PASS GAME COORDINATOR/INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH LARRY FOOTE

(On Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins)

"He's accurate. He's got a lot of numbers in this league. [He has] been playing great ball since he got in this league. I remember him from Michigan State. He's a good guy – he's a weapon. We know we've got to disguise stuff. We've got to play the game with him. He's seen it all, so we've just got to make plays."

(On what DL Calijah Kancey will bring to the defense)

"A first-round talent – he's bringing first-round talent. Hopefully he can go, but when he's ready, he'll be ready for us. We're excited to see him when he actually plays. We know the talent he has – what he did in college – that's why we drafted him."

(On what he's seen from OLB Shaquil Barrett returning from injury)

"He's a vet. He's a savvy vet. He's definitely in shape, he's ready to go. You guys would be impressed – he's coaching his son's little league. I've been seeing him out there – my son plays with him. The kids are kind of running over him a little bit – he's got to get a little tougher. He's doing a great job coaching. But I'm excited to see him play. He's got a different number on – my kids are mad about that, they all had [No.] 58 [jerseys]. They're saving up their pennies to get a number seven."

(On what he's seen from LB Devin White throughout training camp)

"He's ready to go. He put that stuff behind him. He's being a pro. In this league, in the offseason, you try to handle that, but when the season approaches us, you've got to lock in. You've got to lock in. He's solid for us. He's our leader, he lines everybody up. He's ready to go – a lot of motivation, not just for a contract but to try and win another Lombardi [trophy]."

(On what makes LB Lavonte David great)

"He's got instincts. I tell everybody all the time, people always ask me about him: he's good at every phase of linebacker play – covering, playing the run, blitzing. He's unique. That's why he's been playing at a high level in this league for so long."

(On what he's been emphasizing for the defense this season)

"Being a defensive guy, if they don't score, we win. We're in this business to win and grow. But, communicate – that's the biggest part that we stress to those guys, communicate. [If] we're all on the same page, you limit big plays from happening."

(On how to get back to stopping the run well)

"All hands on deck. Our front seven [always get talked about] rightfully so, but to have a good run defense, you need all 11 guys – corners, safeties, everybody has got to put their hand in there. There's a lot more running quarterbacks in this league…As coaches, that's how we seek comfort when we give up a lot of rushing yards. But, the standard is the standard around here. We've got to make them one dimensional."

(On how it went calling the defensive plays during the preseason)

"That's my goal, that's my plan moving forward [to be a playcaller]. It's a little different as far as you don't get to watch the game. You've got to be locked in and calling it. You don't get to watch the game as much when you're just a position [coach]. I had fun – it was good."

(On the team's depth at edge rusher)

"I like to say, 'Two dogs, one bone.' This is a league where you've got to get after the passer. If you want more snaps, get to the passer."

(On what he's seen from OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka)

"He looks better. Being in this league, year three, you really tell the league what type of player you are. This is year three. He looked better than he looked last year and definitely from his rookie year. I'm excited to see what he's going to bring this season."

(On LB SirVocea Dennis)

"I don't remember him making [any] plays in practice – where did you hear that? [laughs] Nah, he's a smart guy. He's in that mold of Lavonte David, as far as [having] instincts above the neck. I'm excited to see him play. Right now, we need him dominating on [special] teams and learning from [the] guys in front of him."

(On what makes Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson difficult to defend)

"He's a great route runner. Him and Kirk [Cousins] have a good rapport together. You watch him and he gets double-teamed a lot, but he's hard to cover. He's one of those silky runners. You don't really know what he's doing. He's a weapon. Any time you get 1,800 yards, you've got to have big playmaking ability, which we all know he has. It's going to be a big challenge for us."

(On Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson)

"He's the same type of player, as far as silky – you don't really know what he's running. Those guys do a great job of getting open. He's going to be a challenge for us. I understand why he got that big pay day, because I've been studying him the past month and he's definitely a challenge."

(On Vikings QB Kirk Cousins' toughness)

"He's not afraid. You see he steps up in the pocket. He does a good job waiting for the routes to get open. The main thing is when you see those quarterbacks take those hits, you're displaying that you're not afraid. The good ones, they're not. That's why he's been one of the good quarterbacks in this league for some time."

WIDE RECEIVER MIKE EVANS

(On his thoughts heading into the season)

"I'm excited. I'm blessed to be in this position. A lot of people dream of making it to Year 10. I'm happy to be here. I feel great. I look forward to a great season with the Bucs this year."

(On his agent announcing a deadline for getting a new contract done before the first game)

"Yeah, my agent set the deadline. I'm sure y'all read the statement. Obviously, we've been working with them for over a year now trying to get something done. Any player in my position would want to be solidified and secure. But if a deal is done or not, either way I'm going to be okay and I'm looking forward to having a great season this year."

(On if he thinks a deal will get done by that deadline)

"I don't know. We've got a little bit of time left, but we'll see."

(On if he would still be open to returning to the Buccaneers next year if no deal is done now)

"Ownership and management are going to do what they feel is best for the team and the team's future, and I'm going to do what's best for me and my future. And right now that's just playing some good ball."

(On if he thinks it's doable for him and WR Chris Godwin to get long-term contracts and still have a competitive team)

"Absolutely. I think other teams have done something similar. But this is my last time talking about contract situations. I'm looking forward to having a great season this year, and whatever happens, happens. I'll be alright."

(On if it hurts to think that this could be his last year in Tampa)

"No. Like I said, I'm blessed, man. I've been blessed to play this game for a really long time. [I have] made a lot of plays, made a lot of money…it's not even about that. I'm just happy to be in the position I'm in."

(On what excites him about the Buccaneers going into the season)

"[There are] a lot of doubters, so we're looking forward to shocking a lot of people this year, especially this first week."

(On if he's excited about some of the things Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales has not shown yet)

"I love Dave and his energy; I love the whole coaching staff. I'm excited to see what we can do come Sunday in a great stadium. Minnesota has an unbelievable stadium and a really good team from last year. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do against those guys and measure how we're going to be for the rest of the season."

(On what QB Baker Mayfield has shown him)

"A lot of energy, a lot of moxie, great ball placement. And [he's] super-competitive, so I love that about a quarterback."

(On if he's frustrated by his contract situation)

"Like I said, I'm done talking about contracts."

(On if playing against Vikings WR Justin Jefferson motivates him)

"I'm always self-motivated and just motivated period, but obviously he's one of the best receivers. I know he's only played three years but he's one of the best to ever play already. It's cool to watch him grow each year. Hopefully we can contain him and that will help our chances a lot to win."

(On what he's done in the last couple years to make sure he's still playing at a high level)

"Each offseason I work on things that I think I need to be better at. That's always conditioning – you can always be in better condition – and just taking care of my body. I've learned that throughout the years, eating right and taking care of my body, and I feel better than I ever have."

(On if it feels like a reset button has been hit with a new offense and a new quarterback)

"It's cool. This is my fourth or fifth offensive coordinator, so this is nothing new to me. I love what Dave [Canales] is doing, I love our offense, I love the way we competed during camp and preseason, and I'm excited."

(On fellow WR Chris Godwin)

"Chris Godwin is one of the best receivers in this game for a reason. He works extremely hard, one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. I look forward to him having a really great season."

(On what's the best part about sharing a huddle with QB Baker Mayfield)

"He just doesn't care. If he makes a bad play, he comes back and is just super-positive and ready to go. He doesn't let anything get to him and he's always positive."

-BUCCANEERS-