DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD BOWLES

(On what the Buccaneers defense got out of last week's game that it's focusing on this week)

"It was just fundamentals and open-field tackling. We've got to get our angles back together, we've got to get our tackling down. It looked like a preseason game as far as tackling. We know we've got to coach it better and they've got to play it better."

(On opposing teams trying to attack the Buccaneers defense with screens and short passes)

"It's been like that [since] last year. It's just a matter of execution as well as helping out with some of the calls. We understand what's coming at us."

(In CB Sean Murphy-Bunting going to injured reserve)

"It's a big loss. He's very versatile for us. Sean's very smart – he can go inside and outside as well as play some safety. But Ross [Cockrell] played in a lot of games for us last year so we'll try to move on from there."

(On secondary flexibility with Jordan Whitehead returning to action)

"It doesn't help in the nickel category but it helps at the safety spot, understanding what he's done for us and what he can do for us at the safety spot. Him and Mike [Edwards] are different players, as well as [Antoine] Winfield. So, to rotate those guys around and kind of put them where we need to put them is essential for us."

(On young players on the defense still learning)

"Well, they're young for the first day, and after that they're not rookies anymore. We've told them that and they understand they have to play. Every year, there's going to be a young rookie that wins the Super Bowl, so we train them that way, we get them ready to play early and we make no excuses for their age. They understand that and we play from there."

(On Atlanta rookie tight end Kyle Pitts)

"Lot of talent there. He's tall, he runs routes like a wide receiver, he can block, he's got outstanding hands. They can use him in the core, they can use him out of the core – he's a very versatile piece for them."

(On Atlanta's offense under a new coaching staff)

"A lot of the guys are the same. They have some new people but Arthur [Smith] has done a great job of mixing the run and pass with those guys and utilizing his pieces. Obviously, [Russell] Gage is still a great player, they've got [Mike] Davis from Carolina, obviously the tight end has been very good for a long time and the offensive line is together. So, they've got a lot of the same parts and Matt Ryan speaks for itself. He's been doing it for a long time."

QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

(On what he advice he would give to young quarterbacks in terms of aspiring to have a long career)

"Good luck. It's tough, but it's up to them. Yeah, if you do the right stuff, you have a shot. But I see a lot of people not do the right stuff. I try to influence the people I can. First of all, you have to love it. If you want to do it for a long period of time, you have to really excel at it and that really comes from loving it. It's a lot of different motivations over long periods of time. Lots of little things at different moments – some is more motivation, some is more inspiration, but there are a lot of different things that play into it."

(On pushing through the days when he might not like football)

"Well, I always love it. There are probably days I love more than others, but I definitely love it. I love working out. I think the point is you push your body physically, your mind and your spirit mentally and emotionally and all of those things have to kind of stay in the right place over a long period of time. There are a lot of things that can take away from it. It's a hard thing to do. There haven't been many people who've done it, but I think I, in my part, have been very fortunate to have the right people in my life that have really allowed me to be successful – physically, mentally and emotionally."

(On what stand out about Falcons Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees and his defensive scheme)

"He's a really talented coach. I've known Dean a long time. [He] really challenges the quarterback. [His teams are] very sound defensively. I don't think there are a lot of easy plays out there. He makes you earn everything. Obviously, Atlanta is a team that is in our division, so they know our personnel. There's no intimidation and it's not like you play them once every four years. It's a team they play twice a year. They have a lot of confidence. They have a new scheme with Arthur [Smith] but they have a lot of talented players and I think they use their players really well. Even last week's game – I know they lost – but they had a lot of opportunities on defense to make a lot of plays. Jalen Hurts got out of a bunch of them and did a really good job. It's a very good defense and they're going to make us earn every yard."

(On the turning point in last year's game against the Falcons in Week 15)

"That was a really important moment for us. I think J.P.P. (Jason Pierre-Paul) was kind of the real leader as he came into the locker room. We obviously weren't doing what we were capable of doing and we needed a big wake-up call and we got it. I think we learned a lot from it. We were much better the last bunch of games. I think – thinking about last game – we've got to start fast and we have to finish strong and we have to play well all four quarters. It will be nice to see what it looks like if we do that. Playing a four quarter game is going to be very important. It's a good week to do it."

(On the little things that they work on during the week to limit turnovers and penalties)

"Football is about scoring points, ultimately. In the games, you [try to] score more points than the other team. And, I think the things that take away from scoring points are going to be the things that are the biggest deterrent from winning. So, turnovers obviously are probably number one because you're giving them extra possessions to score and we don't have a chance to score. Then, penalties would probably be the next thing because you're just going backward, you're going the opposite direction. Then, you look at third-down [and] whether you possess the football. Then you look at red-area defense – whether you scored touchdowns for our sake or we kept them from scoring touchdowns on defense. It's a game about points and I think we have to do a good job with turnovers, with penalties, with third-down production, with red-area offense. Then you look at like situational football, two-minute, situational offense and defense – all of those things are important when you look at a game. It's never one play. Yeah, you can always point to one play, but it's usually a bunch of different plays that all kind of add up."

(On how he views the result from a 31-29 Week 1 win)

"You've got a lot to learn from. Football is not a game that is ever perfect. I think we've got to do a much better job than we did last week and there's a lot of things to clean up. There are a lot of things we talked about coming out of that game. We know what we're going to be challenged with this week with a lot of the schemes that they present. They're going to do a good job of cleaning up a lot of things that didn't go well for them, so we're expecting a really good football game against a real tough opponent – well-coached, a lot of good players, a very physical defense, a very athletic defense. We have our work cut out for us."

(On experiencing a packed stadium against Dallas in Week 1)

"It was great. It was nice to have everybody back there. I think we all missed that aspect of the game and I think they just bring so much to the stadium. You can feel it driving in. You can feel it in pregame warmup. It definitely amps things up quite a bit. Just think where we were 365 days ago – there was a lot of dullness to a lot of things. You had to find ways to get yourself ready to go. Obviously, we did as professional athletes, but I think everybody really enjoys playing in front of crowds with people."

(On Hispanic Heritage Month and his relationship to the Hispanic community)

"I had a very fortunate opportunity to play in Mexico in Stadium Azteca, which was amazing. Obviously, our community in Mexico and how much they enjoy football and us going down there to play games and to expand the game – it's amazing for us. I spend a lot of time in Mexico, I always enjoy it. It's a great place."

(On his favorite Hispanic feast and people in his life who are part of the Hispanic community)

"God there is a lot of them. My next-door neighbor, my best friend, was from Mexico, so I had a lot. [Their] family was very close to ours. They still live next door to my parents and they were our great family friends. Obviously, over the years, there are a lot of people from South America [and] from Central America that are great friends. We have a house in Costa Rica, which is another great Spanish-speaking country. My Spanish isn't as good as my wife's. My wife is fluent, so I kind of let her handle all of that but of course, it's a great place."

(On not doing his usual pre-game walkout prior to the Week 1 game vs. Dallas)

"I was pretty hyped up. I was trying to calm myself down a little bit. I was probably a little overly ready to go. Sometimes, I don't want to burn myself out so I'm always kind of taking a gauge."

(On his new Subway commercial and the reason he endorses the product)

"It's a sandwich. I ate a lot of Subway in college. I kind of lived on Subway sandwiches in college. We used to have these little chip cards that the coaches would give us when we didn't have training tables. It was good when my buddies worked there because we would get a little extra meat on there and it was pretty cool. It was kind of part of my past and part of my future. Hopefully people like that advertisement."

TACKLE DONOVAN SMITH

(On the team not allowing a sack in Week 1)

"It is great. Obviously, that's the standard – no sacks given up each week. What better way to start Week 1 than doing that? It definitely feels good but hats off to all five guys and the receivers, quarterbacks [and] running backs because it falls on all of us, but we take the brunt of it. But it was a good job by everybody."

(On the importance of trying to get the run game going)

"It is big. You kind of want to establish the run game. That's every team. Nobody wants to be one sided or vice versa. To establish the run, get it going, get positive yards and actually make it count when they're called is huge. It just makes things that much easier down the road in the game as it goes on."

(On preparing to face the new-look Falcons defense)

"The Falcons have got home good pass rushers over there – obviously a good group of guys. They are going to come hard, play hard and be physical but none of that matters as long as we go out there and play our style of ball. Do what we need to do, do our jobs – everything [else] will take care of itself."

(On learning to win even in the face of adversity, such as playing through an injury, and if that is a quality that championship teams have)

"Thank God. He obviously sets all that up for us to be able to go out there, play and get healthy each week. Bumps and bruises are going to happen. You've got to be able to go play through things and just know that at the end of the day you're out there to get a 'W.' You want to make sure that you go out there and put your best foot forward in what you're putting out there on film. To be able to have guys that are top to bottom doing that just makes that championship team better."

LONG SNAPPER CARSON TINKER

(On the opportunity to play in the NFL again)

"It's amazing. God's plan is unbelievable. To come back here – I've been working hard the past few years just waiting on a call. I was with the Giants last year on the practice squad. That was great for me, a great opportunity. To finally get that call is really cool, but at the same time I know I have to keep working and keep continuing to get better. I'm just excited for the opportunity."

(On the importance of getting to know the other specialists and their preferences before Sunday's game)

"It's huge, but at the same time, my job is to be seamless and be invisible. I was talking to [Ryan] Succop and we had a great period today. I told him my job is just for you to be [feeling] like you're kicking on the sticks out there. You're not supposed to even know that I'm there. It's really big to get with Bradley [Pinion] and to get with Ryan, but also the other core guys on special teams. And with Keith [Armstrong] – we've [spent] a lot of time meeting on the field working different looks, but also in the film room breaking down seeing what I'm thinking and what they're thinking, and who has who. Like I said, it's been great to get back into it and get back in with all the guys, but also, picking their brain and letting them pick my brain just to get all on the same page."

(On the energy inside the Buccaneers facility)

"Again, I'm really just kind of focused on long snapping and doing my job. I haven't quite peeked around and seen everybody else, but it is hard not to look around and look at some of the names in the locker room. I would say there is a different energy here. People are about coming to work, getting better and winning football games. It's great to be a part of, and again, I'm just excited for the opportunity to be here."

-BUCCANEERS-