Quincy Black was supposed to be a manbeast rushing off the edge last year for the Bucs in the famous Redskin package. But that never happened, and it appeared Dekoda Watson had far better pass rush skills. It seems Greg Schiano might feel the same way. Playing SAM outside linebacker in camp, Watson was working on pass rushing in 1-on-1 drills with the offensive line today.

JoeBucsFan.com: You’ve had a nice tipped pass and some other plays early in training camp. Have you had other good moments you want to speak to?

Dakoda Watson: I’m not going to read to deep into anything I’ve done this early positive or negative. You still got a whole lot of days to get better. I’m nowhere close to where I need to be, and we’re not close to where we need to be. I’m not going to sit here and dictate what’s a good day or anything like that. I just want to continue to play better.

Joe: You’re one of the most fit guys on the team, if not the fittest. There’s been a lot made of tougher training this year and fitness. Has it been harder on you at all, or is it a piece of cake given your conditioning level?

Watson: Nothing is a piece of cake. You work for it. I’m just blessed and fortunate to have the body fat that I have. Just hard work and things like that year-round here in Tampa. I’m not going to say it was easy. Conditioning is very much a mindset. I make sure I’m prepared. I stuck to my own regimen, just try to outwork everyone. Work. Work. Work. Eating right is the biggest thing. The center of being fit is nutrition. I live by that code.

Joe: Where are you with your game right now? And what do you feel is different this year?

Watson: For me, there’s just a lot more confidence this year. I know how to study better and smarter. There’s not much different. Not yet. The heat is still the same, and I still have the same work ethic. Just trying to learn the new plays and getting used to the new coaches and getting used to the whole new system and feeling comfortable and buying in. I’m getting more confident each day.