HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On if the final drive of practice was a 'win' for the defense and a 'loss' for the offense)

"No. I mean, we let some penalties go both ways just so we can see them execute what we're trying to execute. We've got to be better offensively. It would have been over with the sacks, but defensively, it would go on because of two holding penalties. It was a lot of back and forth. We're just trying to get the situation in."

(On having Deion Sanders out to practice last week)

"He came to visit his son; he didn't come to visit me. He strictly came to see Shilo. I guarantee you he didn't come to see me. Not that I don't like him, but he's a father going to visit his son. Who wouldn't be proud to have their son trying out in the NFL?"

(On what he's seen from OLB Chris Braswell Jr. during this training camp)

"[He is] just understanding the scheme a little more and he leaned up a little bit, allowing him to play faster. He's coming off the ball a lot faster than he was last year because he knows what to do and he knows how to do it. Now he's just letting his ability take over. He's worked all year with Yaya [Diaby] – they've become very tight. His work ethic is outstanding and he's putting it to use."

(On how important Braswell Jr.'s development is this season with OLB David Walker injured)

"Walker had no part in him leveling up anyway – he was going to level up whether we took Walker or not. Second year, he's supposed to be better and he is better. We're expecting him to play better. He's off to a good start."

(On what he's seen from linebackers John Bullock and Nick Jackson)

"Both 'Nebraska' (Bullock) and 'Iowa' (Jackson) are very smart football players – they picked the scheme up very well. It's hard to keep saying they're rookies when they do everything [normally]. It's almost rare when they make a mistake. Both of those guys have very strong chances and had a very strong showing. It'll be great to see them in the preseason games."

(On LB Lavonte David missing two consecutive practices)

"He's day-to-day right now. He's just a little sore with his leg. We're just going to take it day-to-day and wait for him to get healthy. I feel no need [for] putting him out there right now."

(On WR Trey Palmer not practicing on Thursday)

"He's dealing with a hamstring, as well."

(On if LB Lavonte David has a hamstring injury)

"He is not in that category."

(On if he's doing anything to trying to limit CB Jamel Dean's injuries)

"It's always training and recovery. That's not a guarantee, either. If you get hit the wrong way or you twist something, it can happen in this game – that's part of it. He's doing everything he can. It's the healthiest he's been in a long time. We like the way he's moving out there right now and he's playing well. We've just got to try to keep him healthy going forward."

(On S Shilo Sanders)

"He's coming along. He's getting the scheme down. He's made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason – Tuesday night was one, and the other three preseason games and practices will be others. He's got a chance to make it."

(On LB SirVocea Dennis)

"He's really been good at the calls and running everything. He drops so well, he's not getting much action like he did in the spring. He really commands the defense and gets everybody lined up, which is a full-time job with all the adjustments we have."

(On if Dennis is being avoided by quarterbacks in training camp because his coverage skills are so good)

"He's been where he's supposed to be. He's been great with his coverage. He just hasn't had those opportunities."

(On RB Rachaad White's performance in training camp)

"He's lighter, he's quicker, he looks great back there returning punts, he looks great in the backfield. He's our best blitz pickup guy. He's moving well – I like where he is mentally and physically right now. His cuts are quicker. He's always had great hands and great vision running the football. He's been great."

(On if CB Benjamin Morrison could rotate in with the starting cornerbacks)

"[Yes] and it's not just Morrison, it's [Jacob] Parrish as well. It's something we're looking at and [there are] things we're toying with, with moving people around going forward. Depending on games and matchups, if we have that ability, to see what matches up with what, we have that ability to do that. Not that we are, but there's a chance that we could."

(On S Kaevon Merriweather's performance in training camp)

"He's been solid ever since he came back last year midseason. He's one of the other unsung heroes with 'Izzy' (Christian Izien) coming back midseason. He's matured a lot. He knows everything. He's one of the very smartest ones we have over there. Now that he's healthy, he's playing good football for us. We almost take him for granted because I rely on him so much to do the right things. He's one of the sharper ones back there."

(On if Merriweather has improved since the end of last season)

"He has. We had a long talk when he came back. I'm not sure he thought I liked him initially, but we had a long talk and we sat down and we started watching film together. He understood where I was coming from and he's been great ever since. I'm very proud of him."

(On how the battle for the nickel cornerback position is going)

"[Jacob] Parrish is there, 'Izzy' (Christian Izien) is there, Tykee [Smith] is there, J.J. [Roberts] is there, Zyon [McCollum] is taking reps there. We have a bunch of guys…[Antoine] Winfield Jr. is taking reps there. We have a bunch of guys that know how to play nickel and learn how to play nickel. It gives us options going into game-in and game-out of things we want to do. Right now, everybody is doing a very good job right now, where they're supposed to be. We'll look at the preseason games and we'll see what combination matches up best for us. Parrish has been taking a lot of reps, Tykee takes reps, 'Izzy' takes reps, J.J. takes reps, 'Win' (Antoine Winfield Jr.) takes reps. It's a smorgasbord right now."

(On where he's seen the most growth from Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard

"I think they change all of the time because of the installation. When you first start calling it, you don't have much in so you have to call what you have. Now, it's about incorporating everything you've put in with everything else, and matching up the run with the pass by formation and motions and putting together an offensive package where you can call it on a normal basis. I think we're just starting to see that right now. He did a very good job today and he's been doing a great job since we started."

(On where the biggest learning curve is for outside linebackers coming from college, like for OLB Chris Braswell Jr.)

"The only thing that keeps him from excelling is not understanding the defense and not grasping that. He understands it now. He plans on playing. Obviously, the tackles are a lot bigger and better, although [at] Alabama, you're playing pro ball every week pretty much. You've got a bunch of five star [recruits] on the other side with you. That's a little different here than there in college. He's been playing well. He worked his way up at Alabama playing well, he's playing well here now. We're excited to see him get out there and play. I think he's a lot better – lightyears better – than he was last year."

(On Military Appreciation Day at training camp)

"It's been great every year across the league. Today was our military day and you've got the [National] Anthem and everything else. For those guys to come out and do what they do, it makes you understand that this is just a game. They are life and death – we're simply playing TV ratings and all that stuff. Win and lose…They're playing for life and death. You appreciate that much more and it makes your job easier to do."

(On the fights that have been happening at training camps around the league, but not at the Buccaneers)

"I think you just jinxed it, personally [laughs]. They're playing hard and they're practicing hard. Knock on wood, I'll buy you lunch if that happens through the end of camp and we can get out of it like that. I don't want it to happen. I understand some of the things that go on out there. They've been doing a good job taking care of each other and just having honest competition."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's performance in training camp and his chemistry with WR Mike Evans)

"It's important that they find a good place – obviously, they're two of our best players. We rely on both of them a lot. They have very good chemistry. Them getting on the same page early can only help us offensively. 'Grizz' (Josh Grizzard) is doing a good job, when Mike is in there, of getting him the football and making him aware and moving him around, as well. Baker has been finding him and he reads defenses very well. Both of them are off to a great start in camp. They're two of our best players and that's what you'd like to see."

RUNNING BACK RACHAAD WHITE

(On if losing weight in the offseason made him faster and quicker)

"I feel like it. Our coaching staff feels like it. [More] stamina, being able to finish plays, being able to get in and out of cuts, and being [more] reactive. To play ball, I feel like I got a lot better at that by losing weight."

(On what Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard is bringing as the offensive play caller)
"He has got a lot of different plays, different things that merge up with one another. Especially with the two-back stuff -- Bucky [Irving] and I on the field together -- or, in general, getting guys easy touches to get them out in space and work. I would say a lot of good things. The terminology -- some of it has been different, some of it has been the same. Like you said, it is good to have all the same guys back and add new guys and pieces like 'Emek' (Emeka Egbuka) and Tez [Johnson] and other guys we have to make plays."

(On the potential of the offense this season)
"It was pretty good last year. I think that we can take it to a whole other level. I think the good part about it is that we have a lot of guys that are good in space. Having Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] out there -- they do what they do -- but when we get the ball out in space, just making plays and being playmakers."

(On going into year four of the NFL)
"It is crazy to think about. It is like, in year four, I know it, but I do not really think about it. I am just blessed to still be here. I am blessed to be healthy, especially as a running back and just run around and be a playmaker."

(On what he has seen from rookie RB Josh Williams)

"'Buck' (Bucky Irving) and I talk about it all the time, he plays ball. He is instinctive as a running back, he is himself, he plays his game, and he is smart in protection, he is on point. Obviously, shout out to coaching, and the type of room that we have."

CORNERBACK ZYON MCCOLLUM

(On being in multiple positions on the defense)

"I love it. It allows me to up my versatility in terms of playing a lot of these bigger receivers and when they move their best players into the slot. You know, Atlanta [Falcons], they like to move 'five' (Drake London) around a lot. Anytime I'm able to get [better] playing in the slot, right-side, left-side, it just allows the versatility in me to match up a lot better."

(On the production of turnovers from the defense)

"That's exactly what we've been harping on – that's exactly what [Head Coach Todd] Bowles was harping on during OTAs. We watch turnover circuits weekly as a defense. It's really translating. I feel like the past couple of seasons we've talked about it a lot and [have] come up a little bit short but to see that we're now capitalizing on that, everyone is taking it very seriously and we're going out and executing."

(On how CB Benjamin Morrison and CB Jacob Parrish have been during training camp)

"[They have] a ton of poise, they don't play like rookies. They're very prepared, they come in, they're about their business. They're not going to horse around, they're not going to play around unless they know exactly what they're doing in their job. It's been very impressive seeing them come in – helping them out a ton during OTAs and now we're out here in training camp and it's almost like they're flying around like one of us [a veteran]."

(On how competitive the defensive backs room is)

"100%, this is probably the most competitive room that I've been in since I've been here. Adding two guys like that [Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish], who come in and play with that fire right off. It lights a fire in everybody That entire room – speaking for everybody, I know I can confidently say that we all come out here knowing that we have to be at the top of our game in order to stick around."

(On lining up against WR Mike Evans)
Absolutely, Mike hasn't lost a step. He is looking like he is in his prime and I know he's up there in years but he's really professional and he comes to play every single route. His mindset is win every single down and going up against a guy like that every day in camp [is] going to prepare me for [everybody] else. I [have] to play a lot of big [and] tall receivers and nobody is bigger or taller than Mike. Anytime I can get that competition against a [future] Hall of Famer, I'm going to take that matchup and we're going to go at it every day continuing to move forward."

CORNERBACK JAMEL DEAN

(On similarities between this roster and the Super Bowl LV roster)
"I always think back to that year and think about the team we had and compare it to this team. [They are] very similar, but I think we are better than the team that won the Super Bowl. The camaraderie and how we all plan together -- everyone has this grit to them where we just want to keep competing and help each other get better."

(On rookie cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish)
"[It is] very young. They are going to be a great asset to us because they are coming in with a great mindset -- we already understand that they are competitors, and they are going out there and keep bettering themselves and learning."

(On going up against WR Emeka Egbuka and WR Tez Johnson in practice)
"They are going to be great players for us. I like how Emeka [Egbuka] is very poised, and he is smart too. That is a good sign for a receiver that he does not get rattled very easily."

(On how he's changed his recovery process to avoid injury)
"Now I have been more focused on my diet and more active recovery instead of sitting around. I know for the most part, I am not getting any younger, so I have to do more to recover. That has been my main focus this offseason, [was] trying out different diets and seeing what makes me feel better."

(On his personal goals for the season)
"I have to be more productive this year. That involves getting more interceptions instead of just PBUs (pass breakups), to just convert those into interceptions and create more turnover opportunities for myself."

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