Here are some of the best Bucs quotes following their the team’s training camp practice on Monday, July 31.

Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles

On how the first practice with pads went:

“[There were] some technique things we’ve got to clean up, obviously. But I thought the alertness was there. We’re starting to understand some situational football things, so I thought we put in good work.”

On what has allowed Bucs QB Kyle Trask to make the improvements that he has:

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“He’s worked hard over the summer – he’s worked on his mechanics, obviously. He’s shortened up his step. He understands that he’s not trying to make the big play, he’s trying to make the right play. He understands the gameHe understands the game and he’s been more decisive with his decision making. I think that’s a credit to him working on his mechanics over the summer.”

On seeing Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett back to almost full speed:

“It feels great. It looks great. I didn’t have any expectation coming in – I didn’t know when he was going to be ready. But the fact that he got cleared and the fact that he’s out here running around and chasing people at full-bore is a big plus for us – it’s a welcome sight.”

On how Bucs OL Cody Mauch has played:

“Very pleased at this stage. He’s a very smart guy. Obviously, he’s going to see more defenses and different looks as we go, but he’s handled everything with ease. We like the way he comes to practice every day, we like his approach – we really do. He understands the game a lot.”

Bucs Outside Linebacker Shaq Barrett

On how good it feels to be back on the field after coming back from an Achilles injury:

“It feels good. It feels like a long time coming. We took it at a perfect pace to get me ready for camp. I just missed it so much and I’m just so happy to be out here to start getting back into practice flow, game flow, and just to start working with my team. I missed it a lot and I’m happy to be a part of the team again.”

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On if there is a moment during his recovery process where he knew he was back and felt like his old self again:

“I’ve been feeling like that for a minute. All of the running and the change of direction stuff I’ve been doing with the trainers helped me get a level of confidence in myself. So, it’s just a matter of getting out here and going against an offensive tackle and getting some pressure against me while I’m trying to turn the corner. Once I was able to do that, feel that and maintain that – I didn’t feel anything [wrong], it felt normal. I’m ready to go, I feel like. I’m as close to 100 percent as you can possibly be a couple days into camp.”

On if football has helped serve as a way to distract his mind from the tragedy:

“This morning it was hitting me hard. Getting ready for practice helped me get my mind off of it a little bit just focusing on something else. I’ve got a lot of time in the day when I’m just in my head thinking about stuff and thinking about her. So having to actually think about what I’m doing right in the moment helps me out a lot and helps the family out a lot when we’re doing stuff and trying to stay busy.”

Bucs Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson

On training camp so far:

“It’s been good. I think we are off to a really good start. Definitely a lot of small things to clean up, but I feel like we’re really humming as a unit – like a lot of people covering for each other, especially on defense, flying around. [That is] the type of stuff that you need, especially down the stretch of the season, to be successful. So, we have a lot of work to do, but it’s really a promising start.” 

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On what made him want to stay with the Bucs:

“I think just my belief in the coaches, the whole front office, and the vision they have for this team and the season. I just wanted to come back, especially since this is the place that gave me my first opportunity, and that drafted me. I felt like it was just unfinished business for me and this team, and I just want to be a part of it. That was the biggest reason for coming back.” 

On encouraging rookies to keep a championship mindset:

“I think you almost trick them into it, where, like I said, it’s the cliché, but it’s about being on them about how we practice, about getting better every day, it’s about the details. It’s one of those things where you’re so locked in on your job, you’re kind of just going through it every day, and you’re like, ‘I need to get better at this, I’m working on this fundamental, this technique,’ and then game weeks roll around.

We have to focus on this for week one, and then you look [and] it’s Week 17, you’re in the playoffs and you’re rolling. So, I think it’s one of those things where you get them to focus on the small stuff and hopefully, they look up at the end of the season and we are able to make something happen.”