. back on the field and what it does for him to see Godwin Jr.'s performance)

"It's just super encouraging, and no one deserves it more than him. He's very methodical and dedicated to his craft, and a lot of that goes into taking care of his body. There's not too much you can do about injuries in this game, they happen to the best of us unfortunately, Chris [Godwin Jr.] is an example of that, but the way you battle back is not the same for everybody. Chris is definitely different in the way he prepares his body, and he battles back and gets ready. No one deserves to be healthy and play the game that he loves more than him."

(On QB Baker Mayfield being nominated as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Walter Payton Man of the Year, and what he's learned from Mayfield off the field)

"He just does so much in this community. [He is] a true family man the way he treats everybody around him. I was doing an interview earlier this year and I was talking to somebody about Baker [Mayfield] and my relationship with him, and it's just [that] Baker is one of those people who has an inside joke with everybody in the building -- No matter if it's our Head Coach or one of our lunch ladies. Everyone does such a good job around this building and not everyone gets the credit that they deserve all the time. We're just so grateful for the culture we built around here, and I think he's the epitome of the kind of guys we try to bring into this locker room. [With] him being nominated for that award is really no surprise to me at all."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On his interception against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8)

"[Jamel Dean] made a great play on it, and he gave me a little gift right there, so I appreciate him for that. He made a great play, [he] made a great break and the ball just got tipped up and it just landed right in my hands."

(On QB Baker Mayfield being nominated as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Walter Payton Man of the Year as a former winner himself)

"It's really cool and he deserves it. He does a lot in the community. [He is a] great guy overall, so I wouldn't expect anything less than him to be the Man of the Year."

(On playing against the New Orleans Saints for a second time this season, and against QB Tyler Shough who played in the second half of the first game)

"It's good to have more film and it's also good that we've played against them already, so you kind of get a feel of what it's going to be like the next go-around. It's nice having just played them prior to get a feel, but [we] still [have] a game plan going in. We still [have] to execute well and play because it's the league, anybody can win, so we [have] to make sure we do our jobs."

(On Saints QB Tyler Shough)

"He can play. That's why we [have] to make sure we do our jobs and contain him as much as possible."

(On what makes the Buccaneers and Saints rivalry so intense)

"For me, I didn't really know anything about the rivalry until I got here my rookie year. I [saw] how it was and I remember playing them. They beat us in the regular season twice back-to-back, and they blew us out [on] Monday Night [Football, so] I'm like, 'Okay, I see this rivalry here,' and then I'm glad we got the opportunity to return the favor in the playoffs and that's kind of how it started for me. Ever since then, it's like, 'Okay, I [have] it out for the Saints every year.'"

(On if the game against the Saints will be a little more physical with it being a divisional game)

"Yeah, going in, I know what type of game it's going to be, so it's just trying to get everybody else on that level, you know what I mean?"

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER YAYA DIABY

(On his sack versus the Arizona Cardinals and having OLB Haason Reddick back on the field)

"It felt good, man. [It] felt good having No. 5 (Haason Reddick) back out there [and] getting back in the groove. He makes our whole defensive line better because there's other people you [have] to account for."

(On having a great performance against the New Orleans Saints back in Week 8 and what the defense is hoping to accomplish this matchup)

"The same energy [and] the same tenacity. It's just like [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles says, 'They know us, and we know them.' We just [have] to go out there and fight the fight."

(On what messages Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote gives to the outside linebackers room at this point to the season)

"[It's] money time. There is nothing else to it, man. It's money time and we [have] to get down and get dirty."

(On if he feels the same way about the New Orleans Saints as QB Baker Mayfield)
"Yeah man, I'll be feeling it. That's what is going to pick us up, just having a guy like that [who] is going to keep pushing us. It doesn't matter if stuff is going good [or] stuff is going bad, I know Baker [Mayfield] is going to always be there and be fiery."

(On getting a win against the Arizona Cardinals after struggling a few weeks prior)

"It felt good, but we can't stop there. We [have] to keep going, man. The message is just one game at a time. For us, all the guys in the locker room, we know how important these next three games are. Right now, it's all about the Saints."

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