Here are some of the best Bucs quotes following their the team’s training camp practice on Sunday, July 30.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles
On if there’s an update on the status of Bucs DT Calijah Kancey:
“Not yet. He’s got a calf strain. We’ll get an MRI and we’ll see where it’s at.”
On defensive backs getting their hands on a lot of balls today:
“Just got to learn how to catch them. We knock down more balls than we catch. We’ve got to be able to get turnovers this year – we can’t knock them down.”
On how well Bucs LB SirVocea Dennis has been playing:
“He’s done a great job. He’s a smart player, he’s an instinctive player. As you can tell, getting his hands on balls almost every other day or every day has been good for him. We really like where he’s at right now – he’s just got to keep growing.”
On Bucs CB Zyon McCollum’s development this year compared to last season:
“I think when he got hurt, he missed quite a [bit of] time. He missed a lot of reps there. The mental part kind of passed him by, at that point, once the season [started], I think he was always trying to play catch up. I think he’s healthy now. He really studies, he comes in and he watches film with Coach [Kevin] Ross and he’s really kind of putting it together, mentally.”
On how much flexibility Bucs S Ryan Neal provides the defense:
“Ryan is very smart. Obviously, him and [Antoine] Winfield have got this bond together [where] they’ve been watching film and understanding each other disguise-wise, which is very good for both safeties to do. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the game, and experience, and he can play multiple positions for us.”
Bucs Cornerback Carlton Davis
On if the defense still possesses a ‘gravedigger swag’:
“I mean, you saw practice today. You watched it. We are making plays on the ball. We are taking guys out of the game. That never stops. That is every day. We carry that mentality every day. One thing we do preach is emptying the tank every day. Give me everything you got every day. When we get done, we reload up, we recover, and then we do it again tomorrow.”
On how critical it is to convert pass break ups into turnovers:
“That is the biggest thing. We are really trying to push for that. When I look at the film and examine things closer and see where there could have been an interception over a PBU. That is what we need. That is what my focus is on.”
On what he has seen from Bucs quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask:
“It is a heavy competition. They are making plays and we are making plays on them. They are competing at the end of the day. They are just coming out here and competing. Baker is coming out and competing. Kyle Trask is really coming out and competing. I have really seen an edge on him, especially the last two days. He has been laser-focused, you can tell by how he has been operating the offense and his decision making.
We are here for training camp, so we are here to get better. We are here to work hard and not be complacent in whatever we do. I feel like every day we want to get better, and we have to get better.”
Bucs Safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
On embracing being a leader:
“Yeah, a hundred percent. You know, the more years you get in this league, you kind of step into that role. So, my goal is, to you, know make everybody around be better and just encourage everybody and make sure I am bringing them up to the same level as I am.”
On his relationship with S Ryan Neal:
“Yeah, he is a vet. Smart player, great player, and he is always where he is supposed to be at. So, being able to practice with him and get more experience with him, I feel like our chemistry has just gotten better and better each and every day that we’re out here.”
On how CB Zyon McCollum has changed and developed as a player:
“Yeah, I would say he’s smarter. You know, coming in, it’s an adjustment period. I feel like he has overcome that, and he’s smarter. You know, Zyon is super fast, and he’s a tall guy. He’ll get to ball, too. He’s been making some plays.”
On what it’s like going against the offense at training camp:
“Yeah, I would say it’s definitely a different style of offense. I can tell by practicing against both offensive coordinators, but definitely a nice switch up.”
