Mike Evans “A Vacuum Cleaner”
May 23rd, 2014
James Lofton says his former workout pupil, Mike Evans, may not be a great route runner but that shouldn’t matter.
Joe knows Bucs fans are eager for football to start. Who the hell isn’t?
Joe enjoys baseball, too, but the new commissioner needs to do something about these games dragging out. The Rays tossed a one-hitter (and lost!), and the friggin’ game lasted four hours! That is inexcusable. And people wonder why Joe is a fan of National League baseball!
In particular, Bucs fans are eager to see rookie wide receiver Mike Evans in action.
In his first week as a pro, after practicing against veterans, Bucs general manager Jason Licht referred to him as “Godzilla.”
Former stud NFL wide receiver James Lofton would agree. Co-hosting “The Blitz” today with Zig Fracassi, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Lofton, who trained with Evans this offseason, raved about the Bucs rookie.
And while you may hear people complain that Evans doesn’t always run crisp routes, Lofton said, in so many words, forget that.
If a receiver is taller than normal, he is “not going to be a great route runner,” Lofton said of Evans. “He catches the ball like a vacuum cleaner. He’s such a willing worker. For a guy who was a basketball player, his football IQ really, really sharp.”
Joe is sure this will get Bucs fans all worked up and salivating for football in between guzzling beers this first weekend of the summer season (unless you live in Chicago where summer consists of the Fourth of July).
That’s about the only reason Joe is looking forward to training camp. Just thinking of football practices in the heat of the summer makes Joe want to break out in hives.
Joe texted with a trusted football mind about what Lofton said about big receivers and routes and Joe’s source agreed, because, often, big receivers don’t get off the snap as quick as smaller, speedier receivers, sometimes because of their long strides. However, like Lofton said, Joe’s source stated that if a big receiver is tough and strong and has good hands, that can make up for the routes.
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Wait Pablo is very confused… so Mike Evans is a vacuum cleaner/Godzilla & also 1/4th (asj&wright&v-jax) ??? Ummm okay
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:31 pm
*1/4th of the Dunkaneers
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:43 pm
How about 1/5 of the Dunkaneers…..with Demar Dotson tackle eligible?…..and don’t forget Tommy Streeter……
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Still hate the uniforms, but the helmet is really growing on me!
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:52 pm
People who refer to themselves in the 3rd person………!
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Josh McCown is point guard, Pamphile can be a 6th or 7th man… Connor Barth can come in to shoot 3’s and tear his Achilles again.
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:55 pm
@WalkdaPlank…it will be interesting to see how they look (uniforms) in game day action. Especially during night games. I have not been so ready for pre season in a while.
May 23rd, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Helmets in the sun are strong!
Joe hated the uniform too, but when Joe saw the home uniform under the lights, those things absolutely pop. Looked like completely different jerseys.
May 23rd, 2014 at 3:04 pm
Yea but we need our oline to block and the qb to get it to Evans and vjax for the big plays CONSIStANTLY Not just once a game in the fourth quarter down by two or three scores lol. Every game last year
May 23rd, 2014 at 3:05 pm
WTF is @pablo babbling about? Try to make sense once in a while.
May 23rd, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Hey Pablo seeing your posts makes me ask.
If I have 10 ice cubes and you have 11 apples how many pancakes can fit on the roof? Purple. Because aliens don’t where hats.
May 23rd, 2014 at 3:21 pm
It’s not so much that Evans isn’t (or can’t be) a great route runner. It’s more that he’s exceptionally inexperienced as a WR in organized football. He’s only had 1 year on the field in HS and 2 years on the field in college. He’s not very polished as a route runner. And I do agree that big WRs are never “great” route runners, they simply have the size and reach to out-duel you for the ball… what I will say is that it’s more about “getting off the press” at the line, or about not getting re-routed by a CB playing inside/outside at the line. If your route needs you to go inside and the CB sets up inside, how does the WR get into that route without going around the CB? Things Evans will learn from VJ and good coaching, but it may limit him some to begin with as he may not be where McCown expects him to be and Josh may not throw that way if he can’t count on his WR to be there.
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:04 pm
@ rayjay1122
We should all refer to ourselves in the third person…..it would drive Joe nuts!
I’ll start…..TBBF thinks ME13 doesn’t have to be a good route runner…a M1A2 Abrams Tank doen’t care about its route…it just runs over things….That’s TBBF’s take on it.
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Bam Bam. Nice post. Agree, not a polished product due to inexperience, but he does have what you can’t teach. Talent.
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:12 pm
@OAR. Hahahahaha. Classic burn. Cheers to u.
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:25 pm
I can’t wait to see how the rest of the NFC south roll their coverages. Hahaha
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:37 pm
@OAR…LOL that was pretty good! Also, there are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those wo do not.
@Tampabaybucfan…agreed hehe and it would also steel some of pablo’s thunder.
May 23rd, 2014 at 4:38 pm
who and steal…damn auto correct. LOL
May 23rd, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Boy,guess everyone got into the sauce a bit early today ready for the holiday and just wanted to respond with nothing to say. Big men are typically not great route runners. If you look at a route tree for a Wr the routes are 6-10 and 12-15. As quick as they may be in the 40 they generally don’t “start” those routes “quick”. They use their size and speed to get open and then accelerate from there. The thing the Bucs have going for them right now is interchangeable parts. EX> Have ME line up wide and Tim W. at one TE inside. HAve ASJ on the other side. Talk about mismatch! Who Will cover ME? Oh, and by the way we still have VJAX on the other side. I’ll bet (and hope) Tedford can’t sleep at night thinking of all the possibilities!!!
May 23rd, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Doug thinks Pablo is an idiot
May 23rd, 2014 at 5:13 pm
The Tower of Terror > Godzilla or Vacuum Cleaner
May 23rd, 2014 at 5:25 pm
I was thinking the Tri-Towers, But the Towers of Terror… thats freaking awesome. I hope that one sticks.
really so long as someone comes up a nickname for ASJ, then I’m good. Might have to see him play a little bit before a good one can come about.
May 23rd, 2014 at 5:35 pm
Is this a potential problem…neither VJax nor Evans are exceptional quick, nor are they great route runners…with Tedford’s offense presumably predicated on getting ball out of QB’s hands quickly,ie. short routes, could this be a problem for these guys? Vjax has never been great in short routes in traffic. Gonna be interesting to see how these two are used.
May 23rd, 2014 at 6:03 pm
For that reason and the fact that Evans presence on the field will benefit everyone else is why I was glad they drafted him. Vincent Jackson is going to have a field day this year and when he’s doubled Evans is gonna be pluckin em out of the air. Or Dougie on a rollout or Wright up the middle or one of our speedy little spot guys cutting across. Man this is going to be great as long as both of those monsters on the outside stay on the field together.
May 23rd, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Twin Towers coined by Licht for V Jax and Evans. In light of what happened to the real Twin Towers Buildings, I just can’t handle that. We need to have something different. I can live with Tri-Towers if we throw ASJ in there. More importantly, let’s all hope they earn the privilege of making us want to come up with a nickname for them. As of now, only V-Jax has actually proven himself albeit the other 2 haven’t had a shot yet.
May 23rd, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Finally!
The Saints can feel the pain that we have felt getting whooped by Grahm the TE from the Saints from the past four years.
May 23rd, 2014 at 7:02 pm
If deserving of a name at all (and we don’t know for sure they are yet…)
I’m partial to keeping it simple and local… how about Tampa Towers or the Tampa Skyline. I could just see a picture of the “Tampa Skyline” showing silhouettes of 5 O-line, with one TE and one WR on each side and the sunset over the gulf barely visible behind them with the jersey numbers glowing in front. “Tampa Skyline – so BIG, they block the sun”
May 23rd, 2014 at 7:14 pm
@BamBamBuc
Good Piece-Initially, going into the draft- I shared similar concerns about drafting Evans. Especially after watching how he allowed smaller corners EJ Gainers (Missouri) & Ross Cockrell (Duke) to dig into his chest and re-route him either way. Evan with proper coaching (against the press), he’s still gotta improve his get off speed.
I remember the kid out of Notre Dame Michael Floyd, drafted by Arizona. Larry Fitzgerald would constantly preach-how Floyd needed to run through the defensive back-NOT IN or OUT to break into his route progression. How also spoke to the kid about improving his functional speed & conditioning. The end result was Michael Floyd, made a huge jump in production from year one to year two.
May 23rd, 2014 at 7:15 pm
*Even with proper coaching (against the press), he’s still gotta improve his get off speed
May 23rd, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Speaking of uniforms, I dont know if anyone else has seen these but I like these orange ones better than the red ones they have now for home unis. Anyone else like em?
http://boards.sportslogos.net/topic/97341-tampa-bay-buccaneers-gettin-new-logo-helmet-uniforms/page-86
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:11 pm
I think “TAMPA TOWERS” is the best way to go for our WR’s name. Won’t get any heat for that as opposed to the “Twin Towers”.
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:15 pm
Can’t wait for training camp, always my vacation from work:))
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:20 pm
It’s a moot point now, but I don’t think Evans was the Bucs first choice at their 7 spot. Best player available and receiver need equaled Evans. They probably wanted Watkins and attempted to move up offering MG, trade of 1st round draft spots and whatever else. Was’nt it after the draft that Lovie poured out the love for MG and QB of the future talk? On another note Joe, I agree on the National league MLB being a better side. The Rays should be there instead of this stinking AL east. There was talk about the Rays moving there back some years, but nothing happened.
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:22 pm
@Andrew 1, YA I DIG ‘EM !!!!!!! GO BUCS !!!!!!!
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Thanks A1, i hope it sticks too lol
And BuccanAy Tedford builds around his personnel not the other way around so I’m confident it will be something awesome to look forward to.
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:29 pm
The Tower of Terror is singular for Evans and its simple and smooth enough 😉
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Andrew 1… I like the orange on those too. Like back to the original uniforms. Are they going to be used in games?
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:47 pm
SteveK sees one mighty talented tandem of receivers. Sprinkle in Tim Wright, ASJ, Simms and Herron, and this team has a chance. SteveK finds it absolutely preposterous to observe the local taking heads/scribes think Glennon (Cannon) can’t play. SteveK thinks rather than putting “Really?!?” on the back of a T-Shirt, the author of said idea should have to tatto “Really?!?”, backwards, on their forehead. That way, the “wrong” can be reminded every morning when they look in the mirror. Wrong is wrong, and some refuse to admit it. SteveK repects their passion and ignorance in their “wrong” stance. SteveK is delighted for the 2014 season.
SteveK is ecstatic we didn’t reach for John Manziel. For crying out loud, you’re talking about a 3rd string QB in Cleveland. SteveK likes the Evans pick because he was BPA. SteveK also loves, loves, loves the way we are sticking with Glennon. SteveK knew after the first Buccaneer offensive series in 2013 that Freeman was complete toast, Myron Lewis toast. SteveK admires that Myron Lewis kept a positive attitude and didn’t have his agent leak information in an attempt to torpedo a team and it’s coach. SteveK has no respect for JF5, and when the NFLPA concludes their investigation they will not speak against a player. JF5 is a childish, cowardly, underperforming NFL QB. 25-6 is an anomaly and Glennon’s 19-9 was done under a much much tougher schedule/circumstances. As seen in 2013, the best Buc QB prevailed.
Ask Tickrdr, Buc1987, and others. They along with SteveK will proved diplomatic fan evaluation for Glennon. SteveK says, “shame on those that judge a book by its cover”. SteveK finds absolute delight that Glennon is getting the opportunity he’s earned, and that the Bucs Brass wasn’t foolish enough to reach for a QB.
May 23rd, 2014 at 8:54 pm
You folks that are concerned about having two big receivers and lacking quickness off the line are just looking for reasons to worry. First, neither jackson or Evans are slow. Second, their size and ability to go up and go over CB’s immediately draws the attention of safety’s. This creates mismatches in coverage all over the place. If they line up in 3 wides with a TE and rb (Sims) that can beat LBs in coverage then opponents have real problems.
Of course this is all theory now and needs to be shown on the field but I like what the coaches are thinking.
May 23rd, 2014 at 9:17 pm
I like ‘The Tampa Skyline’ better than tampa towers, personally. And Evans is going to get open enough to be targeted and make catches. That’s all that really matters. Crispness be damned! We’re going to the Superbowl this year. (and pablo’s stupid comments keep causing me to lash out & get my posts deleted, so I’m not gonna talk about how dumb that dude is anymore)
May 23rd, 2014 at 10:21 pm
@SteveK :
Napoleon DynaMike and the Tampa Skyline, baby! I can’t wait.
tickrdr
May 23rd, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Adrian likes the Godzilla nickname for Mike Evans and also agrees that the Bucs receivers should be called the Tampa Towers.
May 23rd, 2014 at 11:19 pm
SteveK is a wise man. Although, IMO, McCown seems like a better option for us at QB for the next couple years, based on how polished he is & how accurate and mobile he has been so far in practices Anyway, BUCS ARE BEASTIN AND WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL THIS YEAR.
May 23rd, 2014 at 11:24 pm
You realize Glennon will not start this season right?
Guaranteed
May 23rd, 2014 at 11:26 pm
And all this third person stuff is annoying as hell.
It’s enough dealing Joe antics now every poster wants to follow suit? lol
May 24th, 2014 at 12:02 am
PR Your guarantees are guaranteed. Remember you said Glennon wouldn’t even be here. Mhmm you did. Bout time you show up so I can rib you for it!
— LONG LIVE THE MGM!!!
May 24th, 2014 at 12:02 am
Aside from Evans and Seferian-Jenkins I’m really looking forward to seeing how Herron developes. If this kid can consistently catch the ball its going to be REALLY fun. He seems to have a niche for really making people miss. He’s got a chance to posterize some ppl along with the rest of the dunkaneers. (breaking ankles instead if dunking that is) *..and imagine that an actual slot receiver! Zomg!*
May 24th, 2014 at 12:02 am
aren’t*
May 24th, 2014 at 12:22 am
When did I say he wouldn’t be here? lol
And I never left lol
And please buddy ole pal, copy and paste it, oh and also all my “guarantees”
Which by all means you can save this one so I can tell you I was right when McCown starts all season unless of course he gets hurt 😉
May 24th, 2014 at 12:25 am
The one I did I gave 87″ props for and ate my crow, and that was saying there was no way we wouldn’t draft a QB,
May 24th, 2014 at 12:27 am
And the tone is a friendly one Couch 😉 ahahaha
May 24th, 2014 at 12:42 am
Lol I dont care enough to go all the way back to find it but I know you said it. You also said he wouldn’t be the future, which as far as we know right now was also incorrect! Thats ok will be another notch in my belt when it comes to pass.
– LONG LIVE THE MGM!!!
May 24th, 2014 at 1:30 am
ASJ’s nickname around here since the draft is “Hyphen”
May 24th, 2014 at 1:38 am
I did say he was not the future which he isnt lol
But I never said he wouldn’t be here especially this early on, that would be absurd lol.
I wouldn’t care to admit if I did, but I didn’t ahaha.
May 24th, 2014 at 1:39 am
And i have many notches my dear sir, I have been wrong on occasion though 😉
May 24th, 2014 at 1:46 am
He won’t be the future till he’s on the field starting game in and game out year after year and frankly unless the kid learns how to dance around the pocket like a ballerina I don’t see how he can make up for the instant sack he is.
I rooted for him last year as the starter and I liked almost everything about him but that is just too big a deficiency to make up for unless again he elevates every other facet of his game to compensate for that very big flaw.
So no unless anyone has a crystal ball and has seen those improvements, to say he is in fact the future (Even Lovie) is impossible. Right now he’s in line to attempt to be the future.
We shall see who gets that next notch my friend ahaha
May 24th, 2014 at 4:32 am
instead of twin towers call them as the eclipse…they block a lot of daylight!
May 24th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
BoJim is confused.
Anyway. McCown will probably start. I’d like to see Mike watch him for a while. But he will be ready to play and play well. He’ll soon learn how to move in the pocket.
May 25th, 2014 at 1:46 am
If Evans is the “vacuum cleaner”, then how about ‘Mike Dyson’ for a nick?
May 25th, 2014 at 1:44 pm
This is supposed to be about Evans but that doesn’t stop the Glennon Mob from gloating and trying to change the subject. If you find that as irritating as I do, join the Northwestern Howitzer’s Mob, with lots more firepower than a simple Cannon. And may all have a Great Memorial Day and remember those who died for our Freedoms!