Transcript: Buccaneers Head Coach Press Conference

How much of a problem is Dallas Turner on the defensive line?

Dallas Turner is a serious problem on the defensive line, and he’s earned every bit of the superstar label. The guy can rush the passer from both edges, which makes him incredibly tough to game plan for. He has the speed and bend to get around tackles, and he’s got the power to bull rush through them when needed. It doesn’t matter where you line him up; he’s a constant threat. You have to know where he is on every snap because he can change the game in a heartbeat. If you let him get going, he can completely disrupt your offense and throw off your rhythm.

But what makes Turner even more dangerous is his ability in the run game. He’s not just a pass rusher – he’s also a force when it comes to stopping the run. He’s tough, physical, and knows how to shed blockers to make plays in the backfield. Whether it’s stacking up against an inside run or getting to the edge, he’s always involved in the action. You have to account for him every time the ball is handed off, and if you don’t, he’ll make you pay. His combination of pass rush and run defense makes him one of the most well-rounded defensive players in the league.

We’ve got to make sure we’re doing everything we can to neutralize him. It’s not just about focusing on one-on-one matchups – we have to be strategic with our protections and where we direct our attention. Double teams, quick throws, and misdirections are all going to be part of the plan. Turner is a special young player, and we have a lot of respect for what he can do. But we also know that with the right game plan and execution, we can limit his impact and keep him from taking over the game. It’ll be a big test for our offensive line, and we’re ready to meet the challenge head-on.

Can you speak to the overall team health?

Our team has definitely faced some challenges with injuries early on this season, and we’ve been pretty nicked up. Losing RG Barton for 8 weeks before the season even started was a tough blow, and losing key players like WR Mike Evans for 5 weeks, Lavonte David for 3 weeks, Vita Vea for 3 weeks, and Calijah Kancey for 4-5 weeks has made things even tougher. Tyrel Dodson has also missed some time, and these injuries have required us to adjust on the fly. We’ve had to rely on our depth and make sure we keep our next-man-up mentality strong. But the good news is that we’re starting to get healthier, and with the bye week coming up in a couple of weeks, we’re hopeful that we can use that time to get some of these guys back and fully healed.

We’re expecting to get Vea, David, and Kancey back next week, which will be a huge boost to our defense. Dodson should be back soon as well, and we’re excited to get him back in the fold. We know that getting those key players back will help us with the tough stretch of divisional games and the tougher part of our schedule that’s coming after the bye. While Barton and Evans are still a few weeks out, we’re optimistic that we’ll have them back sooner rather than later. Getting everyone back to full strength is going to be critical as we head into these important divisional matchups. It’s been a tough start in terms of health, but we feel good about where we’re headed once we’re at full strength. Our goal is to stay as healthy as possible moving forward and make sure we’re firing on all cylinders for the stretch run.

How does the team stay focused and avoid underestimating or overestimating Vikings?

When you’re facing a team like the Vikings, the reigning champions, it’s important to stay grounded and focused. They’ve earned that respect, and if you aren’t ready to go against them – no matter the point in the season – then you aren’t truly a competitor. We have the utmost respect for Coach SPDot and his staff, and we know that Minnesota is a team that’s going to bring it every time they step on the field. But at the end of the day, we fear no one. We don’t change our approach for any opponent, regardless of their pedigree or status. Our focus is on executing our game plan, playing to our strengths, and not getting distracted by the noise or the hype around the opponent.

We believe in our system and we believe in our players. Our mentality is simple: we’ll play our game, and regardless of the outcome – win, lose, or draw – we will leave everything we have on the field. That’s how we approach every game, and this one will be no different. We can’t control what happens outside of our own preparations, but we can control how we play, how we execute, and how we respond when things get tough. It’s about lining up, doing our job, and letting the results speak for themselves. This is a team sport, and we trust in the guys around us. We’re ready for whatever the Vikings throw our way, and we’re going to be prepared to take it head-on. We won’t overestimate them, but we also won’t underestimate them – we’ll just go out and play the game the way we know how.