HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On QB Tom Brady's getting a lot of work in his return to practice Monday)

"He did. He's very familiar with the offense, so him coming back in and us getting back to work is kind of normal. Just getting used to the heat and getting used to the guys, but he ran the offense well."

(On if it is nice to have Brady back, even if the absence was scheduled)

"Anytime you have all your guys back you feel good, you know, especially after the injury bug has hit lately. We're happy to have him back."

(On wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin returning to practice)

"Both of them practiced. They practiced fully."

(On Godwin wearing a 'non-contact' jersey)

"We're getting him into team drills slowly. He's doing certain things, but he ran a lot…a bit of team [drills] today."

(On if his philosophy about playing starters in the preseason has changed over time)

"It hasn't changed much. It goes from day to day. It goes from day to day whether you play them or not play them. We'll make those decisions at the end of the week. I've seen people play and be used to it, and I've seen people not play and be rusty and be used to it. So, we'll discuss it at the end of the week and see how much work we get done in practice this week."

(On if not signing another offensive lineman speaks to the team's confidence in its young linemen)

"We like our in-house options but there's got to be a player available for us to like to add a player. We're not just going to sign one to sign one. There's nothing out there for us to sign, but at the same time we're comfortable with the guys we have right now."

(On how close the team is to choosing a starter at left guard)

"We're fairly close. It's awfully close. We'll see what the game looks like and we'll see what the chemistry is when we watch the film."

(On if he's optimistic that Godwin can play in Week 1 of the regular season)

"I'm not a doctor. I can't make that decision."

(On what Brady missed during his excused absence)

"Probably just conditioning for the most part. He's a film junkie – I'm sure he's watched tape of everything. So [it's] him coming back in, picking up where he left off, just getting used to the mechanics again."

(On Brady's attitude)

"He's been great. He's been great, same as when he left. He's been fine."

(On if Brady's absence and return was a distraction for the team)

"No, we pretty much keep distractions out of our locker room. It wasn't a big deal to us because everybody knew what was going on."

(On T Tristan Wirfs' status)

"No, he's just day-to-day and he's sore so we kept him out."

(On if he has an idea of how many starters will play in the third preseason game)

"Not at this time. We're going to go through the next couple days of practice and we're going to make a determination from that, how much work we get done and who we need to see."

TIGHT END CAMERON BRATE

(On QB Tom Brady's performance in his first day back)

"Pretty much as expected. I'm sure wherever Tom was, he was working out still and getting his reps in. If anyone can get away with an 11-day break during training camp, it's Tom. He came back firing on all cylinders again today. We are all excited he's back, and we are ready to move on with that."

(On if he noticed a missing veteran presence with Brady gone)

"It was definitely weird. Tom is such like an omnipresent being, he's like the unquestioned leader of the team. For him to not be there for 11 days it was kind of a good opportunity for other guys to step up and fill that void. It was different, Tom is usually kind of cussing guys up and down the field when we're messing up, but we didn't really have that. It was different, but I thought some of the other veterans stepped up. I thought Blaine [Gabbert] did a good job commanding the first team offense while Tom was out."

(On if he is expecting to play on Saturday against the Colts)

"I would assume probably more guys will play this week. We haven't really talked about it. We are kind of treating this week more like we would an in-season week. I'm expecting to play, and I haven't been told otherwise so we will see."

(On WR Chris Godwin)

"Chris has been looking good for awhile now. I had an opportunity to throw with him a couple times when he was just beginning running route process. You couldn't possibly work harder than Chris did this offseason to kind of put himself in this spot where he has the chance to play at the beginning of the season. It's inspiring for us to see Chris out there knowing all the work he has put in just to get out there. It's awesome to see him catching balls, having him in the huddle – it's just a testament to his hard work."

(On what he has seen from the rookie tight ends)

"Cade [Otton] came in probably the most polished rookie I've seen at the tight end position. You can tell he's from a football family. He has all the fundamentals down. Maybe he's not going to wow everyone with crazy athleticism and stuff like that, but he is one of the most solid football players that I can remember as a rookie – he kind of does everything really well, has a really good understanding and feel for the game. It was awesome to bring in a guy like Ko [Kieft] who kind of brings in a different element and edge to the tight end room. You can kind of move him around and put him in different spots in the backfield – not really out wide because that's not really his game. He brings a lot of grit to the tight end room and both those guys have gotten a lot better. Another guy that has gotten a lot better is JJ [Howland] – fellow Ivy leaguer. I try to help him out as much as I can, but he's improved a ton. Excited about that young group."

LINEBACKER LAVONTE DAVID

(On how nice it is to have QB Tom [Brady] back today)

"It's always nice to have Tom back, man. His presence is different, just the leader that he is, the type of guy he is. You know, it's great to have a guy like that back, man. I'm sure he's ready to work like today – he came back ready to pick up where he left off and leading the guys on offense."

(On seeing WR Chris Godwin back out there during team periods)

"Yeah, it's great, man. You know Chris has progressed and come a long way. After he got injured – you've seen the way that he attacked this after he got injured, like the next day. Even at the game, he was trying to get back into that game – I don't know if you saw. But he's definitely a warrior and I expect nothing less. I'm happy for him and I know he's excited to get back out, but he's not going to do that until he's 100%, so he's going to take his time with that. But from seeing him, he looks really [good]."

(On what he's seen from LB Olakunle Fatukasi)

"I love it, man. Some great progression – you know, from the start of training camp to now, we saw a great progression. He's taking control when he's out there, he's a good leader, and you love to see it. He's making plays when he's supposed to be making plays and that's what it's all about. We always talk about being playmakers and he's out there making those plays and all of those guys are coming along."

(On LB Devin White's coverage progression)

"I just get to see it first-hand. You know, like I said from the first time he was here, I love the progression that he's making from year in and year out and I love the will he has to want to be better, and I love to see it. Like I always say, there's great things here for Devin and if he just keeps working the way he's working, he's going to be one of the best linebackers in the league."

(On if there was any doubt QB Tom Brady would be coming back)

"No doubt at all. You know, whatever time they said he was going to be out, I knew that whenever it was time to come back, he was going to come back. Tom is a competitor, he's a team guy and there was no doubt in our minds at all that he would be back in time."

-BUCCANEERS-