Here are some of the best Bucs quotes following their the team’s training camp practice on Friday, July 28.

Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles

On if there’s any position battle that he’s focused on.

“All of them, right now. I’m the head coach, I’ve got to be keyed in on everybody. Until we start playing games and getting under the lights and seeing what people can do, you just key in on everybody. Everybody came back in shape, everybody has good recall, right now the mechanics are good. We’ll pick up next week when we get in pads and we’ll start getting more serious.”

On what he’s looking to see before the first preseason game.

“They’ve got to get their legs back, obviously. When the pads come on in this heat, it’s going to be an adjustment period. The first day, you kind of can’t go all out in the first drill – you’ve just got to kind of get used to the heat because it’s going to be a little bit heavier. But once two or three days kick in and assignments and concentration [are] there, you try to look for some continuity. Obviously, we want to be physical, we want to be strong, but we want to execute at the same time. You see who can play in pads as opposed to out of pads.”

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On if the game is slowing down for CB Zyon McCollum.

“It should. The mental part of it slows down for him. He had a year in the system. We have some different things we do back there and he’s feeling more comfortable.”

On if he views WR Russell Gage as the third wide receiver.

“Right now, he is. I’m not going to promote anybody in t-shirts and shorts – I’ve said this forever. As the competition goes, when he gets back, we’ll see if anybody passes him.”

Bucs Center Ryan Jensen

On what the recovery and surgery process was like for him.

“There were a lot of decisions that had to be made. It is actually ironic that today is actually one year ago today that I got hurt and all that. It was a journey, that is for sure. Right after you go get all the imaging done, all this and that, you start sending that out to all different doctors, and I had five separate opinions. I ended up going with Dr. Shellhorn. He thought that it would be better for me not to have an operation done. We went that route and are feeling good. The ligaments are healthy and healed. I am ready to keep rolling.”

On what it meant to him to be able to be back playing in the Buccaneers playoff game last season.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It meant everything to me. It was a crazy road. Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have played, but at the same time I wanted to go out there, help the team, and be out there with my guys. It was an honor to be able to be back out on the field, with Tom [Brady]’s last game. It was an honor to play with him and suit up one more time with him.”

On his thoughts on the new offensive scheme.

“I love it. The creativity in this offense has been great and a different energy than we have had in the last couple of years when it comes to the run game, passing game, and stuff like that. What we are going to be able to do with a little bit of a more mobile quarterback will be awesome as well.”

Bucs Nose Tackle Vita Vea

On embracing being a leader and a veteran on the defensive side of the ball.

“It’s still pretty crazy. You know, time flies, but I tried to learn from my vets in the past. I tried to learn from what they taught me and shed light on these younger guys and lead them in the right direction.”

On how he would like to continue developing in his pass rush.

Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“That’s just been the main emphasis the last couple of years – that our sack numbers have got to go up. That was the main [thing] Kacy [Rodgers] has been emphasizing for us every day in practice and off the field in meetings, trying to help us rush the passer better and contribute to the team to do our best to win and succeed at that phase of the game.”

On adding Calijah Kancey to the defensive line.

“The relationship is growing every day. We’re still getting to know each other – it’s kind of still early, but he is showing a lot of upsides for his future. He is surprising all of us every day with his knowledge of the game, his work ethic and how he is playing the game. I’m excited to get out there with him and continue to grow.”