HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On whether CB Benjamin Morrison will be available for Sunday against Atlanta)
"[It is] still up for grabs right now. There's a possibility he could come back…Until Wednesday, we'll see – he's been moving better."

(On whether Morrison's injury is the same hamstring injury he sustained in training camp)
"Right."

(On who will be the primary nickel cornerback on Sunday against Atlanta)
It still remains to be seen. [It's] probably between Tykee [Smith] or Zyon [McCollum]."

(On T Benjamin Chukwuma playing both left and right tackle)
"He did well. He did well. We really like him. He did a lot of good things at left tackle. So, to see him go to right means his learning curve is coming along very well and he did well over there, as well. We're excited to see what the future holds for him and we really like where he's at right now."

(On whether Chukwuma could be the swing tackle this season)
"[He] could be."

(On how ready the rookies are to play significant snaps in the regular season based on what he's seen from them in training camp)
"I mean, they'll be ready. They're mentally ready, they're physically ready, and everything they see during the season is nothing that they hadn't seen in training camp…They're just playing it under the lights and playing it for real."

(On the biggest adjustment going from training camp to regular season)
"Well, just getting the guys used to the grind. In preseason they play about 15–18 plays and during the season they play about 60-something. So, a lot of these guys have got to settle in after about three or four games. You've got to make sure you have guys ready the first game if these guys need a breather, then you've got to make sure the depth is there that understands what they're doing."

(On whether he feels better about this team's depth compared to last season)
"Certain positions, I feel good about; other positions, we don't have a lot of depth. So, it switches every year and you're going to have to make do. I think everybody in the league has this problem. We're trying to make do with what we've got and make sure everybody understands when they go in what they have to do."

(On Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.)
"Just seeing the three games last year and obviously in the [College Football] playoff game, he's strong-armed – very strong-armed – [and] very accurate. He throws a great deep ball. He can check it down. He looks off very well and goes the other way. He can really put the ball in there. He can really thread needles. If you're not fundamentally or technically sound, he's going to beat you."

(On the Atlanta Falcons edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pierce Jr.)
"Other than youth, they bring a lot of speed. Pierce was a heck of a pass rusher in college – he could really run. I got to see Walker a few times myself. [He was] one of my favorite players in the draft coming out and he's really multifaceted. He can do a lot of things for them outside, inside. He plays with a high motor. He's a high-character guy, [provides] great leadership. So, between the two of them, they really infused themselves with two young, good pass rushers."

(On if teams do anything differently when facing a left-handed quarterback)
"No, you've just got to remember he's left-handed. The balls that typically go to the right may go to the left now…Where the right corner got certain things, the left corner may get certain things, but other than that, you just play."

(On if team captains have been selected)
"We voted this morning. It'll be done by Wednesday. Wednesday morning."

(On what WR Emeka Egbuka has done best to prepare himself for his rookie season)
"I think he's come in in great shape. To come from Ohio to this weather down in Florida and adjust and not miss a day and be mentally sharp and physically sharp at the same time and not having to look like he had to adjust to the heat…I think that's been outstanding and that takes a lot of preparation, which means he really worked hard this offseason to come into camp ready. That was very impressive."

(On the practice squad additions of Jack Henderson, Jayson Jones, and Mohamed Kamara)
"Jayson Jones, he's a big body – we thought we needed that. We really like the way he plays. We've got to get him caught up to speed, [but are] really excited to see what he can do. Kamara gives us a young edge guy we liked a few years ago when he was coming out. Henderson is a very smart safety and we've got to get in and see what he can do. But the three guys also have potential to move up in the future."

(On his son getting the game-ending sack in the Michigan Wolverines game on Saturday)
"It was a hell of a play…It looked like a young Bowles [laughs]."

(On it appearing that his son had a free rush on his aforementioned sack)
"Those are the best kind."

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR THOMAS MCGAUGHEY

(On what he is looking for in a punt/kick returner)

"[An] explosive playmaker, that is all we are looking for -- somebody who can make good decisions and make explosive plays. [Our] guys have done a really good job of just putting themselves in the position to make plays. We will see what happens, it is a very fluid situation right now, but we have a lot of good candidates."

(On if the new kickoff rule impacts who makes the initial 53-man roster)

"I think league-wide it is going to have an effect. It is a real play now; it is not a ceremonial play like it has been in the past. It is a real play, and it is definitely going to impact rosters across the league."

(On WR Tez Johnson, WR Kameron Johnson, and RB Josh Williams being a deep group for returner candidates)

"Yeah, definitely. These guys have done a really good job. They are very talented. We just have to see how they keep progressing. I am excited about their future -- I think their best football is ahead of them -- it is going to be a really good group."

(On having a veteran punter in Riley Dixon)

"It is like getting on the punter or the kicker train: destination unknown. Having a calming presence like Riley [Dixon] -- a veteran guy who can be a leader at the specialist position in that room -- with his experience as a holder and having Chase [McLaughlin] knowing, 'Okay, the ball is going to be where it is supposed to be,' and knowing that we have a guy that can put the ball consistently inside the 20-yard line. I had [Riley Dixon] for four years at another place I was at and he did a really good job for us there -- he got better every year. To have that presence -- a veteran presence -- at that spot is huge."

(On what LB John Bullock did on special teams to earn a roster spot)

"'Bully' (John Bullock) did a great job. He had production. We talk about these guys, and it is like, 'look, everybody is going to get opportunities. It is what you do with your opportunity.' 'Bully' did a great job of making plays and preparing and [in] practice and the meetings. Everything that he did daily set him up for him to make this football team. I will be honest with you all, I pulled both those guys -- two young guys -- Nick [Jackson] and 'Bully' and I said, 'One of you guys is going to be active. It is up to you on who makes it.' Both those guys did a great job, that is why they are both still here. [John] Bullock did a great job."

(On how he feels about the kickoff unit)

"We have a lot of guys, it is exciting. We have a guy at each position -- maybe two -- that is going to be there. It is going to be a really, really good group. Anywhere from eight-to-10 guys [are] solid. That is the first time I have been around that in a long time -- probably since I was in Carolina in 2016. I am excited about the group."

(On if K Chase McLaughlin will be handling kickoff duties)

"Chase [McLaughlin] will be our guy kicking off. Riley [Dixon] was a high school kicker. Most people do not know he was a kicker and quarterback coming out of high school. [Riley Dixon] can definitely do it, but Chase will be our guy."

CENTER GRAHAM BARTON

(On going into Week 1 against Atlanta after losing both matchups in the previous season)

"It is a new season, [it] does not matter what we did last year, it does not matter what happened in the past. Week 1 of this year, we are just looking to go 1-0. Obviously, Atlanta, we went 0-2 against them last year, so it would be awesome to go down there Week 1 and get a win."

(On the chemistry the offensive line built through training camp)

"We have had all of camp to work together, we are really proud of where we are at. I think we are ready to go for Week 1. Communication has been good, [we are] just working on small details. Game-planning for Atlanta now is really the focus, but I think we built a good foundation heading into the season in camp with the guys we have out there."

(On flipping a switch to get ready for the season after not playing in the preseason)

"It is definitely a new thing. For me, obviously last year I played in every preseason game. It is part of the NFL -- it is a long season -- so coaches have to be smart about when you go in, when you do not. So just as a player, I have to be responsible for my preparation in making sure when I get out there for play one of Week 1, I am ready to rock."

(On what he has developed mentally going into year two)

"Just mentally, when you have so much going on in your mind. I have calmed my mind down a lot and just being able to think more clearly and think about the fundamentals and techniques I want to execute. [It is] not just making sure where everyone is and where everyone needs to go but being able to actually excel in my play and I think that all comes from being able to quiet your mind and go out there and play football."

(On how he has learned to quiet his mind)

"It is just repetition. You have seen all the looks to all the different plays we run, so you know how to target things. You are not sitting there kind of wondering and going through your head. You see something, and for the most part you know what to do -- it is just repetition. You can get everyone on the same page quicker -- process quicker -- and you are ready to go."

-BUCCANEERS-