Mentor
July 22nd, 2014
Let’s not forget that despite all the hype, Bucs WR Mike Evans is still a 20-year-old rookie.
On paper there are reasons to get a little excited about the Bucs offense. One is a skill position.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, if you listen to coaches, is going to run an up-tempo game utilizing the height of his receivers. In a feature on veterans and rookies, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks (who you should never consult on mock drafts) looks at what veterans could help top rookies.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mentor: Vincent JacksonEvans is a playmaker with the size, speed and athleticism to thrive as a vertical stretch receiver. Most important, he is a big-bodied pass catcher with the tools to blossom into a No. 1 receiver down the road.
Bucs coach Lovie Smith added Evans to the lineup to give Tampa Bay a dynamic weapon on the perimeter opposite Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler who has topped the 1,000-yard mark five times in nine seasons while emerging as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Jackson is a rare No. 1 receiver capable of running every route in the book, including the vertical portion of the route tree (go-route, post and corner). Additionally, he is a powerful runner who excels at turning short passes into big gains. Thus, Jackson averages 17.4 yards per catch for his career, which places him among the league’s leaders in that category since his arrival in 2005.
What can Evans learn from Jackson? Jackson entered the league as a complementary receiver for the San Diego Chargers before developing into what he is today. He can help Evans master the nuances of route running on the perimeter, while also helping him understand how to defeat the double teams that are typically directed at the offense’s primary receiver. Jackson led the league with 19.2 yards per catch in 2012 despite facing a ton of double coverage; he can pass on that knowledge to Evans to prepare him for a big role in the Buccaneers’ offense.
The most important thing Joe believes Jackson can teach Evans is patience. Look, every Bucs fan is excited about Evans. Joe too. But here’s the thing: Evans is a rookie. Sometimes, Joe thinks it is unfair to Evans how Bucs fans are already starting to get a bust ready for him in Canton.
Remember, as a rookie, Calvin Johnson had 48 catches. Pretty good for a rookie, and that was his worst year thus far, by far. Larry Fitzgerald caught 58 balls as a rookie, his worst year as well. (Not everyone can be blade-in-the-thigh, mattress-in-the-yard Mike Williams, 65 catches as a rookie.)
If Evans catches 50-plus passes, Joe doesn’t think it is outrageous to suggest the Bucs offense is doing fairly well. But before we crown Evans an All-Pro, let’s remember he’s a rookie. Not every pass is going to be a jumpball from Josh McCown for him to pull down.
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:19 am
50-60 catches for Evans sounds about right.
I’m curious to know how much double coverage CJ drew as a rookie since he was so highly touted coming out of Georgia Tech. Evans has the luxury of having VJ draw the extra coverage.
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:30 am
Just goes to the theme of “veteran leadership.” That is what made the old Buccaneer defenses so very good.
Back in the day, it started with Hardy Nickerson, Sapp, Brooks and Lynch saw the intensity he brought even to practices.
For these rookies, it’s all about learning “to be a professional.”
Yes, it’s important for the veterans to lead but don’t discount the fact that Lovie will put a very professional staff on the practice fields starting this week.
July 22nd, 2014 at 7:58 am
Seems like we had a rookie last year that had some rookie struggles who didn’t get this kind of rope let out for him….
July 22nd, 2014 at 8:04 am
Not only that, the rookie in question wasn’t even a first rounder. So, evidently we’re expecting our third rounders to come out swinging but our first rounders get some time to develop
July 22nd, 2014 at 8:18 am
And it’s not just VJAX drawing attention. We have three tight ends who should figure into the receptions and at least one running back drafted for receiving skills. Covering the Buc’s receivers this year is going to be a pick your poison for defensive coordinators.
July 22nd, 2014 at 9:49 am
My god Patrick, not everything revolves around MG8. Get over it!
I do agree about Evans… 50-60 catches, 900+ yards, and 6/7 TDs would a great rookie year.
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:16 am
Just pointing out the double standard. Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable
July 22nd, 2014 at 10:33 am
He was the starting QB. Regardless of draft status when your’re the starting QB for an NFL franchise you will always be held to a higher standard than any other position of the field. Had he excelled, he would have gotten all the praise. Bottom line is he lead the 32nd ranked offense, routinely disappeared in second half of games taking bad sacks and throwing the ball away, and had 0 comeback victories. I would have liked to see some fire and forcing throws to try and lead his team back into games, but all I saw was a scared kid. 13 games is a pretty good sample size to show something, anything….
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Patrick in VA The cannon = statue , will never be a good QB in this league, a good back up ? Maybe but lets get off the mans nut sack for awhile OK!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:20 pm
So, if I’m drawing the lines between the dots you guys are laying out correctly, a bad rookie year means that someone will never be a good player in the league. With that being the case, then if Evans has a sub-par rookie year, as this article suggests, then we can go ahead and label him a bust and draft someone else for the position next year?
July 23rd, 2014 at 2:17 am
“Not every pass is going to be a jumpball from Josh McCown for him to pull down.”
Your getting good at that.. lol
July 23rd, 2014 at 9:47 am
When your as bad as Glennon was over 13 games, it’s pretty much suggests that he doesn’t have “it”. He may very well be a good backup, spot starter, or even “bridge” QB with some good coaching, but the ceiling isn’t much high than what you saw from him last year. I wish him the best, but I wouldn’t want him to start for my team anytime soon.
July 23rd, 2014 at 9:50 am
And reread this article, it doesn’t suggest Evans is going to have a sub-par, just limit expectations. 40-50 catches for a rookie WR is a good season.
July 23rd, 2014 at 6:48 pm
BucsRokk26 Said:
“When your as bad as Glennon was over 13 games, it’s pretty much suggests that he doesn’t have “it”. He may very well be a good backup, spot starter, or even “bridge” QB with some good coaching, but the ceiling isn’t much high than what you saw from him last year. I wish him the best, but I wouldn’t want him to start for my team anytime soon.”
Dude. He was a rookie expected to shoulder the whole offense. Evans will just have to catch some passes once in a while. You’re a dork.