OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZAC ROBINSON

(On the positives he saw from the offense in Week 1 despite the headset-to-helmet communications)

"Yeah, the communication, that was a unique situation that first drive, and really it lasted the whole game. Baker [Mayfield] – we're lucky we have a quarterback that understands the game plan to a high, high level and was able to kind of get us in and out of stuff. It was definitely a unique situation, but he did a great job handling it. But as far as the positives, when we got the ball and we weren't turning it over, we were moving the football and doing the things that we were hoping to do. There [were] a lot of positives. Obviously, the turnovers kind of are overhanging and kind of can wipe out a lot of things, but you can throw on the tape and see us stack plays – that's the biggest thing. When you're stacking plays and you're converting some third downs…I thought we had some explosive plays on third down, which is huge. Then, first and second down, there was some good efficiency. We were in some good and manageable third downs, which you're always looking to be in. So there [were] a lot of positives, but the turnovers definitely kind of hang over that, and we'll get those things cleaned up."

(On his definition of an explosive play)

"Yeah, it's a great question. I think every place I've been has been a little bit different. Usually in the pass game, 15-plus [yards], and then usually in the run game, it's either 10-plus or 12-plus [yards]. I think right now we're at 12-plus [yards] with that."

(On the communication issues between his headset and QB Baker Mayfield's helmet in Week 1)

"Yeah, it was kind of sporadically throughout the drives, and there would be times I'd look out at him and I'd say the play – I typically say it twice – [and] there would be times I could tell after I said it the second time, he's still standing there. So there [were] times I had to say [it] four or five times, and he would kind of get every fourth or fifth word and then [be] able to piece it together. We had a delay of game that was really unfortunate – that was, in a sense, [because] that was occurring. Again, we were lucky to have Baker be able to handle that because it was a unique situation I don't think any of us have ever been a part of, but he did a great job handling it. We were still able to get in and out of the huddle. I know sometimes we were up against the clock, but yeah, it was an issue for sure. We just adjusted on the fly and kind of dealt with it. [It's] part of the game of football. If it happens, we'll have some contingency plans for the next time."

(On whether the communication issues affected the coaches' headsets)

"The coaches' headsets were fine."

(On whether he learned anything from previous communication challenges in Atlanta that he could apply to the situation in Week 1)

"Not really. This was a pretty unique situation. The time I moved down [from the booth to the sideline in Atlanta] was just to be with the players. There [were] no real communication issues there."

(On the number of passes thrown behind the line of scrimmage against Cincinnati)

"Yeah, I think, you know, again, you've got to take what they give you. I think [with] the flow of the game…Obviously, we took a deep shot on the second play of the game that we just missed. I know next time we get that [opportunity], we've got a great chance of an explosive there. But [we] also threw a play behind the line of scrimmage on a third down that gained 26 yards, so some of those plays can lead to explosives. But yeah, a lot of it is predicated on the defense. We had a couple screens that went for 12 yards on Cade [Otton], so some of those plays are just change-ups against the defense. Of course, we want to be an explosive offense and push the football down the field with Baker's ability and these receivers and tight ends. So yeah, it's always going to be a good balance between that. A lot of the times, they have coverages that they're the ones dictating [where] the football has to go, and we've got to make great decisions. I thought, outside of the fumbles, Baker made good decisions with the football."

(On WR Emeka Egbuka's versatility)

"Yeah, he's a very versatile piece that, like you mentioned, you can move him to any spot on the field, and he does a great job. He's so smart that he can handle those things. But, you know, you're trying to get him the rock as much as you can, just like getting the rest of these guys going as well. But early in the game, he ended up getting a handful of targets there. He did a great job. Obviously, [he had] limited reps and [was] kind of getting back into the flow, catching his wind in a real game environment – all those guys, really. But yeah, his versatility just allows you to kind of do a lot of different things."

(On what WR Jalen McMillan brings to the offense)

"Yeah, I think 'J-Mac' (Jalen McMillan), dating back to his days at Washington, we watched him coming out a ton. Then when you saw what he could do his rookie year, he's wired to separate, and he's got great separation skills. He's got great tools at the line of scrimmage. He knows how to set defenders' leverages. I think he's good, really, across the board. He's just a really solid, sound receiver. He's got great hands. His separation skills have been impressive when he's been healthy out there, and we look forward to, if he's able to play this game, having him out there when he's ready to go."

(On RB Bucky Irving's performance against Cincinnati)

"Yeah, it was exciting. We talked about it, it feels like every time…Bucky has been a real bright spot at training camp. Seeing him out there and the energy he brings and just the ability to break tackles, and seeing the first play of the game go for a gain of nine and he's cutting it back and he's reading stuff out correctly and just playing football. He's an exciting football player. We'd love to get him even more touches. He had some plays in the pass game, but we've got to find as many ways as we can to keep getting him the rock."

(On QB Baker Mayfield balancing his competitiveness with protecting the football)

"Yeah, I think it comes down to just not wanting it so bad every play, and it's a hard balance because you love the [energy] that he plays with. You don't want to take that away, for sure. I think you just continually [give him] reminders. You watch tape and you just keep speaking to him that way. Chandler [Whitmer] does a great job in the quarterback room. We [talk about] situational football, when we can take care of it, when's the time that, hey, we do need a yard here [or] we do need two yards [or] it's third down [and] we've got to go get it. You're just trying to create awareness as much as you can through the tape, and we'll keep emphasizing that stuff. It was unique. [I] don't think it'll happen again, but unfortunately it happened, and I know he'll be better from that."

(On whether he needs to say anything to Mayfield about facing his former team)

"No. Yeah, I won't have to say anything. I think he's fired up to play football – whether we're playing a Division III team, he'll have the same mindset every time he takes the field. So, I won't really mention anything to him. I know he'll be juiced up just like we all are to really just get more of a bad taste out of your mouth. It's the next opponent, it's the next week, and you just look forward to these opportunities. You only get so many of these games that all of them are special. You wake up on Sunday and every game feels like the Super Bowl with the limited amount of games that you get. So yeah, he'll be excited, ready to roll, but [I am] definitely not worried about that."

(On Cincinnati's coverage of WR Emeka Egbuka, and getting WR Ted Hurst III involved)

"There [were] some opportunities early on some third downs – just either from an execution standpoint or them doing a good job – [where] we [were] trying to get him going on some of those plays. Then they did end up doubling 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) some once he was getting those targets early, which kind of opened up other guys. You mentioned Ted did a great job on that last drive. That was a clean operation, and we needed that drive in order to stay in the football game, obviously. So yeah, we've got to get all these guys going. But Ted, I thought from his first time out, the catch he made [on] the first play of that two-minute [drive] on the sideline was impressive. It was a great route. He continues to just get better, and he'll get better as he gets more game reps."

(On if he can point to a particular reason for the high scoring across the NFL in Week 1)

"I can't because typically it's like the other way – offenses are trying to get going and defenses can be ahead. I watched some around-the-league stuff, and it felt like guys just were making plays. There [were] a ton of plays being made after the catch, but you bring it up – defenses are so limited with what they can do based on the rules [before] you get to live tackling, and it's a different ballgame. It's also different for offense in terms of the ball security and the things that we mentioned even last week. It kind of goes both ways. I was definitely surprised to look up at the scoreboard on Sunday and see some of the scores at halftime. The Carolina [Panthers]-[Chicago] Bears game, it was crazy. I typically don't see that in Week 1. But yeah, to [put] a finger on exactly why is kind of tough."

(On the offensive line's performance on wide-zone runs)

"I thought they did a good job. There [were] definitely some good hits on those. We've got to just keep repping them, keep rolling with it in live game action, seeing what that mix is of the rest of our run concepts. But yeah, [they] did a good job. Bucky [Irving] did a good job pressing some and cutting back, so we'll continue to explore just exactly what the identity of what we can be with the run game [is] and kind of keep it going from there."

(On his first regular season home game at Raymond James Stadium)

"I'm excited. I've always loved coming to this stadium as an opponent. It has been one of the coolest atmospheres to show up to and see the ship in the back and see the pirate ship and see everything – just the gameday atmosphere. It is really cool. I've always enjoyed it on the other side. I'm looking forward to being a part of the home crowd. We're going to need everybody out there. [I] give hats off to the Bengals fans – it was a good environment there. We need that type of environment every single time we're out. [We] need to use those fans for energy, and all that stuff matters. So, we're looking forward to seeing the home crowd come out. Like I said, it's one of the coolest atmospheres in the NFL. Opponents love playing here just because it is a unique place to play, and [I'm] definitely excited to see this from the other side."

(On whether seeing high-scoring games across the league excites or challenges him as an offensive coordinator)

"I think every week is its own, and you're handling every week just based on the opponent, and you kind of just go into the game plan. You know, there's so much focus on the day-to-day process. Today we had third down, now you're thinking about red zone, then Saturday, you [have] kind of got your walkthrough [then] you get to the game and you kind of start thinking about how things could possibly go down and the preparation that comes with that. But yeah, of course, offensively, we want to score points. Defenses adapt, adjust – they grow just like offenses. So I'm sure, you know, there's going to be a good balance between all those things throughout the year."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On the pass rush against the Cincinnati Bengals)

"First, [they utilized] a lot of quick game – [Bengals QB Joe Burrow] was getting the ball out, but [there] can be games like that, so you've got to make the most out of your opportunities. We had opportunities to rush him at times, a couple third downs, and we didn't execute. But young guys, they've got to learn in this league [that] there can be games like that – a lot of runs, a lot of quick game where [there's] nothing you can do about hitting a quarterback. When you get an opportunity on [a] money down, you've got to make them pay."

(On Head Coach Todd Bowles saying OLB Rueben Bain Jr. took a step back mentally)

"I think as far as rushing, [on] a couple of those rushes, his plan and seeing what the offensive tackle was giving him…You've got to take what they give you. For instance, the guy was playing him upfield [and] that means you've got to turn in. A couple of those happened. So, I think mentally, he looked like a young guy rushing the passer."

(On his conversation with Bain following the game)

"[I was] just picking him up. He was down. [There are] a lot of expectations for him, and he was down and out – the whole room was, up front. We wanted to hit the quarterback, and we didn't do it, but [there are] going to be games like that. You've only got a couple opportunities, and you've got to make the most of it."

(On how players respond when they don't meet their own expectations)

"It's a grown-man sport. You've got to move on. You've definitely got to move on. I like that those guys have the pride and they want to dominate and perform, especially after a loss. So, a lot of guys in that room took it personal. [This week is] a big challenge for us, but just move on to the next one."

(On utilizing a five-man front with one linebacker a few times against Cincinnati)

"[It was] just a different package, moving guys on and off the field, moving guys around…Just a different package."

(On if he expects LB Alex Anzalone to bounce back in Week 2)

"Oh yeah, he's a pro. He's been in this league a long time. Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you. You've got to respond, and I'm looking forward to seeing him this week."

(On his experience moving on from games that didn't meet expectations when he was a player)

"You get back to the drawing board. Social media wasn't as big back when I was playing…People actually send me stuff, especially about Rueben [Bain Jr.] and stuff like that, but you've got to block out the noise. In this league, it's the best of the best, so you've got to always stay humble and just keep punching the clock."

(On LB Josiah Trotter's performance in his NFL debut)

"Since he's been here, he already ascended. I'm not surprised. [I'm] a little jealous. I played almost 13 years, and I hadn't scored during my career, and he gets it [in his] first game. He's a serious player mentally and physically. He's about his business. I'm not surprised. We've been seeing it since training camp, him making plays."

(On the challenge presented by the Cleveland Browns offense)

"They've got some young weapons. They're going to challenge us outside. Kind of like our game, the game got away from them in the first half. You see [Deshaun] Watson running, making plays. We've definitely got to contain him. They're a physical team. They got young weapons. The film is the film – they've got some talent over there, so it's going to be a big challenge for us."

(On Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr.)

"Oh, he's a weapon. He's a weapon. We've got to watch him. We've got to keep an eye on him and [we've] just got to rally, vice tackle. We've got to do a good job on him."

TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On what it's like to have an offensive line that is versatile)

"Yeah, it's nice. I mean, I think we're an athletic bunch. We just try and open up the playbook for 'Z-Rob' (Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson), let him call what he can call and help put us in the best position. At the same time, we [have] to do what we can to put him in a good position to be able to call all those fun things. Yeah, it's nice that we're all an athletic group of guys that we're going to do what is called."

(On what he thinks the offensive line can do better this week)

"Oh, gosh. I think against these guys, I mean, D-line-wise, I say it every week, there [are] no bad D-lines. Giving Baker [Mayfield] time to dice these guys up is going to be huge. They're a big penetrating front, so a little bit different than Cincinnati [Bengals], Cincinnati [are] more readers, but kind of from the 'Niners' (San Francisco 49ers) family, they're big penetrators, so if we can gash them, it's going to be great. It's just going to open things up for us."

(On how the offense handled the headset to helmet communication issues in Week 1)

"I don't know. It's a tough one. It's a stress on Baker [Mayfield]. I mean, he'd come in the huddle breathing a little bit. He had to go run back and forth, but I mean, nobody really plans for that. That's kind of worst-case scenario. The headset was working pregame, so we kind of had to make do on the fly and I think Baker [Mayfield] handed it as well as he could've. I remember breaking the huddle and there's like five, six seconds left and you're like, 'Alright we [have to] you know…' and he'd kind of get through the cadence, and I think the tackles, we're looking at it too. Graham [Barton] is trying to make a call but it's getting down to two [seconds], one [second] you're like, 'Let's go, let's go, let's go.' Yeah, they know too, timing-wise, but we got through it, and yeah, that was tough. That's not really what we were expecting, but yeah, 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) handled it like a pro and got us through it."

(On the Cleveland Browns bringing in DE Jared Verse)

"Yeah, they don't [have] (Former Browns DE) Myles [Garrett] anymore, but yeah, they brought in Jared. Jared is a really good pass rusher, a big, strong kid, big power guy. Yeah, it's going to be a fun matchup. I can't wait. [I] saw him in L.A. (Los Angeles) last year. We were slinging the rock that game. Hopefully [we get] a little more mixed 'D&D' (down and distance), mixed play calls this time around. Yeah, always a fun matchup. Yeah, good D-Line. It's going to be a fun game."

(On his feelings about being back playing in Raymond James Stadium again)

"Yeah, I think it's huge. I mean, Bucs fans are incredible. They always show up and show out. It's going to be fun to get back out there. All of us together, all of us healthy, back in front of the Tampa Bay crowd."

LINEBACKER JOSIAH TROTTER

(On what he learned from his first NFL regular season game)

"Yeah, I think it just starts obviously with practice…Practice, film, study from that standpoint and getting practice reps. Also getting mental reps ahead of the game and just going from there. I think it's just building confidence from that."

(On if he had nerves going into Week 1)

"No, it wasn't [really] nerves, more just you're anxious, you want to go play. I try not to think about the game too much going into it [and] just do other things to keep my mind off of it. My dad always tells me, 'Don't play the game before it starts.' So, just trying to keep my mind off of things and when I go out there just try to be myself."

(On what his dad said to him after his first game)

"He was just happy. He was with some of his friends and family, stuff like that. He was just happy about the game and everything like that. Then, just knowing that we [have] to go back to the drawing board, [there are] things to clean up and still continue to get better at. [He was] just coaching me up and stuff like that."

(On what he has seen from the Cleveland Browns' offense)

"Yeah, not only just watching them, obviously they have a QB that's been around for a long time and he's coming back [to] playing football. [He has] been off [for] a while, but he still has it. You can't let them just go out there and just throw the ball around and lay down. They have a good running back. They [have] some good rookies that they drafted, especially from the wide receiver spot. We can't let those guys get going. We [have] to control the run game."

(On Browns QB Deshaun Watson's mobility in the pocket)

"Yeah, no doubt. I mean, he's willing to do it and that's part of the scheme. Especially with the head coach, that's their 'OC' (offensive coordinator), it's part of the scheme. He's willing, he's able to do it, athletic enough to be able to do it. So, yeah, that's definitely something that we obviously think about."

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