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Bucs-Rams: What they're saying

 
Published Sept. 15, 2014

Bucs receiver Mike Evans on his back injury becoming the game's final play:

"I know all the guys are going to say the game wasn't lost on one play. But to me, I'm the guy that could have changed that. We could have put ourselves in position to win, could have kicked a late field goal and gotten the win. It was just unfortunate."

Bucs defensive end Da'Quan Bowers:

"You definitely can't dwell on it. We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves. We didn't get it done. It's time to move on, and we have to get going and prepare for Atlanta."

Bucs kicker Patrick Murray:

"I had faith in our defense. When that ball went through that (Greg) Zuerlein hit, I had faith in our offense that we would get down the field and I'd win the game."

Bucs cornerback Alterraun Verner on the Rams converting 5 of 11 third downs:

"It's definitely frustrating as a defense. We were out on the field way too long. It wasn't due to the offense not driving or anything. It was just us self-destructing."

Bucs quarterback Josh McCown on his interception:

"Bad decision. I just got outside and saw Vincent (Jackson) and thought he was coming underneath the guy. So I tried to get him the ball coming across. I just have to throw that one away and make a better play another day."

Bucs safety Dashon Goldson on his fumble recovery:

"We pride ourselves on (forcing turnovers). We know what's expected of us. With that play, we came and scored a touchdown, and that put us up. It's just something that our offense capitalizes on, and we just have to get more of those."

Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein on his winning field goal:

"There's really no words to describe it. Any time you can help your team win the ball game, it's huge as a kicker. The guys are out there depending on you to do your job. They've been battling it out for the whole game, and you've just got to pull through for them."

Rams running back Zac Stacy:

"It was ugly. We had the fumble and penalties. But at the end of the day, it all came down to execution. I think we did a pretty good job, and we took advantage of the opportunities."

Rams third-string QB Austin Davis:

"It was special. I felt at peace out there and felt at home, and that had a lot to do with the guys that I was around and how well we played."

Rams left Jake Long on Davis:

"He did a great job, especially starting his first game on the road in a loud place. You couldn't ask for anything better."

Rams receiver Brian Quick on Davis:

"He did a phenomenal job. He stayed calm under pressure, made every throw. He had everybody comfortable. It couldn't have been done any better way."

Rams tight end Jared Cook on Davis' third-down success:

"It's just like basketball. When you're hot, you're hot. The basket's like an ocean, and you just throw it in. He stayed poised. He kept calm."

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Pat Yasinskas, espn.com:

This isn't a full-fledged disaster, but it's entering that territory. The Bucs are 0-2 — with both losses coming at home. Based on what we've seen out of them so far, there's no reason to think they can win their three upcoming road games (Atlanta, Pittsburgh and New Orleans). This loss was particularly painful because it came against a mediocre team that was playing a third-string quarterback.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com:

The Bucs were still able to run, even with Doug Martin out of the game with a knee injury. Replacement Bobby Rainey had 22 carries for 144 yards. But it wasn't enough to overcome an anemic passing game.