HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the Buccaneers and Titans getting into a skirmish at the conclusion of practice)

"Unfortunate, the last play, to get into a skirmish. We got some good work against these guys. They have a good team, we feel like we have a good team and there's no need for that in practice. Luckily, none of it went very far and we got it taken care of."

(On if the Buccaneers defensive backs bounced back on Thursday after Wednesday's performance)

"I wasn't pleased with the team. It wasn't the defensive backs – it was the team. Today I thought everybody had a lot more energy and played hard. We still made a few mistakes, but they played as a team, they played together, and they communicated well and we got something out of it today."

(On undrafted rookie wide receivers Kaylon Geiger, Jerreth Sterns and Deven Thompkins)

"They're doing a heck of a job. To come in training camp and then play in a game like that, then have a full week of practice and play special teams – those guys are making a case."

(On how QB Blaine Gabbert has performed as the No. 1 quarterback with Tom Brady away)

"He's been good. It's been great for him mentally. The plays might not be there all the time but the mental reps and what he's getting, and making the right play is very important, not just making a 'wow' play. He's been making the right plays, so it's been great to have him there."

(On if he has an update on T Tristan Wirfs and CB Zyon McCollum who appeared to leave practice early)

"Not yet. I've got to go look inside and see. I wasn't there when Wirfs got hurt, I just heard of it. McCollum hurt his leg a little bit. He said it wasn't serious, but I'll find out when I go to the training room."

(On the two joint practices)

"A lot of guys played well. I thought a lot of young guys were tired because they played in the game and have to come out here doing full reps. I thought they were a little slow. But the older guys played well. The younger guys had a bounce-back day today. It wasn't a matter of who, it was just the work we got in mentally. I thought they did a good job today."

(On Nick Leverett being a feisty offensive linemen and what he's seen from him)

"He's a tough guy and he's a strong guy. We're not looking for feisty – we're looking for guys that can get the job done. We don't want any penalties going into the season like that. We make sure we coach that and Nick understands that. But we know he's tough. He's a film junkie – he comes in and works hard every day and he's competing for a spot."

(On newly-signed OLB Carl Nassib jumping right into the mix)

"We tailored some things for him where he could just go in and play and didn't have to think as much, and he handled the workload pretty [well] as far as him being in shape. We'll start to expand what he knows as he goes forward but he did a good job going in there."

(On rookie G Luke Goedeke getting first-team reps for the first time)

"Now's the time to give him a look. You can't put him in early because he hasn't learned everything. He's learned enough now to go in and play. Like we've said, we're giving all these guys shots at guard and his time has come."

(On if he has decided who will start at left guard in Saturday's game)

"Not at this moment. I have an idea, but I'll check with 'Goody' (Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator Harold Goodwin) and [Offensive Line Coach] Joe [Gilbert] and we'll go from there."

(On if he is communicating with QB Tom Brady about practice)

"We just work on our practice with Tennessee. Tom is not involved with the coaches."

(On what day he expects Brady to return to the team)

"We'll see. We'll talk about it next week. I'm not concerned about it right now. We're trying to practice against Tennessee and play a game. I said sometime after Tennessee – there is no definitive date for me but we'll check on it, we'll keep in touch and we'll find out."

(On rookie DL Logan Hall)

"Again, he's learning the system. He does a good job. He's still learning the run a little bit, some of the things we like to do technique-wise, but his pass-rushing is outstanding, and we really like that in him. But we're bringing him along slow."

-BUCCANEERS-