HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On if there is an update on WR Chris Godwin and T Donovan Smith)

"Not at this time. They're just getting treatment and we'll see how it goes at the end of the week."

(On if there are any other receivers who are injured)

"Not at this time, no."

(On WR Mike Evans wearing a wrap on his leg)

"It's just part of playing."

(On if the crowd noise is what makes playing in Caesars Superdome difficult)

"No, it's not crowd noise. They just beat us. I mean, we don't have any excuses. We have to go out there and play a better ball game."

(On if T Josh Wells will continue to start in place of T Donovan Smith and what he saw from Wells on film)

"If Donovan [Smith] can't go, obviously Josh [Wells] is the next man up. We thought he stepped in and did a good job. You know, there are some things that we can get better at there, but overall, I thought he did a good job."

(On what he saw from newly acquired TE David Wells that made him want to sign Wells to the practice squad)

"[I] thought he was an upgrade, and he can help us down the line, probably more than J.J. [Howland] at the time and so we brought him in."

(On what jumps out to him about the Saints on film)

"Well coached, very physical, very smart football team and they play good football."

(On what went into the decision of making TE Kyle Rudolph inactive for last Sunday's game against the Cowboys)

"Special teams from the other two guys. You know, we needed the spot. Not that Kyle [Rudolph] couldn't play, but the other two guys are more active on [special] teams."

(On how he thought TE Ko Kieft and TE Cade Otton played against Dallas)

"I thought both of them did a good job. You know, the game wasn't too big for them."

(On if there is an advantage of knowing what to expect from Saints' QB Jameis Winston)

"Not really. We play against ex-teammates all the time, so it's just understanding the scheme and trying to execute."

(On Saints' DB Justin Evans)

"I'm just happy to see him playing. I knew he was a heck of a football player, he just never got healthy here. I'm happy that he's enjoying himself and I'm happy he's healthy. I just don't want him to be good on Sunday."

(On how pleased he was with the nickel defense against the Cowboys)

"[There are] some things we have to work out. Overall, the communication was very good – they worked out some things on the field and we can get better at it, but it wasn't bad for the first game."

(On the problems that Saints' TE Taysom Hill creates)

"Anytime he's on the field, he causes a problem. Whether it's on special teams or offense – whether it's tight end, wide out, quarterback, running back – he does a great job. He's physical on [special] teams as well. Obviously, we haven't handled him well because they've won almost every game – six out of seven at least. He's going to be a challenge, but they have other guys, too. So, that's what makes it tough."

(On the biggest improvements that the defense has made from last season)

"Just communication. The communication with each other has gotten better, the comfortability of watching tape together and understanding what the other one is doing – I think that's gotten better. But it's only been one week so we just have to continue."

(On improving third down efficiency and red zone efficiency)

"The best way to improve that is to score, but we'll work on it and work on things. It's Week 1. The next couple of weeks while we're figuring everything out – you have to win these ball games – but we're working on quite a few things, so we'll get better at that."

(On if that lack of production in the red zone is a communication and timing issue)

"No, it's just execution. It's just an execution thing. It takes all eleven – it's not a timing thing or communication thing. It's just execution."

(On if there's more of an emphasis placed on preparing for the Saints in the offseason than other teams)

"No, I'm afraid not. But anybody we lose to, we try to watch more film on, whether it's in the offseason or during the season. That's the norm, I think, around the league for coaches. So, anytime you lose to a team more than once or twice, you try to put a finger on what they're trying to do and what you're doing and what you can do differently."

(On how the Saints create pressure on QB Tom Brady)

"They're making plays, number one. Like I said, they've got a good scheme, they're executing more than we are and they're making more plays than we are."

(On if he expects the Saints' defense to struggle picking up blitzes like they did last week)

"Well, I don't know for sure if they had trouble with it, whether it was communication or not, but we know we're going to face a good football team and normally you don't see that from them."

(On why he hasn't revealed that he's a great singer)

"I can't give you everything."

(On if the players think he's a good singer)

"That's a whole other story itself between me and the players."

(On Tony Dungy reveling his secret talent on national television)

"Nobody's paying me for that, though."

(On if he's looking for a record deal)

"I would love to do a duet with Gladys Knight. I think we would be a great hit, but that's probably not going to happen."

(On the athleticism of the three new interior offensive lineman)

"Not just that, but their toughness and their intelligence, just understanding the game plan and knowing what to do – those guys can play. They just haven't played, and no one has seen them play. They know how to play football and we try to do what they did best."

(On if this is the best collection of offensive weapons that the Saints have had)

"No, they had some a few years ago, but obviously they have a lot of talent there. Jarvis [Landry] has been doing it a long time – he's tough, he's smart, he's got great hands. He can run after the catch. [Chris] Olave was great in college, obviously Michael Thomas is back along with everybody else they've had. They're at full strength there."

(On if there is a different attitude heading into this week)

"Not at this time. It's only Wednesday, we can only control the day. We try to control the day and do some more homework and get as mentally and physically prepared as we can and we'll be ready at the end of the week."

(On Von Miller's comments regarding RB Leonard Fournette's block on Micah Parsons)

"I don't make [anything] of it. It was a legal hit."

(On if he takes musical requests)

"I do."

CORNERBACK CARLTON DAVIS III

(On changes to the defense from last season)

"Overall – our defensive scheme – we've switched it up a little bit. You don't want to be redundant in what you do. Tweaks are always good – to keep them guessing."

(On disguising what the team is doing on defense)

"Oh yeah, for sure. This league is a copycat league. Everybody obviously watches film so if you're doing the same things, it's only so long before everybody catches onto it and knows how to play you. You've got to switch it up and keep them guessing."

(On what Head Coach Todd Bowles does to make the defense tough on opponents)

"He does a lot of good things well and his disguises are crazy – you never know when the blitz is coming or where they're coming from. He's really versatile in how he likes to bring pressure and how he stops the run first. I think that's one of the biggest things in this league is to make teams one dimensional."

(On playing in the Ceasars Superdome)

"It's New Orleans, they're always kind of cold with it – the fanbase is a little crazy over there. They always bring the intensity, but it makes the game fun, makes it intense and makes you want to compete a little bit more. It'll be fun."

(On S Antoine Winfield Jr. playing in the slot)

"I've been impressed with Antoine in the slot. He's always been a versatile guy, playing safety – free safety or strong [safety] – or nickel, he's always done a great job. He's a good dude who does everything by the book the right way, every day. He's consistent at that, so it didn't surprise me at all."

LINEBACKER DEVIN WHITE

(On playing in the Ceasars Superdome)

"For a player like myself, I feed off that energy. It was the same thing with Dallas. You want to shut that crowd up – it's better than getting your own crowd hyped. I think if everybody takes that same approach – make them be quiet and don't give them [anything] to cheer about, I think it will all play out in our favor."

(On what a win would mean this weekend)

"A win would just make us 2-0, I don't think it establishes [anything]. After this, there will be 15 more games left. Being consistent is the thing – being consistent from last week and obviously getting better. When we watch the film, there were a lot of bad things that we did. We just want to be a better football club. Whatever team is next, that's a team that hopefully we come to work with and put good stuff on tape – it's just a team that will have to receive the good things that we do."

(On the possibility of eclipsing the 2002 team for the best defense in club history)

"We've got the people to do it. All around the board, we've got a lot of playmakers like they had. We've just got to put it together – they already stamped [their place in history], so we've just got to go out there and try to do what they did, obviously. Most importantly, ups and downs do happen in a season. We've got to be able to play off anything that happens and respond."

TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On ending the regular season losing streak against the Saints)

"Yeah, I think throughout the whole building, [we feel] it's our time to give them one – to give it back to them. Coach [Todd] Bowles said today, 'It's not a rivalry unless there's some give-and-take.' We definitely want to come out and put our best foot forward. I think that's what it's been – one game could be us shooting ourselves in the foot, penalties – next game, we get the penalties under control but then give the ball to them and turn it over. It's [about] honing everything in, having good fundamentals and technique, good attitude, good effort and going out there and playing a tough game."

(On what makes the Buccaneers defense challenging to face)

"I think just all the different looks [Todd Bowles] throws at you and all the different parts they have. With Vita [Vea] and Akiem Hicks, it's pick your poison there – you've got to double [team] one of them. I know in [training] camp that sucked, dealing with those two. You've got Shaq [Barrett], 'Nelly' (Anthony Nelson), Joe Tryon[-Shoyinka] on the edge – all of these guys, everyone is getting a piece of the pie. Coach Bowles puts them in a position to have success. It's awesome, I'm glad they're on our side. I think they do a great job."

(On the Saints pass rush)

"They're a good defensive front. Their front four – they're big, strong guys. That's what we're trying to do, we're trying to keep '12' (Tom Brady) safe back there. Our goal is to come out Sunday and hopefully shut them down."

(On how running the ball helps to neutralize the pass rush)

"The more we run the ball, the more it tires them out and we can kind of pound on them a little bit. As a defensive end or a defensive lineman, that's what you get to do is rush the quarterback. If we're throwing the ball a ton, we're just playing into their hands. Hopefully we get the ball moving and that's on us up front – we've got to give them the opportunity to call those plays and get us those opportunities. I think a lot of the game is going to be on the offensive line and we're going to hopefully step up to the challenge."

(On wearing out the defense by running sideline-to-sideline)

"I think that's a big thing. 'Lenny' [Fournette] carries the rock like a freaking horse, so that's what we want to do. That's what we want to do – all it does is help us. It kind of slows down their pass rush and that's what these guys this coming week are good at. The more we can hit the ground running, it will be better for everybody."

-BUCCANEERS-