OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On the slow start offensively against Atlanta)

"Yeah, [we] definitely did not start how we intended. It was good to see the resiliency of being able to put together some drives in the second quarter and then especially the way we finished it, but that's what it is. You want to start fast, you want to put the pressure on them from the jump. It's not the start we envisioned, but just seeing everybody come together…What's not hitting? What's hitting? How can we adjust that? Whether it's in the second quarter, at halftime, [we want] to go out there and try to put some drives together and score points."

(On what he can take from his first full game calling plays)

"For sure. It's huge because you just get more reps at it [and] hope to get better with it every week. Just using those preseason games to be able to do that was treating those games – I know it's preseason – but at least personally looking at that like it's the first game of the season. That way everything is as serious as it needs to be. Trying to get the guys in the right spots to get them the ball and just keep adding to that."

(On the go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter)

"It was huge. We work those situations so much out here, especially in training camp versus our own defense. And then just the belief that we're all connected, we know what plays we're going to get to, we know what we're trying to attack, we have the belief [that] the O-line is going to hold up in protection. We need protection fixes from the back to be able to hold up, to be able to ultimately get first downs and right there be able to get points to win the game, which was huge and great to see. Everybody was just calm – we've done this a bunch of times. Let's put together some completions, get on the ball, and go from there."

(On WR Emeka Egbuka "calling his shot" on the game-winning touchdown)

"Yeah, it was cool for everybody to see it on game day, live, what he can do and what he brings to the team. But to your point, the conversations that we had – it was really the third time that we had ran that play. We had an unfortunate incompletion to Cade [Otton] on one of them and then Mike [Evans] caught one of them, and rightfully so understood that [Jessie] Bates was going to try to play him because it's Mike Evans. And I think that's one of the best examples when people say, 'Oh, Mike Evans dictates coverage.' Mike Evans dictates coverage. So, on that one, you're able to see, hey, I got this shot at this play if we get back to it. Then, fortunately for the streak of the way the game was going, we were able to get back to it at that point as a huddle call and [we got] just [an] unbelievable job in protection, [with] Baker [Mayfield] getting it to him on time, and just unbelievable route and catch."

(On playing three offensive linemen in new positions in Week 1)

"Yeah, it's one of those things for the week of game planning [where] you're really only getting those reps at whatever runs or protections we're getting that week, and then like this week will be different on what we're running. S,o it's really such a game plan thing and those guys are able to get enough reps on the ones we had up versus Atlanta to be able to go out there and execute it."

(On the coaching staff's confidence in the offensive line to be able to shake things up that much)

"For sure. It was not a decision that we took lightly and it was something that we had to talk about. It ultimately came down to the players and the belief that both of those guys, to include Mike [Jordan] playing guard, had done it before. They had the reps at it and then they owned it where they knew that put us in the best position to win the game. They owned it from there on the reps we needed to have to feel comfortable about it. Then, the conversations those guys have in the locker room and on the side for watching tape together and being on the same page was really cool."

(On T Charlie Heck's confidence if he has to step in at right tackle considering T Luke Goedeke has missed practice)

"We still have confidence in Charlie. It's a lot like a [wide] receiver or running back where if they might not get the ball, you try to get them the ball more. It's different because you don't really rotate those guys, but we still have confidence in him. As well as to the point of guys not getting it when that comes up as well where, 'Okay, hey, we miss you on this route, but just don't fall asleep. We're going to come back to you later.'"

(On what type of challenge the Texans defense presents)

"It's a big challenge. It's a really good unit. You see it from all three levels of the defense, starting with the D-line and those edge rushers – very good. They just play so hard. They're so well-coached from Coach [Demeco] Ryans. You can see that stick out on tape all the way back to his time with the [San Francisco] 49ers – very similar scheme, Starting up front, you see what those guys can do as pass rushers and in the run game. Then from the stack linebacker positions with Azeez [Al-Shaair] really running the show in there as the middle [linebacker], does a great job. As well as having [Jalen] Pitre – he's a safety on paper, but he plays a lot of nickel [cornerback] for them. He's very physical, likes to mix it up in the run game. Then once you get to the perimeter of the defense, those guys are really good in [Derek] Stingley, and then last year on the outside with both the safeties, we have a little bit of history with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from last year in [Philadelphia]. So, really all three levels are a stout unit. They play hard, very fundamentally sound."

(On his assessment of how effective the screen game was in Week 1)

"For sure. It's something we look at each week as we game plan on is it the best concept for that week? Can we get to it that week? And it's really on a week-to-week basis. You might see more one week, less one week. [It's] really just [dictated by] what the defense does."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's ball placement on his touchdown passes to WR Emeka Egbuka)

"Yeah, I think that's what you get out of being in the second year in the system. His footwork on that, even though that was an explosive play – I think that was on the 25- or 30-yard line where we threw it from…He essentially had a quick-game timing on the play where he threw it to Mike [Evans], where he's taking a very slight drop. Does Mike get the ball? Okay, [Jessie] Bates is nailing down, and all it takes is a quick hitch from him to be able to get it up to Emeka. So having that recall and working it from the spring of last year through now, [he] now has that in-game reaction where in the critical moment he's on it with his footwork and he can get the ball out to an explosive play, and it's not like he's taking a seven-step drop. That's what you would hope for in a second year."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's leadership and how that showed up in Week 1)

"Yeah, it felt like Atlanta had the ball for like 30 minutes down there in the end zone. So, we had enough time to talk about what we were going to do. There's a couple different scenarios that were going to come up based on what happened down there. So, he's just so calm on the sideline. No matter what happens here, we're going to get this thing back and we're going to go score. And then his communication on, 'This is what I want to get to in the two-minute calls,' okay these are the best ones…What he's feeling, how do we get it to Mike [Evans]? How do we get it to 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka)? Those guys know once we get up there and get on the line of scrimmage, he's commanding that thing even in a hostile environment. That's what you get out of the guy."

(On what he wants to improve on from Week 1)

"Yeah, really starting fast. Starting fast, trying to get easier completions that way we can get the guys going. We had a couple we missed early to Mike [Evans] on some of the targets, either shorter ones or down the field, but anytime that he can get the ball and get the thing rolling, it puts pressure on the defense, which opens up the run game as well."

(On missed throws in the flat in Week 1)

"Yeah, if it's not there, we're trying to push the ball down the field. We had a couple of those play-action shots called that missed Mike [Evans] over the middle. We missed them on their sideline as well. But if it's not there, even though those were open, if you can check it down, make them rally to it, then once you get that coverage to tighten up a little bit, then you can throw it over their head from that point."

(On the team's third-down success dating back to last season, and if it's a "cat-and-mouse game")

"It's definitely a cat-and-mouse game once you get into it in terms of we're expecting certain things in certain windows. [With] how we break up third down, it could be third-and-two-to-three or it could be third-and-10-plus where you're expecting certain coverages. Then, once you get into the game, you get a feel for what we're expecting. Is that happening? Or are they giving us something different? That's where the adjustments come from. But for the work that these guys are able to put in in the protection plan, as well as being able to change plays at the line of scrimmage, can get us into advantageous looks to try to take advantage of that. Because they put the work in on that, we feel like we can put pressure on the defense to not always be in a perfect call that might wire or hit you on a blitz."

(On how nervous he was in his first game calling plays)

"Yeah, going into it, just the first crack at it, it's a little different than the preseason of course, especially being on the road starting. It was going to be big no matter what, but now we've got Atlanta, being in the same division. But once it gets going, you settle in, it still turns into a game, a lot like people talk about where [in] the lead-up to it, there's definitely some nerves. But I think for the players, coaches, whether you're calling the plays or going into a game last year, there's always nerves. I think you should be nervous because you put the work in, you want to go execute, but it definitely settles down. And then at the end, we've got to be calm, I've got to be calm, because if they see that we're out of our minds, then they're probably going to be out of their minds and it's not going to go well."

(On why interception numbers are down league-wide)

"I don't know. I hope for us it continues. I'm not sure from around the league as much, but I have no idea. As long as we can stay on that side of it, we're in a good spot."

(On rotating three running backs on one drive against Atlanta)

"I think sustaining drives and getting those connections on the early passes opens up the run game. Then when you sustain drives and say it's 10 or 11 plays, ultimately those guys are going to get gassed and the next guy comes in, then he has the juice and hopefully you're still pushing the ball down the field to get the next one in there. But each of those guys definitely have a role – we try to get it to them and [hope to] improve on that this week."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On OLB Haason Reddick's immediate impact)

"He was fast. We know he's a mismatch for a lot of guys with his speed and his power. I'm impressed – he's a little man, but he has power. He did a good job, brings juice and energy, and I think guys are feeding off it."

(On scouting Houston's reshuffled offensive line)

"With all the data upstairs and the film, we're breaking down all the guys – even going back to the rookie [Aireontae Ersery] at Minnesota and looking at those guys at former places. We've got an idea how they want to block us, but at this point of the year we've got to do our game."

(On preparing for a new offensive coordinator with limited film)

"Basically, look at the preseason, look at game one. At this point of the season, you really just do what you're best at. Not quite 'See ball, get ball,' but it's that type of approach this early stage in the year."

(On containing quarterbacks and setting the edge, and how he thought they did when facing Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.)

"It's going to be a big challenge this week. We know [Michael] Penix Jr. stays in the pocket – kind of old-school – but he stays in the pocket. We know this week is going to be a big challenge. I challenged my guys. Baker [Mayfield] has got that ability to scramble around and make plays, too. Whichever quarterback makes more of those plays will give their team the best chance to win."

(On DL Calijah Kancey's one-arm tackle on Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson and his outlook going into year three)

"He's one of those freaks – fast, quick, with a good understanding of the game. This is year three and you could see it early in training camp with the guys that are around, he's taking that next step. He's a first-round pick; I'm not surprised when he does freakish things out there on the field."

(On the 2023 meeting against the Houston Texans and how much the Buccaneers want to prove they've improved)

"We know [C.J.] Stroud – I know that was his rookie year. We know [Nico] Collins is there. I know Tank Dell is out right now. Stroud is one of the best quarterbacks in the league; he's shown that in just a short time. They've got weapons. I know they didn't fare well last week, and those guys are going to come in ready to go Monday night."

(On OLB Yaya Diaby's Week 1 showing)

"They did a great job. I challenged them last week – Atlanta, we've got to stop their run – and we did well in the run game. You can't get frustrated; sometimes sacks get called back, the ball was thrown. He was winning. He went against a good tackle last week with [Jake] Matthews. I was impressed – he kept the energy. I really challenged [those] guys to set the edge and play good run defense, and they did that."

(On the sixth defensive lineman and rotation)

"That's probably more for [Head Coach Todd] Bowles. With the new rules, extra practice-squad guys and veterans, he and Jason [Licht] will mix and match different position groups. That's more for him."

(On what he's seen from OLB Mohamed Kamara since joining)

"He's got juice. I liked him coming out of Colorado State. When they ran to me that day last week and said we had an opportunity to get him, I was excited. I remembered him coming out. I asked a few questions – what happened in Miami? He gave me a [shrug]. Nobody knows, but I'm glad we got him. He's been a joy to coach in this short time, and I like the energy. He's given our offense a great look during the week."

(On DL Jayson Jones)

"He looks good. He's big. I was joking – I like big-headed football players; those are typically the best players in the league. An old-school coach gave me that theory and I've been running with it. I was joking with him about how big his head is, but he looks good. He's giving us a good look."

(On comparing OLB Mohamed Kamara to smaller, twitchy rushers like OLB David Walker

"You don't have to say 'undersized' – say very short, about 5'10", 5'11". I see that comparison. He can get off the ball, he's twitchy. I know a lot of guys personally that I played with from Colorado State. I know they play some good ball up there."

(On whether Kamara could be elevated)

"Once again, that's [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles. He's giving us a good look and doing a good job. At those spots, you've got to impress the special teams coach as well as your position coach."

(On defending the Atlanta Falcons' 91-yard drive with multiple snaps inside the five-yard line and what that says about the defense's resilience)

"You coach that. That was our first live action, especially in the red zone. I was very impressed. They tried to run it, tried to pass it, and we kept fighting. We came up a little short – literally a couple inches. Whatever hair I've got, I was pulling it out. You should have seen my wife's text message when I got to the locker room after. It was exciting. Our guys didn't blink – even though a couple coaches were blinking on the sideline, those guys did a good job. It's a good experience: defend every blade of grass. You never know what happens – make them kick or get the ball back."

(On OLB Chris Braswell Jr.'s early snaps)

"He's looking good. He's a power guy. He looks more comfortable in the defense as far as dropping and understanding what to do. In my short time coaching him, I'm comfortable throwing him in there, giving guys a breather. He's doing a good job picking up the defense."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER HAASON REDDICK

(On how he thought he performed against Atlanta in Week 1)

"Decent, but there is always room for improvement which I am looking to do -- everybody is looking to do with this week coming up. It just is [about] improving and be better than we were in Week 1."

(On how he felt to get the season started)

"It felt good. It felt good to just be out there playing football, it seems like we have been waiting a long time for football to get back. Now that we are here, it is just exciting to be out there with the guys, help them fight, have a good time and play ball."

(On what the Houston Texans offense presents as a challenge for the defense)

"We have to keep them contained. [C.J. Stroud] is a guy where if you leave too many receivers open or if you do not have a good rush integrity, he will take off whether that be to throw the ball or sometimes go headfirst for a first down. I think the big challenge is on the defensive line this week and making sure we can contain and keep him in the pocket."

(On getting a lot of pressure, including a sack, in Week 1)

"It felt good to be able to make a play for the team when it was needed. [To] just go out there doing my job and doing what everybody knows I can do."

(On OLB Yaya Diaby and himself 'feeding' off of each other's pass rushes)

"We are both good rushers -- great rushers -- we are going to feed off each other. Vita [Vea] right there, we have guys on the inside as well. Between him, Calijah [Kancey], we have good guys all over and we are all going to feed off each other. It is just about us being disciplined and not being too trigger happy. [We need to] just stay within our rush rules, doing what we do in practice and going out there and take it to the field on gameday."

OFFENSIVE GUARD BEN BREDESON

(On preparing to play center against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1)

"[It] took a couple practices to get back into the old center swing of things, but it felt good out there."

(On what he thinks the reason is for the success of the offensive line against the Falcons)

"Graham [Barton] is an incredible athlete, being able to move from center to left tackle is obviously not an easy feat. We knew how good an athlete he was coming in here last year. He got to show us that throughout his game, playing center and chasing down linebackers. He really did a great job out there on the edge. Mike Jordan, being able to step in, he has had experience in other places. Obviously, he has not played a game with us, but we were able to get that to gel throughout the week. Cody [Mauch] and Luke [Goedeke] are always going to do their thing on the right side, so we worked really well together and played until the whistle and that is all you can control."

(On how confident the offense was sending out that starting offensive line)

"It took a little bit, but we knew that we all could do it, we just needed a couple reps at it. We were able to accomplish that throughout the week, and we were confident rolling into the game."

(On the challenge of going up against the Houston Texans defensive line)

"They have some phenomenal edge rushers over there. Let's not overlook their interior guys, because those interior guys are very good as well. They have a good defensive front; it is a great challenge for us. We had some success last week and we are looking to build on it."

CORNERBACK ZYON MCCOLLUM

(On going back home to play in Houston)

"It is so cool. Like you said, it is a little homecoming. You have Mike [Evans] and I in this locker room. I have about 25-35 tickets I am accountable for, and another 20 people hit me up, saying they are going to be at the game. So, I am sure the entire city of Galveston will be in attendance."

(On what challenge the Houston Texans offense can bring)

"Teams who hit blunders in the first week, you know that in week two that is all they are thinking about. They are thinking about starting fast, getting back into it and getting back on track. So, we know we are going to get the Texans best. They have a bunch of leaders over there -- defensively and on offense with C.J. Stroud, who is going to make sure that he is holding everybody accountable. We have to take that and not get comfortable at all. We need to go into their place and get that playoff atmosphere -- it is on Monday night, which has a history of us not being able to show up when the bright lights are on. This is the perfect opportunity in a new year and new team to kind of set the tone in that aspect."

(On if it is easier to game plan against a team that has a similar offense to the Buccaneers)

"There is so much continuity in today's league. It seems like every other offense was birthed from the L.A. [Rams coaching] tree. We see it in training camp; we see it with multiple offensive coordinators who have used that type of a scheme. You start to recognize trends and stuff; it makes it a little bit easier that way. They are also putting in their little tweaks and their little changeups, so that is why we watch films, and we have been watching a ton of films as a defense just to make sure we are talking about the little intricacies that they like to change up. [We] also just have to make sure we are playing fast on the things we know are coming."

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MICHAEL JORDAN

(On how he thought the new-look offensive line performed if he was surprised to start Week 1)

"[My] mindset is to always try and find constant improvement. My mother, she taught me to get one percent better every day, so I am always critiquing myself to be better than I was last week. Overall, I think it is a first steppingstone and [I'm going to] just keep handling the blocks."

(On when he found out he was starting Week 1 against Atlanta.)

"It was the dead week after the last preseason game."

(On already having a connection with QB Baker Mayfield from their time together in Carolina)

"It is awesome. I love Baker [Mayfield], he is a brother of mine. You see all the adversity he has fought to get to where he is today, it is amazing. [It's a] credit to his work ethic and his unwavering spirit."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's scrambling ability)

"He is very selective. I love his aggressiveness, I just hope he does not get in trouble sometimes."

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