Chris Godwin “Will Always Improve”
January 16th, 2018
Friend of Chris Godwin talks Bucs.
The start to the meat market that is the NFL draft process kicked into high gear this week as practices for the East-West Shrine Game began Monday and will continue through Thursday in St. Petersburg.
Every NFL team has representatives there. Joe noticed thus far Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan and Redskins director of player personnel and former Bucs star quarterback Doug Williams. Of course, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is there as well.
Last year, tight end Antony Auclair caught the eye of Bucs coach Dirk Koetter during a morning practice. Auclair later was signed as an undrafted free agent and he made the squad.
The East-West Shrine Game is largely populated by second-tier college stars, although some studs do participate. For example, Jimmy GQ, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, played in the game when he came out of Eastern Illinois.
But one wide receiver who is schedule to play in Saturday’s game at the Fruitdome in St. Petersburg, and to be televised on the NFL Network, is Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton. And it seems Hamilton has a pipeline into the mindset of the Bucs locker room thanks to his close friend, former college teammate and current Bucs receiver Chris Godwin.
“He is one of my best friends,” Hamilton said of Godwin. “I talk to Chris almost every day. He makes sure I am doing well and I make sure he is doing well.”
Joe asked Hamilton if he could share some conversations he’s had with Godwin related to the Bucs and Hamilton agreed. In short, Hamilton said Godwin loves his team.
“He said he loves it,” Hamilton said. “He loves learning everything from all the guys. And, he really enjoyed his rookie year and is looking forward to his second year where he can grow on his rookie year.”
When Joe mentioned to Hamilton that Godwin got better as the season grew longer, Hamilton smiled and nodded his head. He’s seen that before.
“That’s Chris for you,” Hamilton said. “Chris, he will always improve. Just when you think Chris has done his best, he will do a lot better after that.”
And of course, Hamilton said Godwin is spreading the Gospel of Jameis.
“[Godwin] says he is a natural born leader,” Hamilton said he learned about America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. “A lot of things that Jameis says to his teammates and to the offense is genuine. He really means it. Guys, when he opens mouth, people listen.”
Hamilton said that he is actually Godwin’s big brother, not the other way around. The two met at Penn State when Godwin arrived on campus. Hamilton was a redshirt freshman; Godwin a true freshman. Hamilton took Godwin under his wing and the two quickly developed a close bond.
“I’m really, honestly lucky and a blessing,” Hamilton said of having such a close friend in the NFL at his same position advise him on how to navigate the draft process.
“I helped him develop in college and now he is going to help me go to the NFL. A little bit of a switch in the roles but really cool to see. I took him under my wing [at Penn State] working day in and day out — drills. i really took him under my wing and we developed a workman mentality.”
Hamilton said Godwin told him the two things NFL people want to see the most in a receiver is separation and running crisp routes at the top of the route tree.
Even though there may not be any room at the inn with the Bucs at wide receiver, Hamilton said from what he has learned, he sure would like to call Tampa Bay his NFL home.
“If they want me, I will come through.”
January 16th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Excellent character….he’ll make a GREAT Pro !…old school appreciation for the opportunity the play in the NFL….as opposed to so many jackwagons that like the have it made before the have accomplished anything of significance other than doing what they are paid to do….very happy for the kid…!!
January 16th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Godwin should be our #2 WR, plain and simple!
January 16th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Def my favorite draft pick. Keep djax one more year though – unles you could get like a 3rd or 4th which is not happening. … If we won’t save much $$ or get much of a draft pick it’s not worth it to drop him and we’ve learned depth is key at all positions.
Would like to see djax actually fight for a ball or track one if it isn’t 100% perfectly on target – like he did numerous times with bad Cousins’ balls that were behind / too far to the left/right of him; but didn’t even try when it was Fitzpatrick or Jameis for whatever reason.
January 16th, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Lord C…. Agree. I knew Godwin was the real deal after I saw HK and watched his significant other toss the weights around and help drive Chris in his training.
You could tell from his interview that he was the real deal.
I agree 100% about DJAX!!! As DK likes to say…you can never have enough players. DJAX is the only pure speed player on our roster…no lightning fast RB’s to help out.
The ENTIRE team had a bad or off year. The QB injured his throwing shoulder…the OL was a work in progress at best…no pass rush…yadda yadda.
It’s a team sport and horrible play in one area can effect another. DJAX is probably not happy with his season either. Let’s see what he does trying to improve his connection with #3. If he skips all the OTA’s like he did last year I’ll be disappointed. If he starts showing up it’ll be a good sign that he realizes his career is on the backside and this year is a critical as any season he has ever played. Does he fade away…or does he rejuvenate his career so he can enjoy another 3-4 seasons. I’m hoping he sees this and starts this year HIGHLY motivated.
January 16th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Chris Godwin is a stud…..as is ME13….& OJ Howard….and we can’t forget Brate……
Fortunately WR & TE are positions we don’t need to address……
We need…..RB, DE, CB, OG or C & K we should be able to add quality players at all those positions.
January 16th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
January 16th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
We need…..RB, DE, CB, OG or C & K we should be able to add quality players at all those positions.
Yep, spot on.
January 16th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Hamilton will slide under the radar for a little while in the draft process. However, he is as good as Godwin. I watched him for the last couple years since I live in Pennsylvania. He wasn’t used as much as he could have been because of RB Barkely. The PennState QB doesn’t have the best arm either.
If we dump Djax for a late round pick, I would love to pick him up in the late rounds. I know we don’t have a desperate need at WR but he is going to be a great WR.
January 16th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
I would like to see the Colts take an interest in Hamilton’s teammate Saquan Barkley. That might free up Chubb for the Buc’s. I agree we need to keep Djax, Godwin, ME, Brate, OJ, and Hump in tact as receiving corp. Finally, noticed a couple Clemson DE’s and a first round prospect RB out of Stanford return to school. Be glad to see finalized declared list Monday.
January 16th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
IMHO:
We need Dline, Dline, Dline, Oline, CB, RB, S and more Dline
January 16th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
^ Doesn’t all have to be from the draft of course.
In fact there are a couple free agent DEs that would be a welcomed addition…
January 16th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
@Unbelievable
AMEN!
January 16th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Hamilton’s draft profile says he is a 4.6 40 guy. Not sure he is fast enough to make the team. They say he is projected rd.7 to FA, yet they compare him to Jeremy Maclin.
January 16th, 2018 at 3:38 pm
@ Martinii
Cleveland can’t pass on a Future QB or RB barkley #1/#4 picks
Giants “should” draft the future QB, but they need OL
Colts need to protect Luck more than they need a DE or RB. Luck hasn’t played for 2 years because of injuries…..
Broncos need a better QB
Jets need a QB
Bucs need a DE
High Probability of Chubb going #7
January 16th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Godwin should be the #2.
Im not as down on Desean Jackson as some ppl, however what I do see is significant trade value in a player that 1. is a proven player in this league and hasnt lost his speed. 2. a player that is underutilized for his price within our current scheme. and 3. a player in a significant position of depth.
Evans, Godwin, Hump, and Bobo then your typical 5th and 6th guys. and when you add in two receiving TEs, there are plenty of pass catching threats on this offense.
I say trade Djax, not cause I hate him, just that we don’t need him and we could land a decent pick or two for him
January 16th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
if you look at all the playoff teams,they all have at least one shutdown corner,a good running back, and a great defense…with that being said we should draft pass-rushers in the first and second round..draft a running back in the 3rd and more defense in the other rounds…and in free agency we should sign a offensive tackle and a safety…
January 16th, 2018 at 8:30 pm
If he is good there is no reason we can’t trade Jackson away for a pick and save some money.
January 16th, 2018 at 8:42 pm
Hamilton is the all time leader in receptions for Penn State so he can’t be bad
January 16th, 2018 at 9:09 pm
Jameis is the key to everything … obviously
January 17th, 2018 at 3:45 am
Godwin and Beckwith in the 3rd round??
Amazing!!!
They are both future Pro-Bowlers!
I said it before, I will say it again.
Godwin is as smooth as Jerry Rice.
@JOE
Make sure we get Godwin off of special teams next year!!
It is not worth the risk!!
Godwin is a future #2 for ME and Jameis.
Get him off of special teams!!!!!