OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOSH GRIZZARD

(On RB Bucky Irving having 25 carries against the New York Jets, and if that's a sustainable amount for him going forward)

"I think each week is determined on how the game's going. He knows if we need him and he goes 25, or if it's 15, or it might need to be 30 – whatever it takes to get the win that week, and then [we'll] be able to adjust off of that moving forward potentially."

(On how to prepare QB Baker Mayfield when he isn't a full participant in practice)

"He was limited and he's in, of course, all the meetings [and] all the walkthroughs, and he does such a good job of preparing already – a lot like what Teddy [Bridgewater] was doing. Everybody's on the same page, even 'Baze' (Connor Bazelak), talking through the practice-squad side of it on contingency plans for even him, like in Week 1. So, it's all about mental reps, and he's taking all of those and is in a good spot and watching all the film and getting all the protections and cans and all the things in order."

(On if he's confident that Mayfield will play Sunday)

"He's as tough as they come. So, being limited today, we've still got another day to work through it, but you see the way the guy practices [and] plays. If he can play, he'll play."

(On WR Sterling Shepard's contributions through the first three weeks of the season)

"For sure. The ball, it finds him at the right time. Unbelievable play on that bubble [screen] to be able to get it out there and make an explosive run after catch on that one. Then, what he's able to do in the two-minute as well, being able to have, not a game-sealing, but such a massive play to get us down there into field goal range. It's all about the communication with him. It's really cool to see from him and Baker [Mayfield] just because they've been doing it so long, going all the way back to Oklahoma, that they're on the same page. They can just look at each other and know exactly what the other one's thinking."

(On creating a game plan when having numerous injuries to the offensive side of the ball, and what he can draw from the 2024 season when the same thing happened)

"It's just about the adjustments – whether it's the O-line or the backs or the [wide] receivers – on trying to tailor it towards what those guys do well. [It is] no different than last week with [Elijah] Klein being in there and 'Hags' (Luke Haggard) being in there, not asking them to do the same things that the guy that was ahead of them might be able to do. They might have a different skill set that we can now utilize and [we] try to tailor towards them on a week-in, week-out basis. That way, we're putting those guys in as good of a position as possible to go out and make plays."

(On the lack of production from the tight end position to start the season, and if that's because they've been asked to block more with the injuries to the offensive line)

"The game does dictate it, but to your point, what those guys have been able to do is they're very selfless on what we've needed, at least up until this point. A lot of the things that Cade [Otton] has been doing have been in that wing alignment, helping out the offensive line. We know that his time will come – the ball will find him. It's just a hats off to him that he might not have the targets he's had up to this point last year or even through the middle of the season, but [it's] typical Cade [Otton] – not complaining about it. Whatever it takes to win – 3-0, move on to the next one. [We'll] see how much we can get him the ball this week."

(On whether injuries limit what plays are available to him as a play caller)

"I don't know if it limits it as much, because we still want to be multiple and be able to run it and throw it and put the pressure on the defense. It's just more of being multiple [in terms of] what's that guy's skill set? If, say, you're not as fast, [we're] not throwing a bunch of go balls, versus if he's a very strong route-runner, can we get some more contested catches and feel like he's going to be open on that? But I wouldn't say it limits it from a volume aspect in terms of going into a game plan each week."

(On how important red-zone efficiency is this week)

"It's huge. Coach [Vic] Fangio is a fantastic coach. They keep the top on everything, trying to limit explosive plays. That's where ultimately the game is won or lost – getting it down into the red zone and being able to convert and having seven points instead of three. I know that's what they hang their hat on, and that's one thing we've got to be better at from last week too."

(On how much more it "unlocks the offense" to potentially have the offensive line get healthier so players can return to their normal positions)

"It's similar to the question about what guys do best and fitting them into that spot. I would say it doesn't change the offense necessarily in terms of the scheme, but you do feel better from a communication standpoint because they've done it all of last year. They did it a bunch in the spring, and then they're at their normal spots. But in terms of the actual scheme, I don't know how much it changes that side of it too much."

(On being 3-0 despite the numerous injuries, and if he has a sense for how good the 2025 Buccaneers can be)

"Yeah, it's definitely a great test this week because of them coming off the Super Bowl and the players that they've been able to add in addition to a great coaching staff. I would say the way we look at it is just so week-to-week on trying to get that one win. Fortunately, we've been able to pull it out late the first three weeks, and then we'll try to get a win this week and move on to whoever we play next week and go from there. But, there are only so many minutes in a day to be able to focus on what we've got to get done that week."

(On facing Philadelphia Eagles defensive linemen Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis)

"Yeah, I feel like – again, we say it every week up here with these D-linemen – but these guys are as good as they come. They're massive in the middle and definitely a strength of their defense. They're really good at all three levels of the defense, but when you turn on the tape, that's what sticks out first and foremost – those two guys in there, being able to handle them, their ability to come off the ball, their play strength, their tenacity. So, it's definitely something we've got to handle."

(On WR Chris Godwin Jr.'s potential return and how he complements WR Emeka Egbuka)

"Yeah, it's tough because they're always compared to each other, and it's hard for me to actually compare them because they're their own man. But, you do see some of the same attributes in the fact that they can both play multiple positions, they can move around the offense, they're selfless, they have a huge route tree, you can get the ball to them in multiple ways. So, by being able to get the ball to Chris in multiple ways, you can move him around, play all three positions; he can be singled up; he can be in a stack, whatever it might be – and he does the dirty work in the run game, which you guys have seen over the years. So he's just a great – not addition to the team – but it's just great to see him back out there at practice yesterday."

(On seeing Godwin Jr. practice fully again)

"Oh, it was fantastic. For one, because of just the human being that he is. When the guys are in the training room, you just don't spend as much time with them. Then you're out there on the grass and you're in the meeting rooms and you're talking to him about plays and adjustments to plays. It's just fun to talk to him and have him out there just because of the presence he brings. Then, on the field, I think it goes without saying how good of a player he is and what he adds to the offense."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's performance through the first three weeks, and his ability to will the team to a victory)

"Yeah, it goes through him. It's always gone through him, at least for the last two years. He makes it go. It's the confidence they have in him, and the fact that we've been able to do it three weeks in a row is a testament to all 11 of them. When you hear his demeanor on the sideline and what he's saying to those guys, and when it gets down to the end and they're blocking a kick and now we've got to go back out there – he never flinches. He's very clear in his communication [and] you know he's going to fight through the echo of the whistle. When they see that, guys are going to block for him, they're going to get open, they're going to get back on the ball and try to go score."

(On TE Ko Kieft bring out for the year, how that affects the run game, and if TE Payne Durham might fill Kieft's role)

"I think you can't replace Ko from who he is as a human being. I mean, he's an enforcer. I look at Payne a lot of the same way, where those guys are willing to do the dirty work. You're not going to replace him from a schematic standpoint on what he can bring in terms of his ability on certain things versus what Payne and what Cade [Otton] and those guys can do. But, in terms of the run game and just [having] that physical nature – whether it is the O-line – Payne brings that as well, Cade [Otton] brings that as well, and it really sets the tempo, especially in some of that '12' personnel run game, to be able to go press on people."

RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On if Week 3 was OLB Yaya Diaby's best game as a pro)

"I do not know about that one, but probably this season. He was getting after it. [He] did a great job on both phases, the run game and the pass game, especially with that heat out there. He added a lot of juice for us."

(On how he thought DL Elijah Roberts looked in Sunday's game against the New York Jets)
"He looked good. He is athletic, charismatic [and] he has got a lot of stuff to him. I have been finding him this week, he does not mind talking, but I like the way he is growing. He is growing, he is paying attention, he is aggressive, he looks good."

(On how tough it is to lose DL Calijah Kancey for the season)

"It is tough. It sucks for him because you have seen him emerge -- year three, right -- you see the leaps he took last year, then to go out early in the season, that sucks for him. He is going to come back stronger. He was in the meeting today, giving a lot of good tips to the young guys, so I am glad to see him."

(On how important it will be to contain QB Jalen Hurts in the pocket on Sunday)

"That is tough, especially with the five guys he has in front of him. We all have work together, but you have to make plays. At the end of the day, It's kind of like pick 'em up, mess 'em up. Playground ball -- you have to get them on the ground someway, somehow. You just do not want his legs just taking over the game. We see that every week, we [saw] that last week with [Tyrod] Taylor, so everybody [has] to do a good job, we have to have a good plan for him and hopefully we get him on the ground."

(On what he thinks is the reason the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have matched up well with the Philadelphia Eagles in the past)

"We [have] big guys up front. It is hard -- I know they run the ball on everybody -- it is tough to run on us. I do not care who comes to that stadium with Vita Vea in the middle. We have had success against those guys, hopefully it keeps going. They are dangerous, everybody knows it. Super Bowl champions, it is going to be a big challenge for us but yesterday is yesterday."

(On if he had an idea as to how good the defense could be)

"We have a lot of young guys playing. Ben [Morrison] is getting healthy, so [the] future looks bright. In this short time, we have been with those young guys -- talked about Elijah [Roberts] -- the guys are hungry. There is a lot of juice in that room. Last week, we talked about starting fast, we did that, we did not finish, heat had a lot to do with it, but that is just an excuse. The sky is the limit. We have a mixture of older guys, Lavonte David, and young guys that bring a lot of energy in that locker room. In just my short time here, you see -- sucks for Calijah [Kancey] getting hurt -- a lot of young guys starting to have their imprint on this team -- SirVocea [Dennis] -- we need those guys."

(On how hard it will be for LB SirVocea Dennis to cover RB Saquon Barkley)

"Stay inside and hopefully we get to the quarterback. Play your technique -- to play those guys [who are] quick and fast, you just trust your ability. Lavonte [David] always says to just trust your technique and see what happens. You have to be aggressive and shoot your shot and hopefully more pluses than minuses."

(On how he would evaluate OLB Haason Reddick, and if he is meeting expectations)

"He is going beyond that, because he is doing a great job in the running game. Seeing that last week with the fourth-and-one stop, being in that room, some guys just care about sacks, and I say [to] just keep going after it and make sure to get the quarterback down. He has been close, especially the Houston [Texans] game, he missed him a couple of times. Those numbers will come, but I am definitely happy the way he is attacking the run game. With pass rushers, you have to tell them, 'Hey, you have to earn the right to rush the passer.' I have been happy with both those guys attacking that run."

(On how tighter coverage from the secondary helps with the pass rush)

"You always look at the time -- how much time did the quarterback have? When they start flirting around with three or four [seconds], it is on the pass rush. Early, two seconds into the down, we look at that [as] that is kind of tough, you want to be in a good position. [If] they get three and four, where is the rush at. Those guys, they understand that."

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TRISTAN WIRFS

(On how the offensive line held up during his absence and other key injuries)

"The boys have played great. They kind of got tossed a [crap] sandwich and came out swinging. They prepared well [and] they played well. It was super awesome to go see them ball out like that because they did not have a ton of time. Graham [Barton] is in a new position, Ben [Bredeson] in a new position, we have Mike Jordan, [Elijah] Klein, 'Hags' (Luke Haggard) and Charlie [Heck], they went out and played incredible. To be 3-0 after them having to go through all of that is pretty cool."

(On how he feels physically after ramping up the last couple of weeks)

"I feel good. [I have] done a lot of conditioning -- it sucks -- but it feels good to be in a good spot physically."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's resilience through the first three weeks of the season)

"I think that is who he is. [He is] going to do everything he can to put the team on his back and find a way to win. Watching three [total] drives to go down and win a game -- they are not easy. He is going down and doing it. The offensive line... they were in some not-fun situations, [I'll] tell you what. Two-minute drives against Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson [Jr.] is not fun and they went out and balled out. Graham [Barton] and Charlie [Heck] balled out. To be there and watch them do stuff like that, knowing how hard it is and coming out of the other side – especially, I think, this year in general. A lot of times last year when we came out on the losing side of those situations, so to get to watch them -- [I am] getting goosebumps -- do that was pretty special. 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) leading the charge is incredible."

(On how he feels to potentially have to "knock the rust off" against the Philadelphia Eagles)

"Good. [There is] nobody better to do it against. If I am out there, my teammates are counting on me. Rust is going to be rust, that is going to fall off when it falls off. My teammates are counting on me to do my job, so I am going to do everything I can to get that done."

(On OL Graham Barton playing out of position moving from center to left tackle through the first three weeks of the season)

"It was not talked about enough what he did for three weeks in the National Football League. He kicked out from center to left tackle and went through a gauntlet. We saw Joe Thuney do it a little bit in the playoffs last year... what did [Graham Barton] have... one sack [allowed] against Danielle Hunter? That is fine... that is fine. People do not understand that it is fine. That is a good day. I was just telling him, I said, 'You are an athletic freak -- you are strong enough -- just go be an athlete.' [I] tried to dumb left tackle down as much as I can, but just stay in front of them... Do not get beat fast, do not get beat inside and things are going to be okay. I was so proud of him. The work he put in to do that is -- you guys do not understand, he has played what... at the time say 16-17, 20 games at center to be like, 'Hey, you are going to play left tackle,' on a week's notice... That is insane, but he did it. He did it for three weeks and [allowed] one sack to Danielle Hunter... Nice."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On how impressed he is by the start of rookie CB Jacob Parrish's season)
"Very impressed. I [saw] it during training camp when he came in, flying around and making plays right away. He has only progressed throughout, so he has been doing well."

(On what makes QB Jalen Hurts tough to play defense against)

"He does everything. He can hurt you with his feet [and] he can throw the ball well. Those dual-threat quarterbacks are the toughest ones to face, and he is pretty much good overall, all around."

(On his reaction to CB Jamel Dean's pick six against the New York Jets in Week 3)

"I loved it. I [saw] him catch the ball and he was just going down the sideline. I was super happy for him that he was able to make that play, it was really cool."

(On going up against the Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers and what the game plan is to stop them)

"They are a good team all around. Receivers, running backs, tight ends, quarterback and offensive line, so they have the full thing. We just have to make sure we execute the game plan and do our job."

(On if the secondary can feel the pressure on the quarterback from the pass rush)

"You definitely feel it; you can tell when you are back there. It makes our job a little bit easier when there is pressure on the quarterback and people are in his face. You can definitely feel it during the game."

-BUCCANEERS-