HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On whether CB Jamel Dean gets to talk trash after intercepting two passes)

"Absolutely not. Absolutely not."

(On how the goal line period went)

"We're just going through the mechanics of it. Obviously, it's hard to do in spiders in the run game. So, [in] the pass game, we're working on some things. It wasn't fully a goal line period. It was more recognition than it was play calling."

(On CB Jacob Parish's athleticism and performance in the red zone drill)

"He's a good athlete, but he's very smart. He's a very smart football player. He doesn't make the same mistake twice, and I think that's what's helping him along."

(On CB Benjamin Morrison's status)

"He just tweaked his hamstring."

(On the plan moving forward with QB Teddy Bridgewater and whether he could play Saturday)

"That's what we're waiting to see – how much he can absorb. He'll be ready to play if he has to clean up the ball game. We don't plan on it at this stage in time. He didn't take many reps today other than the warm-up reps. It would be unfair to put him out there and play like that. But we'll get him caught up to speed as much as possible and then we'll kind of make a decision based on how the game is going."

(On whether playing time has been determined for players in comparison to joint practices)

"I've determined it in my head, but there's a few people that I need to look at in joint practices to see. Then I'll discuss it with the coaches and let them know who is and who isn't [playing]."

(On what he wants to get out of players in the joint practice)

"Discipline, number one. The penalties have got to be light. Just good work against another team with another scheme, really. Just fundamentals and technique and getting ready to play. Can we do our scheme effectively against somebody else and do it the right way?"

(On which Tennessee Titans players will present the best matchups or challenges)

"Well, they got a bunch of players. Obviously, Jeffery Simmons leads the way down at [defensive] tackle, but they [have] got a bunch of guys and they [have] got a good scheme and they [have] got a good offensive staff with a good running scheme. Obviously the rookie quarterback has a great arm and they got [Calvin] Ridley on the outside. So, it'll be good competition just going against somebody else. Our guys kind of know each other very well, so they kind of cheat a little bit based on what they think they see and what they can do. So, it'll be good playing honest against somebody else."

(On the officials being present and what he learned regarding how the team is playing within the rules)

"Yesterday was the first day. We had quite a few penalties. Obviously, that has to come down. I saw the flag early a lot today. I'm waiting to see the totality on that number and kind of go from there."

(On what WR Tez Johnson is dealing with)

"He's got a leg injury as well."

(On CB Benjamin Morrison tweaking his hamstring and how heat affects soft tissue injuries)

"That's every [training] camp. That's every season. It's not just a [training] camp thing, it's a seasonal thing. So, we just got to be mindful of it and we're doing a good job at that."

QUARTERBACK TEDDY BRIDGEWATER

(On how it feels to be back out playing)

"It feels good to be back out, man. Flying around, enjoying this Tampa heat. Getting back acclimated to playing in Florida after coaching and being in Detroit the last two years. It feels good though, man. So many familiar faces from the coaching staff to the players to the executive office and it just feels like I'm home. I told a couple of the guys it finally happened. You know, we've been flirting for years – the pre-draft process, then in 2020 and now in 2025 – and I'm finally here. So, I'm excited, man."

(On the decision to return to playing instead of coaching)

"It was always the plan for me. Even my team down in South Florida at Miami Northwestern knew that I would coach them throughout the season and then if I had an opportunity to go back and play ball, I would go and do that. It just so happened that that opportunity came a little sooner this year. I get to do it in Florida, so I get to still keep that relationship and the bond and that chemistry that I have with those guys at Miami Northwestern and get to continue to be their coach as well."

(On competing for the backup quarterback job)

"Honestly, man, I'm just here right now to try to help this team in every way possible, whether it's in the quarterback room, the wide receiver room – there's some young talent in that room. I'm excited to just share some of the wisdom that I have, the experience that I have from being in different organizations, being in different offenses, being on different teams with guys who've had success at the wide receiver position. Then you got great leaders already in that room who set a great example for those guys. So honestly, I'm just going to do whatever the role is for me, try to be a humble servant like I've been doing."

(On how he looks back at his experience coaching at Miami Northwestern and what he wants people to know about him)

"Honestly, I think everyone knows that I'm just a cheerful guy, a cheerful giver as well. I'm a protector. I'm a father first before anything. When I decided to coach, those players became my sons and I wanted to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can. I think that's what came about. Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home and different things like that. So, I just tried to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks. I just want people to continue to see me for the person that I've been from the time I arrived in the NFL, from the time that I arrived at the University of Louisville – just a humble guy who has a big heart and a cheerful giver."

(On how difficult it was to go through that experience with Miami Northwestern)

"It was difficult because I have so many relationships with those young men down there at South Florida, at Miami Northwestern, and the bonds that I've established with Leon Strawder, Calvin Russell, Nicholas Lennear, Nicholas St. Joseph – the list goes on and on. It's a great group of kids, man. They see so much hope when they look at me. I've always said it's food for my soul – it's the way that I feed my soul and it allows me to stay young being around those kids. I think now that I'm back in the league, it's actually going to be extra motivation for them as well because they'll get to play a game on a Friday night and probably get to drive across the state and come watch the Bucs play and see [their] coach on the sidelines. So it's like, man, coach is just continuing to serve as motivation and continue to influence us in every way possible. He's showing us that he can make it to the NFL, he's showing us that he can coach, he's showing us that there are different avenues of life that you can take and I'm hoping that they're taking notice of that."

(On moving forward)

"You know, life throws you different obstacles. You've just got to put your hard hat on and keep pressing on."

(On being reunited with Defensive Line Coach Charlie Strong)

"Coach Strong, he was doing room check last night in the hotel and he knocked on the door. I'm like, man, what the hell? I said, man, this feels like the University of Louisville all over again. I thought I was an 18-year-old freshman again. We laughed and we were like, man, we just rewound the clock. It feels great though, man. Even with Randy Shannon, he's hanging around here right now. He's someone who recruited me. I was committed to him when he was at the University of Miami. So many familiar faces, man. George Edwards, he was in Minnesota when I was there. The list goes on. Thad Lewis, he's a South Florida legend, from Hialeah Miami Lakes. He had a successful career at Duke and in the NFL. So, just man, it feels like I'm home."

CORNERBACK BRYCE HALL

(On how he feels moving around in camp after his injury last season)
"Honestly, it feels amazing. When I am out there, I am not even thinking about planting and cutting; I am just out there having fun. Having some time off, it makes you appreciate all the little things, like just being able to go up steps instead of having to take the elevator or just being out here running around having fun. It has really been a blast, and I have been enjoying it."

(On his advice to WR Chris Godwin Jr. during his rehabilitation process)

"We talk all the time, especially early on during the rehab process [when] we were in there together. He has such a great mindset, great perspective, and I think that is what carries him. We are rooting for each other. Whenever he sees me out here, he is dapping me up, we are talking, and I am going to be just as excited when he is back out here making plays. You kind of have a special connection with guys when you have a similar journey, in a similar path. I think Chris [Godwin Jr.] is doing everything he needs to do -- I am not even worried about him when he gets back out here, he is going to crush it. Just his mindset, his perspective, his approach to everything -- there is no coincidence he has had the career he has had."

(On the additions to the defensive back group)

"Having [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles, he is always looking at 'How can we improve? How can we get better,' The emphasis he talked about -- takeaways and getting the ball and all those things. We brought in a lot of people that could do that, and I think that naturally elevates the level of competition. The cool thing is that we have such a tight-knit group in that room, so it does not even feel like we are going against each other or anything like that. There are so many good people -- I think this organization does a really good job of bringing in really good people who can all strengthen and help build each other. We are rooting for each other, we are out there having fun -- we have a bunch of guys that like playing football -- and I think throughout that process, no matter who is out there, it is going to have a good result."

(On what he has seen from the young defensive backs)

"[Those] guys love football. When you love something, you learn it at a higher rate. Jacob Parrish, 'B-Mo' (Benjamin Morrison), all those dudes are smart, and they are getting it. They love playing football, and I think that goes a long way. It helps some of us older guys, veterans, being able to bring them along in that process. They can process well, they [are] really smart -- I feel like everybody in the secondary is really smart -- so it has not been too much of an issue to take that next step. I think we know and have a good understanding of the defense -- at least for me just having another year in the system, learning and seeing things. When everyone has another year in the system, things naturally grow and get better."

(On getting his first interception during training camp)

"I thought it was pretty cool. There was a play earlier -- kind of got a similar play -- broke it up, and then the next play it came to be able to make that play. The play I had, I think what was cool about it is that it was a comeback play, and it was funny because I am coming back onto the field. So, I just thought it was pretty funny, I thought it was cool -- nothing too special about it -- that is just me personally. I just liked being able to make a play on that kind of route -- extra significant -- just something from God and I to have a funny laugh about that. Other than that, it was just a cool play."

TIGHT END PAYNE DURHAM

(On Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard taking over the offense this year)
"It's similar to last year but he obviously has his own wrinkles on it and it's fun, it's a fun system to play in. I think we did well in it last year and 'Grizz' (Josh Grizzard) is only bringing better things and adding more additions, not only for the tight end room but for everyone to get involved. It's a lot of fun to play in and love him as a person and a coach. [It] should be a fun season with him."

(On which of Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard's third down calls last season was his favorite)

"All of them – the ones that worked, mainly. He schemed up and drew up some stuff and when we knew what the defense was in everything hit when it was supposed to, how it was supposed to. [We're] building off that going forward. It's cool to see and just watch him – how smart of an offensive mind he is, it's really cool to see."

(On what his focus is during training camp)

"A lot of the technical blocking side of stuff. That was the role that I found myself in last year, being the human battering ram. I love it, I like doing that and [Tight Ends Coach Justin] Peelle has worked with me extensively. He has done a great job [of] getting me to hone in on my hand placement, my pad level, my base on contact – stuff like that. [I've] really been hammering that home just to try and dirt people this season."

(On keeping energy high during training camp)

"Today was a warm one for sure. Knowing that we have Tennessee coming tomorrow that adds excitement, we finally get to hit other people. I'm not the yelling for no reason kind of guy but I'll say something in the room or pick someone up, [let them know] we [have] to get out stuff going. But there are so many guys on the team that are like that, it's never a confrontation or an argument, it's always people uplifting. That's what I love about this team and this culture – we have a bunch of guys that truly care about each other on and off the field, [which is] really cool to see."

(On which of the team's linebackers are the best in coverage)
"The obvious one. Lavonte [David] is a Hall of Famer, that goes without saying. 'Deebo', Deion [Jones] can really run, he is fast, he is athletic -- I think he is in his [ninth] year, so he has seen a lot of balls, seen a lot of route patterns. 'Voss' (SirVocea Dennis) too. 'Voss' is so athletic and can stop and go on a dime. A lot of the young guys are playing really well too, like 'Bully' (John Bullock) and Nick [Jackson], they came in here and they're picking it up quick. They're good players."

(On what strides he has been looking to make as a pass catcher)
"Short area stuff. Getting open in a five-yard box, really [being] able to create separation – I made some contested catches but it's a lot easier when there is nobody on you. [I'm] trying to work on my bursts, in and out, quick speed changes – stuff like that."

-BUCCANEERS-