“Here’s How We’re Going To Call It”
March 21st, 2016
Can Dirk Koetter and Todd Monken get into Mike Evans’ head more than officials do?
Yes, K-Y hands receiver Mike Evans is one hell of a talent.
Despite the drops, despite issues with how officials call penalties on him and against him, Evans still puts up stunning numbers.
It’s maddening, but it illustrates Evans’ incredible potential. Did Joe mention Evans is just 22 years old?
Last week, former NFL referee and supervisor of officials Jim Daopoulos was a guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio talking all things zebras.
The candid Daopoulos dove into the concept of how there’s a rule, and then there’s “how we’re going to call it.”
Joe can say with complete confidence that the Lovie Smith regime didn’t do a good job teaching Evans how interference calls would be interpreted and how to communicate with officials. Evans always seemed in the dark, based on commentary on his weekly Buccaneers Radio Network show.
It’s no wonder Lovie’s former wide receivers coach was hired by the Colts for a secretarial position after Dirk Koetter booted him. Andrew Hayes-Stoker quit that gig after a handful of weeks to join Lovie at the University of Illinois. What a shocker!
Enter new Bucs offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Todd Monken, who spent years leading coaching receivers with the Jaguars. He already said he’ll take Evans’ drops personally. But Monken figure out Evans and educate him on how he’ll be handed by officials as a big, physical receiver who likes to use his hands.
There are two years of Evans film for Monken and Dirk Koetter to study, and use to effectively counsel Evans. They should be able to get into Evans’ head more than the zebras — and keep Evans from losing his focus during games.
March 21st, 2016 at 9:54 am
I will compare with something that I’m more familiar with, rugby. French teams were known for their bad behaviours on the pitch.
Then they decided, enough was enough, and start working with a referee, not only to teach players rules but also to work and prepare files on the referees themselves. This one is more sensible on this point, this another on on this particular point and so on.
A work equivalent to this one could be very effective with Mike Evans.
But I think it was not the only issue last year. He started the season injured, was the star the year before and I think at one moment he didn’t understand the benefit he can have of the raising of America QB.
It’s great news to hear last week that they are already working together. Because as you said, Joe, he is a hell of a wide receiver !
March 21st, 2016 at 10:20 am
JOE JOE :
Here is Mike’s biggest problem. He has only been playing FOOTBALL for 6 or 7 yrs . So he is still raw which means, he is like the kid that watches the game on tv and goes outside and emulates what he’s seen that wr do and has all the talent to put up big numbers. So lets understand the part that bad here … YOU GUYS WHO SIT HERE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT A WR WHO PUTS UP 1200 + YARD … THATS WHATS WRONG . Give the young man a break he’s putting up big numbers and has really no idea what he is doing. Once he develops and really understands the game then you voice a opinion but until then be glad you have someone of his status. Oh yah keep in mind he once him a JABOO get the timing down with the deep ball he might be a 2000 yrd receiver. So just relax because we are creating some EXTREMELY SPECIAL!!!
March 21st, 2016 at 10:28 am
Football and basketball both have let offensive players use their hands to create an easier catch-zone for years, it’s knowing how-to-do-it and when-to-do-it without getting caught that his wide receiver’s couch needs to be able to school him on. Let’s hope Monken can.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:53 am
Training players about the tendencies of the refs is a great idea…novel concept
March 21st, 2016 at 10:54 am
Difference between Saturday beer truck drivers and Sunday Pros. So now he thinks everyone interferes with him. Shut up and catch the ball. The Ref’s will do their job if he quits whining.
March 21st, 2016 at 11:09 am
“Despite the drops, despite issues with how officials call penalties on him and against him, Evans still puts up stunning.”
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Imagine that. What will happen when he fully taps into his potential? What is he going to become after he fully adapts to being a #1 WR in the NFL? Savage Mike…… Can’t wait.
March 21st, 2016 at 11:10 am
Mike Clayton Evans gets chewed up by opposing defenders in coverage and complains about it every time instead of fighting back with talent and skill. This comes down to mentality and just not being physical enough in the moment. His mentor Randy Moss would never let DBs treat him like Evans does. It’s embarrassing and hopefully Monken can do something about it. I doubt it tho. The drops are especially tough to accept because that is no one’s fault but Evans’ and it happens with alarming regularity.
If Licht is smart he is eyeing more receiver talent at the top of this draft. I wouldn’t want to have to rely on Evans being the top guy in our receiving corps.
March 21st, 2016 at 11:21 am
Man, it’s a great time to be Bucs fan.
We can all say we were here in 2016 when the Bucs finally emerged from decades of neglect to kick some real arse in the NFL.
Go Bucs!
Go Licht!
Go Koetter!
March 21st, 2016 at 11:22 am
Comparing Evans to a-hole Clayton is just garden-variety trolling at best.
March 21st, 2016 at 11:52 am
Howard- you love to call opinions that you disagree with trolling. It makes it easier to disagree without having to say anything. I get it!
March 21st, 2016 at 12:15 pm
When did some of you guys turn into credible NFL evaluators?
You went from blog participants to qualified analysts (amazing).
March 21st, 2016 at 1:30 pm
So now Lovie is being blamed for Mike Evans blatantly getting interference calls in his second year the only receiver on the team to have that problem. I guess we can blame Lovie the Glazers for raising ticket prices.
March 21st, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Evans will be fine. He will be a perennial pro bowler soon enough. Talent galore. Good coaching and Jameis Winston will make him a star
March 21st, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Don’t worry about LOVIE, he’s moved on with Class&Style, blame LOVIE , blame LOVIE , O’yea I got Jock Itch its LOVIE’S fault!!
March 21st, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Hey, BigHogHaynes, let me ship you a case of Kleenex.
March 21st, 2016 at 10:25 pm
OK fine, Howard will bite because he’s feeling froggy.
Why the Evans to Clayton comparison is exaggerated at best and absurd at worst:
1.) I left a hint in the previous post: Clayton was always a smug a-hole. When fans criticized him his public response was “sorry you mad , bro, I’m cashing checks”. Where as Evans cares almost too much. If he doesn’t make the catch it hurts him more than it does the fans.
2.) Clayton never had Evans size and intimidation factor.
3.) Claytons stats were statistically worse than Evans.
Point 1 carries more weight with Howard. If you’re that kind of jack*ss then why should anyone come to see you or watch you on TV. People are looking for heros.
Damn. Howard should really be paid for this…^