More Evidence Slot Is Open
June 2nd, 2017
More praise. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Yes, there seems to be a potential opening at the slot receiver position.
Given how Bucs types are quick to react with a pointed rebuke any time Joe writes something negative about Adam (Rudy!) Humphries — who really is a good dude and a total class act — Joe thought surely Humphries was a virtual lock for the starting slot receiver role.
But Joe had his antennae up after a rookie minicamp practice last month, when winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter was asked if Chris Godwin, a pick Joe was geeked about in March, could play slot. Koetter reacted with an enthusiastic “Sure!” Both the answer and the way Koetter answered that question made Joe wonder if Humphries really was locked in as a starter.
Koetter added kindling to this flame yesterday when he discussed how Godwin could fit in offensively.
“Well, wideouts is really the same as the O-line,” Koetter said. “You’re going to get your best guys out there and you’re going to move them around match-up-wise. We haven’t had very many days where we’ve had all of our receivers here on the same day. The most consistent guys since we’ve been out here have been Godwin and Adam [Humphries]. Those two guys have been making plays everyday. Real happy with what Chris is doing, but he could play in or out, either one.”
Right now, as far as rookies go, there has been Godwin, then O.J. Howard and the rest of the pack (Justin Evans and Jeremy McNichols are on floppy hat patrol until training camp and, of course, linebacker Kendell Beckwith is recovering from knee surgery).
Joe almost hates to write anything good about Godwin in underwear football because Joe is jaded by underwear football All-Pros of the past: Tommy Streeter, Chris Owusu, Solomon Patton and Kenny Bell, receivers all. You can see why Joe is hesitant to get excited (yet) about Godwin as the aforementioned slugs were virtually worthless once the pads went on in August.
Joe’s wishes Godwin the best, and from all accounts it seems Licht nailed yet another draft pick. But it’s still so early; still no pads.
Joe isn’t quite ready to jump in Licht’s pool over Godwin. Crossing fingers, though.
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:17 am
I feel that way about all of the draft picks.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:25 am
I know player comparison can get out of hand sometimes.
Especially when using NFL Legends to validate your point.
But the reason why I spoke about this kid at nausea before the draft. Godwin’s work ethic, attention to detail, grit (savage crack-back blocker), and overall talent; is rare This young man could be the focal point of an offense.
You can put outside at the “X” if Mike goes down.
You put in on the move at “Z” if Jackson pulls a hamstring.
He could beat out Hump at the “Y.”
By comparison look at how the Oakland Raiders use 2nd year WR Amari Cooper in their offense. They line this kid up; in multiple positions throughout the course of a game. It drives defensive coordinators nuts.
So for sh!t in giggles lets look at the measurable of both prospects.
1st Combine
CHRIS GODWIN WR PENN ST.
• HEIGHT: 6’1’
• ARM LENGTH: 31 5/8’
• WEIGHT: 209 LBS.
• HANDS: 9 1/8”
• VERT JUMP: 4.42
• BROAD JUMP:36.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 126.0 INCH
• 20 YD SHUTTLE: 7.01 SEC
• 20 YD SHUTTLE: 4.00 SEC
VS.
AMARI COOPER WR ALABAMA
• HEIGHT: 6’1’
• ARM LENGTH: 31 1/2’
• WEIGHT: 211 LBS.
• HANDS: 10”
• 40 YD DASH: 4.42 SEC
• VERT JUMP: 33.0 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 120.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 6.71
• 20 YD SHUTTLE: 3.98 SEC
*Damn near Identical across the board eh?
Now lets check out college stats for both prospects
2nd Career College Stats)
CHRIS GODWIN (WR) PENN ST. (Career College Stats)
==> PLAYS FROM SCRIMMAGE: *157 | 2435 | 15.5 | 18
• REC: 154 | YDS: 2431 | Avg: 15.7 | TD: 18
AMARI COOPER (WR) ALABAMA (Career College Stats)
==> PLAYS FROM SCRIMMAGE: *234 | 3514 | 15.0 | 31
• REC: 228 | YDS: 3463 | Avg: 15.2 | TD: 31
Note: Plays from scrimmage for both players.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:35 am
Per: “The Best Damn Coach In Buccaneer History” – Jon Gruden
Vs
Some guy that use to play corner for us – Darrelle Revis
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:44 am
If you’ve watched Godwin’s career at Penn St.
Think back to …
–His smooth release off the line
–Route Running
–Strong Hands/Always High Pointing the Ball
–Runs after catch
Now Peep this – #53: Amari Cooper (WR, Raiders) | Top 100 Players of 2017 | NFL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmnt5p_d2eI
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:45 am
He can block like a machine too. Desean avoids contact as undersized. He will get some reps opposite mikE Evans even if mainly running plays.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:55 am
Goo0d work LUV,
either my eyes are playing tricks on me or there might be an error in your chart.See chris Godwin’s vertical jump time.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:57 am
meant Good
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:58 am
Its gonna be hard to keep Godwin off the field!
June 2nd, 2017 at 7:02 am
Bob in valrico
Thanks brotha – my bad
*VERT JUMP: 36 IINCH
June 2nd, 2017 at 7:05 am
CHRIS GODWIN WR PENN ST.
• HEIGHT: 6’1’
• ARM LENGTH: 31 5/8’
• WEIGHT: 209 LBS.
• HANDS: 9 1/8”
• 4O YD DASH: 4.42
• VERT JUMP: 36 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 126.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 7.01 SEC
• 20 YD SHUTTLE: 4.00 SEC
June 2nd, 2017 at 8:11 am
Luv.. Thanks.. you saved me a ton of work. I was trying to figure who to compare him to but combining his physical traits with his football traits, you get a guy who’s game should transform to the NFL. A big knock on him was lack of production against big time competition this season. So, I went back and looked at the film versus Ohio State and Michigan. He only had 3 catches total for these games, but two were TD’s.
Penn State leaned heavy on the triple option in these games using Godwin to block, clear zones etc. Most time he wasn’t even looked at. He had 6 targets by my count. One was an honest drop, one was a highly contested drop, one was a highly contested catch. I know Barkley is a special kid (would love to see him in a Bucs uniform even tho I don’t believe in drafting RB’s early) but Penn State vs Michigan was running him down 21-3 with 8 in the box and one creeping in. Godwin was only targeted twice, one was a touch down.
I don’t care how good you are, if you aren’t targeted as a WR you will not have production.
June 2nd, 2017 at 9:20 am
Godwin is a virtual lock to be our WR3.
And he might even end up being our best receiver, in time. (No disrespect to Evans)
I think Godwin might have the 2nd most targets this year bcuz of coverages (and bcuz of how good he is, obviously).
June 2nd, 2017 at 9:48 am
I’m still all in on him. If have taken him in the second round easy and he was by far my favorite draft pick. Love Howard, but Godwin was a damn steal now just half a round late, an entire round late.
June 2nd, 2017 at 10:47 am
LUV- I was high on Godwin as well. My sister in-law is Lion Alum so we watched a few games. I really didn’t think he’d slip to the 3rd round!
I tell you what, that’s a heck of a comparison. He COULD be that good. But even if he’s a percentage of what Coop is, he’s still a heck of a player.
My prediction: Chris Godwin will be a household name by midseason.
June 2nd, 2017 at 11:01 am
Many of us have had love of the Godwin. I thought he’d be gone by our 50th pick honestly:
“Lord Cornelius Says:
March 21st, 2017 at 1:17 pm
“YeahISaidIt Says:
March 21st, 2017 at 11:31 am
Keep an eye on Chris Godwin.. bucs went to his Pro-day talked to him at combine and have a private workout with him.. could be a solid selection”
I’d be fine with this guy in the 2nd if Zay Jones isn’t there. I doubt he falls to the 3rd or 4th as he’s probably in my personal top 5-7 WRs (1-Davis 2-Williams 3-Ross 4-Jones 5-Godwin?)
solid tape – catches with his hands and attacks balls; can run most every route and has good feet / separation ability; blocks ok; and has the measurable’s of a potential WR1 – reminds me of Hakeem Nicks when he was good:
6’1 210 lbs
4.42 40
36″ vert, 19 bench presses, very solid 20 yard shuttle
Him & Zay Jones would be dream R2 selections if we go WR there”
As for this thread – put the best players on the field that have the most advantageous match ups. God help any nickle / 3rd CB that has to cover Godwin 1 on 1. Imagine the deep plays he could make out of the slot with his 4.4 speed and ability to go get balls in the air ; or the plays he can make in general with 1 on 1 coverage all year
June 2nd, 2017 at 11:05 am
Did you just go “Realist re-post” on us Lord C.?!
June 2nd, 2017 at 11:16 am
Bucfanman
That was funny!
June 2nd, 2017 at 12:24 pm
haha yeah i went there
June 2nd, 2017 at 12:39 pm
@tnew
-Thanks Brotha
@Lord Cornelius
@Bucsfanman
-Back toward the beginning of the year – a few of regulars; projected either Zay or Chris to us.
Some even projected
-TE in the 1st
-Safety in the 2nd
-Wr in the 3rd