HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On today's practice)

"We're learning a lot mentally from situational football. It's hard to go out of pads and be as physical, obviously, because of all of the rules. Mentally, I think we're learning something, so I like that part about it."

(On WR Russell Gage III)

"We don't talk about injuries at OTAs."

(On the level of cohesion with the team right now)

"For three days of practice, it's coming along. There's a lot of information being given and taken. There's a lot of guys installing things on both sides of the ball, but it's coming together."

(On how he evaluates the quarterback position during OTAs)

"You analyze them through everything, obviously – from meetings to field, obviously, the competition from a throwing standpoint to grasping the offense, making the right throws, understanding it overall. It comes down to making plays at the end and who has a better command of the offense."

(On safeties Kaevon Merriweather and Christian Izien)

"On film, what we liked about them [is] they're both very physical players. They're both very good open-field tacklers – we like that about them. The mental part, they're getting down. Obviously, both guys are learning two different positions. Izien is learning strong [safety] and nickel and Merriweather is learning both safety spots – it's a little bit much. I like their study habits, I like the way they communicate on the field. I think they're getting it."

(On how he handles the quarterback competition as a coach)

"It's a little different because you don't hit the quarterbacks in OTAs, nor do you hit them in mini-camps or even training camp until they play games. So you really don't know who is what under pressure. From an analyzing standpoint, again it's the grasp of the offense, it's the reading of the defense – it's not necessarily making the big play but the right play. Then it comes down to moxie, it comes down to intelligence – in-game intelligence and adjustments and fits and film work. You can see who the team galvanizes around and who's ready to play the first game and you make a decision from there. It's constant analyzation, whether it's small or whether it's big – it's constant analysis from now up until we name a starter."

(On which quarterback gets starter reps)

"We switch them up all the time. It doesn't mean anything – Kyle [Trask] has taken them and Baker [Mayfield] has taken them."

(On how QB Kyle Trask has adapted to Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales' playbook)

"He ran some in college. Kyle is a better runner than you think. He's not as quick as some of the quarterbacks that are out today, but he runs good enough to make plays when he has to. He's adjusted fine."

(On what stood out to him during the second week of OTAs)

"Really just the recall of information and learning from last week. After having four days off, to come back and still be sharp mentally as well as learning new things – the information that everybody is grasping, especially the younger guys coming in, I think has been good."

(On if it's getting harder to evaluate special teams players with the rule changes)

"No, you've still got to make special teams to make this club. If you're not a starter and you've got a helmet on gameday – minus the backup quarterback and maybe a backup offensive lineman – you should be touching the field at some point. Whether it's kickoff return, punt, punt return or kickoff, you should be on special teams in some way, shape, or form or you probably shouldn't have a helmet."

(On if it's tougher for players to stand out on special teams with the rule changes)

"There will be some [opportunities] in preseason. There will be some in preseason. It's not as much, but you want to see the speed and the tenacity and you'll get a feel for them. You try to keep it that way."

(On WR Mike Evans' lack of touchdowns last season)

"We've got to make that a priority, obviously. I think we made it a priority last year – sometimes it was shut down, sometimes we just misread it here and there, whether it was on the receiver, the [quarterback] or offensive linemen. We've got to get better in that area in getting him the football. We know he's a threat and we know he's a great player, so we've got to constantly find ways – not just him, but Chris [Godwin] as well – we've got to find ways to get those guys the ball."

(On if QB Kyle Trask is in a different gear because of the opportunity to be the starter)

"He's getting the reps. When you get more reps, you get more confidence. Obviously, and rightfully so, with Tom [Brady] there last year and Blaine [Gabbert] there, he didn't get the reps he should get. He's getting a lot of reps right now. It's really an indoctrination of his rookie year – getting all the reps he's getting. As he gets those reps, he gets more confidence so he's happy to be playing."

(On OLB Charles Snowden)

"He's got the perfect height, length, and size to play the outside linebacker spot. He's a very smart player. Out of pads, you still don't get to see much but he understands his assignment and I'll be eager to see him in pads."

(On C Ryan Jensen's rehab progress)

"We have a good feel for where Ryan is – we understand where he is right now. He's doing pretty good."

(On having DT Vita Vea out at practice)

"It's big. They've got to develop some camaraderie, obviously. You've got speed and power and you've got a power guy. It'll be different for them to learn under each other, but to have him out here and those guys learning from him is great."

(On the impact that DL Calijah Kancey can have on the pass rush and run defense)

"It can have a huge impact. You get more tackle for losses, which means you get less runs and you get more passes. We're trying to play on the side of the ball more. In the past, we've been bigger and heavier and stouter. Now we have some stoutness and we have some explosion up there. If those things can happen, it frees up everybody else."

(On LB SirVocea Dennis getting a lot of reps right now)

"It's great reps for the young guys. Really, we're trying to get everybody caught up so that when training camp starts, everybody is on equal footing and has a chance to make this team. They're getting invaluable reps right now, between SirVocea and [Jeremy] Banks and [Ulysees] Gilbert III and [Brandon Bouyer-Randle] and all of those guys. They're getting tons of reps right now, which would put them ahead of the curve once training camp starts."

(On K Chase McLaughlin)

"Very strong leg. Very strong leg. He's been accurate out here. It'll be interesting to see once the wind starts blowing because he's been in a dome – but he's been very impressive so far."

QUARTERBACK KYLE TRASK

(On the mobility that the new offense requires)

"Yeah, I would say our old scheme from the last couple of years was definitely more geared toward throwing from the pocket. This new scheme allows you to get outside the pocket and use your legs more. That's really exciting for me. As a quarterback, anytime you can get out on the edge it's really exciting to throw one on the run or get outside the pocket and make a play [or] run for a first down or something like that."

(On if he feels any different heading into this season than in years prior)

"It's going into my third year. I'm just feeling a lot more confident as a player. I've really been dialed in off the field, whatever it is – sleeping, eating habits. I'm just really trying to dial everything in and make the most of my opportunity."

(On what has stood out during OTAs)

"Just how creative the offense is. I think everybody has really bought into the scheme and I am just really looking forward to seeing how it looks versus a defense. You see what they did in Seattle with Geno [Smith] and the weapons they had. I think with our weapons we are due for some really explosive plays."

(On how being around QB Tom Brady for two years helped his development)

"Tom is just a pro through and through, so that was such a blessing for me to come into a quarterback room filled with him, Blaine [Gabbert] and Ryan [Griffin], and obviously Clyde [Christensen] and Byron [Leftwich]. They had all the experience in the world, so just to come into that room and just try to soak up as much knowledge while I was in there, that is a priceless experience for me."

(On how encouraging Brady was to him)

"Really encouraging. He always had great answers for any questions I asked him. They all were really good to me, and I tried to soak up as much as I could while he was there because I knew it wasn't going to last forever."

(On if Brady ever spoke to him about being the quarterback to take over the team one day)

"I was more just taking the approach of trying to stay back, see how it's done and just soaking up as much as I could. It was more just focused on getting the job done one day at a time when it came to gametime with that group."

(On if any of the younger wide receivers have stood out to him in OTAs)

"It's hard to name names right now because everybody is doing such a good job. Everybody is really dialed in, asking a lot of questions and getting open. And that's really what it comes down to – can you get open? I think everybody is doing a good job of that so far. It will make for a really good competition down the road."

(On how important it is for WR Chris Godwin to be attending OTAs every day to work with the quarterbacks)

"I think that's huge, not only for him [but also] the locker room because he has been such a great leader for us. What he has done here winning [a] Super Bowl, and for him to still be here during OTAs, shows a lot about his leadership. We really respect that. It's also really huge for the young guys to see someone of his caliber still coming to work in the middle of the offseason trying to get better. It's really an important thing for the young guys to see – you can have all of the success that Chris has had and still try to get better."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles saying that they analyze everything both on and off the field when it comes to position battles and what it's like operating knowing there is a constant evaluation of him taking place)

"You can sit there and try to overanalyze yourself, but at the end of the day, you just have to be yourself and trust yourself. If you're doing the right thing, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you know you're coming on time and being the best leader you can, and the best teammate, you don't have to sit there and overanalyze yourself. Just be who you are, and I think the guys will really respect that."

(On there being a misconception that he is a pocket quarterback)

"Well, I guess that argument is so subjective depending on who you ask. I'd like to be labeled as a mobile quarterback – that would be pretty cool [laughs] – but I would like to think that I am able to get out on the edge and get first downs if I need to."

(On S Antoine Winfield Jr. saying Trask is a dual-threat quarterback)

"I'll take it. I'll take dual threat all day."

(On how his body is feeling and if he has lost weight)

"Really good. I've probably definitely leaned out and lost a couple of pounds – probably about 5-10 pounds depending on what day it is of the week. I'm just really trying to dial in my eating habits and things like that. Obviously we are going to be moving around a lot more, so I'm trying to be as light on my feet as I could be."

(On what he likes about the new offensive scheme)

"I just think it's really exciting for us to get the movements in the backfield going and the boots away. You see all of the success this system has had with the heavy play-action and taking shots. It gives you a lot of protection if you're able to do the keepers off of the play-action. That's just really exciting for a quarterback any time you can turn on film and see a play-action where you've got nobody within 10 yards of you. It all ties in together. They've been doing this for decades [with] the system they're coming from, so they know exactly how to do it. We've all just really bought in and I am excited to see where this goes."

(On if he took anything away from former Buccaneers QB Tom Brady's eating habits)

"I'm not exactly sure what he eats, but I just found what works best for me. Just eating really lean stuff and trying to lean out. Not necessarily just for the offense, but just trying to be as healthy as I [can] at the end of the day."

(On working with Quarterbacks Coach Thad Lewis)

"Really good. Everyone in that quarterback room has some really good experience. Everybody has something to offer that they've seen before that they can teach everybody in the room. It's just really cool to always be around experienced guys. You're just always learning something new every day."

(On if he has a signature run from his collegiate career at Florida that sticks out to him)

"There probably wasn't too many to pick from, but it's still hard to think. I'd have to go back and maybe look at a couple of plays. I don't have any off the top of my head right now."

(On if he was a bigger quarterback in college)

"Yeah, I was a little chunkier back then. I've definitely lost some good weight since then. That was that quarterback power body, so that was a little bit different [laughs]."

(On how he expects Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson will do during his rookie season)

"Really good, really good. Obviously, a lot of people ask me about him and our time together at Florida and I think he was just such a good kid to be around. He was very respectful, very hard-working always and always eager to learn. That's something you'd love to see with any teammate of yours. It's no surprise to me. Everyone always asks me, are you surprised by the success he had? I tell them, 'It's no surprise to me.' I think he's going to do some really good things."

(On how his relationship with QB Baker Mayfield is developing)

"Really good. I think the whole quarterback room that they've built is really good. Like I said, everyone has great experience and something to offer. They've played a lot of snaps of football and have seen a lot of things in a similar offensive setting too, so there is a lot of stuff for everybody to learn."

(On if he writes down goals)

"I don't necessarily write down any goals. I feel like I probably should, but I don't. I just try to get a little bit better every day. One thing for me is just trying to pick out one thing while I am at practice, and if I can improve on at least one thing every day then I will be able to just stack a foundation and keep it growing."

(On if he can sense him and QB Baker Mayfield pushing each other)

"Yeah, but that's the point of sports. We love competition. We've been competing our whole lives in this sport, so obviously there is no bad blood or anything like that. We're just pushing each other and making sure we are always getting better every day."

(On how he is as a trash-talker)

"In the trash-talking category? I don't know, you've got to get me pretty riled up. I try to keep my cool. It's a case-by-case basis, I guess [laughs]."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On the difference between playing in free safety versus the role he played last year)

"I would say it's similar to what I was doing last year, it's just I'll probably be in the middle of the field more. So, I like having that freedom to roam around, be in the middle of the field and have that presence all over."

(On what changes he has seen in Trask)

"I would say he's smarter. I remember facing him early on, there's still some things he needs to work on, but I feel like he's getting the game more, [mentally]."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles saying Trask is deceiving and can run)

"Yeah, he's a dual-threat quarterback. Don't get mistaken now, he can run a little bit."

(On how it's been playing against QB Baker Mayfield)

"It's been fun, it's different but it's been fun. We talk trash in between periods every now and then but he's also a great quarterback. I love his mentality towards the game and he's fun to practice against."

(On the key to getting more interceptions this season and if they need to get their hands on the ball more)

"Definitely more. That's one of the goals that we've been trying to get better on each and every year but especially this year because we've got to have more turnovers because that ultimately leads to offense getting more opportunities with the ball and us getting better chances to win the game."

(On if getting more tipped passes are a goal too)

"Everything. When the ball is in the air it's got to be ours this year."

(On if moving back to free safety can help the secondary get more interceptions)

"Yeah, 100 percent because I'm more in the middle of the field, [and] I'm able to play around and cover different things a little differently than playing in the slot over slot receivers, so definitely."

(On General Manager Jason Licht adding pieces to the defensive line this offseason)

"Oh, I love it because when you've got a good front-seven that puts the pressure on the quarterback then that allows us to get some more balls. So, I love all the [draft] picks that we had this year."

(On if he has noticed anything about DLCalijah Kancey)

"I chopped it up with him a little bit but not too much. I'm still getting in around the players, so I've got to chop it up with him a little more."

(On if he notices Kancey's quickness)

"Yeah, he's coming off the ball, I love it."

(On how these workouts are now compared to when he was a rookie)

"Well, what's crazy is this is my first OTAs. For my first two years we didn't have OTAs. This is my first one and I love it, [because] it gets us here faster and quicker, so I like being out here, being around all the guys and actually working football specifics early on."

(On the Buccaneers being considered underdogs going into 2023)

"I love it, I love being an underdog. It's always great that way, it's better."

(On QB Baker Mayfield trash talking him and if he can sense his competitiveness)

"Yeah, you can tell he's a competitor just by the trash talking we have between periods and stuff like that. So, you've got to love that coming from your quarterback."

(On who's winning the trash talking battle between him and quarterback Baker Mayfield)

"Between me and him? Oh, me all day, I'll take myself all day. He knows it too."

-BUCCANEERS-