“I’m Too Old For That”
August 12th, 2016
One of the greatest happenings in last night’s Bucs-Eagles game won’t show up in a box score.
But it was real, and Joe shared a private locker room moment with Mike Evans to talk about it.
There was as deep ball thrown last night in Philly. It was aired out on the right side to Evans. The pass was incomplete, but it appeared clear that the cornerback in coverage pulled Evans’ arm and interfered on the play. The massive replay boards in Lincoln Financial Field told the same story.
Joe’s eyes were glued to Evans.
Would he motion for a flag to be thrown? Would his face sour? Would go chat with a referee?
Evans did not of that — all things he would have done in 2014 and 2015. The nonsense that always seemed to throw him off his game was gone.
Joe was proud of Evans’ self control and told him so.
“I felt him grab me, but I’m not going to do that no more. I’m too old for that,” Evans said with a grin.
Joe asked if fans saw the new Evans last night on that play. The still 22-year-old receiver said yes, but his self-control is a work in progress.
“I’m going to try. You know, I’m competitive, and I get gotta give my all and my soul to this game. But I’m trying,” Evans said.
If the Bucs get a more mature Evans in his third season, then they might very well have a Pro Bowl wideout.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:09 am
Man, a lot got put into perspective when you quoted the “22 year old”. He is so young, and is learning andisabilities maturing every day
August 12th, 2016 at 11:13 am
I noticed that as soon as that play happened. He just turned around and went back to the huddle. Hopefully this behavior continues.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:14 am
There was a legitimate case to complain about that obvious interference. I about turned over my coffee table after that. Evans did the right thing by not crying to the refs because it would not have made a difference. He also caught the ball that was thrown to him. Good to see positive change.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:14 am
I was VERY happy to see that, and I thought the exact same thing Joe.
Once ME has fully overcame this issue of his, I WOULD like him to turn to the refs for a flag on that, not overboard like in the past, but I am sure seeing a receiver who might have been interfered with at least look to the ref (respectfully) can help sell it in the ref’s mind.
For now tho, he doesnt need to do that, he needs to stay completely focused on himself, not the defender and whether or not its PI. Once he reaches that level of maturity he can begin to subtly sell a PI with his “Post Play” reaction.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:17 am
All ready a pro bowl caliber WR imo.
I wish people would stop trying to stifle the man and let him play with passion. #ky
August 12th, 2016 at 11:20 am
I find it more likely the new staff put fear into that giant toddler.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:26 am
I hope the Refs are working the “rust off” That was a horribly called game
August 12th, 2016 at 11:27 am
Kudos to our OC/WR Coach Monken. He has done wonders with Evans and most of our other receivers except Bell who simply is not NFL Tough. Our other small receivers showed real good grit last night. Our most gifted TE has definitely matured a lot lately and I think he will make the team now. They can cut the former Gator TE who had a bad drop last night.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:27 am
It is preseason for the refs too…
August 12th, 2016 at 11:31 am
Screw that, let the referee know! Tell him you missed a call but in a professional matter, or write ref a side note and mail it to his house.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:33 am
Asking the ref did you miss that holding is not exactly a temper tantrum. Refs ignore, then ask did you see it on the replay, if ignored again, then say tighten up. A blown call deserves at least a civilized question and similar response.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:34 am
I can’t tell you how difficult it likely was for Evans to control himself……that was a fine piece of work, because he was held…….good for him!!!
August 12th, 2016 at 11:35 am
Pawel… I was thinking the same thing.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:35 am
DB55 is right Evans needs to play with passion to be his best. It’s a fine line playing with passion and being stupid let’s hope evans can figure out the best balance for him. I am glad he did not go off on the refs but I hope he does not become passive with defenders.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:39 am
Sometimes to even out you have to learn how to go past.
I think for AT THE LEAST the preseason he needs to learn to 100% control himself by not complaining at all. Once the season starts he will be able to dial back in a bit with that passion and start mentioning it to refs. But he has to learn complete control or he will lose it in those hot moments.
I am happy with how he reacted.
August 12th, 2016 at 11:50 am
I just hope you guys don’t start calling for Ayers to tone it down too. Now you see what happens when a Dline plays nasty. Total domination. The whole team should play like that, tantrums and all. I don’t see no one complaining when Brady throws a tantrums, just saying.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
What 55 said.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
@Mojiska,
I was thinking the exact same thing when reading that. Only 22 years old and going into this 3rd season… This kid is gonna be something special.
@DB, I don’t think anyone here is saying he should not play with the same passion and intensity, but you have to be smart. When you already have a rep for being an emotional cry baby, you’re less likely to get the refs to side with you. Evans is doing the right thing. He will get back to being known for his ability, not his emotions, and then he can lobby the refs when needed. He had a target on his back last season.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
And it’s bit different for d-line…. I want my d line as nasty as can be, all the time!!! (Although I would like spence and gholston to stop getting as many roughing the passer penalties. Don’t mind it once in a while though.)
August 12th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Hands to the face is a tough call when you’re engaged with a blocker and have your hands up in the passing lane. Luckily the G from philly gifted Spence a sack to make up for it.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
I know man, they making it harder and harder to play defense every year with all the new rules. But other teams figure it out, our guys need to also. Go Bucs!
August 12th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
I really don’t understand all the anger about Evans lifting his hands in the air occasionally. Refs realize they make mistakes and maybe calmly letting them know they blew a call may be good thing. Perhaps they don’t miss the next one or God forbid they make up for it with a marginal call later in the game. Evans does get held a lot because he is a beast of a player and dbs are trying to get away with anything they can just to try and stop him.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
There’s a balance that he has to learn. You absolutely cannot just run back to the huddle ever single time you are interfered with. You have to sell the call at times. You can’t name me on WR in the history of the NFL that never begs for calls. If you make as if you weren’t interfered with, the ref is going to think that you weren’t interfered with. However, if you complain, you might not get that call, but you have a good chance of getting the next one. Refs are humans, and there is absolutely such a thing as a make up call, as there is such a thing as selling a call. Now obviously he can’t do it every time (especially when he’s really not interfered with), and he can’t act like a maniac like he did against Carolina. However, he’s has to find that correct balance.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Yeah touchdown is right. Mike gets held a lot, we are going to need those calls.
August 12th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
I want him to play with passion and express himself correctly at the correct moments. I dont want him to bottle that passion up I want him to learn how to use it. Now on that call last night, He would’ve been able to go 2015 Mike Evans on that ref. I know I was on my TV
August 12th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
I don’t care if he gets emotional and wants a flag when one clearly needed to be thrown. I care when the emotions lead to leaving even more plays on the field.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Mike Evans is such a beast…I think the refs give the DBs a break……
August 12th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Slight disagreement here. The BUCs have a reputation among the refs and so does ME. Both get bogus calls against them, and probably no sympathy. If ME says or does anything, no matter how professional, the refs will automatically see the ME of last year. THEY need time to learn its a new ME they are dealing with. When anyone has a preconceived view of someone, it takes a long time to see them as they are. Preseason is not long enough. Maybe by December, maybe they will call things by what they see, not what they remember.
And again, kudos to ME for just heading back to the huddle.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Hope his attitude carries over to meaningful games. Hard to judge based on reaction in pointless preseason
August 12th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
I hope he is ready with that temper. The only flags that the yankee refs are throwing at him are offensive interference and offensive holding
August 12th, 2016 at 1:30 pm
^^^ Well said!
We’ve got that reputation. I don’t mind the emotions as long as it’s not in the “cry-baby” form and he catches the balls he’s supposed to.
Mike Evans is a top 5 WR if he cuts the drops and doesn’t whine as much…..still top 10 otherwise. The guy’s a BEAST!
August 12th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
in that case he should have said something just don’t be an asshat about it. Be respectful but if there should have been a call he should have said something
August 12th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
I have to admit that was a pretty blatant and obvious call and no one would have faulted Evans for a MOMENT if he turned around and made the “throw the flag” motion with his hand. It would have been completely justified.
But he didn’t.
I remember last night actually being VERY surprised by that. Maybe people do change and grow.
August 12th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Not sure if this was mentioned yet but, how many total attempts for each QB mentioned?
If you throw a bunch it makes sense that you’ll have a higher number of overthrows. If you have fewer attempts you’ll have a lower number of overthrows.
I think a percentage or ratio may make more sense in this case?
August 12th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
^^^sorry, thought i was on a different post…
August 12th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
BucinJax what is the reputation the Bucs and Mike Evans have with the refs? Are you privy to their meetings and inside communication? Elite players do get guys trying to find ways to stop them, and often that involves pushing the envelope of what will and won’t be called. If you watch the film closely he does get interfered with a lot. I don’t think the refs have a big problem with any WR calling for a flag. They all do it and the better ones do it a lot because it is actually happening. He has never gotten in refs face or berated any of them. As long as he catches the next ball thrown to him I am ok with the hand in their to make sure the ref knows he disagrees with a non call.
August 12th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
It’s hard to believe he is still only 22 and going on his third year. If he really is able to change his cry baby attitude and play ball, all bucs fan will be up for a treat for at least the next 5 to 7 years.
August 12th, 2016 at 5:39 pm
The best way to handle it is to call out the DB infront of the refs… I do umliring/officiating on the side… So you all just got scooped on the scoop…
So MEnext time u.feel inclined to ask for a flag… Turn to the DB and let him know he got away with a hold or PI loud enough for the ref to hear… Trust me when I say it will get theyre eyes looking without ever needing you to say a word to them… When you complain directly to them it looks bad when they start giving you calls cause your right… Pluss it makes the DB feel like he is getting away with something and sets him up for a big PI later… Words of Wisdom kid…. Let your thought feast on that…
August 12th, 2016 at 6:52 pm
I too noticed that really happy for him!
August 14th, 2016 at 10:32 am
I was taught that as a player you job is to play them move on to the next play. If the calls are bad or something is missed it’s the coaches job to get in the refs ear. Admiditly Lovie never spoke up in previous years. I bet we get lots of clips of Koetter having an aneurism on the sideline after bad calls this year, and the refs will start calling our games more in line with the rest of the league.