First Down Machine
October 25th, 2016
More eye-popping numbers.
As Joe wrote Sunday, Bucs stud wide receiver Mike Evans is on pace for a franchise-historic season.
Pro Bowl? How about All-Pro?
As good of a season as Evans is having, a stat unearthed by no less than the Custodian of Canton, JoeBucsFan.com columnist eye-RAH! Kaufman, had Joe blinking more than twice. It’s actually a stunning number.
No WR in the league has generated more first downs than Mike Evans, who has moved the chains on 34 of his 40 catches this season
— Ira Kaufman (@IKaufman76) October 24, 2016
Wow! So basically, if Evans catches a pass, it’s a first down. Joe has never seen a number like this before. It’s almost Jerry Rice-like.
While the lion’s share of the credit clearly lies with Evans and his hard work this offseason, what a friggin’ job Bucs wide receivers coach/offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Joe knows Monken was charged with one main task when he was hired: fix Evans. Boy, he sure has.
October 25th, 2016 at 6:45 am
34 catches for 1st downs through 6 games is an amazing stat. You got me curious Ira so went back and looked at where Mike is making those catches. He’s been targeted 75 times & has 40 catches (53%) … about where he’s historically been. But looking at short vs long, it looks like the Bucs are using him more for intermediate passes. In the short area, he’s been targeted 50 times with 32 catches (64%) … excellent I think. In deep passes he’s been targeted 25 times but only has 8 catches there (32%). Of course each one of those 8 went for a 1st down and several for TDs. Since Mike’s averaging over 13.5 yds/catch and since over 80% of his catches are for 1st downs, I’d guess that Monken is stressing using him in some intermediate area this year someplace between 10-20 yds out. It’s working obviously.
October 25th, 2016 at 6:54 am
His 6 tds lead the league in TD receptions. Tied with Michael Crabtree of all people.
October 25th, 2016 at 6:56 am
Someone with Torrey Smith’s speed on the other side and someone that could block like a Joe Staley/Joe Thomas sure would make this team look a lot better.
October 25th, 2016 at 7:09 am
The dude has never been broke! One bad game last year Joe and his hyperbole exaggerated ME and his drops. He has been a stud since day 1. This year he will make the Pro Bowl.
October 25th, 2016 at 7:21 am
That is seriously impressive, especially considering ME is double and triple teamed so often. How do you think Russel Shepard has such a great game? All the other team is concerned with is stopping Evans, especially on 3rd down. Very impressive.
October 25th, 2016 at 7:35 am
If he continues to play like this for his entire career we many have a HOF on our hands.
October 25th, 2016 at 8:06 am
In a “bad” year he’ll catch 70 balls and 1200 yards lol! I don’t even argue when you’ll say he’s not a number 1. He was the only threat this year only threat last year.
WHAT DO SOME OF YOULL BE WATCHING?? A BACK UP RUNNING BACK WAS HIS SECOND LEADING RECEIVER!! THAT GOES FOR THE JAMEIS BASHERS TOO! HE THREW FOR 4000 AS A ROOKIE WITH A BACK UP RUNNING BACK AS THE NUMBER 2 LEADING RECEIVER! THESE TWO SHOULD BE QUESTIONED BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY THE FUTURE OF THIS FRANCHISE, THEYRE THE FUTURE OF THIS LEAGUE
October 25th, 2016 at 8:41 am
He was never broke, I am in agreement with TDTB, drops happen. I say if Todd Monken is the guy, make him the Special Teams coach and let him fix Roberto.
October 25th, 2016 at 8:50 am
As great as ME is playing, pro bowl should not be an issue, but All pro is probably reserved for Julio and AJ Green.
October 25th, 2016 at 10:14 am
Michael Crabtree ain’t chopped liver!! KUDOS to DK, Monken and ME13!! Getting married and becoming a daddy is also helping him mature. 🙂
October 25th, 2016 at 11:53 am
So… 34 of 40 catches have been first downs… and the other six were apparently touchdowns? That is impressive indeed. All he does is catch touchdowns…and first downs!
October 25th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Joe you forgot the KY hands.
October 25th, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Brandon, in NFL all offensive TDs are credited as first downs, so the six would be included in the 34