“It’s Really Hard For A Player That Has All That To Underachieve”
May 17th, 2018Godwin coach weighs in
Joe has remarked previously that Bucs players, coaches and front office types light up in a unique way whenever the name “Chris Godwin” is brought up.
The only thing Joe can liken it to is the reaction mentioning “Jameis” elicited from the same people in 2015 and 2016.
Joe asked special teams coach Nate Kaczor about this phenomenon yesterday. Godwin was a standout rookie on special teams, in addition to catching the football.
Kaczor understands the reaction and was eager to explain.
“Did I light up? (laughs) Kaczor said. “So Chris Godwin, very smart, very tough and very hard worker, runs well, he’s big. I just named those characteristics; it’s really hard for a player that has all of that to underachieve, so he’s always going to be a consistent player.
“So Chris Godwin, for example, last year, there was a game where he had two solo special teams tackles and as you know, if you get 14 or 15 solos in a year, you’re probably [in] the Pro Bowl.
“He had two solos in one game and he also had five catches. That is unheard of because a lot of times your fourth or fifth wideout who’s your ace cover guy could get two solo special teams tackles, but he won’t even see five targets, let alone five catches. So, that statistic from that game right there just speaks to how rare of a player that he showed us he was as a rookie. And it’s ’cause he works so hard and he’s got the height, weight, speed and preparedness and toughness. He doesn’t have a lot of holes in his game. He’s a lot of fun to work with, so I hope I lit up just like everyone else, but I mean, it’s on paper. I mean, the guy is a darn good player.”
What a find Godwin was, apparently a third-round theft in last year’s draft. Joe just hopes the Bucs really let him compete for playing time.
If he’s the best man for a receiving job, or he’s so good that Dirk Koetter needs to run more three-wide-receiver sets, then make it happen.
May 17th, 2018 at 12:36 pm
I like Godwin so far, but he’s got to prove himself to be consistent and he has to have a stronger impact. If he’s going to replace Jackson after this year, then he should prove he deserves it.
Props when props are earned.
May 17th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Sorry Hump but I kinda hope we don’t see much of you this year. We gotta get this Godwin kid more reps and more involved!
May 17th, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Hump and Godwin’s roles never were thought to be the same…maybe another player will come along and bump Hump…I really don’t care…Hump is a utility role playing WR…Godwin has a huge potential
May 17th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
I never got why he wasn’t rated higher in the pre draft process. He was in my top 5 WRs and I thought he’d go high 2nd round and was even hoping we’d take him with our R2 pick. I couldn’t believe we got him where we did after a bunch of other lesser WRs were getting picked.
He checked every box in what you’d want in a prototypical outside NFL WR:
6’1 – 208 lbs – 4.4 40 – 19 bench reps – solid vert’s /other measurables
On tape – caught /tracked balls with his hands. Showed physicality boxing out defenders. Showed big play ability on a few long TDs. Showed great route running. And most of all he balled out in big games against guys like Adoree Jackson – a R1 CB.
Also was a JuJu Smitch Schuster fan (who the Bucs liked). Kind of crazy how Juju/Godwin/Kupp seem to be the best WRs so far from that draft; despite 3 WRs going top 10 and guys like Carlos Henderson/Zay Jones/Curtis Samuel/Taywan Taylor/Ardarius Stewart all going ahead of Godwin
All the 3 top 10 WRs were hampered by injury though. I think Davis is going to be a legit #1 WR. Not sure about Ross or Williams.
May 17th, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Good player.
May 17th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Godwin deserves a starting spot. He proved enough last year to warrant it so let’s roll with it.
May 17th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Godwin is a playmaker
He proved it in college and proved it in Saints game week 17.
He should start, not because other receivers aren’t good, but because he’s an upgrade.
May 17th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Hey, DJax failed to show up for the voluntary OTAs. He earned this year’s Swaggy Award. He is such a Prima Dona and mouthy too. I say trade him off to another team for a good enough RT who can replace Dotson if he goes down again, and replace Dot when he retires. Then pickup Shepard to Captain our Special Teams and be a worthy backup WR along with Watson so we can promote Godwin to our speedy number two receiver who is better than DJax and will lay out for a pass if necessary. Leave Hump alone. He can get us first downs easily when needed with his quickness
May 17th, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Not sure Jackson is needed at all. This offense is loaded at wr and te. He’s not worth the money so far. You would think he would at least show up.
May 17th, 2018 at 2:19 pm
JPP hasn’t shown up either thus far. I don’t care so much about whether DJax shows up. I know he and Winston worked together at some point this off-season so I’ll give him a pass till he starts to alligator arm catchable passes in real games. He is a one trick pony; the ball has to be in his sweet spot or he’s gonna give you sporadic effort. Let’s just hope they get the timing down and get it where he wants it so we can all forget about voluntary OTAs and whatever. I just hope that they don’t push to get him the ball if they struggle to connect early and often. That throws the whole offense out of sorts.
If they don’t get in sync by the 4th game of the season, Godwin needs to replace him.
May 17th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Bonzai- the only thing holding this kid back last year was his lack of reps and opportunities. He balled out every time he was given a chance.
May 17th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
He lasted in the draft because despite good speed he seldom had much separation in college . He was a great player at Penn State but showed 4.65 game speed with great hands and body control. So can he play outside against nfl corners ?? It appears maybe he can but he may still end up more of a hybrid playing two or three positions .
May 17th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Lord C
He was predicted higher in the draft. Mid to low second round. I kept up with him last year after I knew the Bucs were talking to him pre-draft. After our second round pick, I was like “damn, we didn’t get Godwin.” Then he fell to us in the third and I was like “Sh!t yeah! We still got Godwin!”
May 17th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Hopefully we can trade DJax for a quality OL or CB before the season starts. Tired of that cat’s act.
May 17th, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Young roddy white in the making future is gonna be bright for him in Tampa if used properly. He should be mr third down like Keyshawn Johnson when he was in Tampa.he favors so many nfl greats with his frame and size and speed.
May 17th, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Watson was getting some good props from Monken. Really excited to see what he’s about. If he can show he’s the real deal in pre-season, trade DJax, 1.Evans,2.Godwin,3.Watson,4.Hump. Not to mention we’re stacked with good receiving TEs.
May 17th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Don’t think we need to trade Jackson. There will probably an injury or 2 and to have our depth with Jackson is a blessing. Don’t sleep.
May 17th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
3rd rd pick with 1st rd talent.
Kareem Hunt would have been a Buccaneer – but Godwin was too high on Licht’s board to pass on – even in favor of greater need and a great RB prospect.
The Bucs LOVED Hunt – but Godwin was considered an even greater talent and value – so once again, right or wrong – here’s more proof that Jason Licht sticks to his draft board.
Godwin, Beckwith and OJ Howard were all major “steals” where they were drafted in 2017.
May 17th, 2018 at 5:26 pm
Chris Godwin looked really Good last year.
I cant wait to see the progress hes made. He could be special.
Sometimes, I think there is an insanity among JoeBuc posters.
Half the post here seem to want Godwin to to succeed, so that The team will get rid of Adam Humphries.
Have you all followed this historically sh*tty team so long, that you dont understand how winning works?
Humphries isnt going anywhere. While he isnt the biggest or fastest- He is the Bucs most PRODUCTIVE reciever. He has more Yards after catch than any other Buc reciever. More than the hugely physical Mike Evans. More than the inhumanly Fast Desean Jackson.
More than Chris Godwin
Add in his catch per target ratio, and He is one dependable and Elusive WR.
There are some WRs who very much match Adam Humphries game.
And they are wearing more Super bowl rings than all the leagues Other WRs.
Julian Edleman and Wes Welker to name a few.
There is a reason The leagues smartest team features productive, elusive WRs.
Is there anyone here who believes Mike, Desean, and Chris wont miss a game?
If so- please seek help immediately.
Does anyone believe Desean will be here 2 years from now?
Mike, Chris, and Adam is a good combo
They actually might be the best combo THIS year.
The team needs as much Talent as possible, with as much depth as possible.
If everytime we get a kid with potential- we want to run off a proven veteran
The this Crappy team will remain crappy forever.
I know postrrs opinions dont influence actual team policy. But its just the attitude of” Godwin might be good, so lets run of the proven, very good Wr” that is kinda mind boggling.
I think it is developed by cheering for a horrible team for decades
May 17th, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Agreed pickgrin, I love all those picks.
I really wanted Hunt as well, but hey you can’t always get everything you want. Hopefully RoJo makes us all forget about the woulda coulda from 2017.
May 17th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Now, Jameis Winston has to learn to reward guys like Chris Godwin for their work and accomplishments, by delivering more passes to Godwin. It’s just like the NBA, the point guard has to realize who has been working hard and achieving as a result and reward them with good looks at the basket. Magic Johnson was a master at rewarding his teammates who were working hard and Winston has to learn to do the same.
May 17th, 2018 at 8:00 pm
This kid has has the right stuff man
May 18th, 2018 at 4:15 am
Trade D-Jax?
You guys are crazy!!
He has been one of the best WR’s in the NFL sonce he was drafted!
Great hands, great feet (gets two feet diwn like a dancer), unstoppable speed.
@joe
I think the Panthers drafted Jackson the 4.3 CB from LSU to match up with D-Jax.
May 18th, 2018 at 4:17 am
In regards to Godwin,
I called it last preseason- God is as smooth as Jerry Rice.
May 18th, 2018 at 8:16 am
I desperately wanted him in round 2 last season and was more than elated to see he lasted until the 3rd. What a lucky break he was.