Robert Ayers says Tampa Bay Buccaneers' D 'less terrible'

TAMPA, Fla. -- Defensive end Robert Ayers began the off-season calling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense 'terrible,' as players were learning the new system under defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

So how much improvement does the Giants free agent think his new team has made as mandatory minicamp wraps up?

"We're a little less terrible," Ayers said Wednesday. "We're getting better and that's all we can ask for. We're trying to get to the end of the tunnel, so each day is a day to get better, a day to prepare, a day for me and my guys to get to know each other better and grow as a unit and build a chemistry.

"The reason I say we're terrible is because we're not where we need to be. So for me, it's 100 percent or nothing and if you're not 100 percent, you're terrible. You're either first or you're last. And right now, we're not where we want to be and that's why I say we're terrible. I want to get to the big game, I want to win and that's all I care about. So until we win, we're terrible.

--Wide receiver Kenny Bell had to play a little catch-up this season after the former fifth-round pick from Nebraska spent his rookie year on injured reserve.

But with Vincent Jackson taking some days off and Louis Murphy returning from a torn ACL, Bell has taken advantage of the extra work.

On Wednesday, Bell kept showing up in the end zone during red zone drills, catching several touchdowns including two from quarterback Ryan Griffin.

"Kenny definitely had a good day today and a couple really nice throws there in the red zone from Griff (Griffin)," coach Dirk Koetter said. "If you were out here enough, every guy has his ups and downs, has his good days and bad days and Kenny certainly made a couple plays."

--In two seasons under coach Lovie Smith, the Bucs didn't practice with the use of officials. But last season, their 143 penalties tied with Buffalo for the most in the league and the 1,195 penalty yards ranked second.

That's why Koetter says the team will use officials in practice as they have during minicamp.

"I do feel like having officials on the field helps reinforce the fact that there is a consequence for some things we do," he said.