DE GAINES ADAMS
(On going against T Walter Jones)
“He’s a great player; I can’t focus my game on watching Jones. I just have to go out there and prepare and do what I do.”
(On his regular season debut)
“I’m very anxious; it’s live bullets right now. This is when they count, so you’re going to get everyone’s best effort and fortunate enough, I start off with Walter Jones. Starting off against Walter Jones is going to be a big test for me, to show me where I am at right now.”
LB DERRICK BROOKS
(On the first game week)
“It’s exciting. It’s not a broken record, it’s reality to me. Today is Wednesday and let’s go out there and take care of Wednesday’s preparation for Seattle. Whatever [way] coaches have the practice set up, let’s be where we are at today, and then we will take on tomorrow when it comes. Today is today; let’s concentrate on the details for Wednesday. Start building that foundation up and giving us a chance to win on Sunday.”
(On what stands out in Seattle’s offense)
“Really they are efficient. Whether it’s the passing game, the running game, whatever it is, they are very efficient. They don’t have a lot of plays where they lose yards. Again, it’s a very efficient offense; I would say it’s one to deal with. I think the focus more or less needs to be on us as a defense and our execution. Now you give them the advantage because they do a lot of things well. We have to really keep our focus on our execution, on what we call and make sure we play that particular defense the best we can and eliminate our mistakes.”
(On the defense starting strong and his expectations)
“My expectation is very simple, and that’s prepare today to help us win on Sunday. I’m not into making any bold predictions, that’s not who I am. We don’t want to put any more pressure on ourselves than we need to. We are going to treat the Seattle game as what it is, the first game of the regular season. Sixteen teams are going to start 1-0, and 16 teams are going to be 0-1. Obviously, we want to start fast, because getting a win in this type of environment gives you momentum. I’m always reminded after week one that we won a Super Bowl by losing the first game. So it really has no indication on how the season will go, but we definitely want to start fast and get a win against a very good Seattle team at their place. That can really do a lot for our team in terms of confidence.”
(On the addition of LB Jeremiah Trotter)
“Jeremiah right now, is just trying to learn our terminology. I feel that my job is to try to help him be as strong as I can with our terminology. How he fits in, that is yet to be determined.”
(On what stands out about Jeremiah’s ability and how he plays the game)
“I am just a fan of the physical play that he has been able to display throughout his career, and again the leadership, you can really tell he had a very prominent leadership role at middle linebacker.”
WR MICHAEL CLAYTON
(On if he is in the best shape he can be)
“I feel I am. I had a great offseason, had a long time to prepare and get healthy. I utilized all my free time to getting healthy and being ready for training camp, like I have never done before. I’m just looking forward to being productive.”
(On coming together as a team)
“Our chemistry is there, we have been working at it a long time. I feel that Jeff Garcia came in and did an excellent job making the transition, getting adjusted to the offense. We accepted him with open arms, and he basically came in since day one on page with us, and we were able to start the chemistry very early. I feel like right now we are going in at a chance to peak a few games in. I think we are in great position to make some things happen with the season opener.”
(On putting the past behind and starting with a fresh start)
“Definitely, definitely. What happened in the past is gone; it’s basically right now all about winning football games. I think all the veteran guys on this team have the same mindset to win, first and foremost. No matter who is out there, we all go out there with a positive attitude to play our roles and win the football game.”
(On the slot receiver by committee idea)
“We all keep positive attitudes. Things are going to be expected out of all of us in the wide receiver room. We are all real close, we all help each other out; we’re all going to be expected to play every position out there on the field. Taking that into consideration, whenever you get the opportunity, which the opportunity will present itself, we will have to take advantage of it.”
QB JEFF GARCIA
(On the opening game)
“It’s exciting. It’s exciting any time you’re about to start the regular season. You get through training camp, get through all the preseason games and now this is what it’s all about. It’s going to be a great challenge for us going to Seattle – long trip, great fans out there, good football team. So we definitely have our hands full with this first one, but it’s exciting, it’s going to be a great opportunity for us and we’re very motivated, very ready to get out there and do a job.”
(On Seattle being hard to beat at home)
“They are good at home. Every team needs to try to find a way to win at home, and this is not any different. They’re a well-coached football team, they have good players, they went to the Super Bowl two years ago. So they’re definitely a team that’s probably considered one of the top in the NFC. It’s just one of those things where, it’s a long trip but we have to be professionals about it. We have to learn how to manage these types of situations, go out there and just really take care of business. It’s a business trip and that’s what it’s all about. It’s not about seeing people, it’s not about seeing anything else; it’s about getting ready to play a game and going out there and giving the best effort that we have within ourselves.”
(On if he’s ready for the regular season and playing a full game)
“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to go for a full game. I don’t feel like it’s going to be any sort of problem as far as conditioning is concerned or just the beating that you take through a full game. I think it’s something that I’m very well-prepared for. I’ve been doing it for a lot of years and I’m excited about it. I’m excited to be able to get into some sort of rhythm, be able to not just be in for one quarter but play through all four. That’s really what it’s all about and I’m excited about that.”
(On when the juices start flowing for the game)
“I think once you get through the first couple days of game-planning. It’s such a mental part. You’re so focused on trying to adapt to what we’re going to do on Sunday, trying to focus on play-calling, formations, schemes, all those things, defenses that you’re going to see. Once that somewhat becomes more natural later in the week is when you start to focus on the excitement of game day. It’s not something that really even hits me until Sunday morning. It’s one of those things – I’ve been through it a lot of years and you have to control your emotions in certain ways. You can’t get too high too early in the week because you might wear yourself out a little bit. I just want to focus mentally, doing the right thing out here in practice for these next two-three days, then come Saturday and Sunday is when it’s all in the bank and you’re just ready to play.”
(On if he likes being back in a leadership role)
“It’s a quarterback’s responsibility. I don’t look at it as anything different than anywhere else. Every team expects their quarterback to lead the team, to do great things for their team, to find a way to help the team win football games. That’s really the role of this position, it’s a role I’ve been in before, it’s a role that I expect out of myself. I can’t really listen and pay attention to what people are thinking outside of this facility here. It’s really about my teammates and coaching staff and just doing the best possible job.”
(On playing on the West Coast)
“It’s a different sort of preparation. It’s a two-day trip instead of a one-day trip. It is a long flight. But it’s really about focus. It’s really about discipline and it’s about being prepared throughout the week so that when Sunday comes you’re just reacting. You’re not allowing the elements to rattle you or confuse you. There are going to be some difficult elements. It’s going to be loud and they have a very aggressive defense. They’re going to try to get after us and it’s important that we strike back. We don’t allow them to strike us and we just keep trying to absorb blows. We need to deliver the blows.”
(On how well the team is prepared to run the shotgun)
“I think the shotgun has become very natural for this team. John Wade has done a great job snapping the ball. He’s very consistent there. It’s very comfortable for me. I think we’re developing a game plan, utilizing that sort of scheme, and I think it’s definitely going to be helpful for us down the road. I think it’s something that’s going to be a major part of our system.”
(On LB Jeremiah Trotter)
“It’s just great bringing a leader, a player like he is, into this locker room. I think he can bring so many things, not just on the football field but in the locker room from a leadership standpoint. He knows the game; he understands the game; he is very tenacious; he gets after it; he’s a hitter; he’s a guy who’s going to bring intensity on the field. He’s going to push Barrett [Ruud]. He’s going to make sure that the linebackers that are in there are doing their jobs, otherwise he’s going to be ready to step in. He’s willing to learn, willing to accept his responsibility. He just wants to get out there and play football and it’s great to have him here.”
DT CHRIS HOVAN
(On mentally preparing for opening day and the long road trip)
“It’s going to be a tough environment. Seattle is one of the loudest stadiums in the league, so it’s going to be a great challenge, but we need to start somewhere. We get to go and play a great NFC team, and we are just ready to get last year off our minds, and start off this year. So we can’t wait to get to Seattle and play a game right now.”
(On expectations for the upcoming season)
“The main expectation is always to win a championship. If you’re not striving for that goal, to win a championship, you’re in the wrong business. There is only one goal in mind and that is to get the Lombardi trophy back here at One Buc.”
(On what LB Jeremiah Trotter brings to the team)
“I think Jeremiah brings experience from all the years he was with Philadelphia, his stint with Washington and back in Philly. I think his best years were in Philly. He’s a guy who’s put it on tape, a Pro Bowler and a guy who’s going to bring veteran leadership to our locker room.”
(On Seattle’s offense)
“Walter Jones; they have a good young player in Chris Spencer for their center; Sean Locklear over at right tackle; Rob Sims and Chris Gray – they’re a formidable unit. I think they’ve been around each other – I know Walter and Chris have. It’s going to be another good offensive line we’re going to have to go against among the many offensive lines we’ll go against this year. We’re going to get ready for the task at hand and just bring the aggressiveness to Seattle.”
(On getting ready for a West Coast game)
“You just have to get your mind and your body ready for the time change. You have to go out there with the same mentality that you have when you play at home in Tampa. We have to be aggressive on D. We have to go out there and set the new line of scrimmage with our offensive line and defensive line and just go out there and play Buc ball. We just have to take our show on the road in Seattle. That’s all we have to do – whatever we do in Tampa we’ve got to do in Seattle.”
LB CATO JUNE
(On Seattle’s offense)
“I see a great running back. I see a quarterback that’s going to get the ball to his playmakers in the right situations. We have to be detailed in our approach and make sure that we’re fitting in the right gaps, that we’re not giving the game away as opposed to letting all of them make good plays.”
(On what Seattle will do on offense)
“I think they’ll try to come with a balanced attack. I think they’ll do what they do. I don’t think they’ll try to change it up in any way. They’re going to come and attack us in a way they know. I think they’ll run the ball and then they’ll have a mix of passes.”
(On if Seattle will specifically try to run it towards him)
“I’m used to that. The little guy, come to the little guy. I’m ready for it and defensively we’ll all be ready. It’s all about getting 11 guys to the football.”
(On LB Jeremiah Trotter)
“A great addition, a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker, a veteran. He’s been around and done it for a long time, played in big games, been there. It’s all about adding people that know how to win, have won and can go out there and get it done.”
(On the linebacking corps being strong)
“I think so. Any time you can bring a veteran guy that has played well for a long period of time, that always strengthens the core of your defense.”
(On how tough it was to miss the championship-raising banner in Indianapolis)
“Not tough at all. I’m a Buccaneer now. I got my ring. I went back and got that, and then you move on. You try go for your next one.”
(On moving on)
“You can have the memories, you never lose those. But I’m a Buccaneer now and we have Seattle on Sunday and that’s what it’s all about.”
LB BARRETT RUUD
(On the cohesiveness of the linebackers)
“Everyone is doing well; everyone respects each other and gets along real well.”
(On LB Jeremiah Trotter)
“I think he’s a great addition, he’s a good player. I’ve watched him for three years now, I’ve always watched him because the Eagles are in our conference and we see a lot of film on him. He’s definitely a good player.”
(On being a starter)
“It’s nice to go in knowing that you’re the guy. My role in the past was kind of, you go in for a few plays, and then look over my shoulder to see when I was supposed to go back out. It will be nice to go in, and be the guy for a little bit.”
(On expectations coming into the season opener)
“We have high expectations; 4-12 is a bitter taste. We are definitely trying to improve on that. It really is a great start. Seattle is one of the best teams in the NFC, and it’s one of the toughest places to play. I’ve never been there, but they say it is a great stadium, and a real good atmosphere, and it should be a good trip.”
(On a high level of defensive pride)
“We have a standard here, and we hold ourselves to a standard, and we definitely didn’t live up to it last year. We want to get it back where it’s supposed to be, we’re one of the top units in the league and we have the people to do that. Everyone just has to do their jobs, and when the time is there to make a play, you have to make it.
G ARRON SEARS
(On changes on offense)
“We have had four weeks of preseason games to get together as an offense. I think we should be on the same page, and the offense should go well the first game Sunday.”
(On winning the starting job)
“I just went out there and tried to give all I had everyday I was out there practicing. Obviously, the coaches and everybody realizes, that’s why Coach Gruden put that respect on me and put me in there with those guys.”
TE ALEX SMITH
(On what Jeff Garcia brings to the quarterback role)
“I’m just really excited to get on the field. We’ve had like a quarter, quarter-and-a-half with him to play. I’m just excited to be on the field for four quarters when it really counts. He’s going to bring a different element to this team and I’m excited to see him play. I think he has gotten more confident with the offense, as far as calling the plays and knowing where everyone will be. Just seeing him growing in his confidence and knowledge of the offense is going to be big for us.”
(On using the tight end more)
“I think he likes to use his tight ends as a viable weapon, and especially with a quarterback that likes to scramble, the tight ends are right there and you have to stay alive at any point in time during the play and I think he will look for us.”
(On asserting himself more as a receiver)
“I think it starts with our offensive line. I’m expecting them to have a big year this year, as far as protection and even running the ball. As long as we produce as an offense and are effective, I think that will allow me to be more effective.”
(On entering his third year in the NFL)
“I’m just able to understand the game a lot more than my rookie year. I was just running around with my head cut off. Now, I’m able to read defenses, understand how they’re trying to take me away, and try to capitalize on that. I think in that sense, it has made me more of an effective route runner.”
LB JEREMIAH TROTTER
(On joining the team)
“I’m excited to be here. When I came down for my first workout, it went great. I really enjoyed meeting some of the teammates and coaches. I like the system and they have great chemistry here. That was really big for me.”
(On being released by Philadelphia)
“If I said it didn’t hurt, I’d be lying. But I understand that’s the nature of the business and you just have to keep moving. Stuff happens; you can’t worry about the past, just keep moving forward.”
(On what role you bring to the team)
“I don’t know much. All I know is that I’m working hard trying to absorb as much of the system as I can, and whatever they need me to do to help this team win, I’m ready to do.”
(On being a leader and what characteristics make a good leader)
“I think leading by example, doing the little things, being on the field. Some things you really can’t describe. When you’re on the field and your back is against the wall, the leaders are the guys that step up, to get guys to rally together and being able to get guys to play above the level they are capable of doing. When I’m out on that field, in the huddle, and I’m looking at 10 guys looking back at me, that’s the greatest feeling in the world, just leading those guys.”
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