HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the report that the team has let QB Kyle Trask go, and what QB Teddy Bridgewater brings)
"Well, obviously [Teddy Bridgewater] brings experience, but he brings a wealth of knowledge. He can command the offense right now. Him being older has a lot to do with it, but him being accurate and understanding what we're trying to do has a lot to do with it as well. We had Kyle [Trask] for four years and it was a good four-year run. We just feel like we've got a better chance with Teddy."

(On if the team might bring back QB Kyle Trask on the practice squad)
"[Those are] things we're still discussing. Connor [Bazelak] did very well as well, so we also like him, too."

(On if he feels comfortable discussing reported cuts before transactions are official)
"Transactions have to go today at 4 o'clock. If we end up talking about cuts per person, we'll probably be here for five hours."

(On if any players not currently practicing, like CB Benjamin Morrison or RB Sean Tucker, might miss time in Week 1)
"They're working out pretty [well]. I expect Tucker to be back. Morrison is running – we'll see where he is next week, but he's getting close."

(On the decision to keep seven wide receivers)
"With Chris [Godwin Jr.] probably being down, we're probably going to need them. We've got a couple of special teams guys sitting right there, returners and everything like that. So, it was wise for us to keep them."

(On if the team might potentially add another quarterback)
"Yeah, it's a long day. We've got to see what's available. We know what we have. We've got to see what they go up against and what we go up against as well. So, it's going to be a long day as far as who we keep and who we don't keep and that won't be determined till tomorrow. There's still a long way to go in this process."

(On if he feels he identified special teams cover guys on kickoff)
"[John] Bullock made the team because he covered well. [Markees] Watts made the team because he did a good job, as well as [Ryan] Miller. So, we got some production out of that area."

(On whether this has been the hardest cut down yet as head coach)
"Yeah, as far as talent, but they're all hard. They're all hard in that aspect. As far as talent and cutting good players that you know can latch on somewhere else and play, this has been one of the toughest."

(On the difficulty of trimming the wide receiver room)
"It still was [difficult]. 'Rock' (Rakim Jarrett) and Trey [Palmer] helped us last year and they were with us for a long time. It was a tough process. To beat somebody out that's been on the team, you've got to be pretty good and work pretty hard."

(On NT Desmond Watson and why he wasn't kept on NFI to start the season)
"The door is not closed on him, but if you don't practice, you're probably not going to make this team. We'll see where we are in a couple weeks and we'll circle back and we'll go from there. We're in the last week of camp. If you're not practicing, you're not going to play. He's been working hard, we had a good talk, and we'll circle back and see where he's at."

(On if Watson was close to returning to practice or meeting the benchmarks that were set for him)
"We're in the last week of [training] camp. When you're in the last week of camp and the last preseason game and you're not going to practice, you're surely not going to play. I don't know what close means – a week, a month. When you don't practice, you're probably not going to make this team. There's an old saying, 'You can't make the club in the tub,' or otherwise. We'll circle back. He's been working hard, I think he's going to continue to work hard. We had a long talk, we had good communication, and we'll circle back and we'll see where he's at."

(On what CB Kindle Vildor brings to the team)
"He's experienced. He can play a lot of positions. He's a very good [special] teams player. He's savvy, and if people get hurt like we were last year, he can get you out of ball games. He's very tough, very smart, and he's always in position to play. To have your sixth corner able to do that, that's valuable."

(On how the past month of training camp has gone)
"Other than injuries, I think it's been probably better than I expected. They came back very professional. Even though we had some younger guys come in, they adapted very well. They were more mature from that standpoint with Emeka [Egbuka], [Benjamin] Morrison, [Jacob] Parrish, and [Elijah] Roberts – they were more mature and they came in from day one with a business-like approach. That's how the team has approached it. Maybe with the exception of one practice that we really had to get on these guys, they've been professional and intent on what they're trying to do. I think it's been good."

(On Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard moving from booth to sideline during the last preseason game)
"Before the game we said he'd go up for a half, then he wanted to come down on the field to see what it was like. I think he'll be more comfortable on the field. Baker [Mayfield] likes the face-to-face interaction as well, so it'll be a good mix."

(On Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard's performance this preseason)

"I think he did fine for the preseason, but I don't think that compares to the regular season. You're playing with guys that haven't really played and you're trying to finish the last preseason game with guys who hadn't really played and [gotten] extended time. So, you're calling plays that they know so they can play fast and play hard. I think his situation comes when the season starts. You've got to be in real-life situations. Real bullets are going to come at you. Nobody is going to be generic on the other side of the ball and you've got to make split-second decisions. If they're stopping the run, are you going to throw? If they're stopping the pass, are you going to run? And you got to have answers for blitzes and all that type of thing. He's got them in practice. He's done very well in practice, but he'll get them in the game. And I think he'll be comfortable doing that."

(On if he's identified the punt/kick returners)
"Not at this time. We got Tez [Johnson] and Kam [Johnson] back there, as well. Rachaad [White] has been catching them, Emeka [Egbuka] has been catching a bunch, and [Josh] Williams as well can return kicks. That's going to be determined next week."

(On his eagerness to see his defense in Week 1 against Atlanta)
"I'm eager to see how they play all year. Atlanta is just the start of it. You know, we've got 17 games – we need to play well. We need to get turnovers. We need to stop the run. I'm very excited to see them play – I think they're all clicking on the same cylinders. They've got to get game action. We got to get live game action in and they've got to play four quarters – something that really no team is really doing in the preseason anymore. So, the 15 to 20 plays compared to the 60 something plays, we've got to be in shape. And then the pounding of the body that that has to take, all that's going to take a toll. So, we've got to be mentally tough."

(On the challenge of the Falcons offense)
"Talented. They're talented [and] well-balanced. [Michael] Penix Jr. has a heck of an arm. Bijan [Robinson] one of the best backs in the league. [Drake] London, all those guys…[Darnell] Mooney on the outside and they got [Kyle] Pitts at tight end. They have a very good offensive line…It's going to be like this every week. I'll be sitting here talking about how good guys are. So, but we've got to be just as good and we've got to be better."

(On LB John Bullock making the roster as an undrafted free agent)
"He did a heck of a job on special teams this past game. He had three tackles on the kickoff, he blocked very well and we've been talking about it all camp – we need guys that can cover. He went out there and he played his butt off and he covered. He's been very consistent at that the past three games in preseason and he did very well at linebacker. He fared very well. He's a smart player. He's a tough player and he's a hard-nosed player and he earned it."

(On if the Buccaneers might sign players cut by other teams over the next 24 hours)
"I don't know yet. You don't know that until tomorrow. You don't know what's available, what you like and don't like. I could say we don't need anybody – we like the guys we have – or there's somebody that may come up. You know, it's going to be another 48 hours [or] 24 hours before we make those decisions."

(On Defensive Pass Game Coordinator George Edwards' role on the staff)
"He was in the booth this past weekend because [Safeties] Coach [Nick] Rapone was down, but I feel like he's better used on the sideline because he can see a lot of things. Him and [Outside Linebackers Coach/Run Game Coordinator Larry] Foote can see a lot of things that I'll probably overlook. Not [so much] overlook, but so if I get upset and I'm yelling, they can calm me down, so to speak in a way. He may be one of the only few that can do that and then it gets to a point where he can't do it either. But he's the voice of reason [and] Larry is the voice of reason and I can stay grounded that way. But he coordinates the pass game – him and [Larry] Foote do a heck of a job combining the run and the pass, trying to make our looks the same. So he's very valuable on the sideline, but he was great upstairs, too. We haven't worked that out yet, but I expect to have that done by Monday."

(On what Edwards looks for during games)
"Just small tendencies, as far as not just where they're running, but how the motion is going, what tweaks they're making against what fronts we have or what coverages we have. He can see it full time before you write it down and see the screen. So, he can report that back before it even happens so you can make quick adjustments and not have to worry about it at halftime."

(On whether the team is ready Week 1)
"There's a lot of work to be done between here and next Sunday, but come Sunday, we'll be ready."

(On being able to watch his son play football in person this weekend)
"It's very rare for me to see that. I hadn't seen him play since last year, obviously one time up in Long Island, but the fact that he's coming to Gainesville, I'm just very excited to see him out there. So, like a regular dad, I'll be very happy just to see him."

(On what next week's schedule will look like)
"We'll definitely come back Monday. Tuesday will definitely be off, and we'll kind of go from there."

LINEBACKER LAVONTE DAVID

(On what stood out the most to him about LB John Bullock)

"His attention to detail. [He] always wants to be right, always doing what he is supposed to do, always wanting to be coachable and doing what they expect him to do. When you come into this league and you have a stacked roster like this, you have to do something to stand out -- do something to stick out like a sore thumb. The plays he was making on special teams and the plays that he was making at linebacker stood out."

(On his former high school teammate QB Teddy Bridgewater making the team)

"It is dope to have him. Somebody who I am familiar with -- who I know -- because I have known him for a very long time. We never thought that we would both be in this situation on the same team, it is pretty cool. We could brag a little bit about our high school team but definitely is dope to have him around -- I know he still has a love for the game -- but he is a perfect fit for this locker room for what we have and what we are trying to do."

(On preparing physically and mentally for Atlanta in Week 1)

"I feel like I am good. [I am] just going through the grind, continue to get my body to one hundred percent -- you are never one hundred percent in this league -- but trying to get my body to one hundred percent by week one. Mentally, to be honest, not quite there yet, because we have a whole other week to wait. I am just going to take this time and just study - study film, study myself -- and find ways I can get better and help us win this football game coming up."

(On how prepared the defense is for Week 1)

"We still have not figured out a lot of stuff about their lineup. All we know is what we did and what they did last year. We did not have a chance to go against [Michael] Penix [Jr.], but we have played the guys they do have, so we know what they are capable of. We have not really had the chance to incorporate our game plan and stuff like that, but we have a group of guys who knows what it takes, so everyone is going to go out there and study outside of what the coaches [provide]."

(On if he prepares differently mentally and physically going into year 14)

"Only thing might be physically. Trying to get yourself ready, conditioning-wise. We have to find ways to get yourself ready conditioning-wise to go out to training camp. You might take new reps and stuff like that. I feel like once you have the love of the game in you -- I have been playing the game for 14 years -- I know what to expect, I know what I have to do to get myself prepared. [It is] nothing really surprising, nothing jumps out the most but trying to get myself ready for 50-60 snaps."

LINEBACKER JOHN BULLOCK

(On making the initial 53-man roster)

"I am excited to be here. I love all these guys, they helped me along the way; all my coaches, all my teammates, my family and everybody who helped me with this journey. It is a blessing. Not a lot of people get this opportunity, and I am just truly honored, and I am going to make the most of it. Special teams-wise, I think that came into play. I knew that was going to be how I was going to find my niche -- kind of find my role. I made sure to tune into that every single day. I just love football; I love to play the game and anyway I can help this team win, I am going to try and do that. [I am going to] scratch and claw to whatever I can do to help."

(On how he found out he made the team)

"I was getting some treatment in the training room and [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles came up to me and congratulated me. It was a pretty surreal moment for me. I told my family, and it was awesome."

(On what he learned from starting his career as a walk-on at Nebraska to making an NFL roster)

"Just persistence. Staying consistent every day with what you do. As long as you are trying fix one thing, try to work on being better every single day. That has been my mindset since I started playing football. Work on one thing every single day, make myself a better player, teammate and person -- just an all-around better person. I would just say persistence and going through adversity -- that has been a big thing of mine. Starting as a walk-on is not ideal, but I would not have it any other way. I would probably not be here right now if I was not a walk-on -- to have that mindset."

(On whom were the first people he called when we made the team)

"I believe it was my dad. My dad was the first person I called. He was pretty pumped about it. [We] had a whole conversation about it."

(On his relationship with LB Lavonte David as a fellow Nebraska alumni)

"We connected because we both played at Nebraska. [We] had some whole conversations about the town, Lincoln, the coaches and stuff like that. We got along pretty easily just because of that right away."

RUNNING BACK JOSH WILLIAMS

(On battling through an injury during training camp)

"Mentally, it was a big step back looking at perspective and things like that. I always thought about my journey and how I can to this point in time and just going through what I went through at LSU, having to start off as a walk-on, having to earn a scholarship and injuries here and there. I just never gave up hope. I really took into account my rehab and came in, stayed more hours than they asked me to -- just really working my tail off to try and get back as quickly as I can. Really pushed the narrative because I know this is my shot and I did not want to wake up 10 years from now and be like 'Dang, I should have done this,' and do not want to have regrets."

(On his confidence after the third preseason game)

"No matter how good you play in these situations, you really cannot have overconfidence in knowing that you made the team. So, I knew I played well, but at the end of the day, I was still trying to stay even-keeled -- try to stay humble -- because if you do not get the call, you do not want to be on a roller coaster ride with your emotions. I was happy I played well though, for sure."

(On being in the unknown about his roster status)

"This whole time period has been stressful in a way. Having to answer questions from your parents, friends and family asking the same questions over and over you do not really answer to. Knowing you have to show up to work every day not knowing if you are going to get the text or that message saying 'Hey, we are going to waive you.' It is just a great feeling for it to be over, but in my head, it is just beginning, and I have to turn it up a notch even more just to show they made the right decision in keeping me here. I just want to prove that they made the right choice."

(On if it will be easier now to 'turn it up a notch')

"Of course, I would do anything to be in this organization or being in the NFL in general. This has always been my dream growing up as a kid and when you work all your life for something and you finally get the nod that you are part of the team, you want to do anything you can to stay there."

-BUCCANEERS-