HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On practice ending early the past few days)

"It's due to attrition at some of the positions. We've got some new bodies in here running around. [There are] minor injuries, but at the same time, we need to get practice in."

(On if RB Bucky Irving completed the catch on a long pass from QB Kyle Trask late in practice)

"From where I was standing behind the quarterback, it looked like a catch. I'd have to see the replay to make sure. We're at home, it was a hell of a catch, and we moved on."

(On the players having no practice on Sunday and Monday)

"It's probably a day and a half, more or less. Tomorrow is more of a walk-through and we go through a lot of situational periods. After three hard days, we try to get a walk-through in and make sure we get a mental day in and still get our work in and some film work in. After that, they'll get a day and a half to rest up and come back. Between the weather – unlike many teams in the league, we're battling the weather and everything else…They've been going hard, they've been very professional. We're going to have a mental day tomorrow, then we'll have off the day after that, then we'll come back rolling again."

(On facing the Tennessee Titans for a joint practice next week

"It doesn't get interesting [but] it'll be good to work against somebody else. The offense knows the defensive plays; the defense knows the offensive plays. It'll just be good to go against somebody else."

(On if any wide receivers have stood out to him)

"They've all been playing well. They're all talented. That's probably going to be the toughest spot to pick as far as making the ball club. We got a lot better at that position. Obviously, we drafted two, but we have some guys here that can play, as well. With guys nicked up, the other guys are getting opportunities and they have the chance to show themselves."

(On if QB Baker Mayfield will return to practice next week)

"He'll be back next week."

(On what he's learned about joint practices from years past)

"You're allowed to run everything you've installed. You're not in a preseason game so you're not being very basic. You're allowed to run everything and you're allowed to go against different schemes and different blocking schemes and different blitzes, defensively, and how you see things, to see if you have a comparison for the season. That's the biggest thing you get out of it. You don't have to hide anything and you can play all your guys and you can do everything, as opposed to the game when it's watered down and everybody is running basic things. It's still blocking and tackling, but you don't see the game plan stuff in the games that you get to see in practice. That's beneficial."

(On if joint practices are better than preseason games)

"They're different. You can run everything and still get your starters a bunch of work against their starters. The preseason games allows the younger guys a chance to make the team and see what they can do under the lights."

(On where CB Jacob Parrish has grown the most since he arrived to Tampa)

"It's hard to say he's grown because he's been good since the first day he got here. We correct him very little. That's a scary thing, especially for me. We don't say his name much because he's always doing the right things. You tend to forget that he's a rookie coming in. His preparation and toughness and his [readiness] to play…You tell him something one time and he's got it. He loves to compete. He goes outside, he goes inside, he plays special teams. He's been a joy to be around. Other than his singing voice, he's been doing a very good job."

(On TE Devin Culp's skill set)

"He's probably the most athletic [tight end]. He's the fastest one, for sure. I think [the end of last season] did a lot for his confidence and our confidence in him going forward. Obviously, I'd still like to see him block and pick up the scheme and do certain things as far as motioning and blocking defensive ends and that type of thing. As a receiver, he came on last year. It got a lot done for his confidence and I think that'll help him out going into this year."

(On how to improve tackling during training camp)

"It's getting everybody to the ball. It's getting everybody to the ball, it's taking the right angles, it's want to – and we've got a lot of guys that want to. We've got to fly to the ball and we've got to help, in case we do miss one, [so that] somebody else is right behind to make them. That's been a premium emphasis this year. It's hard to do without a lot of live tackles. You can do all the bag drills you want, but in the games, you've got to take the right angles and you've got to be in the right position and you've just got to make the plays."

(On if poor tackling was one of the team's biggest weaknesses last season)

"I thought most of it [was] body control. I thought we were either lunging forward or a head was down or [we were] reaching or were in a bad position from a zone or man [coverage] standpoint trying to make the tackle. We've got to clean that up."

(On C Graham Barton taking reps at left tackle, and G Ben Bredeson taking reps at center, and OL Elijah Klein taking reps at left guard, and if that combination is an 'in case of emergency' situation)

"Yeah, we don't want it to be the first time if it comes to that – we pray it never comes to that. We like to move guys around so we have things to do and so we have answers before the questions come up."

(On his meeting with former Buccaneers Head Coach Tony Dungy for the team's 50^th season marketing campaign)

"I've known Tony for a long time – even coming out of college, he was a [defensive back] coach with the Steelers. I've known a young Tony Dungy and now the more experienced Tony Dungy. I don't think he's gotten old at all. Just to be able to talk ball with him, understanding one of the defensive gurus in the ballgame that knows the game very well…To sit and talk to him about any kind of ball or anything else, he has such great knowledge. I've always been a fan of him. He's been great for this franchise. He's had some legendary players and legendary coaches, as well. He's moved a lot of people on to be successful. You can't say enough about him."

LINEBACKER SIRVOCEA DENNIS

(On improving in defensive coverage)

"It is always a good thing when you get looked at like that by the other team or the other quarterbacks. I want to get into a little bit more action, get more hands on the ball and do everything I can. [Head Coach Todd] Bowles also told me that when I am out there chasing turnovers and chasing picks, I look a little sloppy. So right now, I am just trying to focus on the techniques and fundamentals so that when everything comes naturally, it is flawless."

(On DL Calijah Kancey looking to get double digit sacks this season)

"I think it is obtainable for him. That is a guy who I know has worked tremendously hard just to not only stay healthy, but on little things like the fundamentals, the techniques, and stuff like that. The double-digit [sacks] look [obtainable] in his future and I hope he gets it because I think he is deserving [of it]."

(On the importance of a good pass rush)
"It is very important, but I think this year the focus is more on stopping the run first. We stop that run first, then those guys can [hightail it] and go get the quarterback. That is the focus right now -- worrying about TFLs (tackles for loss) and stopping the run, and then those guys can have fun with any pass rush and [Head Coach Todd] Bowles can get creative. So, I am really excited to see what we do with that."

(On the importance of stopping the run game early)

"That is very important, especially as a defense. The game is getting away from run-run-pass offense, so anytime you can keep a team to one side -- run or pass -- I think it is in the defense's favor to be successful that game. So, [in] stopping the run, we will see more production with our defensive backs, more production with our edge rushers and interior guys, as well as the linebackers. I think stopping the run is huge for the defense as a whole."

(On what OLB Haason Reddick brings to the defense)
"He gives us another sense of flavor to the pass rush and stopping the run. You guys know how his career has panned out for him -- great pass rusher and great edge rusher. But just having him lead the guys we have is tremendous, because they see his energy, they see his leadership, and now they are trying to capitalize off that as well."

TIGHT END DEVIN CULP

(On getting more comfortable going into year two)

"I feel a lot more comfortable. With Cade [Otton] being down right now and getting more reps, it gives me more opportunities to showcase what I can do. [They are] putting me in different positions where I am not necessarily always put in, so just trying to extend my role where I can and execute."

(On developing more chemistry with QB Baker Mayfield)

"I think there is a type of connection building. The more and more reps that he and I and the whole offense can get together is going to do nothing but increase our chemistry and help us all play well together."

(On what he is learning from the tight end room)
"I would say, every day, my brain is like a sponge. I am around a lot of talented guys, I try and take things from each and every one of their games -- with not just route running, but the blocking side of it. All the guys in the room are great run blockers, so that is a part of my game where I feel like I can get better. If I want to have longevity in this league at our position, that is something that you will have to be able to do. Just trying to take things from them -- whether it is Ko [Kieft's] great, tight hands and great first steps, Payne [Durham's] physicality and finishing, or Cade [Otton] having great recognition, being able to get calls and combos to where we need to go."

(On getting used to playing a hybrid receiver role)

"It is pretty difficult, I will not lie, but it is my position, it is what I signed up for. It is just part of the game. As I continue to develop at this level as a pro, I look forward to not only being known as the flashy, speedy guy, but a guy that can also grit his teeth and help in the run game as well."

(On who stands out in the Buccaneers secondary)

"I love all our safeties. We have a lot of talent in that room, I believe in each and every one of those guys, and the competition is always high. I see a lot of Tykee [Smith], I see a lot of 'Izzy' (Christian Izien), and I see a lot of Kaevon [Merriweather]. Those three guys are the three guys I say I go head up with most against, and it is a battle every day. It is the NFL, we are all out on the field for a reason, so it is just fun -- iron sharpens iron. Us being able to go head-to-head, I know I bring something different than the other tight ends. There are other tight ends that bring speed in this league as well, so for them to be able to match up against me, I know it only helps them in the long run during the season."

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN LOGAN HALL

(On his career-high 5.5 sacks last season and what changed in his pass rush game)
"I think for me I stopped thinking about things as much and I just went. [I] got off the ball, that is the first and foremost thing that should happen, get off the rock. If you're playing fast and you're playing hard, good things will happen. But also, the other side of that is, there are a lot of sacks to be had on base downs and taking every opportunity that's given because you don't have to be on the field on third and long to get your sacks. You can still get 10 sacks on base downs. I think going into this year I've definitely experienced some of that and it's on my mind now."

(On DL Elijah Roberts)

"Elijah is really talented and he is really smart. He has some juice in his legs, he is really fast, really shifty. I think he is going to be a hell of a pass rusher. But beyond that he is really intelligent, he doesn't have mental errors. There are still some growing pains as far as technique and how strong some of these guys are across from him. He's going to be just fine, he is really talented and, like I said, he is smart. He is going to be in the right place and he is going to make the plays that he needs to make. I'm really excited to see him play."

(On what he needed to do to get ready for training camp)
"I think the first one is just getting in shape. You cannot prepare without doing it, so there is no way around it. Running to the ball every snap and then working your technique, working your craft. Right now these are the only guys we're playing against but they're our teammates but you still [have] to – iron sharpens iron and [you have to] get after each other a little bit. I would say just making sure you're getting in shape and then working on your craft so you're ready for the season."

(On the joint practice with the Tennessee Titans)
"It's going to be night and day, I'm really excited. It'll just happen how it happens. We don't need any extra juice, they're coming to our house. It'll be good for us."

(On C Graham Barton saying NT Vita Vea is more unblockable this year)
"This is no knock on Graham (Barton), Vita is just different. You cannot stop him if he doesn't want you to. Two on one, one on one – if he puts his hat down and he just goes it's like stopping the Titanic. So, no knock on Graham, Graham is a hell of a player but Vita is just Vita. That's all I can say about that."

(On where he has grown the most as a player from his rookie season)
"I would say mentally. Mentally I've taken the biggest steps and you'll see that in the physical and maybe the stat sheet and things like that. I see the game differently than I did before, there is not that timidness that there was before. I know what I'm doing and I know how to get it done. I would say that is where the biggest leaps and bounds have been."

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