WR MICHAEL CLAYTON
(On taking shots down field)
“We haven’t taken as many as we have in the past. I think that’s pretty obvious. But, at the same time, we’ve utilized everybody. We’ve kept the chains moving. That’s a vital part of our offense and a big part of us winning the football game. We have to learn from it and try to do our best to spring our receivers down field and if the shot presents itself, we will do our best to take advantage of the situation.”
(On other deep threats other than WR Joey Galloway)
“I think that our scheme and what we do as an offense enables anybody on the parameter to go down field. It’s obviously a combination everything, the quarterback getting enough time to throw the ball and everybody getting their reads. What we have seen is a lot of blitzes and that’s a big part of our running backs picking up the blitzes. We just have to sift it out. We’re going to have a great mental day to day to prepare for that and we look forward to that.”
C JEFF FAINE
(On what he thinks slows them down in the red zone)
“It’s kind of hard to put a finger on it. We feel confident with our red zone offense going into the game. We pretty much feel confident with our offense all over the field we just have to focus up and make sure we take care of the little things and execute when we get down there.”
(On the rivalry with Carolina)
“It’s a pretty good rivalry and there is a lot riding on this game early. For us to get out there and defend the championship, this is definitely going to be the first step here and it is going to be a big game this weekend.
QB JEFF GARCIA
(On preparing this week)
"I just know that today I'm going to get some reps and I have to be preparing as if I'm going to be the starter. I don't know any other way to prepare, so that's really what it comes down to. I can't wait to see what Coach decides; I have to prepare as if I'm going to be going this Sunday, and take advantage of the reps I do get this week."
(On if he has any hints about whether he's starting or not)
"Not necessarily. I think a lot depends on how well Brian [Griese] recovers and how he feels throughout the week. Like I said, I think today because I'll be out there with Brian somewhat watching mostly today, I'll be able to take pretty much all the reps. I think that's a good step for me as far as getting re-acclimated with the system and with what we're doing and with the guys on the field and just trying to do whatever I can do to help this team."
(On if the Bucs need more production at quarterback)
"I think just overall from an offensive standpoint, we have to produce more. That falls upon all of our shoulders. The quarterback obviously is a focal point. The responsibility is heavy upon the quarterback, as far as trying to get us into good plays or executing the plays that are called and just taking it from there. I know that we have not been as productive as we would like to be. We're fortunate to have a great defense that definitely helps us out, but we need to hold up our end of the bargain. We definitely need to do more things. It's not going to be an easy task against a good Carolina defense this week, a very good Carolina football team. That's going to be a great challenge for us, but I think it's something that this team is up to. As an offense, we have to be better."
(On how challenging it is for the whole offense for him to come in off the bench)
"It's not like I haven't played at all. I've worked with pretty much all of these guys all of last year and a good part of this year. For me, it's an exciting time because I feel like there's an opportunity that might be presented there. I just want to be able to get back in and be the guy that I was for this team last year, the guy that I feel I'm capable of being. If I'm given that opportunity than hopefully I can run with it and make the most out of it."
(On if the offense would be tailored to him if he started)
"I think Coach just puts the game plan out there no matter who's going to be the quarterback. It's not necessarily tailored to me or to Brian; it doesn't necessarily change. As much as we may not be that similar in our playing style, it's the same offense and we both have to adapt to it. That's pretty much how it works and we just try to make the most of it."
(On the Bucs throwing the most passes in the league)
"Well, we've been in some tight football games, and obviously one game in Chicago where we threw as many passes as you can throw in two games. That was almost like we have as many reps as playing six games instead of five. So it's definitely skewed a little bit. We want to be in situations where we can control the clock at the end of the game and not be forced to come back all the time. That's kind of the hole that we've put ourselves in a few times this year, and it's not something you want to live by."
(On red zone offense)
"The key statistic is scoring, so obviously scoring in the red zone is a must. Any time you get the ball inside the 20-yard line, you don't want to settle for field goals. You want to be able to put touchdowns on the board. We didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities in the last game to be in the red zone and to get touchdown drives going. Obviously, our yards-per-pass attempt is not real good new. I think what can improve is our completion percentage; run after the catch helps sometimes. There are a lot of areas that we can improve upon. I think that's what we have to focus on, finding a way to better ourselves."
QB BRIAN GRIESE
(On the status of his shoulder)
“It’s getting better. I had some soreness obviously after the game and still a little sore now but it is getting better.”
(On the diagnosis)
“I had an MRI and thankfully nothing was structurally wrong, like we thought, and that’s good news. There is just some swelling in there and it’s sore at this point.”
(On if it is best for the team to go with the guy that is healthy)
“It’s not my decision to make, I am going to do everything I possibly can to help the team. That has always been my position and that is what I will do this week.”
(On how much preparation he would need to be ready for the game on Sunday)
“In my career I have not practiced at all during a week and played. It’s not the way that you want to do it but that has happened before.”
(On if the general theory of the offense is to look for those few plays to go deep)
“I think you have to be smart. I think there are a lot of instances that you take what the defense gives you. You have seen a lot of two-deep zone coverage’s. One of our best players and our speed guy is out, that is a whole other issue, but it (going downfield) is something to be balanced on offense, you have to do.”
WR IKE HILLIARD
(On the Carolina Panthers)
“We obviously have to pick up our intensity based on what we’ve put on film last week. They’re playing great football right now. They’re a great defensive team. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”
(On the importance of this Sunday’s game)
“It’s almost a must win for us. We’ve already lost one in the division and we have some ground to make up. We lost a tough game last week, but we have a good football team. Based on that we have to come and play our best football.”
(On possible quarterback change effecting the game)
“What’s good about our situation is that we have two veteran guys. I don’t think it changes anything at all. The only thing that may change is the cadence and that’s something that we’re going to be fine with.”
DT CHRIS HOVAN
(On the heated Bucs-Panthers rivalry)
"If you look at it, since this division started it's been Carolina and Tampa fighting for the division. Even when I was playing up north, I would watch these games, and this has turned into a real rivalry. Over the years, it's developed into what it is today. It's the age-old saying: They don't like us, we don't like them."
(On if he is surprised to hear that Carolina has won five straight games in Tampa)
"No, it doesn't surprise me. They're a very physical team. John Fox is a great coach. He's got that real physical approach with playing great defense, running the ball and controlling the game, not giving up big plays, controlling the clock. I respect the way that their philosophy is. It's a little bit like ours. We respect what they do put on tape, but at one o'clock we don't have to like each other."
(On the challenge of playing Carolina's offense)
"If you look at the Panthers' offense, they revamped it. They drafted two kids in the first round, two impact players for them right now. They've got Travelle Wharton, Jordan Gross, Steve Smith and then [Muhsin] Muhammad came back. They're loaded right now. And they've got Jake Delhomme, and he's gunning right now. It looks like the old Panthers to me. Last year, they had some injuries. You could see when we went through it at 4-12 and they went through it last year… you can see what happens when injuries hit a team. But they've added some new guys to the roster, and some old friends. We're going to have to be on our A-game. This is going to be a very physical game."
(On the two Carolina backs)
"They have DeAngelo [Williams], who's more of a zone-cutback type, a little bit more of a fast-twitch runner. And then you've got the kid at 235, Jonathan Stewart, who's a pounder. They love to run it between the tackles with him and it takes about two or three guys to get him down. So capping off and getting to the ball becomes huge this week. We need to see four or five hats on this kid this week."
(On facing a strong Carolina backfield)
“I think it starts with the defensive line setting a new line of scrimmage, we want a chance for our linebackers to be free. If we can take one for two, take up two offensive linemen, or get a fullback, and let our linebackers be free because we have three of the best in the business and if they are one-on-one in the hole with the back they are making the tackle. We need to occupy blockers, set a new line of scrimmage and when we hit we really have to impose our will.”
G DAVIN JOSEPH
(On what improvements the offensive needs to make)
“Consistency. We need to play better on the road. We need to get ourselves out of third and long situations. Then we will be in a lot better situation to make a lot more plays. It is just being consistent.”
(On having to be sharp against an opponent like Carolina)
“Of course. That is a team that we see twice a year. We need to go out there, especially being at home, and we need to win. We are always tough at home and that is kind of our fall back. Last season we were strong at home and we look to do the same thing this year. A division win at home would be big.”
(On the Panthers defense)
“Yeah they are a tough defense, they always have great players on defense. Same core group of guys and we already know it is going to be a dog fight.”
(On if they have to game plan differently depending on what quarterback starts)
“That’s not my job so I don’t know. I think we game plan according to who we play. We have depth on our roster so I believe we can do anything that we want to do.”
T JEREMY TRUEBLOOD
(On what improvements the offensive line can make)
“I think just general improvement. I think concentration and focus would be a great place to start, especially with myself. I think as an offense we just need to come out, do what we do and just execute.”
(On improving the red zone scoring)
“Red zone scoring, improvement in that, at any point in time in the season would be a plus. We would welcome that, that’s for sure.”
DE GREG WHITE
(On how big Sunday's game is)
"It's a division game. Any time we play Carolina, Atlanta or New Orleans it's a division game and there's added pressure this week to come out and dominate. So we're looking forward to the challenge."
(On the rivalry with Carolina being heated)
"Yeah, it should be a very, very fun game this week. It should be really fun."
(On the Panthers possibly being without one or both of their starting offensive tackles)
"I don't know who their other tackles are. I'm preparing for the starters. That's my attitude. If it's anything less than that, we'll take it, but I'm preparing like those linemen are going to start."
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