HEAD COACH JON GRUDEN
(On practice and roster moves)
"We signed Carl Stewart, a fullback that was with us for the majority of the offseason program. He'll give us some depth at the fullback position. He'll replace Torrie Cox on the roster. I was very pleased with practice today. Still plenty of things to clean up. We had a live goal-line scrimmage. Lee Roy Selmon showed up today, from the University of Oklahoma, so we had an 'Oklahoma Drill' on his behalf. He asked for it."
(On which side won the Oklahoma Drill)
"Well, it's an offensive drill. I thought Kevin Carter made the play of the day. There were some good things on both sides, some good physical plays. I was pleased with the offense. We ran the ball six times in the goal-line situation, scored four touchdowns and came off the ball; I was pleased with that."
(On trick plays in practice)
"We do have some gadgets. You can't practice them every day because the defense sees it once or twice and they're pretty astute guys over there. We try to sneak one in every once in awhile. We think we had a nice one today, although they say it was called back; we had a motion error. So there was some good and some bad about that play."
(On if players know the Oklahoma Drill is coming)
"No. I think when they see Lee Roy Selmon they should have an idea. That's kind of been our history around here, to jazz it up when our Hall of Famer shows up, and that's the way it should be."
(On Jeremy Zuttah)
"I can't say how pleased I am with him. Again, we don't want to credit these offensive linemen too much publicly, but [I do] for what he's doing, coming in here out of Rutgers where he played the tackle position. One day you'll watch him [and] he's playing left and right guard, the next day he comes out here he's playing mostly at center. All these positions are foreign to him, he's learning a new offense and I really like him a lot."
(On depth in the secondary)
"Depth was a big part of last season's team if you look at it. [Luke] Petitgout got hurt; we lost two halfbacks; Earnest Graham stepped up; Luke McCown stepped up in New Orleans. We had a lot of guys get pushed to the forefront last year. Micheal Spurlock, the first guy ever to return a kickoff [for a touchdown]. I think winning football teams, teams that compete for championships, are teams that have 47 men that can play. That's what we're after. We're trying to keep the right 53 and on game day keep the right 47. Injuries are part of this game. So we do feel pretty good about our depth but we're still looking for guys to step up."
(On struggling with the 80-man roster limit)
"Yeah, it's a struggle. I'll tell you, what's disappointing about it is that there are a lot of guys you don't get a chance to look at. There have been a lot of guys come out of obscurity become great players, and we're not affording opportunities to a lot of really good players. We can adjust our schedule if we have 14 players, but not affording guys opportunities like we have in years past – I don't know how everybody else feels but I find that disappointing."
(On the battle at tight end)
"It's a very good position. Obviously Ben Troupe didn't go today; he had a mild concussion and he'll be back tomorrow. Ben Troupe has been really impressive here. We like Alex Smith; he's started for three years for us. Jerramy Stevens is really playing well. He's got a suspension for the first couple games; we realize that. John Gilmore's a good player. He's complete. He can play on the line of scrimmage, he's a very good blocker, he has functional speed and we like what he's doing. So that's a position we've leaned on in years past and I think if we want to lean on it this year we can do that."
(On if they're seeing anything new from Michael Clayton)
"Well, we know he's a very good player. What I've seen is five or six consecutive days where he's put his fist down and said, 'I'm a go-to receiver.' If he continues to do that, he's going to be a big part of this offense again. Hopefully he stays healthy and continues doing exactly what he's doing. He's focused, he's all business and he's running all kinds of routes. He's running inside routes, outside routes, and he's showing very good stamina. And we know he can run with the ball after the catch. So we like what he's doing but we've got a long way to go."
(On Maurice Stovall making one-handed catches)
"I think today he tried to make every one of them a splash catch. Just go up and catch it with two hands. He's got two of them, I keep him reminding him. But he is a big, physical presence and he's acrobatic for a big guy. He's a guy we sorely missed in the playoffs last year and down the stretch, not only of his receiver ability but his special teams ability. He's right in the mix. He's going to be hard to keep off the field if he keeps playing the way he is."
(On how he is feeling, and jumping in on some drills)
"I feel pretty good. I've worked hard on my conditioning. I'm getting old, but I still love it. I love the practice. I feel a good vibe on this football team right now and I want to assist any way I can."
(On Jeff Faine)
"He's the same every day. He's a consistent pro and he's a very good player. Our inside pocket has been very good, our second-level blocking is going to be improved. We'll isolate our perimeter offense this afternoon, try to get some timing where we can utilize his athletic ability. But he's the real deal. He's a leader. He doesn't say a lot but he's a model of consistency and at that position that's critical."
C JEFF FAINE
(On this training camp compared to other teams)
“I have been through some pretty tough camps, but Coach Gruden has taken care of us pretty well and I think that is something that will pay dividends as we go through the season. Health is an important value as you go through the season, especially upfront with the offensive and defensive lines. I think the way that we are practicing now and taking care of each other; we are still practicing hard and getting our work done, but Coach is looking out for us in practice as well.”
(On the talk of this year’s offensive line)
“I think it applies pressure on the group. It does not matter if one player plays well and four players play bad, that is not going to look good. As a group we are taking it all on ourselves. They are talking so good about us that it is going to be taken as a challenge from opposing defensive lines as they face a supposedly better offensive line. We got a lot of potential but we have a lot of work to do.”
(On the age similarity)
“I do not think it deals with age more than the quality of the person. We have quality people in that group. We get along well. There are not really any bad attitudes or someone not willing to work. I think that is a compliment to the management for brining in quality guys. It is a good group which goes farther than the age difference.”
(On the running game)
“I think we can be successful on what the defense gives us. We have the ability to get outside, but we also have the ability to go up the middle as well. I think that we are able to adapt and that is what Coach Gruden’s offense have been known for. The situation that presents itself in the game is what we will take advantage of.”
(On playing in full pads)
“It is going good. I think it went real well today, but it is still early. It has not even been a week yet and it feels like we have been here for three (weeks). I asked on our strength coaches today what he thought and he said, “It looks better than it did this time last year.” I did not know that but that is good to hear from a reliable source.”
(On scoring in the goal line drills today)
“It is huge. I thought once we were up there we could put it in every time. Any time you can do that it is encouraging and it is good to see your running back in that end zone. It is what we get paid to do.”
(On adapting to a new system)
“The biggest challenge for me is adapting mentally. Just because of how much is put on the shoulders of the center with this offense. The places I have been, the things that I do are handled by a quarterback solely. Here, there is a lot more on my plate, but I take it with open hands. I take it as a compliment Coach Gruden to allow me to take on those responsibilities.”
(On the toughness of the division)
“I thought the AFC North was a tough division while I was with Cleveland. Personally, I love playing against 4-3’s because it allows you to space out and do some things. Staying in the division is going to be fun and it allows me to go back up to New Orleans to see some of my old teammates. I am familiar with the other two opponents which is good and I think I bring a little flavor from the AFC North as well.”
(On a center’s instincts)
“You have to be alert at all times. You always have someone bearing down on you it seems and when you don’t you have a linebacker looming ready to come downhill at you. It is definitely a brawl, face-to-face and no space involved. That is one of the things I am going to miss facing Chris (Hovan). It is not the same practicing against him because playing with him was a lot of fun and always a challenge. It often reminded me of the Notre Dame-Purdue games. We have become great friends and he is a great competitor.”
(On the rivalry between him and Chris Hovan)
“I think he took it a little more personal than I did. It is just the competitiveness. He was actually the first player that I met in the locker room when I came to the Bucs. It was pretty cool how we handled the situation. It is ironic how we left it in New Orleans and he was the first guy to greet me when I got here.”
(On adapting to Jon Gruden’ tactics)
“I have never had a head coach like this. I think everything he does is positive. I think the yelling and screaming is perfectly placed. He is an extremely intelligent, one of the most intelligent coaches that I have ever been around. He asks, demands and gets a lot out of his players and I am excited about playing for him.”
(On his clothing line)
“I grew up in downtown Orlando, and I already had a couple businesses going up in Cleveland. So, I looked at downtown Orlando and asked myself what it needed. I strived to do something different in downtown and provide something it needed. I am starting to get into fashion. In college I was a white t-shirt and jeans guy and it did not bother me, but now I have a little money in my pocket, so I was able to afford some new clothes and expanded my wardrobe and have gotten into fashion.”
(On living up to his new contract)
“My teammates have handled it very well. A lot better than when I was drafted, but part of that is being a rookie though. When you come around to free agent season you have earned the contract and respect you get. As a rookie you have somewhat earned your contract but not have quite proven yourself on this large of a level. My teammates have been real good about it, and it is what it is. I can not tell you how much I am making this season or how much I make a game, I am just going out and practicing as hard as I can and preparing for the games. The contract stuff is for the off-season so I am not really concerned with that now.”
(On growing up Orlando and returning near home)
“It definitely did not hurt my situation. My first intention was to come back to New Orleans. I love that city, it really helped me sort of revive my career. I came down there from Cleveland and they really embraced me, both the fans and the organization. The chips just weren’t there and after that a couple of options presented itself and Tampa was definitely my top pick.”
(On having attention as an offensive lineman)
“The thing that impresses me with our unit is at a really young age, they are very mature. The tough thing for me as a rookie was playing amongst all these veterans. I have to take a step back and appreciate that these young guys are really stepping up in maturity and working hard and acting as true pros. I appreciate these guys doing what they are doing at such a young age. I think it makes it a little easier to put our heads down and keep working hard and not rest on these laurels. Offensive linemen by nature are team players and not really worried about these preseason predictions. The goal is to win and win every week and get to the Super Bowl.”
(On helping fellow linemen improve)
“I think I bring in some veteran leadership and some flavor from other teams. These guys have only known each other and not known linemen from other teams. I take pride in what we did in New Orleans and I think I was a big part of it, helping lead the league in least sacks allowed. That is one of our goals I would like to see us strive for as a unit and start a tradition that we can keep going.”
(On following John Wade)
“To come in and step into his place is tough, and I treaded lightly, but it is what it is and that is a business. Maybe I am different and maybe some people don’t like it better, but hopefully in the long run it will help improve this offensive line.”
DT JOVAN HAYE
(On coming into camp this year and competing as a starter)
“I just know a lot more than I did last year. I have a good grasp of the defense and it’s almost like I’m trying to fine tune my skills right now. That’s all I'm concerned about, I’m not worrying about starting or anything like that I’m just trying to get better.”
(On battles in practice with C Jeff Faine)
“We’ve been going at it all camp, he kind of got yesterday and I told him I owed him one so things are going happen. It’s great competition out there, it’s only going to get us better and a guy like Jeff Faine he’s a great center and I’m glad we have him.”
(On whether he gets juiced up when you go goal line in training camp or if it’s something you dread)
“Oh you have to get juiced up, it’s football. Games are won on the goal line, offense got the best of us today but you know if they’re getting the best of you then you know they have things going good on their side but its great competition.”
(On if there was a wager involved in the goal line drill)
“Just bragging rights.”
(On the comments by Head Coach Jon Gruden in regards to needing more pressure)
“He’s putting a lot of weight on my shoulders, as far as getting to the quarterback. It’s all about pressure, pressure, pressure, and after what the New York Giants did I think everyone around the league is pressing the pass rush. Gruden just wants us to get after the quarterback and I think we’re doing a good job. We’re not where we want to be as far as that’s concerned but it’s turning the corner.”
(On the Oklahoma drill)
“It was my first time I actually have seen it down here but he said something about when Lee Roy Selmon is here. So we’re going to have Oklahoma drills more often so when Lee Roy is here guys expect it. It was pretty good.”
(On if the Oklahoma drill seemed to fire up both sides)
“Oh yeah, it’s all competition in camp. Especially your first couple days, everyone’s trying to out do each other before we start getting to the dog days. It’s real good competition.”
(On if the team would be ready to play a game now)
“We could right now, but it’s just take it day by day. I’m pretty sure if we had a game coming up right now we’d be ready to go. When it’s all said and done it’s all football. You have to be ready to go whenever.”
(On the depth at defensive line)
“It’s real good because we have some quality guys like Marques Douglas, Jimmy Wilkerson, and Dre Moore. Basically when guys are out of there especially like the starters there will be no drop off. Having guys that have been around the league and played a lot of football it’s going to be great for us this season.” | |