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Ayers: Bucs 'a little less terrible' after offseason workouts

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Robert Ayers is making it known that he has high expectations for his first season in Tampa Bay.

The veteran defensive end admittedly sees some minor improvements now two months removed from the second phase of the Buccaneers' offseason workout program, where he initially spoke of a slow start.

"We're a little less terrible," Ayers said when asked for an update at minicamp last week, according to Eric Horchy of PewterReport.com. "But we're getting better. That's all we can ask for. We're trying to get to the end of the tunnel. 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."

Ayers, a former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos, joined the Bucs this offseason after a two-year stint with the New York Giants. Some impressive production in New York, racking up 14.5 sacks over his 24 regular-season appearances, earned him a three-year, $21-million deal on the open market.

Now entering his eighth season, the 30-year-old's focus on winning has been made abundantly clear.

"The reason why I say we're terrible is because we're not where we want to be," Ayers said. "For me it's 100 percent or nothing and if you're not 100 percent then you're terrible. You're either first or your last. Right now we're not where we need to be so that's terrible. I want to be where we need to be. I want to get to the end of the tunnel. I want to get to the big game. I want to win. That's all I care about is winning, so until we win we're terrible."

Ayers and the rest of the Buccaneers' defense will have plenty of time throughout training camp and preseason work to acclimate themselves to defensive coordinator Mike Smith's system.

The Buccaneers will hope his addition, along with second-round pick Noah Spence, can allow the front four to lead the way in improving a defense ranked 28th last year.

- With h/t to FOX Sports

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