Below is a selection of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quotes from today’s earlier media availability. Full video of press conferences can be found on Buccaneers.com.
Head Coach Bruce Arians
Quarterback Jameis Winston
Head Coach Bruce Arians
(On Tuesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins)
"Again, a really good workday. I love the way the players have adjusted – inside, outside – with the weather. It's obviously a big benefit to have this building. I thought it was a really good practice, both sides of the ball. This stuff is invaluable, to be able to go against another team, especially this time of the year. I look forward to maybe doing this every year with the Dolphins because it was very good work."
(On QB Jameis Winston's practice performance)
"Another solid day – great drive in the two-minute, great catch by O.J. [He is] learning some stuff. He had a miscommunication on a route that was an interception. It wasn't either guy's fault, it was just something new that we put in. Same thing with that last 30-second one – that was a brand-new play. We've never really done anything but walk through it, so I don't get upset with that. I thought he had a really good day."
(On if the team is where he wants it to be)
"It's there because of their work. The guys have shown up, they've worked every single day. We had those two practices all of spring, so our rookies have gotten close to 500 snaps. So, we kind of know what they can do now. It would be easy to cut down to 60 right now, for me. But, again, we've got the preseason games coming up and maybe guys can show up more when the lights come on than they have in practice. They've put in the time. I'd like to have Vita [Vea] healthy, I'd like to have Lavonte [David] healthy, and I think they will be. We're just keep our fingers crossed for that, but then we're right on schedule."
(On DL Jeremiah Ledbetter's injury)
"He got a high-ankle sprain yesterday. We're hoping only two weeks [until he returns]."
(On what he wants to see in the upcoming game)
"Better execution out of our young players. Elimination of penalties – we had 16 penalties [vs. Pittsburgh], 14 accepted last week, and we've had some more in these practices. I keep telling them, 'You get penalties, you're not making the team.' I want to see that eliminated, the mental errors, I just want to see them play sharper. I'd like the starters to play probably as much as last week and look as good, hopefully."
(On if the defensive line depth is a little thin due to injuries)
"It is right now with those guys being down. We just can't afford anymore."
(On the value of joint practices)
"Just good quality competition in all different phases where we can set up situations. We don't get situations in preseason games sometimes. [Miami Head Coach] Brian [Flores] was great about working together, making sure that we were all here to make each other better and put all these situations in for our quarterbacks and our receivers to be in."
(On if the Bucs will use TE O.J. Howard and TE Cameron Brate together a lot)
"Yeah, we're a two-tight end offense. That's what we are, so you're going to see a hell of a lot of them."
(On if the team came out of the joint practices in good shape)
"Oh, totally, yeah. One injury and that was it. That was the one thing, we were hoping not to get anybody hurt. Hopefully it's just an ankle sprain that will heal. But overall, it was two great days of work."
(On doing joint practices again in years to come)
"We're going to shoot for two next year. We'll try to shoot for two next year. Like I said, these to me are more important now than games are because we can situationally put our players where we want them."
(On if the joint practices were good for rookie ILB Devin White)
"Yeah, it was good for all of them, but for Devin just to go against someone else, see different sets, make all the checks – it’s not a big deal for him, but it's good for him."
(On newly-signed S Darian Stewart)
"I haven't really watched the defense, I was watching offense all day. So, I'll go in and watch the tape, but he looked good in this uniform."
(On where the offense's progress stands)
"Oh, right on schedule, right on schedule. I think we're running the ball really nicely, and that showed up in both [joint] practices. And, we're making big plays."
(On rookie CB Sean Murphy-Bunting not having any standout plays in the first game)
"Yeah, I was a little bit surprised by him because he was playing so fast in all those practices and really showing up. I think it was just the lights, Heinz Field, and all those things that go with it. He has bounced back really, really well in these practices."
(On the rookie class as a whole)
"Overall, I can't say enough about that class. [Anthony] Nelson and [Scotty] Miller, I want to get those guys back out there. But overall, this whole crew is exactly what we thought they were. [Jamel] Dean really showed up the last two days."
Quarterback Jameis Winston
(On what he has gotten out of the joint practices)
“I love when we go against other teams. It’s always fun to go against a different color [and] see different looks. It bumps up the energy a little bit.”
(On his assessment of his team and where they are at heading into the second preseason game)
“Our goal is to get better every single day. I think we’re doing that. Obviously, when we play against other teams, we get to judge that more in games. Every day we are striving for perfection and that’s all we can do.”
(On how it felt connecting on a deep throw to WR Mike Evans in practice)
“Mike Evans can do it all. Don’t put limitations on Mike – he can do everything you need him to do.”
(On how he rates his performance in the joint practices against Miami)
“Like I’ve said, I’ve got to get better every single day. I’m not into Madden ratings or stuff like that. I’ve just got to get better and perform.”
(On what he is hoping to accomplish during Friday’s game against Miami)
“Just execution and action. We’ve got to execute well and hopefully we get a collective team win.”
(On what advice he has for ILB Devin White being called on as a rookie to lead the defense)
“Keep on working his tail off and keep earning his stripes. I think the defense looks up to him as a leader. He didn’t come in here bowing down to anybody. He came in and held his ground. So, he’s been doing a great job. I know it will help when he has Lavonte [David] with him, and I know they will be able to work together and help lead that defense together. But, I believe he’s been doing an amazing job. Like I said, he’s a rookie, so just like a five-year guy or a four-year guy, we’ve all got to continue to get better. But, I’m excited with what I’ve seen from him so far.”
(On his chemistry with TE O.J. Howard entering their third season playing together)
“It gets better every year. I think we’ve probably increased his touches and his touchdowns every year we’ve played together, as like with me and Cam [Brate] and as like me and Mike [Evans]. The more you get a chance to work with somebody, you get to develop that great relationship and I am just glad Jason Licht [gave] me a ton of weapons to work with.”
(On the level of competition the team has brought to training camp)
“I think it’s been great energy and great competition. I think defensively, Coach Bowles gives you a lot of different looks. So, it helps our offensive line and it helps our whole offense collectively. I know B.A. (Bruce Arians) and Byron [Leftwich] like to attack the ball down the field vertically, and it challenges our cornerbacks. It makes our defensive backs have to play smart football and have to be on their toes. So, I think we really work very well together, and I think we did really well against Miami. So, it’s been working.”