HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On CB Jacob Parrish's injury status)

"He's limited right now. He did some things. Hopefully, as the week goes on, he can do a little more."

(On WR Jalen McMillan's injury status)

"He [had a] full practice."

(On if he liked the urgency and energy at practice on Wednesday)

"Yeah, we have the urgency. We had it last week. We have it this week. It's just about correcting the mistakes and moving on from there."

(On whether the first-half deficit affected Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson's play calling and the offense's run/pass balance in Week 1)

"I don't think it affected it, but, you know, anytime you get down like that…We had time to get back in the game, and we were trying to run it a little bit more. As the time goes, you kind of [have] got to start moving along with it, so, we kind of went to Plan B."

(On his assessment of the offensive operation after experiencing headset communication issues early in the game)

"Well, that was part of the communication thing – trying to get everything in. That takes a little bit more time, trying to run on the field and run back off and get in the huddle and get out."

(On whether the team reports headset issues to the league)

"I mean, it happens. There's nothing you can do about it. You know, you've got to have hand signals, you've got to have wristbands, you've got to have Plan B and C. The game's not going to stop off of that, and we're not using that as an excuse."

(On whether it is concerning that Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson experienced similar headset communication issues while with the Atlanta Falcons)

"It's happened to everybody that's coached in this league."

(On seeing CB Benjamin Morrison perform well in his first game action)

"It was great because he was healthy, and it's great to see him play and not think about it. That's the guy we saw coming out of college, and he did some really good things on Sunday."

(On LB Christian Rozeboom not playing in Week 1)

"[We were] just being careful with him. He'll play more this week."

(On Bowles mentioning that OLB Rueben Bain Jr. was telegraphing some things before the snap in Week 1, and if that's an adjustment when transitioning to the NFL)

"No, he just stopped thinking, and a couple chips got in his way. He got a little frustrated, but he'll be fine. He understands what he has to do. It doesn't relate to the NFL."

(On if he has any ideas as to why it was such a high scoring Week 1 around the NFL)

"I could not tell you right now. I will see what the trend is in the coming weeks and I'll probably have a better answer for you."

(On players being out of alignment at times in Week 1)

"It's part of the game. It's football. You're not going to be in the right spot [every time]. When you play hard, you cover some of [those] things up. We've got to minimize those mistakes, and that's what we're practicing."

(On how much he wants to work on the team's tackling after Week 1)

"Well, tackling is always on our mind, you know, and everybody missed a few tackles here and there. Hopefully, that calms down [in] Weeks 2 and 3 and everybody calms down and we get better at it."

(On OLB Rueben Bain Jr. primarily lining up on the left side of the defensive line in Week 1)

"It's the first game of the season. We've got time to grow and do things. We're not going to show everything in Week 1. We're just trying to play fast and not make major mistakes. As the season goes, we'll expand everybody's packages and kind of do a little bit of different things as we go."

(On his assessment of the team's pass rush in Week 1, and if Bengals QB Joe Burrow was getting the ball out quickly to try and neutralize Tampa Bay's pressures)

"Well, he got the ball out. Again, I addressed all these things on Sunday and Monday. We have moved on to Cleveland, so I'm kind of over Cincinnati, personally."

(On the challenge presented by the Cleveland Browns offense and QB Deshaun Watson)

"It's a big challenge because they do a lot of different things as far as running and throwing the ball. When you have a running quarterback, that gives you that extra added dimension. You can rush exactly the proper way and still get outrun because of his speed and his athleticism. We've got to be very disciplined in our pass-rush lanes, and we've got to stop the run. They've got a bunch of weapons over there."

(On Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr.)

"He had a heck of a year last year. They've only had one game so far this year, but we know he's going to get his catches. He's a dangerous guy."

(On whether QB Jalon Daniels helps the defense prepare for a mobile quarterback in practice)

"I mean, he gives us a scrambling guy to have around. If not, we put a wideout back there – we kind of had Garrett Greene do it last year. But, you know, there's no preparation for the kind of quarterback [Deshaun] Watson is. Jalon can scramble and do some things, but you can't really simulate a game. He does give us some movement and athletic ability."

(On his familiarity with Cleveland Browns Head Coach Todd Monken)

"I know him from Georgia. We actually talked [and] I actually interviewed him one time as an [offensive coordinator], I think, before he went to Baltimore. So, we know each other pretty [well] from a personal standpoint, from Georgia and in this business standpoint. He's a very intelligent guy."

(On QB Baker Mayfield turning the page following Week 1)

"He's determined to get better. Obviously, everybody is. It wasn't just him – everybody made a lot of mistakes. He turned the corner. He'll be better this week."

(On what he wants to see from OLB Rueben Bain Jr. from Week 1 to Week 2)

"Really just play fast and not feel like he has to make every play – just settle down and play within the defense, which he started out doing. He'll get back to that, and he'll be fine."

(On whether OLB David Walker will get defensive snaps)

"It's a long season. Like I said, we've got time to put things in, and people are going to play all over the place. But, [just] because they didn't play in the first game doesn't mean they're not going to play."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On facing his former team, the Cleveland Browns)

"Yeah, I think anytime – as I've mentioned to you guys, [when] there's history between a franchise, a coaching staff, anybody – there's always [that feeling of] you want to come out on the winning side of that no matter what. Obviously, it's very different there staff-wise and everybody. Yeah, I spent four years there. I'm going into year four here…I started my career there – [there were] a lot of ups and downs. But yeah, for me this week, [it's about] doing the little things right, continuing to try and just place the ball where it needs to go, and then obviously making the corrections I need to in ball security."

(On the key to treating the game against Cleveland like any other week)

"Doing all the little things right. I think taking it one day at a time, making sure that you harp on little details…I think that goes back to just, obviously, not coming out on the right side of the game last week – really focusing on small details. When you do that, good things will happen on Sunday. So for me, [it's about] focusing on that, and then when the lights come on, you get out there and play, it's time to go let it loose."

(On whether his motivation is more about proving the Buccaneers right than proving his former teams wrong)

"I think, for me, it goes back to the faith, you know, looking up and knowing that, no matter what happens, if I control what I can control and [am] doing things the right way…Obviously, I want to win. As an ultra-competitor, that's what you want to do at all times. So [it's about] having trust in that, having faith in that and, yeah, taking it one day at a time."

(On the offense attempting only one pass of more than 20 yards in Week 1)

"Yeah, I think we had some deeper shots called for sure, but [it was] a matter of them sinking underneath it and taking some of those checkdowns, taking the underneath stuff, just trying to get it into our guys' hands as quick as possible. Like I said, that last sack-fumble, the internal clock – the same thing that I had [done when I] checked down to Bucky [Irving] a couple times – the same thing needs to happen right there. Get it down to him, let him go make a play in space and stay ahead of the chains."

(On the biggest thing he learned from his time in Cleveland)

"A lot of things. I think probably the biggest one [is] trying to be the same person each and every day for the guys in the locker room, the people you work with, the staff that you're around each day, [and understanding] that some things are out of your control. If you're trying to get it fixed and you're not worried about the football aspect of your job, you're probably letting some things slide and fall by the wayside. So, I think controlling who I am each and every day, trying to lead the best way possible and control the offense and, yeah, ultimately win."

(On what he liked most about the offense after reviewing the film from Week 1)

"We were efficient in the early-down stuff. Obviously, we were 50% on third downs. A lot of those were pretty manageable third downs, but [we] really executed well. So, I think the run game [on] early downs was good. Obviously, we got behind in the score [and] we had to throw a little bit more than we wanted to. But the guys up front, I think running-wise, [were] great, and [we had] efficiency in the early-down pass game – guys getting to the right spots and being able to distribute that."

(On whether the Week 1 turnovers will affect his aggressiveness as a runner)

"I think it's tricky. It truly came down to fundamentals at that point near the goal line, of [my] wrist being below the elbow. I had it, and I was trying to get the offhand to cover it up, but it was too low. When the guy gets an arm in there, it pops out. So, it truly comes back to the fundamentals. I don't think it had anything to do with the risk of running. That was a decision – they dropped into coverage [and] covered the scheme well. For me in the red zone, legs have to come alive – the scramble drill has to be a thing down there. But yeah, at that point, I don't have to score. I had the first-down yardage. Now [I've got to] make sure I have the ball and get down or get in the end zone."

(On the Browns defense and Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg)

"Yeah, I think 'Rudy,' (Rutenberg) his whole history is from the [Robert] Saleh tree – basically the four-down, jet-front team, quarters, Cover 3, kind of making it all look the same. But, it's effort – it's guys flying to the football, trying to make plays. It's a fundamentally sound scheme that guys just execute with effort. When you talk through that, we've played a bunch of teams in that system. Obviously, when those guys have familiarity with him, they know what he likes to do, what it comes down to. But, it's also different when you have a guy that's going to a different building and different personnel for blitz packages and all that. It's hard to go off one game of tape so you're kind of trying to plug and play and pick things from Atlanta, from his past, and just trying to see what it is. But also, for us, it goes back to kind of a Week 1 mindset. We're going to have to adjust and adapt and see what they're doing and treat our base rules like it's Day 1."

(On his familiarity with Browns Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken)

"Yeah, obviously my year with Todd wasn't the best year for the Browns in 2019. We were kind of all over the place…Todd is obviously an aggressive play caller, wants to spread the ball out – that's just his history and background. But yeah, I've obviously known him for years, so we'll see what happens. But for me, it's going up against the defense. It's going up against 'Rudy' and those guys on that side of the ball."

(On Browns LB Carson Schwesinger)

"Yeah, I think everybody in the NFL saw last year what a smart player he is, for a rookie to be able to adapt and play and read out plays at a high level. That's kind of what you saw from 'Trot' (Josiah Trotter) in Week 1 – just a high football IQ. Guys that trust their instincts, shoot the gap, make aggressive plays, but they're also just fundamentally sound – they're not going to be out of position, have bad technique. So, yeah, [he is] a great player that he's going to continue to only get better and better."

(On Cincinnati's focus on neutralizing WR Emeka Egbuka in the second half of Week 1)

"Yeah, a little bit more of the double-coverage stuff for 'Mek' there in the second half. It wasn't over the top by any means – it wasn't like they were truly like, 'All right, shut this guy down and we're good to go.' They were still mixing it up, but they did a good job of taking it away in critical downs."

(On if he feels like he has a good level of trust in WR Ted Hurst III)

"Absolutely. Yeah, in that somewhat two-minute scenario that we got him going, it was –  like I told the guys after the game – it was good to see the fact that when you're playing fast, he's not thinking. He knows the scheme. He knows what he's doing. He's getting to the right spots, making plays and doing it at a high level. So, he just needs to continue to build that confidence in making plays for us, and we trust him."

(On how he remembers his time in Cleveland)

"Yeah, I mean, with any experience, there [are] ups and downs, good and bad. Ultimately, you remember the good more so than the bad. Yeah, [we had] the first playoff win since '94 there and [went] on the road and [did] it in Pittsburgh. So, [there are] a lot of good memories there, a lot of teammates that are friends for life. But like I said earlier, it's a very different building now."

(On facing Browns OLB Jared Verse)

"Yeah, you've got to respect a guy like that. High energy – a guy that, he's good and he knows it. So, you've got to match that energy and still do your job. He's going to bring it no matter what."

(On maintaining a positive outlook following the Week 1 loss)

"Yeah, I mean, the fumbles are something I can get fixed. If it was something that wasn't fixable, I'd probably be in a different spot. It's something that I can personally get fixed [and] not put our team in that spot. It's also Week 1, it's game 1. Like I always say, football teaches you life lessons. It's how you handle adversity, how you get better, how you move forward…You can't dwell on it because we still have 16 games to go. So, for me, [it's about] focusing on that, harping on the details, ball security and going forward."

(On how excited he is to potentially have WR Jalen McMillan back for Week 2)

"Yeah, 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan) is a stud. It's just unfortunate, the timing of some of his injuries in the past couple of years. He had a great offseason leading up to that point, so [he's] a guy that I trust completely. He brings a different dynamic, being able to separate [in] man coverage, a different level of juice and [he is] also somebody that, when he makes plays, you can feel the energy on the sideline. You can feel it from him, and he elevates the standard."

(On if he watched former Buccaneers WR Mike Evans play in Week 1)

"I did. Yeah, I did. [It was] a little interesting to see him in No. 5. But Mike is Mike, converting third downs and catching fade balls in the red zone."

WIDE RECEIVER EMEKA EGBUKA

(On the Cleveland Browns' defense)

"Yeah, I mean, they're a good outfit. A lot of talent, a lot of first round picks, [they have a] good cornerback room. I have a lot of respect for them. You can never take an opponent lightly. Obviously, I think they would have liked to have a better day versus Jacksonville, and credit to Jacksonville for having a good day against them. That's kind of just the NFL, [things] can shake out any which way any given Sunday. We've got to go into it knowing our P's and Q's and being able to take advantage of what we think is something that we can do and just be out there ready to execute on Sunday."

(On the transition to new Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson)

"Yeah, I think there is a lot of new aspects to the new offense from what we were running last year, but we have so many banked reps just running the stuff since the spring, since he got here. He's very intentional with the way that he teaches us and making sure that level of communication is always very high. Even if we're not getting physical reps, we're always getting mental reps whenever we're talking to him. He has kind of every answer that you would need from any given position. He's very smart in that way…Being able to kind of just regurgitate information off the top of his head. I think we did some good things on Sunday. I think we were driving the ball well when we weren't turning it over, but obviously that has to be our number one point of emphasis going forward."

(On WR Jalen McMillan practicing fully during Wednesday's practice and what he adds to the offense)

Yeah, he's super dynamic. He's a down-the-field threat. [He has] great routes and is always going to get open. [He has] consistent hands. [He has] kind of just everything you want out of a wide receiver. [He] just makes us that much more difficult to guard. I think we have a lot of dynamic pieces. You talk about Bucky [Irving] in the way that he not only ran the ball, but caught the ball to the backfield. Kenny [Gainwell] being able to do the same thing, run and catch out of the backfield. Then obviously our receivers being super dynamic in that way. We have a quarterback who's able to rush the ball the way he does and a tight end who can't go under the radar either. We have a lot of pieces. We just [have] to continue to find our niche and stack days and weeks."

(On the team's mentality going into Week 2 after the Week 1 loss)

"Yeah, every week is a new week. That's an unfortunate one to drop early on in the season, first week of the year. Obviously, that's when you want to win just to get off to a good start. I think we got the bad taste out of our mouths. We're ready to capitalize on Sunday [and] this new opportunity that we've been given. First game in the home stadium. Looking forward to seeing the Krewe and all the fans out there. Hopefully we'll put on a show."

RUNNING BACK BUCKY IRVING

(On how he felt during the first half of the Week 1 game at Cincinnati)

"I think we started the game off pretty [well]. [We were] moving the ball [how] 'Z-Rob' (Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson) was calling at the beginning of the game. It's also good to have the starting O-Line back together, that's always good. I think we did a pretty good job other than the turnovers."

(On what stuck out from the offense in Week 1 that the team can build on)

"Being able to trust what (Offensive Coordinator) Zac [Robinson] is going to call for us and then just executing at a high level. Like you said, we [have] ball players. Then, as long as we just go out there and execute at a high level, I think it's going to be a good year for us."

(On what the conversations are like among the offense after the Week 1 loss)

"I mean, we trust our quarterback 100%. I mean, mistakes are going to happen this first week. Like we always say, 24-hour rule, move past it, there's a lot of football left. I mean, we're going to have his back always, and we're going to ride with him 100%."

(On what it means to be involved in the pass game)

"I mean, it's always a pleasure, man. [They are] kind of similar things that I did in college and also my rookie year here. Just catching the ball out of the backfield, being more verbal in the pass game, just being able to know that I'm an outlet for the quarterback…Whenever he needs me, I'm down there for a check down."

CORNERBACK BENJAMIN MORRISON

(On how the Week 1 game felt for him)

"Yeah, it feels good. I'm just blessed by the man above to just do what I love, but not the outcome we wanted. [We] just [have] to go back to the drawing board and figure out what we [have] to fix."

(On how it felt being able to capitalize on the opportunity to play during Week 1)

"Yeah, I mean, this is the game I love. At the end of the day, I love football. I grew up this way. I never saw myself doing anything else. Just being out there, being confident in myself, being confident in the Lord who's blessing all these abilities, and just going out there and playing football, having fun. I mean, that's all I can ask for."

(On how being able to hold the Bengals' Pro Bowl wide receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to a combined five receptions for 71 yards in Week 1 builds his confidence)

"Yeah, I mean, I have a confidence in myself. I really feel like it's a lot of what I have to

do. I don't like to get too caught up on the receivers, but, I mean, those are two world-class receivers. You can't deny that. Those are two great receivers, so obviously that helps a little bit. At the end of the day, the NFL is week-to-week. What I did last week, I [have] to carry it over this week, you know what I'm saying? I can't really hold my head too high on that because it's back to work. We're onto the Cleveland Browns."

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