Bucs rookies report to training camp Monday, in less than a week, but running back Ronald Jones has offered fun insights into his preparation with a 10-minute video interview with his hometown paper back in Texas, the McKinney Courier-Gazette.

"I definitely want to come in and assert myself," Jones said of his confidence entering his first training camp, "but I still want to take it one day at a time. It's a big jump to the big leagues. Just try to beat the guy in front of me."

Jones was the third running back drafted in April at No. 38 overall, the first of three second-round picks for the Bucs. He said not being the first back taken isn't a major issue for him.

"It doesn't bother me to a certain extent, as long as I get the respect from my peers and the coaches, the people that make the decisions," he said. "I (couldn't) care less about the white noise … As long as we're making plays on the field, that's all that really matters."

Asked what he learned from OTAs and minicamp and what he has to do to play at the next level, he said it starts with rest and taking care of his body.

"Definitely sleep was No. 1," he said. "There's a lot of late nights, you're waking up at 6:30, 7:30, you're not getting done until 6:30, 7 (p.m.). Sleep, just finding a routine, taking care of your body."

Jones said even without contact in his practices this summer, he had soreness in the hamstring injury that had limited him leading up to the NFL combine and said he has to work to avoid any setbacks due to injuries.

McKinney is about 30 miles north of Dallas and Jones went back for a youth football camp in late June, giving back to his hometown. The Bucs play at the Cowboys on Dec. 23, giving him a holiday homecoming near the end of his rookie season.

"I haven't even thought about that yet," Jones said. "It's going to be a showdown. Coming back home, and I haven't had good success in that stadium, but I have to flip the script there. I'll probably circle that game."

Jones played in the Cowboys' stadium twice in college while at USC, losing 52-6 to Alabama in his 2016 season opener and losing 24-7 to Ohio State in his final game in last year's Cotton Bowl. He was held to 46 yards on seven carries against Alabama and rushed 19 times for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Buckeyes.

Jones said the Bucs' playbook is "probably three times as big" as USC's, but that veteran Jacquizz Rodgers has already helped him learn to slow the NFL game down.

Last year, the Bucs drafted running back Jeremy McNichols in the fifth round and he didn't make the cut, falling behind in training camp when he didn't know the playbook. Jones said the complexity of NFL offenses means you have to put the time in before practice or coaches will know.

"You have to study, because it'll show up," he said. "Just based on what the defense is giving you, the front they come out in, everything can change. The quarterback's making audibles, you've got to know what he's going to change to based on the look that you're getting. You definitely have to study."

Jones wasn't used much as a pass-catching back at USC, catching 32 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns in his three seasons, but he said he's been working on the JUGS machine to improve his hands and thinks the Bucs offense may give him more looks catching out of the backfield.

"I definitely have to prove that," he said. "This year I feel like I'll be getting those opportunities."

Jones said the craziest thing he's seen so far is Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and his getoff, even in non-contact practices.

"I've never seen somebody get in the backfield so quick," he said.

The interview took place before official news of Jameis Winston's three-game suspension, but Jones addressed the possibility of playing without him.

"For the team, obviously we want him out there. That's our captain," he said. "We have a veteran backup, Ryan Fitzpatrick, has been in the league like 13 years. I think it's definitely a hit, but we'll be able to manage and pull through those games, however long the time is."

Asked for personal goals for his rookie season, Jones redirected to a team goal for 2018.

"Win the division," he said. "Just really team success. I can't really think of anything (else). We have to have a bounce-back year as an organization and a team. … I definitely want to prove my worth and my value and why Tampa Bay made the right decision."