Here's what Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter had to say during a conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday:
On the keys to the 2-2 start. "I think the fact that we've been able to move the ball successfully in the passing game and we've been able to create some big plays. That's been the big thing on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, just like (the Falcons), we've had some injuries, especially in the secondary that have caused us to rotate some guys around. That's just part of the game that our team is going through right now."
On getting Vita Vea back from his calf injury. "It's unfortunate that Vita missed seven weeks going from the first or second practice of (exhibition) season, missing all of training camp and (exhibition) season. I think you take any young player, especially and you miss seven weeks of time, it's going to take you a little bit of time to get back. Vita is definitely working at it. I think as the season goes along here, he'll get more and more involved."
On getting player feedback before they left for the bye week. "That was just something where we came off a difficult loss at Chicago and going into a bye week, that's not what you are looking for going into the bye week. We were going to give the players several days off, so I don't have time in the day to meet with as many guys individually as I would have liked to. I just asked them to give me some feedback on two or three items that I thought were important to our team. They did a good job. That's something that I spent some time with over the by week. You're always trying to put a plan together that gives your self the best chance."
On how much "21" personnel they run. "We're probably about the same. We only use it about 10 percent, too. We might have to do more."
On the play of Mike Evans. "Mike is one of the top receivers in the league. Mike is really coming into the prime of his career. He's figured out exactly what his routine should be during the season. How to maximize taking care of his body. Mike is really doing a good job. ... This is the best stamina that he's had in his career. That's allowed him to run every route at close to full speed. Like Mike Evans is to our offense is what Julio Jones is to (the Falcons') offense."
On the Falcons' secondary. "Obviously, the first thing you notice is the injuries. They lost two really good safeties. We know what that feels like to lose really good players in the secondary. The other thing is both of those starting corners were there when I was there. I know how good of players those guys are. Even though they've had some injuries in the secondary, we know those two corners can both really play. I really think (Brian) Poole has turned into excellent player for him. They've asked him to play both nickel and safety this year."
On what Ridley adds to the passing game. "Ridley, as you would expect from a first-round pick, he complements Julio very well. They still have (Mohamed) Sanu in there as well. The weapons in their offense are going to scare any team that they play. How do you contain that much size and that much speed? Now, that (running back Devonta) Freeman is back, that just gives them another explosive player. Matt (Ryan), of course, is a guy who can deliver the ball."
On (Desmond) Trufant's play. "Excellent corner. They played him some at nickel in the Cincinnati game obviously. Every team when they are hit by injuries they've got to move some guys around to fit their game plan every week. We've had to do the same thing. I think he's one of the top corners in the league and has been since he came in as a rookie."
On the play of Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston. "He's the same guy. Jameis has always been really good with how he approaches things mentally. I mean Jameis is the first guy here in the morning and the last guy to leave at night. He's always, since he came in as a rookie, he's always has been extremely well-prepared."
On the Falcons' defense. "No one can say how much injuries impact your team. We have the same issues going on. But the Falcons, they still have multiple explosive pass rushers which every team in this league wishes they had. They still have really good team speed on defense. They've still got two really good cover corners. Some of the new guys that are playing just haven't had a chance to show how good they are. We don't know a lot about those guys. They are rotating a lot of different people. They are rotating a lot of guys through in their secondary and at linebacker and in the defensive front. You can definitely see the talent and the depth of that front. I know the corners from personal experience."
On rookie running back Ronald Jones. "He's doing well. Every rookie that comes in the league progresses at a little bit different pace. I know that Ronald hasn't had any splash plays yet, but we certainly think they are coming. Hopefully, this week."
On the play of Jason Pierre-Paul. "Very consistent. JPP has come to work everyday and has really given tremendous effort. He's surprised me with what a good leader he is. He's been everything we could have wished for in signing a free agent."
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