Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers has admitted that former head coach Greg Schiano got to him "mentally".

The 24-year-old has struggled for form in his three years in the NFL after being selected in the second round of the 2011 Draft by the club.

However, new head coach Lovie Smith has noted an improvement in his form during training camp, and Bowers believes that the strife he went through under Schiano has made him a better player.

"It's not all about the injuries," Bowers told reporters. "I let other reasons get to me mentally. It was Schiano. He got to me mentally, and I couldn't bounce back for some reason.

"I blame myself though. I couldn't push through it mentally. It taught me something and I'm a better person and a better player because of that."

Bowers has recorded 45 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his three years in the NFL.