Running back Michael Pittman on the absence of wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who is holding out because of a contract dispute:
"We all want him back, of course. If Keenan is watching, we welcome you back with open arms. He's a big part of this offense. He was the MVP of the team last year on offense. We all want him back here. Keenan, if you're watching, please come back, we need you, brother."
Defensive end Simeon Rice on the frustration that goes with being 0-4 and letting another victory slip away:
"What are you going to do about it? It's over with. They won. How many ways can I put it? It's frustrating. Hopefully we'll man up next week and come back slugging. This is over with. I can tell you all the different situations, but it's not going to change anything. C'est la vie."
Linebacker Shelton Quarles on the Bucs' mentality and morale:
"I'm good and the team is good. We can't get down. Maybe sulk for a day or two, but then we have to watch the film and get ready to come out Wednesday and win a ball game. In this profession you can't get down or you'll get stuck in a rut. We just have to climb our way back out of it."
Rookie wide receiver Michael Clayton on his first career touchdown, which happened after his helmet flew off during a dive to catch the ball:
"I had my barber come out and tighten me up this week. I didn't know I would cross the goal line with my hat off, but that's not important. The most important thing is getting a victory in New Orleans next week."
Coach Jon Gruden on Clayton and the many roles he is being asked to play just four games into his NFL career:
"I think he is going to be a great player. I thought he did some good things. We were asking him to do a number of things for a rookie: returning punts, carrying the ball, being a go-to guy. Being a rookie, I am so excited for him and his future. It's going to be fun to watch this project unfold."
BRONCOS QUOTEBOOK
Coach Mike Shanahan on the win:
"We are very fortunate to come away with a win. The team we beat (Sunday) was a heck of a football team: very well coached, and they played extremely hard. We battled back and forth for four quarters. Fortunately, we made a drive there at the end to keep the ball away from them. I am very pleased with the effort our guys played with and them finding a way to win."
Shanahan on whether he said anything to ex-Bucs safety John Lynch before the game:
"No, not really. He has enough pressure on him. This is a big game for John because he has so much going into it. He really cares for Tampa, the organization and his teammates. It's always tough to leave an organization where you really respect the people in it. For John, this is tough coming back, and I think he did extremely well. Like he said in the locker room, he has a lot of great memories here. I'm just happy for him that we were able to come out with a win."
Cornerback Champ Bailey on what happened during receiver Michael Clayton's touchdown:
"He tripped me. He kicked me, but I jumped up and tried to make the play. I thought we had him down, but he got up and scored a touchdown. But we got the win so it doesn't matter."
Bailey on Lynch's demeanor in the huddle:
"You could see it in his eyes. The desire to win, but that's John. He does it every week. I knew this would mean a lot to him."
Quarterback Jake Plummer on the victory:
"We just had to keep fighting. It was an all-around team victory when you win like that. We were able to get the ball back from our defense on a big stop after a third down after they had a big return on special teams and got the ball on the 50-yard line. The defense stopped them and we got the ball on the 10. We were able to put together a drive that would waste the rest of the clock."
