HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On when the team wants to have a decision at left guard by)

"Well, right after Indy we should know. We should know. We've got to give those guys a chance to compete and play. To put them two or three plays at a time doesn't build the continuity, so we've got to stick him in with the first group and let them go; stick the next guy in at another time, let him go; stick the next guy in at another time and let him go. We'll make our decision then, but we've got to build some continuity. Can't say he's getting three [snaps], he's getting four – it's not going to go with the offensive line. I would say around Indianapolis."

(On if the Buccaneers have to have WR Chris Godwin ready for the first regular season game)

"No, he doesn't have to be ready. We want him for the long haul. We don't want him running around, looking good and then getting hurt. We're going through all the protocols and doing all the little things for him, and it's good to see him in pads, but he's got some tests to pass and some ways to go. We're not rushing him by [any] means. We just want him healthy for the long haul. Once we get down the road and make that determination, we'll go from there. But there's not a fast way to have him ready for the season."

(On if the next step for Godwin is going up against defenders)

"The trainers and the strength coach will let us know when that determines. It all depends on how he feels after practice and after lifting and everything. If he keeps feeling good, it will progress to that. I can't give you an exact date, but we'll know when they say something."

(On which positions will be decided on the field during the preseason)

"Right now, there's a bunch of interior offensive linemen. Who's going to play behind Donny [Smith] and Tristan [Wirfs]? Who's going to play behind [Robert] Hainsey? Obviously, you have to have somebody to play right guard as well, to back up [Shaq] Mason if something happens. The depth at running back behind Leonard [Fournette] is going to be interesting, with Rachaad [White] and Gio [Bernard] and Ke'Shawn [Vaughn]. There's a bunch of spots. The tight end spot – we've got a lot of young guys coming on. There's going to be a few things, and special teams will play a lot of part in that as well. It will be good to see the practices, but it will be great to see the preseason games and who can play under the lights. And then there's a lot of receivers – we have a lot of talent there."

(On how WR Julio Jones has looked)

"He looks good. You know, he looks good. Obviously not being with the team in the offseason he's still got to get in a little better shape, but we like what we see in him. He's explosive, very smart, understands the game and he can help us."

(On if the Buccaneers might use Jones primarily in the red zone)

"We can use him all over the field. He's not just a red zone guy. He can still run. He's got moves, he can run by people, he can catch, he can block. He still has the whole gamut when you talk about his game, and we can use him anywhere we want to use him. That's the beauty of it."

(On versatility among players on the offensive line)

"You've got to be versatile on the O-Line. You can't carry all backups. Somebody's got to be either a guard-center combination or a tackle-guard combination, or both sides, so it is 'the more you can do' when you talk about that spot."

(On what he has seen from the younger cornerbacks)

"They just have to keep growing mentally. We're throwing a lot of stuff at them right now. Once they get the install and it calms down and they can play fast, we'll really start to judge them. We'll get to see them a lot under the lights and see what they do and how they handle that and playing special teams. We'll make some decisions from there."

(On the competition for a starting cornerback spot between Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean)

"Both have been playing [well] in camp. It's going to be interesting to see, obviously. Both have experience in the league and they both came back healthy and in great shape, and they're doing all the right things right now. That's going to be one of those tough decisions we have to make."

(On if the hardest part of returning from a knee injury is the final mental hurdle)

"I think for most injured guys it's getting hit and falling down and getting acclimated. Once you get hit and do something and you fall down and [think], 'Oh man, that's alright,' then you start feeling a lot better about yourself. You can be healthy going in and you can pass all the tests. I think until you get hit and fall down it doesn't truly go away, no matter who you are."

(On how long it takes for players to get over that hurdle)

"It's different for everybody. I can't put a timetable on it. Everybody's different. Chris [Godwin] is tough, he's smart, he knows what he knows and it will be something he has to feel."

(On rookie S Nolan Turner)

"He's extremely intelligent. You don't notice him because he's always in the right place and the ball doesn't go to him a lot. But he makes plays, he communicates well, he's very bright. Very interested to look at him the preseason. He does a lot of things we like."

(On if he still knows anyone who works for the Dolphins)

"Guys that are there from when I was there – probably Chris Grier, the G.M., and a couple strength and equipment guys. I think that's about it as far as the people I know there."

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN WILLIAM GHOLSTON

(On the duo of Akiem Hicks and Vita Vea)

"I'm excited about it because that's a heavy load, him and Vita [Vea] for sure. I know they have to double them, and if they don't double them, it's going to be crazy. It's going to be magic – going to make some magic out there. [Those] guys are huge, and I love it. It helps you bring a bit of tenaciousness to your game – add a little bit – because you see how physically dominating those guys are, so you want to do the same thing. I see it down the line now and so does everybody in that room."

(On the pass rush potential of this unit)

"It's the same potential it's got to be every single year. You have to go into the year trying to be a record-breaking sack team. It's just like with our rush defense – we have a certain goal, a certain standard – we want to get to that, that's the goal every single time. We want to be the best in sacks, the best in the run, and every category."

(on the progress made by DL Logan Hall's progress)

"A lot, a lot. I know you guys have been seeing those practices, too. [Logan Hall] is a sensational rusher. He has the size and physique and I'm glad to be able to tell him everything I did wrong, so he doesn't do it. I think he's going to be a great, phenomenal player."

TIGHT END CADE OTTON

(On how comfortable he's feeling in the offense)

"It gets better every single day. The coaches do a great job coaching us up to be in the right spot and on the little details that go into the end result -- getting good plays down the field and scoring touchdowns. Just been working on that every single day – somedays it'll be me, a lot of days it will be someone else [laughs]. It's fun to have some success, but just really fun to be a part of an explosive offense and have some fun."

(On getting a rapport with the quarterbacks)

"Anytime the ball comes your way, you've got to be able to make a play on it, and that's what earns a quarterback's trust, especially those opportunities in the red zone you got to capitalize on them as a receiver or tight end. Just working as hard as I can to do that. There are still some plays out there that I would like to have. Just going to work on it every single day, but super important opportunities."

(On something he didn't expect when he entered the NFL)

"One thing that really surprised me is how together the guys are. In college you think the NFL is just a business, but I guess just being on this team everyone is just working towards one goal and so supportive of each other. They hold each other to a high standard, and everyone is working towards a Super Bowl. You can't afford to be against each other at that point – we compete, we get after it but at the end of the day we have each other's back. That's been kind of a surprise, but an awesome one since I got here."

(On learning from the veterans in the TE room)

"They've both been great, but Cam [Brate] especially since he's been in the offense for so long. Knowing all the nuances and what it takes to get the ball and be successful tight end here and he's a great guy, so he has really been willing to help us rookie tight ends out – come along for the team. He knows what it takes, and just asking him questions whenever I can has been an awesome resource."

(On what he has learned from QB Tom Brady)

"He's just a really nice guy off the field. You kind of 'oou' and 'aah' at his locker when you first get here and all the hype that surrounds him – rightfully so, he's the best of all time. He's just a normal dude that wants to be great every single day and that's what sets him apart. He knows how to be a great teammate and he also knows how to correct and demand greatness. I didn't know quite to expect coming in but I got nothing but good things to say about him."

TACKLE DONOVAN SMITH

(On his veteran day off today)

"I'm new to this – it feels good. To be able to get my body back, keeping me fresh, legs feeling good – it feels good to be able to have a vet day. It allows me to be able to take a step back, perspective wise and look at the group from the back and everything and help out the younger guys. It works out well.)

(On OL Brandon Walton)

"B-Wall is very versatile. To be able to throw himself over there at left tackle and hold his own – both guard positions and everything -- is something that you want. As a guy in this league, you're got to be able to play multiple spots, so it's good to be able to see him do that at a high level and make a name for himself here -- that's what you want to see and do."

-BUCCANEERS-