The Buccaneers were back on the practice field on Sunday after a day off. Head coach Bruce Arians spoke to the media following Sunday morning’s practice and answered a number of questions about the start of a new week.

(On today’s practice)
“Yeah, I thought it was a pretty solid practice – a good start to the week. I didn’t think our running backs were particularly sharp today catching the ball. It started in warmups. We addressed it after practice and everybody’s got to be ready to go. That was the only group – everybody else looked like they were ready to roll.”

(On if RB Dare Ogunbowale has been reliable catching the ball out of the backfield)
“He has been so far.”

(On how S Antoine Winfield Jr. has progressed)

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“He just makes plays every day. [There is] a lot of volume of information passed to him – he handles it really well. He executes the defense, he has great instincts. You can’t stay out of practice very long [or] you’re going to get beat out by him.”

(On if S Mike Edwards will be out for an extended period of time)
“He has an eye infection, so he has some sensitivity to light. Hopefully he’ll get back out there quickly.”

(On his assessment of the kickers and if he’s had a conversation with K Matt Gay following the first week of padded practices)
“No, I have not had a conversation. They both missed one again today, so it really was a wash today. It’ll take care of itself – I don’t need to have any conversations.”

(On what he’s seen from RB LeSean McCoy)
“The same stuff we saw on film. He’s quick, he’s learning some nuances – especially in the passing game. He’s just like all the rookies – he missed a lot of time. But, he’s a very smart, veteran player, so it’s not taking him long to catch up.”

(On the performance of the running backs in Sunday’s practice)
“They dropped too many balls today – simple. They can catch them, so it’s unacceptable.”

(On WR John Hurst’s performance in training camp)
“A lot of speed, a lot of quickness. He’s showing that it’s not too big for him and his speed shows up every single day somewhere. He’s doing a pretty good job as a gunner right now on special teams and that would help him a bunch if he could handle that job.”

Bucs QB Tom Brady and HC Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

(On if QB Blaine Gabbert is solidified in the backup quarterback role)
“We have a lot of faith in Griff (Ryan Griffin), also, but Blaine knows this offense inside out. He made some great throws today and he’s pretty much entrenched in it.”

(On if TE O.J. Howard is becoming a more reliable receiver)
“He’s had a great camp. He came back in great mental shape and physical shape. He’s making plays every single day, so I can’t say enough about him right now.”

(On how QB Tom Brady performed in his first week against the defense)
“He looks fantastic. He made some great throws today – soft throws in zones. He knows where he’s going with the ball. He’s building trust with some of the wideouts now, so that ball he threw to Mike [Evans] down the middle was big time. He looks fine.”

(On his comfort with the entire special teams unit)
“I think we’re getting better and we continue to improve. Losing T.J. Logan hurt because he was one of our best special teams guys as a returner and a cover guy, so somebody’s going to have to step in to that role. We’ve got enough capable guys to get it done. We’re probably hitting more in special teams than we ever have for that reason.”