Skylar Thompson – August 13, 2022
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Saturday, August 13, 2022
Postgame – Buccaneers
QB Skylar Thompson (transcribed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
(On his overall performance in the game) – “I thought I did some good things. There’s a handful of plays that are on my mind right now. Being able to anticipate and trust myself, I felt I was seeing the field well. There were a couple of times they stumped me a little bit. But I felt I was seeing the field well and had a good understanding of what they were going to do. There were times where I felt a little hesitant instead of trusting my read, throwing it, and throwing it to a spot. As the game went on, there were a couple throws where I did better. But there’s always room for improvement. There’s always room for growth. That’s what I love about this game. I’m super excited to go back and watch the film and see it from that perspective and see how it aligns with what my thoughts are right now.”
(On the touchdown pass to WR Lynn Bowden Jr.) – “First off, it was a great route by Lynn. They were in soft zone coverage, [it was a] double move, so I had to get my eyes on it. I was hoping Lynn would get separation off the move, and he ran a great route. Throws like that when he is that wide open – it makes it a layup, so I just put it out there for him. He made a great catch, [it was a] great play, the offensive line gave me plenty of time to make the throw. [That’s a] team play right there, [so I was] excited.”
(On his nerves leading into the game) – “Obviously it is a big moment – it was my first time getting out there on the field and starting the game. There were a lot of emotions, thoughts, all good [thoughts]. I was very excited to get out there and play, and just get thrown in the fire. I love being in that type of atmosphere – that’s where I feel that I learn the most and really find out the most about myself. I wanted to have a lot of fun, I tried not to make the moment too big. At the end of the day, it’s football. It’s the game I’ve been playing for a very long time. Go out there with my teammates, my coaches, and go play the game that I love. I just tried to make the game simple and tried to have fun doing it.”
(On getting out of the huddle quicker) – “The whole operational part is one of the most challenging parts about playing quarterback – hearing the play call on third down with music playing and the crowd is going. To be able to understand the call and process it so you can spit it out so everyone can hear it – the communication aspect is so important. There were times where I could’ve been better, more efficient in that aspect, which could’ve helped clean up some of the stuff in the second half there. That is all a part of the process. I know [with] the more reps I get it is going to get a little easier. That was my first time getting exposed to it. I tried to trust the coaching, what he was seeing, and be able to rally the troops, be able to talk to the offensive line, have some of the guys help me out a bit. They did a great job to help me get that cleaned up a little bit.”
(On Head Coach Mike McDaniel breaking down plays with him right away on the sideline) – “He was communicating with me, asking what I was seeing. Asking why I made the decisions I made. Just having conversations about what was going on out there. He picked my mind about what I was seeing, and I was also gathering information on what he was seeing and thinking. That is the most important part – having the open line of communication to be on the same page and to understand the why behind the what, and that is very important.”
(On his discussions with QB Tua Tagovailoa and Buccaneers QB Blaine Gabbert) – “First and foremost, I’m super grateful for Tua (Tagovailoa) [and] Teddy (Bridgewater). Both of them have been a tremendous help for me, having my back, teaching me things, spreading their wisdom of what they know and what they’ve experienced to help me grow. I know that is not something that they have to do, but it means a lot to me. Just giving me feedback of going through the iPad pictures, walking me through what they were seeing, ‘You should have done this or keep this in mind.’ Throwing pointers, not telling me what to do, keeping me on my toes, trying to learn and keep processing things. Having guys like Tua and Teddy who have been there and done it and are able to spread wisdom of doing it, I’m truly grateful for them …Talking to Blaine [Gabbert], it’s actually a funny story. I was in second grade at a quarterback camp in Kansas City and Blaine Gabbert was one of the college kids who came and helped out at the camp while he was at Missouri. We worked with a similar quarterback coach at the time who put on the camp. So, I already knew of him, so I went up to him to ask if he remembered me, so we talked about that. Blaine is a good guy and has been in the league for a long time, so it was good to talk to him too.”
(On being noticed by QB Blaine Gabbert while only being in second grade) – “Well, that day [at the quarterback camp] I was one of the youngest guys there and I was super nervous to be there because I felt like I didn’t belong. Blaine [Gabbert] was actually the guy who grabbed me and encouraged me, and I still to this day remember that, so it was pretty cool to see him.”
