What They're Saying: Bucs, Todd Bowles see intelligence and toughness in Aidan O'Connell

Dec 06, 2024 at 03:14 PM

Carter Owen

Digital Content Associate

The Raiders are heading east for a Week 14 matchup with Tampa Bay.

Take a look at what the Buccaneers' players and coaches had to say ahead of this weekend's game

On QB Aidan O'Connell:

"Just seeing him early on, he goes through his progression reads very well. He's a very smart quarterback, he's a very tough quarterback. He can see pressure coming. He knows when to get rid of the ball. He's a very intelligent guy and he places it where it needs to be." - Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles

"He's poised in the pocket when you watch him. He knows what to do with the ball, he gets it out, so we just have to play our game. Every week, we want to try to make a team one-dimensional, stop the run and try to grab an advantage." - Buccaneers pass game coordinator/inside linebackers coach Larry Foote

On TE Brock Bowers:

"You have to have a lot of eyes on him. You have to be ready, even if we double-team him, everybody's double-teaming him. He looks like one of those guys – the [Travis] Kelces of the world and he's dominant. He's got a lot of skills, he's good after the catch. ... We have to take the challenge head on and know where he's at." - Buccaneers pass game coordinator/inside linebackers coach Larry Foote

"I thought he was one of the best tight ends coming out in a long time – not just this draft, but in a long time. He's living up to expectations. He can play wideout, he can play tight end, he can do some fullback, he can run jet sweeps. They do a lot of things with him and he's a very talented guy." - Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles

"He's been really impressive for a long time obviously. I see him and just think he's such a smooth football player. Nothing he does is super flashy but he's just always open, always making plays after the catch and doing things as efficiently as possible. That's something I really admire about his game." - Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton

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On what separates TE Brock Bowers from other tight ends:

"He looks fast. He looks younger, he's fresher, but he looks like a wide receiver. I'm telling you, there's certain times you don't know if he's a wide receiver or not when you see his cuts. I always tell those guys when I played against the greats like [Rob] Gronkowski and them, that's the difference – when those tight ends can stick and get separation, you better be on your Ps and Qs because he's dangerous." - Buccaneers pass game coordinator/inside linebackers coach Larry Foote

On DE Maxx Crosby:

"I would say the biggest thing about Maxx is his physical conditioning level is off the charts. The guy doesn't stop. I mean, I don't know how many games he's played this year where he played every snap, which is rare for a defensive end. Just the energy with which he plays is off the charts. He's a unique guy. He's a very unique pass rusher. There's not many guys that have a skillset or his game like him." - Buccaneers offensive line coach Kevin Carberry

"He doesn't stop. He doesn't stop ever. Our goal this week is, how do we play longer and harder than him? Because he's going to go every single play through the echo of the whistle. He's got a ton of respect. I've got a ton of respect for him as a player. ... We've got to have a plan for him in both the run and the pass, and also be able to – from a play-calling standpoint – make sure that we're not letting him influence and affect the game in a negative way." - Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen

"He's got the full gamut. I mean, he's smart, he's tough, he's long, he's quick, he's got pass rush moves – he's got an arsenal that you wouldn't believe – he's got a live motor that goes for four quarters. He's beating singles, he's beating chips, he's beating doubles. …You're not going to do anything new, you've just got to fight him for four quarters and win your share of battles and try and keep him off the quarterback. He's a great player." - Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles

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Las Vegas Raiders assistant defense coach Josh Phillips during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.