OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PRESS TAYLOR
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023
(On if he played against Buccaneers LB Lavonte David in college) “I did, I played against Lavonte David,
who was on the same team as Jason Pierre-Paul. They had another guy that was really good, went to
Texas A&M and played corner. It was a really good team.”
(On if he remembers anything about Buccaneers LB Lavonte David) “Lavonte averaged like 20 tackles a
game. They went to Nebraska, kind of just followed him and was always super productive. They had a
really good team and a really good defense, a lot of good players. When you play against a lot of those
guys in junior college, you keep track of a lot of them and just watch them as they go through college.”
(On if he always plans for a backup quarterback in a typical week) “No, we’ve been through this. We’re
not sure of Trevor’s [QB Trevor Lawrence] status going into a game, we always kind of put together a
plan that I think fits both guys in a lot of things, the way they play quarterback. Now, they have different
skillsets, so you may feature different things based on the timing of the way they get the ball out, their
movement skills, different things like that maybe you feature one way or the other. I think this is not as
chaotic as people would think, he’s a quarterback, they both operate really well from the pocket, the
things we want to do, the things they see well, then utilizing the guys around them is a big part of it.”
(On if the team knows they’ve got to play well with a backup quarterback in) “There’s not much else you
need to say. We want to go out every single day, every single week and operate each play to the best of
our abilities. You don’t need to put any more on anything based on who is playing quarterback or
wherever anybody is at any point in time.”
(On what receivers should step up if WR Zay Jones can’t play) “It’s a rotation of everybody. Really going
into the tight end room, the running back room of each personnel grouping on each play is specific to
who we think does each thing well. You’ll lean on a little bit more of Ag [WR Jamal Agnew], Tim [WR Tim
Jones], Elijah [WR Elijah Cooks], Parker [WR Parker Washington], kind of that young rotation of guys
stepping into their role. Ideally, getting Brenton [TE Brenton Strange] back would help us out. Luke [TE
Luke Farrell] has continued to come on in all aspects of the game, so it’s by committee of everybody
stepping in of filling those roles. That’s what you expect week to week in the NFL anyways.”
(On if there’s a need for WR Calvin Ridley to be his best version on offense currently) “Yeah, absolutely.
Calvin and Evan [TE Evan Engram] are obviously the mainstays that have continued to stay healthy and
be available to us. We’ll do everything we can to utilize our best players at all times.”
(On importance of continuity in the run game) “I think that’s a big part. I think having comfort of who
you’re playing next to, how they communicate, how you guys play together is a factor. At the same time,
we expect whoever is in there and whatever combination of guys to produce, play well, communicate
affectively, do their job at a high level. We’ve got to continue to put them in the best possible position to
do that.”
(On helpfulness of QB C.J. Beathard and QB Trevor Lawrence operating in similar ways) “That’s a big deal.
Obviously, we spend a lot of time in that room talking through the entire plan. We’ve been doing this
now for two years of building plans, talking through concepts, all the time from training camp. Good feel
for what they each like individually, but both like collectively. I think a lot of it, too, is conversation about
using the pieces around you. This guy does this really well, I’m confident in how he runs this, how he
sees this. It’s putting guys in that position and then regardless of the quarterback, they both think very
similar in that aspect. I think that’s part of what he was getting at.”
(On rarity of so many backup quarterbacks across the league becoming starters) “Yeah, it’s kind of just
common place to see the speed and power of these defensive guys. Guys tend to get hurt, that’s just
how the game goes. Whatever it may be, the next guy is always ready. I don’t know the numbers wise, if
it’s more or less feels like a lot more in terms of just starts. I think you’re seeing a lot of guys coming in
and playing well as well.”
(On what makes Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles defense so powerful) “Pressure. The same thing
you see with our defense. There’s five on the line, there’s five guys pressuring a lot of times. Depending
on where that fifth guy is coming from or the other two are coming from, guys dropping out. There’s a
lot of loaded boxes. They’re really good against the run, this defense particularly has been really good for
a pretty long time since Coach Bowles has been there. They’re doing a good job crowding the line,
stopping the run, making things hard, identifying pressure, picking up pressure. They do a really good
job, it’s not an easy task.”
(On if it helps facing a similar defensive style to the one the team has) “Yeah, I think there’s certain
elements that our guys aren’t unfamiliar with, the five-man fronts and the different things they get to.
There’s some of that I think helps, that’s one of the things we always talk about in the offseason of we
aren’t going to see a three-down front until we play Pittsburgh in Week 8 or 9. There’s some of it that
where you’re dealing with training camp and offseason of, how is this going to help us for the beginning
of the season? Well, now it’s going to help us. You’re getting into these fronts now that want to play the
three, four, five-man fronts early on. Now it’s hopefully it benefits what we’ve been seeing for two
springs and two camps.”
(On getting rid of mistakes on scoring drives) “We feel like we’re doing everything possible to emphasize
the importance of ball security, things are going to happen, we understand that. We also understand
how important it is when you’re in scoring position to leave with points. We want to end every drive with
a kick. We’ve tried to say it every way possible, I think our guys understand the importance of it, but
that’s got to show up. We’ve got to continue to work to protect the football and do a better job of that.”
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE CALDWELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023
(On if he has any extra feelings returning to Tampa Bay) “No, I’m excited to get another chance to go out
and get back on track. That’s the thing, the last few weeks haven’t been good for us. We get an
opportunity to go back out there. I’ll see a bunch of good faces down there, friendly faces, it’ll be good
to be back in that stadium. At the end of the day, it’s all about us trying to get a victory.”
(On talent of Buccaneers WR Mike Evans) “He’s a talent and he really works hard. Big guy, sneaky fast.
Like you’re saying, he’s consistent. He takes the top off the defenses, he goes up and competes for the
ball, he’s a guy that’s a playmaker. He’s a number one that you really have to account for. I saw it first
hand and he gets it done. It’ll be a good challenge for us.”
(On talent of Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield this season) “From what I’ve watched, lately he’s really
playing at a high level. He’s getting the ball where it’s supposed to go, he’s making plays for them, he
really throws the seam ball really well. I think the guys believe in him, you see him on third-and-two,
instead of sliding, he takes on a linebacker. He energizes the team that way, I think he was that same way
at Texas A&M and he’s still doing that and that team believes in him, they’re playing for him.”
(On what he learned the most from Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles) “He’s been special for me in
my career. He’s a great friend and when we first got together, it was funny because we looked at defense
the same way as far as secondary wise. Then, being with him so long just looking at how he sees the
game and that influenced how I see the game. The other guys that I’ve coached under and coached for,
he was one of the ones that really took me under his wing just being with him for so long, understanding
how to look at a defense, how to take away something from an offense. Just being multiple, I’ve kind of
put my own imprint on the defense, but he’s been a big factor in me getting this far and getting where
I’m at.”
(On defensive players returning from injury impacting the communication level on defense) “As a
defense, we talked about it and I think we were better this last week, but there’s still room to improve.
Whoever is in there playing, they have to understand that communication is going to be big for us. I
thought the crowd was great last week and it helped us out. It was loud, we improved. Now, we get to go
to a stadium where it’ll be loud on the offense and hopefully it won’t be loud for us. We’ll be able to get
our communication down pat.”
(On see S Antonio Johnson’s confidence improving) “Definitely. I think the more you get out there, he’s
understanding our scheme a little bit more and he trusts his ability. He’s a guy that he’s long, he’s a great
tackler, and he wants to play. He’s making plays and it’s helping us.”
(On if OLB Travon Walker has been taking a step up in performance recently) “I think it’s starting to show
a little bit more with his pressure on the quarterback, getting guys down last week. Run game wise, he’s
still doing what he does in the run game. Pass game wise, he’s still starting to show and it’s starting to
show up a little bit more. He’ll continue to get better weekly, whoever he rushes against. He’ll have a
plan for them and go out there and execute it.”
(On OLB Josh Allen holding OLB Travon Walker accountable to keep striving to be better) “It’s really
helpful because at the end of the day, as coaches, we have an influence on the players. Your peers have
more of an influence. I like to say they police themselves and we ask a lot of them as coaches, but when
you have a fellow player that tells you that you can get more, that you can do more, that really stands
out because we’re all about accountability. If you can be accountable to yourself and to your teammate,
that’s huge for us. Josh being able to step up like that and showing that he cares about Travon enough to
want more from him, that’s big and that’s the culture we have around here.”
(On if he wants to see OLB Josh Allen set the franchise single-season sack record) “I haven’t thought
about it as far as our defense, but I want to see Josh perform for Josh, and he’s doing that now. I wish he
got it last week, it’s time for him to get it. I told him, don’t wait. Let’s go get it out of the way. Hopefully
he gets it and gets it early, once that happens, I’ll be happy for him. At the end of the day, he
understands that’s something special for him. But getting a victory will mean more to him I think.”
HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023
(On injury update of QB Trevor Lawrence) “Obviously still in, but part of protocol and where he’s at in the
stages is he can practice today. That still doesn’t mean he’s cleared, but part of it is to actually go
through a practice and the stress and all that stuff on him. He’ll be out there today and going through it.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence will be on a limited basis at practice) “No, we’ll give him as much as we can
and as much as he can tolerate.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence has to be cleared to travel) “Good question. I would say yes, because if he
doesn’t clear by tomorrow, we wouldn’t take him.”
(On how QB C.J. Beathard has handled the week) “C.J. has been a pro. It’s what you expect from your
backup. He’s no stranger to this situation this year and in his career, but he’s handled the week well.”
(On how the locker room has handled stress of questionable quarterback and recent losses) “Pretty well.
For the most part, there’s been no distractions, not a lot of questions or wondering ifs, ands or buts.
Guys just focus on their job. Obviously, with situations like this when any player is in a concussion
protocol, it’s just up to the player himself, the healing, and going through the proper steps. I think it’s
just business as usual.”
(On if WR Zay Jones will practice today) “Probably not, he is trending well, he’s working off to the side
with our trainers and medical staff. With a hamstring, it’s a touchy situation and I don’t want to risk
anything further as we continue our season, so probably not.”
(On how the team will react when performing with their backs against the wall) “I do, and I think they
will. It seems like this a comfort level of theirs to play like this. That’s okay, as long as they go out and
play well and compete, that’s all you can ask for and let the chips fall. They’ve handled this week well,
they’ve had a couple good days of preparation and it’s just a matter of just going and playing.”
(On if it’s an uncomforting level for him of playing with their backs against the wall) “It can be, it can be.
You got to trust them, you put them out there and you trust them and the 48 that dress on gameday are
the ones that have to go win the game for you.”
(On if it’s good to play a road game based on road record this season) “Probably, it does keep the team
together and we’ve had good experiences that way. I think playing on the road does that to teams, and
in our case, with the uncertainty at quarterback, it can only help.”
(On if he’s seen a team come through despite struggles like this team) “Yeah, last year was most recent,
but going back to my former life, we had struggles during the season. We rebounded at the end. I’ve
shared the story where we finished the season with four division games and we had to win them all to
get into the postseason and we did. I’ve had experience from that side of it, I want the experience of
having the lead and taking the lead and going. Either way, the bottom line is your guys are focused,
they’re energized, they’re in a good frame of mind. You just trust them and go play.”
(On status of injuries across the team) “Brenton [TE Brenton Strange] has been good this week and feels
good, so I think he’s good to go. Tyson [CB Tyson Campbell] and Cisco [S Andre Cisco] had good days
yesterday, we’ll get them a bunch of time today and the numbers of reps we have to see where they’re
at. Optimistic that they can play.”
(On if TE Brenton Strange being healthy becoming a spark for the versatility of the run game) “It’s
possible, anytime you add another big body like that. Again, it just comes down to each individual in the
run game doing his job.”
(On if he invented the pinch on holding the football) “It’s possible. It’s been documented, I think, going
all the way back to ’99.”
(On how he came up with the pinch) “It was just a comfort level for me. I felt like I had better control on
the football for spinning it and making sure the laces were in the proper spot. Just kept it going.”
(On why backup quarterbacks don’t hold the ball on kicks like he did) “Because they don’t work as much
with the kicker, it’s usually the punter, kicker, long snapper. You see our three guys, they’re inseparable.
You never see C.J. or a backup quarterback with those guys. Back when I did it, we had to make time
apart from practice to get our work in and we did. These guys just hang out so much more together.
Punters are used to catching the ball obviously, they hang out and they know each other, a lot of
conversation on that stuff.”
(On if he was a good holder as a player) “Heck yeah. Except my first couple in Miami, they didn’t start off
very good. I dropped them on the extra point, Pete Stoyanovich was the kicker. I think dropped my first
extra point and got rolled up. Not good, I didn’t drop many more after that.”
(On if Pete Stoyanovich made the kick) “No because I missed it, I dropped it. I had to get up and make
the fire call and scramble. Not good, just not good.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence playing Sunday being a coin flip situation) “I think it’s better than that, but
still, this is Friday and he’s still technically in the protocol until he can clear. You really can’t even compare
it, it’s not really a coin flip. It has to be yes or no type of deal.”
(On what’s needed from WR Calvin Ridley on Sunday due to injured receivers) “Just be Calvin. Don’t do
anything more, don’t do anything less. Just be Calvin. Do what we ask him to do, be apart of the offense,
really nothing more, nothing less.”
(On how practice reps because more valuable for younger players) “Well, obviously they’re going to have
to play. The good thing is they’ve gotten work with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] in previous weeks, due
to our injury situation and Christian [WR Christian Kirk] has been out. Parker [WR Parker Washington]
has gotten a lot more time with Christian, Elijah [WR Elijah Cooks] has gotten more time with Trevor and
C.J. [QB C.J. Beathard] both. There’s time on task obviously, but it’s still kind of a work in progress with
those guys getting to know body language, demeanor, depths on routes, things like that. Parker
continues to improve the more he plays and gets better, Elijah is the same way.”
(On where WR Elijah Cooks and WR Parker Washington are in the season by stepping up) “Yeah, when
the season started, they were both down and inactive. Now, they’re both active. It just goes to show you
that everybody on the 53 has to, and everybody on the practice squad, have to be ready to play. That’s
why I put the importance too, on the coaching staff, to make sure that everybody is coached up and
everybody doesn’t get the same level of gameplan, but they have to still know a certain aspect of it. You
never know when your number is going to be called and now at the end of the season where we are,
both guys have bigger roles and bigger impacts. Yes, it’s on the coaching staff, but it’s also on the player
to make sure he understands his role and where he gets plugged into the gameplan.”
(On if there’s a chance QB Trevor Lawrence could test his concussion Sunday morning and play) “You’re
asking questions out of my realm, most guys if you don’t clear usually by Friday, then you can’t risk
putting a guy on the field this close to game time. That’s any player, just take the position out of it. He is
trending in the right direction and hopefully things go well today.”
(On CB Christian Braswell getting closer to healthy) “He’s really close, we’ll have to make a decision on
him coming up as far as 53 or if we can’t, then he’ll just stay down the rest of the year.”
