GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT

(On his thoughts on QB Baker Mayfield as a franchise quarterback and whether that's reflected in the contract offers)

"I'm not going to get into specifics about the contract and all that stuff, but yeah, we do think he is. We love Baker. Our feelings for Baker haven't changed."

(On if there is a point at which he expects NT Vita Vea to begin practicing)

"He's got a minor thing right now and we don't want to make it a major thing. I don't want to deal with hypotheticals right now, but he's got a minor thing and we're trying to take care of our players."

(On how important Vea is to the defense)

"Vita is a great player. We all know Vita. He is, I think, one of the better D-linemen in franchise history and he is a very important piece to this."

(On if he thinks the team's relationship with Vea is salvageable)

"Yeah, we love Vita. We've been engaged with his agent recently. I don't know how it's going to end but we've been engaged and that's at least some progress."

(On if he is afraid that the culture of the team is declining)

"Not at all. Everybody here is very focused. Everybody here is very excited about this team. Everybody is very optimistic. You feel the energy out here, but you also feel it in the building. I feel like the culture is maybe at one of its highest points."

(On if he has been getting calls from other teams regarding NT Vita Vea)

"So, this time of year, we get calls – not just me, but my staff – on lots of players. Without getting specific, there [are] a lot of teams [reaching out]. We do the same thing with other teams for multiple positions. I'm not being specific here with D-line – all positions – but yeah, you get calls all the time."

(On whether he has any plans on trading Vea)

"I have no plans on trading Vita."

(On if he expects Vea to play this season)

"That's what the hope is and that's what we're trying to resolve right now."

(On balancing the business aspect of football regarding contracts with cornerstone players while also making sure people are taken care of throughout the locker room)

"It's a big puzzle. I've said that a thousand times, I feel like. I give credit to my staff and the coaches. We have a lot of very good players that are either eligible, or will be eligible soon, for contract extensions. We take a lot of pride in how we've done our best to keep our core together with extensions, keeping guys and putting them at the top, or near the top [in terms of] resetting the market with certain players that we've done in the past, and then also extensions with other players. It's a puzzle and it's challenging. Not every situation is going to work out the way you want it to, and it can be frustrating for both the player and for the team. That's just the way it goes – that's just business."

(On his thoughts on how QB Baker Mayfield has handled things after not reaching a contract extension before training camp began)

"Baker is in a great place right now. I've had discussions with him. We're in a very good place. He is focused on winning and he is focused on having a great year."

(On if there has been any progress on Mayfield's contract or if he is 'all ball')

"Baker is all ball. He is all focused on the season. I am expecting him to have a great year. We respect the fact that he had a timetable for it. On my end, I'll always keep the door open on this situation. But he's very, very, very focused – I've never seen him this focused."

(On if he was surprised by Mayfield's comments in his training camp media availability)

"Well Baker, as we all know here, is a very fiery competitor that is not afraid to speak his mind. I know he was disappointed [and] frustrated, and we were too. But, like I said, we're in a good place. He is focused on having the best year of his career."

(On if the franchise tag is still on the table for Mayfield or any other player for next season)

"The franchise tag is a tool. It's an option. It's not necessarily something you want to plan on doing, but you have to in this business – you have to plan on things. One hundred different things can go 100 different directions, but it is an option, and we could plan and we could do it."

(On if he is surprised that things have reached this point with Mayfield and Vea's contracts)

"You know, I understand players wanting extensions – I totally understand that. Sometimes it's just [that] you don't see eye to eye on certain things and that's just the way that negotiations go. But I have the ultimate respect for both of these players. Like I said, it's been very good – the relationship has been very good."

(On if he is hopeful that the players have seen how the organization has taken care of its own key players in the past)

"Like I said before, I think we have a track record for taking care of those guys. Obviously, nobody wants to see those two players go anywhere else but it's the business of the NFL. We're doing our due diligence on our end."

(On at what point he would get nervous regarding whether Vea will be suiting up for the Buccaneers this season)

"Like I said before, I'm not going to deal with hypotheticals. Right now, it's one day at a time. We're just one week into camp, so, like I said, with him, we're taking care of him. We want to make sure a minor thing doesn't become a major thing."

(On how far apart QB Baker Mayfield and the team were on contract details)

"I respect the question. I'm just not going to get into specifics on that."

(On if the team is philosophically opposed to paying the quarterback top money at the position)

"No, I wouldn't say we are. It's a good problem to have. We've been searching for quarterbacks for a while. We got Tom Brady and then [had] big shoes to fill, and Baker [Mayfield] did a great job of doing that. You have to do what you have to do to put yourself in the best position to win and that's what our goal is every year."

(On if he feels the team is pretty stacked with the defensive tackle depth)

"Yeah, we're very excited about the players we brought in, the depth, the free agents, the draft. Watching practice every day – watching with the scouts afterward – one thing we look forward to most is watching that defense, especially that front right now. We feel like we've got attitude. We feel like we've got a lot of fire. It's one of the things Todd [Bowles] and I talked about in the offseason – wanting to add to this team. We feel like we did right now."

(On his thoughts on OLB Rueben Bain Jr. and LB Josiah Trotter so far)

"I couldn't be happier, right now, with both. It's not just what you see out there at practice, but just their overall approach to the game. They're professionals. It means everything to them. [They have] all of the characteristics we look for in a player and I couldn't be happier. Not just them, but right now, the entire rookie class and the free agents that we've brought in. It's been awesome."

(On what gives him faith that QB Baker Mayfield is in line to have the best season of his career)

"Well, he has always been a focused player. Shoot, he gets in here at probably 4 a.m. I can just see it. Not that he wasn't before, but I just see a bit extra motivation on his part."

(On the way Mayfield is able to turn disappointment into motivation)

"He's got a great way of compartmentalizing and focusing on the team. He loves his teammates. That's one of his greatest qualities."

(On if he still envisions a scenario in which NT Vita Vea plays in Tampa beyond this season)

"Yeah, that's the hope."

(On rookie WR Ted Hurst III so far)

"Well, he's big, he's long, he's got great hands, he can run. It's very important to him. He's working his butt off. We haven't seen the best of him, but so far what we've seen is very good. We haven't seen the best of him [yet] – he seems to progress a little bit more every day. It's hard to find those big, long, rangy, fast receivers that have the hands and ball skills that he has."

HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On his thoughts on the defensive line during Thursday's training camp practice)

"I'll look at the tape. We had some third down periods where they were getting off the ball, but [it] wasn't always against the first team. There [was] a lot of give and take on both parts today, but at least they [are] getting off the ball."

(On how he feels about LB Josiah Trotter getting comfortable in the scheme)

"Yeah, he's been coming along great. We knew his impact would be felt once we got in pads. That's kind of what we saw in college. He makes his presence felt. He's really picking up the scheme really well and understanding what he can do to cheat to make plays within it."

(On what he's seen from OLB David Walker)

"Just his energy and his athleticism [have] showed up. We didn't get to see him in pads last year, but to see him out there and the way he moves. He moves like an inside [linebacker], but he plays outside [linebacker] and he [has] great power. To see him out there playing fast and not worried about his knee is great."

(On what it was like to see former Buccaneers LB Lavonte David and former Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden at Thursday's practice)

"It was great to see 'Te' (Lavonte David) out here. In his mind, he had flashbacks when he came in, but his body probably said otherwise, so he was okay. It's always great to see 'Grudes' (Jon Gruden). He lives close by. He's a great friend. He's a great mentor. He's full of energy and one of the smartest coaches I've ever been around."

(On if there is anything from former Buccaneers Head Coach Job Gruden's coaching career that he takes inspiration from)

"Football wise, you learn a lot from an offensive standpoint of what type of schemes, I won't reveal his schemes, but what he likes to do and how he approaches it. I've learned a great deal that way. Then, other than that, other than the Chucky doll, I'm okay."

(On if he's been thinking about playing time for the first preseason game)

"We'll see how much we get in practice first in New York. We [have] a couple of guys nicked up as well, so there's going to be a lot of playing time from others from that standpoint. We'll practice against the Jets probably [on] Tuesday. After Tuesday, I'll have a good idea."

(On if there is timetable on when WR Jalen McMillan will return to practice)

"[I'm] not sure how long."

(On what he's been seeing from WR Dean Patterson IV)

"He's a guy taking advantage of opportunities with a couple of guys down. He gets to come out there and show. He shows he's staying mentally aware, he's executing it on the field, and it's good to see."

(On if he feels the team needs NT Vita Vea practicing in order to be ready for the season)

"We don't have to have him. If he was injured, we would have to play without him as well. It's great that these guys are getting reps, understanding what to do within the scheme. We can play without him; that's not a big deal. You don't want to play without him, but we can play without him."

(On why LB Alex Anzalone wasn't practicing in Thursday's training camp practice)

"He's a little sore, so we rested him."

(On what he thinks about WR Dennis Houston during training camp)

"Great speed. Outstanding speed. Outstanding work ethic. [He] just [has] to take advantage of his opportunities. He's probably one of the fastest over there, if not the fastest. You notice when he is on the field, you see his speed. [He] just [has] to execute his plays when he's in there and he [has] to play special teams."

(On what he sees from the offensive line without T Tristan Wirfs practicing)

"I think it's a great chance for 'Chuk' (Ben Chukwuma) and [Justin] Skule, to get some reps in. Obviously, going against [Rueben] Bain [Jr.] and Yaya [Diaby] everyday prepares them for the season. Obviously, you don't want what happened last year at the start of the season, but if we have to play with those guys, they [have] some good experience now. It been good give and take for the defense."

(On when T Tristan Wirfs will return to practice)

"I'm not sure when he'll come back to practice, but I do expect him back at some point during the preseason."

(On CB Ayden Garnes taking advantage of the opportunity with some cornerbacks out with injuries)

"He's taking advantage of them as well. With some of the guys down, these guys really get a chance to show, and they get a chance to show against the first team. He's very quick and he's very fast. We know he's a very good cover guy. It's about the whole package and seeing him play against the run and doing the right things. He's taking advantage of those opportunities so far."

(On if CB Ayden Garnes is one of the players he's excited to watch during preseason)

"Absolutely."

(On if the competition for special teams' roles are more competitive with new Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith)

"They're all new to him. You get a new coach, he doesn't know anybody, so he is treating everybody [fairly]. He has a system that he runs, and he sees it in practice every day. He [has] done it for a long time. He brings tremendous energy. I think he's bringing all those guys along very well. The best guy will play and he has a very good eye for talent and sees that. That makes it good."

(On what having both RB Kenny Gainwell and RB Bucky Irving on the field together does for the offense)

"That's the initial beginnings of it right now, when they're both on the field at the same time. They both can flex out and play in the slot, they both can do jet motion, and they both can touch the ball. It makes it tough to figure out who's doing what."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER AL-QUADIN MUHAMMAD

(On if he fits in well in Head Coach Todd Bowles' schemes)

"It's a great fit. To be able to be versatile and line up inside, and be able to line up outside and get some rushes as well…It's good. [It] keeps guys on their toes. [It] keeps teams on their toes."

(On what stands out from the defense during padded practices)

"Just the physicality. We haven't had too many padded days up to this point, but the physicality, being able to be physical and make plays. Sometimes, without the pads, a lot of people [can] stand out, but with the pads on, it's a little different. It definitely gets a lot [more] physical. To be able to think on the fly and be able to make plays when things are a little tougher."

(On what he thinks rookie LB Josiah Trotter brings to the defense)

"He's different. I think he's going to have an amazing year. Those are the types of guys you want on your team, to be able to play with that mentality that he plays with. He's going to be a good one."

(On if he thinks the back end of the defense is playing well)

"100%. I mean, that's what you want. Then, upfront, we [have] to do our job and be able to get to the quarterback. You want a good back end and allow us a lot of opportunities to get to the quarterback. That was happening sometimes today, and that's what you want. We're [going] to keep building off of that."

(On his impressions of OLB David Walker)

"He has a motor. The good ones, as far as [defensive] linemen and pass rushers, and all that good stuff, they play with a motor, and he plays with a motor. For his size, he knows who he is and the things that he [does], he [does] well. He's been having a [great] camp, so it's impressive."

DEFENSIVE BACK KEIONTE SCOTT

(On his development through the first days of training camp)

"I'm definitely grateful for the opportunity. I told myself when I was drafted in the fourth round [to] just be ultimately ready to contribute to the team in any way, so that is my mindset going in. Missing OTA's and missing the spring would be a setback for somebody, but I feel like I've been through certain similar situations – you know, getting to a place late, so I'm just trying to use those similar situations to have the same mindset – just being prepared. Attacking the transition is something I'm working on – being big on that. It's definitely a difference, you know, great guys on the team though, great guys going against the offense, so I'm just attacking the transition."

(On the defense's performances and progression during training camp)

"I feel like, as a group, we're continuing to grow every day. I feel like we're doing a good job in the meeting rooms – the coaches coming together, attacking the small things. I feel like for us as a group, it's never really the big things – I feel like it's always the small little tweaks we're making, consistently making those. [I] definitely [have] to shout out the D-line, and those front seven – just being able to play together, like we call it, 'Peanut butter and jelly.' So, you know, them being able to get home, us being able to cover [and] give them time to get home, [that's] something we're working on as a team."

(On transitioning his game from the college level to the NFL)

"I've been constantly trying to elevate my game to an NFL style in the nickel, you know, just getting comfortable. My big thing is just playing little bit looser, adding some more swag to the game, kind of being free and just being myself... Ultimately, a big thing I found myself is, I feel like in college, you're using your brain before pre-snap to get you in the right spot, then from there you kind of just playing ball. I feel like now, when you get to the NFL level, you have to be using your brain for the pre-snap, during the snap, and then in the play. That's something that I'm growing at – now it's trying to read the stems, read the leverage, and what the receiver can [do], what he can't do, where your help is, where your help isn't, you know? Just trying to implement my brain into the game, into the snap is something that I'm working on right now."

(On who among the defense has best helped him adapt and learn to play multiple positions)

"I would just give a big shout-out to the room in general. I feel like the room is being very welcoming – they realize the situation, and everybody has opened their arms out. You know, sitting down, meeting with Antoine Winfield [Jr.], being able to get the guidance from him, and his eyes, and where he's seeing the game, and get some tips and points from him. Being able to talk to Jacob [Parrish], being able to talk to 'B-Mo (Benjamin Morrison), being able to sit down with coach – I feel like everybody is just doing a good job of being an open hand, and I'm just trying to soak up all the game from each guy. So, I feel like I'm just constantly trying to learn anything I can and just apply it immediately."

-BUCCANEERS-