Jameis: Evans “Definitely Has The Will”
June 24th, 2016
Jameis Winston opens up about his No. 1 target.
Much under-the-radar work together was performed this winter by two Buccaneers: Mike Evans and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Normally, that may not be noteworthy, but it became a hot topic after Dirk Koetter explained at the NFL Scouting Combine that Evans and Jameis need better chemistry. And it grew an even bigger life, indirectly, when Koetter said Jameis has an extraordinary connection and feel with Cameron Brate.
Last week on WDAE-AM 620, Jameis was asked about his work with Evans and if the Bucs’ third-year wide receiver could reach a new level.
“He definitely has the will to do it,” Jameis said of Evans. “It’s a continuous process. You know, it’s just not going to happen overnight. I got to keep working with him day in and day out. I just can’t stop working with him and say, ‘Oh, I spent one offseason with Mike.’ No, we’re trying to spend the rest of our careers together, you know. I think that’s important. He realizes that. He definitely likes me as his quarterback, from what I see. And I love him as a receiver. So we’re just building the chemistry.”
What a great attitude from Jameis. The long-term thinking shows a lot of maturity.
Joe thinks some of this chemistry talk may be a bit overblown. Jameis and Evans were extremely young players in a new offense last season, and Evans racked up lots of yards and would have had more if he didn’t get an ugly case of K-Y fingers. Year 2 together should organically put them in better synch.
Joe also thinks former wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker (2014-2015) was a second-rate higher by Lovie Smith. (Yes, Joe wrote about that when he was hired). Upon getting fired from Tampa Bay with Lovie, Stoker took a non-coaching clerical job with the Colts before Lovie plucked him for his University of Illinois staff.
June 24th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Hayes Stocker was also a personal assistant in chicago too… very hard for talented young WR’s to respect a coach who is unqualified
June 24th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Evans will end up being #1 in every statistical category in Bucs history by the time he’s done. He should explode this year. 12-15 targets per game, feed him the ball.
June 24th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
K-Y hands > Charmin heart
Mike is a beast but what I’m looking forward to most this year is Jameis morphing into a mobile QB. Watching the 2nd Saints game last night, Jameis pulled the O out of a deep slump with a nice 20 yard gain. Now he’s slimmer, faster and is being coach to scramble more to create opportunities. This is going to be fun to watch. We got some athletes on the O.
June 24th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
@gotbucs … “12-15 targets per game, feed him the ball.” That’d mean Jameis would have to target Mike Evans 192 – 240 times a year. In 2014 he was targeted 122 times and in 2015 he was targeted 148 times (much of that was most likely because VJax and ASJ were hurt). Pretty hard to envision any Bucs receiver getting targeted more than about 10 times per game average in a season given that we’ve got so many other weapons available and that Jameis likes to spread the touches around (for good reason in the NFL). Like you, I hope that Mike explodes this year, particularly by significantly decreasing dropped passes.
June 24th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Despite already posting consecutive 1000+ yard seasons – Evans is ready to bust out IMO. Evans will raise his level of play and combined with improved “chemistry” with Winston will become a premier receiver in this league starting in 2016.
Its as likely as not IMO that Winston to Evans will one day be mentioned in the same breath as Montana-Rice and Manning-Harrison comparisons.
June 24th, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo always thought that Kellen Winslow 2 was the one with K-Y on his hands….Pablo thinks ME13 is a beast of w WR and Haboo is glad to have him, Hackson & Henkins to throw to.”
June 24th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
All this confidence in a guy that consistently watched well thrown passes glide effortlessly through his hands while throwing absurd conniption fits after every time a defensive back contests a pass.
I’ll wait for his individual improvement in those areas that make him a second rate obnoxious player prior to hurling plaudits his way.
June 24th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
He’s looking the ball into his hands!!!!
June 24th, 2016 at 3:59 pm
testing..
June 24th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
odd, my testing post worked…yet my post on Evans’ won’t go through??
June 24th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
I mean, my only knock is the constant crying to the refs
June 24th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
“We’re trying to spend the rest of our careers together.”
Music to my ears. Nothing is better than a young person that gets it.
June 24th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
Chemistry is great right now and has the potential to grow even better. The missing ingredient? Winning!!! Mix some winning into this formula and the Bucs will have an awesome locker room.
June 24th, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Evans knows he has to catch the ball and quit whining. The problem is he has a reputation of a whiner and pass dropper. I look for opposing DB’s to try and bait him into penalties. He has to be a bigger man and not hurt the team with retaliation.
June 24th, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Evans will be a beast this year
June 24th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
“Keep an eye on new wide receivers coach Todd Monken, who is also Dirk Koetter’s offensive coordinator. He’s special and reminds me of an older version of P.J. Fleck, who was Greg Schiano’s receivers coach in 2012 before he was hired to be the head coach at Western Michigan. I think Monken will be a difference-maker with Mike Evans this year.” F-5 6-21
June 24th, 2016 at 9:52 pm
I hate the Off-season. 🙁
June 25th, 2016 at 8:40 am
Only a couple more months of withdrawels. I think I’ll go watch the Eagles game later to get my fix.
Now that Evans has a real coach to teach him sum things I think it will show on the field this year, look for him to become more disciplined and not complaining after every play. I think Monken will fix that problem and have him focused more. These are problems that can easily be fixed imo, so I’m not worried, he has all the physical tools u want in a no. 1. I think Mike goes on to have a terrific year now that he has a little bit of chemistry built with Jamies.
June 25th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
I didn’t know the full Mike Evans story unti I just watched it on E:60. Man, I just gained a huge amount of respect for this man. What this guy has endured in his short life is more than many of us will ever experience in a whole lifetime. Mike Evans is a special person that needs our supported. We’re very lucky to have him and many of the Buccaneers that have joined this team in the past few years.
I’ve been a Buccaneers fan since 1976, I finally feel we’re heading in a positive direction, because of the hearts and desires of our young nucleus. The vide is different the goals seem to be set by the players, that’s something we haven’t seen since the Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, Barber and Alstott days. It might not translate in wins next year, but it will translate for years to come. Winning in the Draft is the most important thing we can do, and it seems we’re finally winning them. GO BUCS