Mike Evans Approaching History
December 11th, 2014
Joe just cannot believe how long the past 12 months have been, and how much has happened, starting with a new coach, new general manager, new assistant coaches and tons of new players.
Even the most ardent pewter-colored-glasses-wearer must admit virtually every major player transaction, but a scant few, has been a major swing and a miss.
Currently, the only player the Bucs are getting any reliable production from is first round draft pick Mike Evans.
How good has Evans been? Well, he’s the best receiver on the roster, surpassing veteran Vincent Jackson. And Evans needs just two more touchdown catches to be the franchise leader for most TD catches in a season. The current record is 11, held by mattress-in-the-front-yard Mike Williams, set when he, too, was a rookie in 2010.
“It would be cool,” Evans said yesterday when he met with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club. “It’s a great accomplishment for me and my family. Hopefully I get it.”
If anyone wants to know this franchise’s miserable history on offense, just look at the guys who are Nos. 1 and 2 in touchdowns for a season: they’re a pair of rookies.
Boy, oh boy, Bucs general manager Jason Licht sure hit a home run with Evans.
To hear more from Evans, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
December 11th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I love Evans, but I would have rather had Teddy or Carr.
December 11th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Evans is obviously the real deal. ASF appears to have talent once he gets truly healthy. The two OL are still projects and 3rd pick Sims probably deserves at least another year when he too is healthy before we pass judgement.
I think L&L did as well with their first draft as they did horribly with their FA pickups. McDonald seems to be solid. Other than that?
It’s always a crapshoot eh. If I knew for certain that L&L could pick a QB who plays his position as well as Evans I’d be all for a QB with that first pick. We need so many players however, and it is a gamble..if some team gave us two first rounders for the top pick I’d probably take that deal.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
St Pete BF,
We need so many players however, and it is a gamble..if some team gave us two first rounders for the top pick I’d probably take that deal.
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You trust Lovie with extra picks?
I’ll concede Evans is a monster, but not really a difficult pick. The other picks and FA’s brought in didn’t improve the roster. Quite the opposite.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Derek Carr has the worst YPA since Blaine Gabbert. Teddy Smallhands only excels against crappy defenses and has struggled badly against any middle of the road defense. Having Evans instead of those two is a godsend. This is where you point out Oakland’s “bad line” Bonzai, and where I counter by reminding you (which you’ll ignore) they’ve allowed the 5th fewest sacks in the league, half as many as us.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
I wouldn’t say Evans is better than Jackson yet. He’s just benefited from being considered the #2 receiver, right up until Detroit.
When Evans was #1, lo and behold, Jackson then gets a big 10 catches for 159 yds, and Evans only gets 4 for 45.
After Clayton, Cadillac, Doug Martin, let’s not crown a rookie as the savior of the universe. Evans is an important part of the mix, a very good player, but he’s got to show he can dominate games even when the defense keys on him if we’re going to consider him an elite weapon.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
What is incredibly exciting about Evans isn’t his current performance…..it’s his huge upside…..
Mike Evans has played very few football games even compared to other rookies….his adjustment to the NFL with poor QB play….Oline & OC is amazing!!!
December 11th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Gotta give it to Evans for his fierce hustle to catch the ball. He is being pushed, poked and jabbed all the way on his routes. He is giving that action back to the defender. He has the size to do it and get away with it, with minimal penalties. Finally a big tough guy receiver on the Bucs side.
December 11th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
i don’t care who everyone wants to call the number 1 and 2 as long as mike evans is getting 2+ touchdowns and vjax has 159 yards every game, they’re both 1s in my book. and thats why they will (better) pay vjax #1 money next year even if he is the #2
December 11th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
I like the fierce hustle to prevent interceptions as well. Much needed skill on this team. I’m sure Michael Clayton is happy to see some of those blocks as well. The guy is the complete package and I really wanted him over Sammy Watkins anyway.
December 11th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Joe, you are beginning to sound like some of the morons who post out here.
Did we swing and miss on a few players (mainly FA’s) but we havent’t been the first team to fall into that trap and won’t be the last.
I’m more concerned about how our rookies develop in the coming years. If our two OL projects come through as well ASJ and Sims, then there should be some smooth sailing for the Bucs ship in years to come.
Also, except for Michael Johnson, I’m not ready to sink the who crew of FA’s.
Clinton McDonald had played well since day
December 11th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Damn IPad.
Clinton McDonald has,played well since day one. Since getting used to the defense, Verner has,played better.
The only huge disappointment I see is Michael Johnson.
For the moment, I have to give Collins and Smith a temporary stay of execution since our offense scheme and play calling has been horrible all year.
This play calling and scheme would certainly effect the play of any lineman.
December 11th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I noticed v jax talking/yelling angrily at mccown when the ball was not accurately thrown to him and he couldn’t catch it on tv during the Detroit game. v jax didn’t seem to care that mccown was taking a lot of pressure from the d line. I guess v jax must be making extra effort at the end of the season so the bucs won’t trade or cut him in 2015. mike evans is the heir apparent as the number one wide receiver.
December 11th, 2014 at 5:20 pm
For supposed to hit a homerun with the first pick but thus is the very reason v jack needs to comeback…. It would be idiotic to get rid of that guy. History will probably repeat itself, mike Williams did his damage as the number 2 his rookie year but look what happened when they made him the number 1 abs cut the vet
December 11th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Let’s make sure Evans can do it again next year before we put him in the Ring of Honor. Clayton and M. Williams had pretty amazing rookie years too.
December 12th, 2014 at 12:00 am
We messed up by not trading up for carr in 2nd round. Now if we end up with first or second pick we will take a QB no matter what. Write it down, bet me Winston I will guarantee we take a QB if we pick in top 2.
December 12th, 2014 at 1:17 am
Love the fact I called this last year when the Johnny Football mob was blowing up the message boards.