HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES
(On what he liked from today's practice)
"The effort was there. The effort was there, and guys were enthusiastic about it. We got some things done fundamentally, but we still have a long way to go."
(On his message to the team today)
"[To] not beat ourselves. Just understanding what we have to do out here and help each other because we're not in pads. We have to take care of each other. But at the same time, we've got to get some execution-type things done. So, we're working on that."
(On how players looked today that did not report to OTAs)
"Physically, they were fine. Mentally, they understood everything. Just seeing it and getting back into the flow of things is what they've got to get used to. But for the most part, they were good."
(On what DL Akiem Hicks brings to the defense)
"Well, he's a big man. We expect him to do what he did in Chicago – obviously, he's a physical presence up front. He can push the pocket and he has a variety of pass rush moves, as well. We just look for him to blend in with the guys and help us get better."
(On if he has any updates regarding the availability of WR Chris Godwin and LB Lavonte David)
"They're status quo right now – when they're ready to go, they're ready to go. I'll wait until the trainer tells me. But, we're going to go with the guys that [are] healthy right now and if we get some surprises, we'll be happy to have them back."
(On if he has any update on the status of free agent TE Rob Gronkowski)
"Not from the last time – it's still status quo."
(On his impressions of QB Tom Brady at today's practice)
"Well, he trains all the time – you're not expecting him to come back out of shape. He came back in shape, his arm looks good, he feels good. So, just getting back in the swing of things with the guys."
(On how RB Leonard Fournette looked at today's practice)
"I mean, he ran around – t-shirt and shorts. He took his hand-offs, he caught his balls. He wasn't any worse for wear. He's got a ways to go because he hasn't been here system-wise, but he looked fine."
(On Fournette's weight coming into Minicamp)
"I don't think anybody is where they need to be right now. It's Training Camp where you need to be where you've got to be. So right now, there are guys that are in shape that could afford to lose a few pounds and there's guys out of shape that are really under-weight. So, we're trying to take care of that right now [and] we'll worry about it in Training Camp."
(On the number of new players on the roster at this time compared to last season)
"It's always good to have fresh faces. It's how they can help you that makes their value, or their worth, so to speak. We've got some new faces. We understand that in this league, you're going to have some every year. We just look forward to getting them in the mix a little bit more and blend in with the guys."
(On if RB Rachaad White will return to Minicamp after missing today)
"He had a personal matter – he'll be here tomorrow."
(On if there were any updates on injuries to TE Cade Otton, LB Grant Stuard, and WR Russell Gage)
"Not at this time."
(On the importance of Mincamp for newer offensive players to begin to build chemistry with QB Tom Brady)
"I don't think [missing] one day is going to hurt [Rachaad White]. But, the new players – it's good seeing everybody back so they can see it full-time and get the adjustments a little bit quicker. So, it's always good to learn from a veteran when you see them early on. But, a lot of those guys got reps in OTAs, Phase II, and they're kind-of caught up-to-date right now. So, we kind of stayed on one field because those guys have gotten a lot of reps."
(On the communication between he and Senior Advisor to the General Manager Bruce Arians and what Arians' role will be on game days this season)
"Today was good – it's great seeing him any time he comes out here. Our communication will be fluid. If I have any questions or comments that I need to ask him or bounce things off of him, I will. But, that's probably about the gist of it. Our communication has been constant for the last I don't know how many years. So, that will never change."
(On any changes he is making to the structure of practices this season)
"I'm not trying to do anything differently. Anything I do different, we're trying to help for the betterment of the team, so to speak. The stretching in minicamp with guys that haven't been here, you want to make sure their loose so nobody gets hurt or anything like that – no different than Training Camp. We talk about situational football a lot. Again, we'll be discussing it, we'll be walking through it, we'll be running it. We'll be emphasizing it probably a lot more, not that we didn't in the past. But, we always have done it. So, we're just going to focus on a few things that are kind of our Achilles' heel that we can get better at."
(On the importance of LB K.J. Britt to get extra reps with the first team during Minicamp with the absence of LB Lavonte David)
"I think it's great for him because he has to learn two positions. To get some work at 'MIKE' and 'MO' can only help him. I think in OTAs, it's helped him and he lined up with a lot of the starters in OTAs. So, getting a shot at another position, while he knows the 'MIKE', he's getting very good at 'MO'. I think that helps him from a reps standpoint."
(On if he expects to keep three punters on the roster up and through Training Camp)
"I don't think so, no."
(On the performance of WR Jaelon Darden from OTAs and today's practice)
"Again, he's been working hard. It's not just today, I think he had a good offseason. His Phase II was outstanding – his OTAs were great and he's picking up where he left off. I think he's got his head down, he's working, he's in-shape, he understands the offense, and he's just letting his play speak for itself. Right now, it's been pretty good."
(On Brady having to build rapport with new receivers)
"Well, any veteran that comes into camp is going to have new guys to work with every year at every position. So, it's no different for him. He's done it before, he understands that. But again, it's day one. There's going to be missed connections on both sides and as we get the camaraderie back and the chemistry back, that'll grow."
(On the development of CB Dee Delaney and S Mike Edwards during OTAs and today's practice)
"They've stood out throughout from a ball-hawk standpoint. That's kind of what you want – you expect that out of Mike [Edwards] but Dee [Delaney] has been very good getting the ball in his hands and being around the football, as well. So, hopefully that continues."
(On his expectations for DL Akiem Hicks and if he expects him to be rotational player)
"No – he'll step in and play as soon as he gets the playbook down. We'll see how many reps. It all depends on the game whether it's no-huddle or whether it's a long drive or anything like that. I don't know the percentage yet, but he'll play a lot."
(On if expects Hicks and DL Logan Hall to be co-starters)
"Well, that's what camp is for – we'll see what happens in Training Camp. All of those guys are pretty versatile across the line of scrimmage, and we like the versatility of it. But, Training Camp will determine who starts down there."
(On what DL Deadrin Senat has shown him since signing with the team)
"He's strong – he's shown the ability to learn. He's shown ability to move better than I thought he could move. Again, he's a big strong guy. He understands the game and when the pads come on, we'll get to see what he's made of."
RUNNING BACK LEONARD FOURNETTE
(On how he feels about Todd Bowles taking over as head coach of the Buccaneers)
"I feel great. By me just knowing Coach Bowles when I was in Jacksonville going against him – he's always been a great mind and a great coach. Being alongside him these three years I've been here has been great. I know he's going to do a great job."
(On his thoughts on QB Tom Brady returning)
"I kind of knew. I told him probably two days after the game – I'm like, '[Tom], we can't go out like that.' He agreed with me. We left too many mistakes on the field that kind of messed us up. We were playing catch-up the whole game. I think as a champion, I knew he wouldn't want to go out like that for his legacy."
(On if he still sees the passion in Brady)
"He hasn't lost a step. He is who he is. I'll go somewhere on a plane traveling and somebody will say something like, 'I don't like that guy, Tom Brady.' I'm like, 'You don't know him. You don't like him because he is a winner? Personally, you don't know him.' Me being alongside him these three years – I wouldn't want any other guy back there with us. He deserves everything he's got that's coming to him. I'm just proud of him."
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN AKIEM HICKS
(On why he signed with the Buccaneers)
"One of the biggest things bringing me to Tampa is a chance to win. I would say that I'm happy to be here, happy to be back with Tom [Brady]. I know in that quarterback position you've always got a chance to win a game with a guy like that. That was one of my reasons for being here. Also, all the weapons that we have on defense."
(On nose tackle Vita Vea)
"I've been watching him for a couple years, and one of the things that I love that he does is push up the field. He disrupts that pocket quite a bit. It's something that guys that play with power, like myself, we admire."
(On center Ryan Jensen's style of play)
"That's a lot of centers – a lot of centers across the league, they have to play with that type of tenacity. I think that it gives them an extra bit when they're going on those help-blocks and stuff like that. I think the way Jensen plays the game is something that a lot of centers would want to emulate."
(On what he will bring to the Buccaneers defense)
"I'm just going to be myself, play hard, play strong. That's one of my talents – being able to push the pocket, work a move, get some pass rush going, play stout against the run. I'm just going to be me."
(On noticing a 'winning culture' with the Buccaneers)
"I'll give you a tidbit that I got from today during practice on this field over here. I heard guys on the defense chirping [at] other guys on the defense and trying to make them play better, to motivate them. And I think that's a winning culture. When you look around and somebody's kind of chastising you or criticizing what you've done, and you're able to receive that and try to be better, I think that's winning culture and I saw some of that today."
CENTER RYAN JENSEN
(On if he has gotten to know OL Luke Goedeke)
"Yeah, I came to some of the OTAs. Luke is a talented young kid. He's going to be a really good football player. Obviously, we spent a pretty high draft pick on him. I see a lot of great things. He's a young kid who understands the game. Once he puts two and two together, he will start to skyrocket, I think."
(On the intensity that QB Tom Brady brings to Minicamp)
"Besides Tom as the player – Tom as the leader, that's what he does. He expects perfection at all times and it's day one of Minicamp. He hasn't been here, but when he comes back that expectation has never changed. It was good. It really made practice feel a little bit more competitive today and the pace was unreal. It was a fast pace today."
(On the Buccaneers defensive front with Akiem Hicks and Vita Vea)
"When we signed Akiem, it was like we might have the biggest D-line front interior three in the league. You've got very talented players in both of them and then the young kid, [Logan Hall]. He is the real deal. He is going to be a heck of a player, just seeing what he has done through OTAs and the first day of Minicamp. I am impressed."
(On practicing more against the starting defense in training camp)
"I think that's usually how we do it – it's good on good or ones versus ones, as most people call it. It's one of those things where iron sharpens iron. Our best going against their best – all it's going to do is make everybody better and more competitive. From a D-line [versus] O-line standpoint, going against Vita [Vea] and Akiem [Hicks], [Logan Hall] and Shaq [Barrett] – you just look at our defense and you name five, six, seven, eight guys who are top-of-their-position type guys."
(On what he remembers about G Aaron Stinnie from when he stepped in during the team's Super Bowl run)
"He stepped in and there was no lack of anything. There wasn't a drop-off when Stinnie took over for [Alex] Cappa when he broke his ankle. I know I have the utmost confidence in Stinnie because he's a great run-blocker, he's getting better every day in pass protection and he's a smart player. [The thing I remember most] is him stepping in and there being no drop-off."
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