HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES
(On his biggest takeaways from younger players during OTAs)
"The biggest thing is how [well] they learn. They're starting to understand the system, the things we are trying to do, and applying the techniques. The study habits have been great."
(On the major goals he wants to accomplish during OTAs)
"We want to give the younger guys enough reps to where when they come to Training Camp, they have an equal chance to compete. The mental part of it, and cleaning up the nuances from last year with the coaches as far as getting our techniques and everything down fundamentally, is the biggest thing we have to accomplish this camp."
(On what he attributes to the growing attendance of veteran players reporting for OTAs)
"Just the guys trying to get better. I mean, it's been great. It's voluntary anyways, but guys have things they have to do. Or some are excused, as well. They don't need to be excused, but they are excused. But the fact that they want to be here says a lot about them."
(On the progression of QB Kyle Trask during OTAs)
"Well, he's smart. He's coming along. He's getting reps now, so he's learning from everything he messes up and he's doing a lot of things well. So, we'll be eager to get him in pads."
(On what kept WR Russell Gage out of today's practice and when he expects him to be able to participate)
"He's a little sore right now, so we're resting him. We don't need to play him right now. So when he's here, he's getting his treatment and everything. It shouldn't be anything serious for Training Camp."
(On LBs Olakunle Fatukasi and J.J. Russell)
"They've been impressive. Obviously, [Olakunle] Fatukasi and J.J. [Russell] have been getting all the reps. With a lot of guys out, they've been getting every rep. They've been running some reps with the first team, and they've learned from their mistakes. I think they're getting more out of this than the normal rookie because they have vets in front of them. Because they had taken all the reps last week and most of them this week, they're getting valuable experience. So, they have a heck of a chance come Training Camp."
(On the development of LB K.J. Britt during OTAs)
"It's great for him going into his second year because he obviously has to learn 'MIKE' and 'MO'. So, he has to learn two spots right now and he's been here every day. He looks a lot faster than he was last year, so it's been great for him. I look for big things from him this year."
(On whether it is physical speed of faster processing of the playbook that has led to Britt becoming faster)
"Faster processing is a big thing. He could always play. But when he processes faster, he plays faster."
(On how the 3-4 defensive scheme has benefitted DL William Gholston)
"It has because he is tailor-made for it. He's a big guy and he's long – he's the perfect four technique in the 3-4 defense. I think it's done wonders for his career. I think he's very good at it and I think he's a solid player for us."
(On the progression of WR Scotty Miller after the injuries he sustained last season)
"He looks good – he's in shape. He's running fast. He's doing all the right things right now, so we'll just knock on wood. Hopefully, that transfers to Training Camp and he doesn't get hurt again."
(On the current depth at defensive tackle)
"[At defensive] line, not out of pads – you're not going to get another guy up out of pads on the [defensive] line. Just knowing their technique and understanding what they've got to do right now. Their worth will come in Training Camp when we put the shoulder pads on."
(On how OTA reps will benefit CB Zyon McCollum for transition from the college game to the NFL)
"Well, you're going to see something new every day taking a bunch of reps like that just like the inside [line]backers. He's smart, he understands the game, and he loves to play. Technique wise, he's getting everything down. We have a lot of adjustments back there that he has to make. He's getting better every day and it can't do nothing but help him."
(On the progression of RB Rachaad White during OTAs)
"He's been good. He's been good in the playbook, he's a hard worker [and] he's studying. He's doing all the right things right now and that's what you expect this time of year. But, the learning – you can tell they study at night because they come in the next day and they execute."
(On his level of expectation for OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka this season)
"Well, they're high. He's very athletic. Obviously, we took him in the first round. Going into year two, we expect him to have the nuances down with a lot of the things he did last year and expect him to come into his own. I don't expect him to be [Jason Pierre-Paul], I expect him to be Joe. He has a skill set all on his own that he could be a good player."
(On the benefits of Tryon-Shoyinka practicing against tackles Tristan Wirfs and Donovan Smith)
"Going up against Tristan [Wirfs] and Donovan [Smith] everyday can't do anything but make him better."
(On what he looks to see from players that have not yet reported for OTAs during mini-camp)
"For those guys that aren't here, I expect them to come back in shape and fit right in. It's not going to stop the installs we've been doing. These guys are professionals. They'll come in in-shape [and] ready to go. When they do come in, I expect to have full competition and full bore. Everyone should be ready to go."
(On the body transformation of OLB Elijah Ponder as he transitions from playing defensive line in college to linebacker in the NFL)
"Well, you can see the work in his body transformation. He puts in a lot of work here. Obviously, it means a lot to him. He's here every day – he's trying to do all the right things. Come Training Camp, we're looking for a lot to see from him in preseason. We're excited about him."
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER SHAQUIL BARRETT
(On if the team will be going all out this season in case it is QB Tom Brady's final season)
"Yeah, I'm going to approach it that way for sure. Hopefully we can send him out on the highest note possible. We've just got to start putting in the work in now. If it is his last ride, I'm going to make sure I do everything I can to send him out on the top of the mountain."
(On his expectations for OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka)
"I think Joe could be a double-digit sack guy every year. I'm excited for him. In practice, I'm seeing him put the work in so it's just a matter of time for him to just get out there and get comfortable with it on a play-in, play-out basis, and then he's going to take off. It could be the first game or the second game, but I have faith in him that he's going to be making plays – not just sacks, but forced fumbles, tackles for loss, passing game – he's going to really affect the game. It's going to be fun to play with him."
(On the progression of OLB Anthony Nelson)
"Nelson has been real consistent for us. I just think it was a lack of reps that you couldn't see his production for us. Now, when he was able to get more reps, you saw his effect on the games for us. I think he's still going to take another leap this year. I think he is ready to potentially be a starter here or somewhere else. I think he is going to take that step and show everybody this year – I've got 100 percent faith and 100 percent confidence in Nelson that he is going to get the job done. He is consistent with the get-off [and] he's technical with his moves, so I think we're going to have a real good outside linebacker room this year."
GUARD SHAQ MASON
(On the benefit of attending voluntary OTA practices as a new member of the team)
"It's helpful to me because it's a new team, new terminology and kind of getting with the guys and kind of meshing – being beside Tristan [Wirfs] and getting a little continuity going right there working together."
(On how well he has gotten to know the other Buccaneers offensive linemen)
"Pretty well. I knew Ryan [Jensen] previously, just from being at 'O-Line Masterminds' but I've gotten to know Donovan [Smith], Tristan [Wirfs], [Aaron] Stinnie, Nick [Leverett] – all of the guys. It's a great group."
(On what he has noticed working with T Tristan Wirfs)
"He is a true student of the game. He works hard. He's a natural leader, honestly. He picks my brain and I pick his. He asks me questions about, 'Hey, what do you see here?' I ask him the same thing. It's just us getting on the same page and us working together. I know he is going to be an easy guy to work with, especially knowing how he wants to be as great as he can be, and me as well. I'm looking forward to it."
LINEBACKER DEVIN WHITE
(On taking on more of a leadership role alongside LB Lavonte David)
"Obviously we're going to take on more, but we want other guys to step up. You go watch guys like Joe [Tryon-Shoyinka] and Shaq [Barrett]. Joe's been having great OTAs so far, just watching film and hearing coach [Todd] Bowles talk about him like, 'This is the person I drafted. You're bigger, stronger, faster.' It's good, but at the end of the day me and Lavonte are going to do our job. The thing is we want to be more consistent this year with our play as far as linebackers and as a defense as a whole. [We have to] understand that when a guy goes down, we don't want to change the whole defense. Last year we were trying to cover spots. We just want to keep it rolling. We want to keep the train rolling so everybody can stay comfortable. So, Bowles if you hear this, I don't want to play Cover-2 a lot."
(On what gets him to the next level after being a Pro Bowl linebacker and Super Bowl champion)
"I think for myself to tap into another level – I know what everything feels like, I know all the accolades and I think for myself it's being consistent with my diet, with my training – doing extra [and] making sure the fourth quarter still feels like the second quarter to me. As a young player you kind of slack off in some of those areas because you're young and you can go out there and run. I think I have to be more consistent on myself and do what's best for me. And I have to put those things in order to know what's best for me, and that's more so asking each individual like my coach, 'What do you think? Where do you think I need to play at? Is this where I need to be or stay there?' Tell myself to stay there. Don't get Chick-fil-A on Monday because I had a good game Sunday. I've got to be more consistent in those fine tune areas. Like you said, keep getting into the film because that's kind of the next step that me and coach [Larry] Foote talked about, that Luke Kuechly step. I have way more athleticism than him, but he [has] way more brains and brains play a big factor in a football game."
-BUCCANEERS-