Bad Hands Or Just Surprise?
August 18th, 2017
There’s a simple formula to the editorial process at JoeBucsFan.com.
Step 1 is as follows: If Joe sees it or hears it, whatever it is, and really finds it interesting and Bucs-related, then it appears on these pages.
Simple as that.
It’s extremely rare for Joe to wrestle with writing anything that hits those marks. But Joe did with this one. Maybe Joe’s Bucs antennae are tuned up a little too much. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully.
Mike Evans has had drops in the first two preseason games. Last night’s was gruesome, a beautiful touchdown bomb dropped in his hands in stride by America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Last night, from the Jaguars’ 43 yard line, Jameis dropped back to pass and launched a gem in Evans’ catch zone a couple of yards deep in the end zone. Evans didn’t “high-point” the ball, but he didn’t have to. It was thrown so well he could look it right into his hands at chest level. And he dropped it.
Against the Bengals last Friday, Evans beat himself up for a drop. It was even seen on Hard Knocks.
It’s preseason and Evans has looked sharp otherwise through about three quarters of game action, including in practice. He was an absolute monster against Jacksonville on Tuesday. But Joe is having trouble shaking those game drops this morning.
Evans was awesome last season, but that doesn’t mean the K-Y hands of 2015 never happened.
Joe seriously hopes the preseason drops don’t get in Evans’ head. He turns 24 next week and it’s too easy to think Evans is a grizzled old veteran. He’s still a young, impressionable player.
Evans caught only one pass last season that went for 40-plus yards. Perhaps last night he was just flat out surprised to get a bomb coming his way early in a game, and in single coverage? It’s not like the Bucs practice throwing deep a lot in practice.
Just shak’em off, Mike.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
There are a few things that concern me about the Bucs. Can they live up to the hype? Will the D-Line show up? Will our safeties cut the mustard? Are we cursed at kicker? Can Rudy keep enduring these vicious shots? One thing that does not concern me is Mike Evans hands. Yes, he should have had that catch for a TD but the part that I loved was JW hitting M.E. for about a 12 yard gain on the very next play.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
I’m not ready to jump on that ship yet. I’ll chalk it up as pre-season rust or he lost it in the lights but that was a perfect pass last night.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
If ME13 complains about Winston missing him on the goal line against the smallet dB in the league then tea ME13 should catch it when it’s thrown perect. ME13 Imo made an ass out of himself with thAR particular drop.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
“K-Y hands of 2015”
SMH – rainy Giants game aside – Evans dropped 6 passes in 15 games year before last.
This is inaccurate. There is no official stat of “drops.” It’s very subjective, but the numbers you are pulling from somewhere are bogus. Evans dropped more than that. As for the rainy Giants game, that’s really no legitimate excuse. Same for conditions for the throwers and the catchers around the field. Evans will tell you he dropped more than those 6. –Joe
It Happens. Was a great pass by Winston – lets concentrate on the positive.
Mike Evans’ hands are the least of our worries.
August 18th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
6-10
August 18th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
There are some guys that will catch everything thrown their way. Evans will probably have a few high-profile drops through the year. But I will take him!
Joe is really looking under every rock to find faults….
August 18th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Not gonna lie, the same concerns have popped up in my head.
That being said, even in the KY year of 2015 Evans still had a monster season. I cant imagine his hands ever being that bad again but I am worried that Evan’s true hands lie somewhere between 2015 and 2016. That being said he will be a monster regardless
August 18th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Also, ^^^^ Mike is an idiot
August 18th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
I said this in 2015 – I will take his drops ALL day when he’s making the plays he’s making every year. Of course I’d prefer no drops. But even in 2015 the dude was a major weapon for us much more so than liability.
Also I feel sorry for ppl like Mike. Must be a sad life you have man
August 18th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
the best receivers drop a pass from time to time while he should of caught that pass it’s not like he was wide open the corner was stride for stride with him he needs to make that catch and i’m sure if given a mulligan he would make that catch 90% of the time
August 18th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Mike Evans ranked among the NFL’s leaders in catches (96), yards (1,321) and touchdown catches (12) last year. Gruden on Hard Knocks episode 1 says to one of the coaches: “That 13 is one of the best receivers I have ever seen”.
Evans is human. I promise you he will drop more balls on his way to another 1000 yards plus season and another probowl. How many balls did Evans catch last night? 5 catches, 57 yards for 11.4 yard average. And this is in one half. Mike Evans is one of the least things we need to worry about this year.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Im not worried about Evans, dude is a beast
Jameis needs to.learn how to start throwing receivers open to help create more yards adter the catch but hes young .
August 18th, 2017 at 2:13 pm
If you watch the film you will notice the DB swiped Mike’s hand preventing him from catching the ball. DB’s are coached to play the hands when beat deep- so the play was a great defensive play.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Man Joe you couldn’t resist could you? #KY
FORGET the drops if you want something to worry about, worry about YAC.
Godzilla has 9 catches for 115 yards in the preseason and prob 3 yac yards. (I’m guessing).
You guys remember ME13 first ever catch in the 2014 preseason he took a drag route like 80 yards. Sickest ish ever, since then he catches slants and falls down immediately, is he being coached to do that? Is that still loser Lovie in him? (Secure the ball). I need to know why he’s not stiff arming and running over these tiny DBs.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
kasowitz – I watched the play in slow motion from the end zone and didn’t see that at all. From the TV angle I thought he had his hand grabbed but the end zone shot clearly showed his hands were free – it was a clean drop.
I like Evans, not bashing the kid at all, but a drop is a drop. It happens. Lets just hope he gets it out of his system in preseason and we don’t have a repeat of 2015 (although in fairness the drops in 2015 mostly came in a few game stretch, it wasn’t all season).
August 18th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
I watched the play and right as the ball was coming in. Him and the corner tangle feet. So it took his legs out a little bit and that seemed to mess up his timing. And at full speed having your feet knocked off balance would make that a really hard catch. Is his growing alright? I noticed several times last night he kept pushing against his inner thigh and limping a little bit.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Groin not growing.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
I think the DB hit his elbow. Nevertheless something to keep an eye out for. He made the rest of his catches last after that.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
dumb
August 18th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
“Bad Hands Or Just Surprise?” Joe will you please just gimme a small f-ing break? How many good grabs has he had in this preseason? I can remember a few. He’s been targeted quite a few times in these long drives down the field. All I can really remember is the pass thrown behind him last week and the drop last night, which does happen every once in a while. Over 1,000 yards last three years. And I believe Mike confirmed he has hands last year being a top three receiver and the classic one handed grab in the all red game.
August 18th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
Mike was a bit gimpy last night, also. Saw him going in and out a couple times but apparently (hopefully) wasn’t anything serious cus he stayed in threw the first half.
August 18th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
I have always hated your ky hands comments! Evans does loose focus from time to time, but has great hands.
August 18th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Would love to see if Jamies ripped into Evans on that drop. That simply can’t happen. Keep laughing it up Evans!
August 18th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
First of all, Jax has great receivers and they dropped passes last night.
The pass in Cinn was behind Evans and was only kept in play because Evans got a hand on it….and then yes, he couldn’t hang on after that.
The endzone pass was a clear drop but if you look at the play the pass came to him around the belt (more difficult to catch) and the defender was in front of him perhaps blocking his view slightly but yes…it was still a drop…..
My goodness…..Evans is now expected to catch every single pass thrown his way?…..Give me a break.
August 18th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
My heart sank when he dropped that td.
Bad enough that this happens at Jville, we cant have those types of mistakes against ATL and N.E. and expect to win those games.
Hopefully he gets his head and hands workin together
August 18th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
He gets whiney for flags and gives up on plays from time to time.
August 18th, 2017 at 4:01 pm
I think its more of a Preseason thing. Everyone is a lil rusty this time of year. I’m sure he’ll be sharp and a serious weapon by week one!
Is Humphries incredible or what! How is he always open on 3rd down? And hold on after some of those car wrecks in the middle of the Field?
Me may not be our most talented Wr, but he is our most dependable!
Same with Brate. Just always there when you need him.
Howard and Brate, Evans/Jackson/Humphries/Godwin
Gonna be exciting!!
I hope Antony Auclair makes this team. If he doesnt- we will see him become a star somewhere else. He can block, get off line fast, and catch. And will get much better with NFL coaching
August 18th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
Alan Cross for MVP!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Capt completely agree with you! Humphries, Howard, and Brate all fall under the radar because of their quiet demeanor. While Jackson and Mike Evans might steal the spotlight these three will be first down machines and will keep those offensive drives alive. Love the fact that we have several overachievers on this team and also some true diamonds in the rough.
August 18th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
lol bad hands, funny
August 18th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
There is so many different route opportunities for Hump also. Very nice.
August 18th, 2017 at 7:25 pm
Honestly, would you trade any receiver in the NFL, right now, for Mike Evans?
I’d say hell no.
August 18th, 2017 at 8:48 pm
This BUCS team is one DE 10+ sack edge rusher and one shutdown corner away from annual deep playoff runs. All the other boxes are checked.
August 18th, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Joe’s just a dumb f@ck who shouldn’t even be have a website site! Period a@shole
August 19th, 2017 at 8:37 am
@Joe
If you tell pickgrin his numbers are inaccurrate,please tell us where you got
yours and while your at it lets be fair and count how many of jameis’s throws
were inaccurrate.