Now sitting at 3-7 the Bucs head to Atlanta for another divisional matchup, this time against a Falcons squad who is coming off of dominating victories over the Saints and Panthers to also put them at a 3-7 record through Week 11.

Bruce Arians spoke to the media on Wednesday before the Bucs look to get back on track with a win on Sunday.

(On O.J. Howard not playing up to his potential)
“It’s frustrating for him most, I think. He’s had opportunities, we try to fit him in the game plan every week and he’s had the misfortune of juggling a couple of balls this season and there’s still six games for him to get out of that funk.”

(On Howard not being targeted after his drop-turned-interception)
“Yeah, we liked Cam [Brate] in that situation a bunch so he got all the targets.”

(On if there are plans to get O.J. Howard coaching in sports psychology)
“That’s not up to me, that’s up to him. It’s available for all of our guys and they know it’s available so if they want to use it they can use it.”

(On if there is a longer adjustment period for certain players when learning a new offense)
“Oh yeah, totally. It happens all the time.”

(On the Falcons turnaround)
“Just watching the New Orleans film, when they beat them in New Orleans, it was a different group of guys. It was the same guys, but it was a different group of guys. There seems to be more energy, especially defensively up front for them. Their pass rush and their coverage seems to be syncing up.”

(On Ryan Jensen snapping the ball early on multiple occasions)
“[Winston] was ready, he just hadn’t said anything about snapping it, Ryan Jensen just snapped it.”

“Ryan just couldn’t hear, and instead of turning around to look he just snapped it. The same thing with the second one after we talked about it on the sideline. For a veteran player that’s inexcusable.”

(On the early snap issues happening at home)
“On the road we’d probably be in a silent count and I told them, if you can’t hear down there use a silent count, because there was a lot of Saints fans down in that end zone.”

(On third down inefficiencies)
“Mainly, too many third-and-longs. We’re at third-and-7 to 12 way too much, either because of penalties and negative plays.”

(On his feelings about the job Byron Leftwich has done as offensive coordinator)

“Ecstatic. I think he’s doing a heck of a job.”

(On the pressure it the defense puts on the offense allowing so many points)
“More pressure is put on our defense is when our offense gives the damn ball up inside the 20 to put our defense in the situation to give up all those points, so it’s not just defense. When you get the ball inside the 25 four times in three weeks, that’s not on the defense. They did a hell of a job two weeks ago of turning those into field goals, but this one was a touchdown on the first play.”

(On how often he has the urge to impact the play-calling)
“Not very often. The suggestions are made when we don’t have the ball or on a timeout, we just collaborate a little bit.”

(On receivers not getting separation and it leading to sacks)
“It’s a combination of bad blocking and not getting open. He’s done a good job the past three weeks of throwing the ball away. Some of it was on him trying to make plays early in the season and he’s finally adjusted to getting rid of the ball, some of it left handed. I’d rather see it right handed but he’s getting rid of it.”

(On if Winston needs to get rid of the ball quicker)
“Yes and no. The guys still have to get past the first down, to their depths. We’ve got to block a little bit better with our backs. I thought Dare [Ogunbowale] blocked pretty well but the rest of the guys didn’t block as well early in the ball game to allow him… our first third down, Chris [Godwin] is open, he’s ready to throw and [Ronald Jones] doesn’t get across quick enough to block his blitzer and he’s got to pull the ball back down and now he’s covered. Little things like that.”

(On going back to T.J. Logan after a nice pass for a first down)
“I never run the same play twice in the game in the passing game, I never have and I never will. Give the defense too much credit, they’ve seen it already.”

(On takeaways and giveaways)
“That game changes if Lavonte [David’s] toe isn’t that far out of bounds. It’s a game of inches but that turnover changes a lot of the makeup of that ball game. We’ve got to quit giving it away and when we take it away, get the damn things.”

(On Howard’s giveaway)
“It was huge, huge. Going down that many points that early and your game plan starts to slip away.”

(On Justin Watson)
“Right now he’s the five and he’ll play in certain situations but he’s the five.”

(On how realistic winning was immediately in Tampa Bay)
“Very realistic, we just haven’t done it on Sundays. It’s not a talent issue, it’s a performance issue turning the ball over.”

(On the biggest difference in turning this team and his Cardinals team around)
“We might have had five first- or second-year players on that team. It was a very veteran team with a very solid defense, they just didn’t have a quarterback. When Carson Palmer walked in the room it changed the entire outlook of the game for us. We had two rookie running backs play really well. Tyrann Mathieu was a rookie who was way beyond his years so we didn’t have too many young guys. Our first round pick broke his leg early, that hurt us, but it was more of a rebuild on offense than on defense.”

(On if the team needs some sports psychology across the board)
“No, it’s a fine line. Some kids need it today. I studied to be a counselor, some kids need counseling and some don’t. These kids today, they’re used to it, some need it.”

(On the importance of finding the third option at receiver)
“I thought Scotty [Miller] played a little bit better, he’s starting to develop and it’s about that time. Usually rookies it takes until Thanksgiving. Breshad [Perriman] is open. He’s not getting his opportunities very often but he’s doing his job. Our tight ends can do a better job, I thought Cam did a good job with his targets. That position, when they’re playing double zones, you’ve got to win inside like T.J. Logan did”

(On the investment on the offensive line and them struggling)
“I think, again, I don’t know if [all the sacks credited] are [Donovan Smith’s fault], sometimes we’re holding the ball back there and he gets credited with some, but overall I can’t say they’ve played poorly other than two snaps. I don’t ever anticipate something like that from those guys.”

(On how Scotty Miller’s speed compares to other players he’s coached)
“He’s probably eighth, ninth, 10th of some of the guys I’ve had. I’ve had some good ones.”

(On what’s disappointing him from his offense)
“Turnovers. The past five weeks. And defensively not creating enough. When we’re getting our hands on balls we’re dropping interceptions, fumbles are on the ground and we’re not getting them. They usually come in bunches so hopefully we’ve saved our share for the last six.”

(On the solution for Howard’s issues)
“Fundamentally, mentally. Just keep playing and getting better every day.”