Jameis: Not Enough Love For Mike Evans
June 14th, 2017
If you missed it, Mike Evans was awarded a high honor this week from his NFL peers. He was voted the 29th best player in the league, via the NFL Network feature, Top 100 Players of 2017.
Joe asked America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, about that yesterday.
Jameis had a mixed reaction.
A couple of weeks ago, when discussing Gerald McCoy being ranked 52nd and Jameis himself placed at 57th, Jameis wasn’t a happy camper. He was stunned McCoy wasn’t higher on the list, and Jameis said his own ranking wasn’t good enough, though he admitted his father was very happy about it.
When Joe asked about Evans, Jameis immediately broke out into a big, prideful smile. But his words told a different story.
“Man, I feel he should be in the Top 10,” Jameis said. “How much he means to me and this team is indescribable. He’s an amazing player but I’m happy for him. I’m happy that he is a Top 100 player. But to me, he’s the No. 1 guy; he’s the best receiver in the league. You know, you think about the receivers that are in our conference, Julio Jones is going to be placed probably before him but Mike is every bit of Julio. And I commend Julio because he’s a monster too, but man, I love Mike. I love our guys.”
Jameis’ love of Evans is real. And why not? Evans was a monster last season, and he led the NFL in targets.
Joe wonders, though, whether Jameis will still pump balls to Evans even with all the new weapons around. If Evans has less double coverage, then why not? Perhaps he can haul in 110 balls and push the sacred 2,000-yard barrier.
June 14th, 2017 at 5:36 am
@Joe … “Perhaps he can haul in 110 balls and push the sacred 2,000-yard barrier.” Great thought Joe. Highly doubtful, but still great thought. The great Calvin Johnson almost did it (1,964 yds on 122 receptions) back in 2012 … he had to average 123 yds/game to pull that off. A couple of other ‘notables’ also came close … Jerry Rice – 1,848 yds in 1995 on 122 receptions also, and Isaac Bruce – 1,781 yds in 1995 on 119 receptions. At Mike’s career reception rate of 53.7% he’d have to be targeted 227 times this season to get 122 receptions like those others … over 50 more than he got targeted last season (without DJax & OJ on the team). Somehow I don’t see that happening, but stranger things have happened.
June 14th, 2017 at 5:42 am
2K yards.. interesting thought. DJax is the perfect compliment to Evans. Djax doesn’t want the huge number of throws, he just wants you to sleep on him them BAM.. Mike loves carrying a load. Everyone likes to bag on Winston for leaning on Evans but to me this was just trying to win games, he knew what the rest of the cast was. Then the YAC argument, is it bad throws or is Evans not good at it, truth, neither. Defenses were doing all they could to take that one element away from the Bucs and they still did it. Jameis had to force some throws into spots that YAC was impossible when the team needed to move the ball. Still this tandem managed to move the chains 81! times! 81 receptions that resulted in first downs is crazy. That is 15 more than second place. That’s borderline MVP stuff. 29 isn’t high enough!
June 14th, 2017 at 7:08 am
I agree with Jameis that Evans should be rated higher but we all know the Bucs get no respect. I am hoping they change that this year.
June 14th, 2017 at 7:11 am
I’m totally unconcerned about Mike’s numbers. I expect them to dip a bit actually.
Perhaps you guys have some thoughts….but even if the offense roars and gets us more offensive plays…how many more? Because we have a LOT more targets for #3….as in night and day difference!!!
Cameron Brate led the TE’s in TD’s last year…his breakout year. How much do we expect him to backslide?
In his nine years in the league DJAX has been very consistent and even with one season of only nine games he’s right at 9,000 yards…DJAX gets about 50 touches and 1,000 yards every year. Where does that come from?
Then you have OJ a potential monster at TE…he’s gotta get his touches…
We haven’t even gotten to Hump or Godwin or Sims or any backs out of the backfield…and of course if we actually run the ball well that could take some touches from ME13.
It’s all good boys. ME13’s greatest competition for catching the ball this year may not come from opposing DB’s but rather our own guys who need touches.
Touches will not be a problem though as LONG AS WE”RE WINNING.
A bad record is what brings out whining from individuals. I do not see that and as TMAX laments we have a character team…this is one area where character is a HUGE advantage.
June 14th, 2017 at 8:06 am
I’ve seen a ton about this year rest on Jameis’ shoulders due to all of the weapons, which is partially true. I put MORE of in on Koetter. He, for the first time, can out scheme any team we play. This team is so flexible, really on both sides. Evans’ production won’t necessarily go down unless the defense decides to continue taking him away. Then DJax, Howard, Brate, Godwin and Martin can go off, but at some point Koetter is going to get Evans matched up like he wants. If Koetter does his job, this is a really tough team to deal with.
June 14th, 2017 at 9:52 am
I love Mike, but Julio is in a whole ‘nother league.
If I’m being honest with myself, Mike is definitely a top 5 WR in the league, with Antonio Brown and Julio as 1 and 2 respectively.
The only thing mike is missing is the one thing that you can’t coach… speed.
June 14th, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Want to know how good Mike Evans is?
He made Johnny Manziel look like a first-round draft pick.
June 14th, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Celly
Have to agree with you about JJ….and notice #3 pretty much conceded that the consensus opinion is that JJ is number one.
June 14th, 2017 at 11:48 pm
Bottom line if the injury bug doesn’t rear it it’s ugly,relentless head.This team is starting to be scary.Just think about it,hmmmmm.Just sayin!