HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On having Deion Sanders attend the team's practice)

"It's a normal day for me. As far as I'm concerned, it's a father coming to see his son like all of us would be doing."

(On S Antoine Winfield Jr. recording multiple takeaways in Wednesday's practice)

"It's just good to see him healthy. I'm not going to put too much into the first day – we're in shorts and t-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and t-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles' recent contract extension)

"It's always great there. The goal is the same – to win the Super Bowl. I'm not satisfied every year we don't. The fact that me and Jason [Licht] got an extension shows the graciousness of the Glazer Family and we're grateful for that."

(On if there's any timeline for the players that were placed on the Non-Football Injury and Physically Unable to Perform lists on Tuesday)

"[Anthony] Walker Jr. is probably week to week. Desmond [Watson] is probably day to day."

(On if there's a timeline for DL Greg Gaines' return)

"He's week to week, as well."

(On why LT Tristan Wirfs' surgery came so late in the offseason)

"It didn't heal. It had to be done. This is not a murder mystery where we need to find out what happened – it's about him getting better. He's in great spirits. I've kind of spoken on it already, and that's where I'm at."

(On where WR Chris Godwin Jr. is at in his rehab process)

"He's coming along great. He's on track. We've got to see what the process is for him to get out on the field and do some things. We'll continue to listen to the doctors and the trainers. He's in great spirits, as well. Again, I don't have a timeline on that, but hopefully it'll be soon."

(On his message to the team prior to the start of training camp)

"We understand it's the ramp up period. We've got to take care of each other and keep each other off the ground. It was all about having recall from the spring, and they had very good recall today."

(On if he had a message about the upcoming 2025 season)

"It's just understanding what kind of training camp it's going to be – about making each other better, competing against each other…We're really putting an emphasis on trying to play smarter in certain situations, so as camp goes on, we'll be in those situations and we'll see how they respond."

(On how confident he is in T Charlie Heck if he assumes the starting left tackle position to begin the season)

"He is right now. It's a little early to tell out of pads. I have not seen him live in pads on our team. I've seen him on other teams. He's a very good athlete. We have a different system, so to speak, with some of the different things we do. You really won't be able to tell until you get in pads, but I know he's a very good athlete and he's very smart."

(On if the defense forcing turnovers on day one of training camp was an encouraging sign)

"We've just got to continue them. It's something that comes in bunches. We've got to continue them, we've got to feed off of them, they've got to see it and they've got to feel it and they've got to rally around each other."

(On CB Bryce Hall's return from injury)

"From what he had, to how he came back, to where he is now is unbelievable from what I saw from him. He's a tireless worker. He's in great spirits all the time. He worked at it and he earned it. He did a heck of a job today, as well."

(On if there was more communication in Wednesday's practice)

"There was more talk on the field, which is what you want. There's less on the sideline, which is also what you want in training camp. Once they get used to the heat, I'm sure the chirping will start."

(On which position group he's excited to evaluate the most)

"All of them. I think we finally have depth at almost every position right now. As the camp goes on, those things will sort themselves out, but everybody is on edge right now and everybody is putting their best foot forward. That's what you like to see going into training camp."

(On if he's pleased with NT Desmond Watson's progress since being signed)

"I'm pleased. It's just about trying to get him better to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more. That's kind of where I'm at right now. He's working at it and we're working with him. That's all you can ask right now."

(On if LT Tristan Wirfs' injury will alter the game plan towards the beginning of the season)

"That's yet to be determined. As we get [Charlie] Heck some reps, we want to see what he's really good at and what he's not. Whoever comes behind him competing at that spot, we want to see exactly what we can and can't do – whether they're going to require help or less help, or a different type of run and pass options for us. Those things will determine themselves in training camp, but it definitely is hard to replace a Tristan."

(On if there's a player on the roster that needs to be talked about more)

"First day, there's nobody really standing out right now."

(On if there's a particular player he's excited to see more from)

"I think it's a little early for that. I think they've got to prove themselves to be worthy of that. [We're in] shorts and t-shirts – I can't say people just impress me. I want to see them in pads. The guys that can play have been showing what they can do the whole time. We're waiting for the new guys to step up."

(On if LT Tristan Wirfs' injury dates back to November of the 2024 season)

"Nothing else happened in the offseason. It was just a matter of getting it done."

(On the decision to put NT Desmond Watson on the Non-Football Illness list)

"We have some things we have in mind with him, where we want to see him at. We'll continue to monitor that and get him where we think he needs to be and go from there."

(On if Watson has made progress this offseason)

"He's made some progress."

(On if Watson is close to being able to rejoin the team)

"I don't have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes. He's from Armwood, he went to Florida, so he's used to the heat. That's not a big factor in it. We've just got to see what happens."

(On his level of confidence in WR Chris Godwin Jr. playing in Week 1)

"I don't know for sure. I'm hopeful. All I can tell you right now is that I'm hopeful. As he gets better and it goes on, we'll see how close he comes when it gets to that time."

(On LB Lavonte David returning for a 14^th season with the Buccaneers)

"He's meant everything to me. He's the second coach on the field. He gets everybody lined up, he talks to everybody, inspires everybody, corrects everybody, he understands situations, he can call out plays when he's out there, and he makes plays all the time. That's been a godsend for us. He's been one of the consistent ones over there. There's a reason he's played that long."

(On if David asks for certain days off or if he has a schedule)

"He doesn't have to come to me. I have a plan for him and Mike [Evans] as the days go forward like we have been [doing] in the past. We discussed those already and they have a good idea of what we're trying to do. It's important to keep those guys fresh when they're two of your best players."

(On the decision to draft WR Emeka Egbuka)

"We don't go for luxury picks, we go for picks of good football players and we try to play them. Jason [Licht] and the scouting staff and the coaching staff do a very good job. The draft fell as such to where we could take a receiver right there and it fell the right way in that sense. We had about three or four guys we were interested in, and he was at the top of that list at the time."

LINEBACKER LAVONTE DAVID

(On what it is like to be back for training camp)

"Man, it feels great. I didn't get a chance to take a take part in the OTAs, the mini camps, and things like that. [It] definitely felt good to be back out there, man. I felt like I was a part of the team. Had to earn my stripes today because I missed OTAs and minicamp, but nonetheless, man, it felt amazing. I felt good being back out there with the guys. It was fun, for sure. Everybody is excited, everybody was ready to go. So that's definitely what I love to see."

(On coming back for his 14th season)
"I know we can get it done. I feel like we fell short last year, I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year, honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what are capable of and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together and I always say, 'Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it.' We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that."

(On what training he has been doing this offseason in regard to his speed)

"A lot of stuff that I do in the offseason, just a lot of explosive stuff. I never want to lose my explosiveness. I do a lot of track workouts and things like that in the offseason. Besides football, I do a lot of speed stuff and track workouts to work on my explosiveness."

(On how he prepares for the season)

"Oh man, I just take it one day at a time. If something is bothering me, I take care of it. And then, if something that had been bothering me before, I just keep maintenance on it. That's what we call it, maintenance. So, if I may have an issue, I just keep working on it so it does not become an issue again, and work on everything else on my body. It's a nonstop thing. Get in early, take care of what I have to take care of, and continue to eat right. The game is so long, and the season is so long, so it's all about endurance. So, I just try and maintain that throughout the whole season."
(On what he has seen from new additions to the defense)

"From the things that I saw from OTAs and minicamp, a lot of young guys making plays. Like you said, [Benjamin] Morrison, [Jacob] Parrish, David Walker, a couple of those guys, can play good football for us. Their name is going to be called at some point. They have to be able to step in and plug in for us right away. And from what I saw so far, it looks really good. We have still got a whole long season ahead, still got to see, but definitely have a smile on my face."

(On the defense's goals for the season)

"There are not any real goals, not any numbers out there, but we have to get more turnovers. I feel like we did not come up with a lot of turnovers as much as we should have last year. I know we had a lot of chances to make plays where we did not come down with the plays. We had a lot of dropped interceptions, forced fumbles, and we did not take advantage of the opportunities. I feel like we need to make more of an emphasis on that. You saw some of that today, and that something that you know can help us win. That's another part of football, try to get the ball back to the offense as much as you can. Our offense is a high-powered offense, so if they have the ball in their hands, something good is going to happen. So, that is something we try to focus on, and that's just one of the main things we talk about. Especially coming in this offseason, just making more plays of the football."

(On what makes the team a Super Bowl contender)

"I think the confidence. The confidence knowing that we belong. [Head] Coach [Todd Bowles] said in a team meeting yesterday, 'We do not want to be a monster unless we want to be the elite.' I feel like that's a mindset we have to have. The past couple of seasons, always coming down to the wire to make the playoffs, and we do not want to be in that situation anymore. We have the team to dominate, and we want to have that mentality, and when you have that mentality, it can get us there. I feel like that's what we had back in 2020, when everybody had confidence, everybody was playing a great brand of football. Also, obviously a big part of that is staying healthy too. If we stay healthy and we take care of what we need to take care of, I think we can get it done."

(On what he loves about football)

"My first thought of playing this game when I was six years old, I just fell in love with it. Whether I was playing or not, I was just out there loving the game. And then that love just kept growing and growing throughout my years. I started being productive at it, and doing good things with that, and I started falling in love with it even more. That's the main thing that keeps me going, man. I always say, 'if I do not love it, I am not going to do it.' I [am not a] one foot in, one foot out, guy. I want to be all in with it, and football is something that I am all in with. I am a fan of the game. I watch Little League, I watch high school, I watch college, I watch all of it. It is definitely fun to be a part of it. That's one of the main things that keeps me coming back. The competitive part too, going against these elite guys and understanding that I can compete with those guys. Obviously, the main thing is probably the camaraderie with the guys you have in the locker room. The relationships I built through football - guys that I still have a great relationship with. Robert Ayers is a fellow coach here and that was amazing to see him. We talk from time to time, but actually seeing him, I gave him a big hug, and it was really good to see him. So, those relationships right there is kind of priceless."

(On his mental process entering his 14th season)

"I do not think the love of the game will never leave; it's just a part of the game. You have to take care of those things, and you know what comes with it. You just have to take care of those things. Derrick Brooks said something when he spoke to the team, and it stuck with me to this day. Just fall in love with the grind, and I know football season is a grind. Then once you fall in love with it, everything else will be a cake walk because you know that's what comes with it. It's a grind, so if you fall in love with that, everything else will come easy. That's just my mentality every time. Every year that I play, I just take it as my first year all over again. I know what I have to do, and I know the work I have to put in. Then once I possibly make the 53 [man roster], I have that mindset of I have to make the 53. Having that mindset of falling low to grind, knowing it's going to be a grind and I have to get it, attack, I have to be the best when I am out there. I think once I take care of that part, everything else just falls into place and just line everything up, as far as, when stuff gets hard, just love it. This is what I work for and just battle through it. That's what I love about the game. "

(On his favorite part about the grind)

"My favorite part about the grind is that third, fourth day of full-pad practices and everybody is tired, everybody's beat up, everybody's complaining and then to just come out like 'No, F that, I want to be the one to bring everybody on.' I want to see everybody pick themselves up, and I want to be the guy bringing everybody up when they are going through hard times in camp. I just feel like that's a part of the grind people do not really pay attention to. I feel like if I am one of those guys who can pick everybody up when it's tough and it's hard, then everything is going to be easy after that."

GUARD CODY MAUCH

(On the first day of training camp)

"I know everyone is getting back into the swing of things. We had a really good offseason, OTAs, minicamp, [things] like that. Working together, working individually. It's just getting back to where we left off with that. It almost takes a couple of days I'd say, to get back into the headspace you were in when you're really working that techniques and whatnot. It's kind of getting back into that and get the feet going, get the hands going. That's really the biggest thing right away."

(On the offense under Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard)
"It's relatively similar, not a whole lot [of] changes. There are a couple nuances and whatnot – only things that will make us better. That was the biggest thing this offseason and especially this training camp is we don't really have to spend as much time putting plays in because it's all similar stuff that we've done [in] the past. That helps a lot."

(On the camaraderie within the offensive line)

"It's great. I don't have anything else to compare it to in the NFL cause I've only been here, but I can't imagine there's a better offensive line room anywhere else. Every single year we've been here, it's such a great group of guys. It doesn't really feel like you're coming into work, it just feels like you're coming to hang out with your buddies. Obviously, we're working, we're grinding here. It is a lot more fun when you enjoy the people that you're with. I wouldn't want to play with anybody else than these o-linemen."

(On C Graham Barton)

"You could see it every single game, how much more comfortable he got last year. Graham handled his rookie year so much better than I did. Especially being the center, it's such a bigger mental task, I think. He handled it so well last year. You could see coming into minicamp and OTAs everyone on the offense is confident with Graham in there as center. No one is second guessing anything, Graham is setting the points, Graham is making the mic calls and no one is second guessing anything. We all have the most trust in him and I think he's really starting to feel that trust and [he's] playing [more confidently] as well."

WIDE RECEIVER JALEN MCMILLAN

(On the process of getting stronger on the field)

"It's fun. You get to be more creative with your releases and your blocking. The coaches trust you – if you get more involved in the run game, you get more involved in the pass game. I want to be a player that can do everything."

(On the battle with the defensive backs today)

"[It was] great. Zyon [McCollum] and [Jamel] Dean are probably the hardest corners to get to open their hips up. I'm finding new ways to get them to open up and it's really fun."

(On taking more shots down field this season)

"I mean we've got Mike Evans. Throw the ball to him, really. Of course, we want to win downfield and that's going to be earned during training camp. We'll probably implement that down the road. For sure."

(On the wide receiver room)

"You wake up every day ready to lock in. With the receiver room like this you can't show up and be lazy, you can't show up and doubt yourself. You have to be confident because you're surrounded by a bunch of dudes that are ready to play. It motivates me and I bring my A-game because I have a bunch of great guys around me."

-BUCCANEERS-