No Substitute For Work
July 18th, 2018
Discusses new teammates.
Joe often reads and sees players on social media embracing the grind.
That’s something Bucs rookie wideout Justin Watson is learning. The fifth-round pick from Penn, Watson said being around his fellow wide receivers has taught him the common denominator is hard work. And follow orders like a Marine.
Watson appeared on “Late Hits” co-hosted by Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week. There, Marvez asked Watson for his observations on the loaded wide receivers room, specifically Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin.
Watson’s answers were rather interesting.
On Chris Godwin: “In the pre-draft process and as soon as I got down here, he is someone [the Bucs] wanted me to mold my game after. Our measurables are pretty similar. He is a great guy mentoring me. They put me in a locker right next to him and I think that was on purpose. I think even as a second-year player he is a great professional, off the field and on the field he takes care of business. Whatever they ask him to do and however they tell him to run a route, and whatever [task] they give him on special teams, he does it exactly how they say to. That is something I think I have done in the past but learning from him, I am going to take that same mantra, however they tell me to do it, I am going to do it exactly like that every single time.”
On Mike Evans: “A great leader. He just signed his second contract and he is working as hard as ever from what I have heard. He is at every single practice. He’s never tapping out of reps. He runs a deep ball, comes back and is in the next play. So, it shows me no matter what level you get to, just always work.”
On DeSean Jackson: “I can say so many things about DeSean Jackson. He has been around a long time but he is still at practice working on his craft. Constantly getting better. Especially in the film room, he is pointing out things he is doing wrong [and what] other guys are doing wrong. It makes it much more of a collaborative work environment. It has been awesome to see.”
Watson said based on the teams, coaches, front office staff and players he talked to last spring, his desire was to get drafted by the Bucs. He said of the teams that brought him in for pre-draft visits, if the NFL was like college football, he would have stopped his recruitment in Tampa and signed with the Bucs.
July 18th, 2018 at 8:12 am
This is easily the best combination of wide receivers I have ever seen on a Buc’s team.
July 18th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Yes! Position so deep, Watson might have to fight with Bobo for final roster spot.
(Bernard Reedy has an edge due to kickoff return ability).
July 18th, 2018 at 8:32 am
Some very interesting observations on Justin Watson’s part about Godwin, Evans & Jackson IMO (still wondering why Marvez didn’t ask Watson about Humphries, but maybe it was a time constraint).
Bucs’ QBs have a plethora of outstanding receiving targets to throw to when you include not only the WR group, but also the TEs and RBs. It seems so easy: “Find the open man – Hit the open man – Watch the open man run with the football’. Duh! Okay, maybe it isn’t all THAT easy, but I keep thinking of how QBs like Brees & Brady & Rogers, along others, just keep doing it effectively, game after game, season after season. And none of them have weapons even close to what we have.
All three of those mentioned however have some pretty good coaches AND some pretty decent OLines. And, during their winning seasons at least, some fairly respectable defenses. Hmmm, maybe winning REALLY is a T-E-A-M effort after all. Whodathunkit?
July 18th, 2018 at 8:39 am
We have enough weapons to trade Djax if the right deal comes along…..but one injury and we would be needing him…..as long as Mike Evans is healthy and playing….we are set.
July 18th, 2018 at 8:58 am
D.R.
As usual I agree with your post. We do indeed have a plethora of receivers.
I do not “hate” Jameis…I simply do not trust his decision making skill and not just off the field. Jameis lets “personal” feelings dictate too much too frequently. I don’t want our QB…any QB…making decisions based on who needs what to break records or pad their stats. It should be just as you suggest D.R. Find the open man without regard as to WHO he is and hit him.
Remember I’m the guy who loved the wide open old AFL offenses…bombs away.
But given questions about our OL…Jameis hanging onto the ball too long…RB’s who are not proven blockers I now believe Koetter needs to rise to the occasion.
Lots of quick short passes to whichever target is open and hard to imagine how a defense that can cover all of the targets now available to any Buc’s QB.
TBBF…Understand you concerns about dumping DJAX and our depth at WR. In a weird way Watson might be simply competing with himself. If he’s as good as the Buc’s hope that will free them to try and get a good deal for DJAX.
July 18th, 2018 at 8:59 am
@TampaBayBucFan – We have enough weapons to trade Djax if the right deal comes along…..but one injury and we would be needing him…..as long as Mike Evans is healthy and playing….we are set.
There is no way the Bucs would trade Djax when all the coaches are on the hot seat to produce THIS year. Future draft picks mean nothing when you are unsure you’ll be here next year to enjoy them.
July 18th, 2018 at 9:16 am
I am clearly in the minority but I just don’t see why most people, including one of the Joes, is so doom and gloom with this team. Even with the clear lack of talent at certain positions, we also had LVD, Kwon, Jameis, Marpet, Dotson, DJax, Grimes, VH3, Spence and others (Ayers, McDonald) that are no longer here miss significant time. That cannot be over looked as those are not just good to great players but very important positions that can and did cost us games. Just with a little bit better luck this year and better depth in case it happens again I have a hard time seeing how this team is not much better. To me its the weak-minded that cant think for themselves that just hears all the negativity and gets down on this team. How about look around and see that JPP is better than Will Gholston or that Vinny Curry is at least on par with Ayers (probably better). Or that the combo of Barber and Rojo at least cant be worse than Doug Martin, or that Marpet is a better guard than Phamplie or that Jensen is a better Center than Marpet, or that Vea at least has more upside than McDonald and we know has a better work ethic than Baker. I mean right there alone we have improved in 6 places and there are more. I am not saying we are going to be world beaters but to be down on this team when we clearly have improved is just ridiculous.
July 18th, 2018 at 9:20 am
It’s crazy, a few years ago Mike Williams, Aurelius Benn, and Kellen Winslow were our best receivers…
Some of you guys can say what you want about Jason Licht but Imo with the exception being a few bad free-agency signings he’s done a great job; especially via the draft…this team lacked talent big time when he first got here…
July 18th, 2018 at 9:23 am
* Team history both recent and past.
* Schedule.
* Division.
* Jameis’ suspension.
* Either a rookie corner or (gasp!) Ryan Smith playing opposite of Brent Grimes.
* Unproven run game.
* Potential chaos on right side of offensive line.
(Joe can’t type any more about this subject right now. Getting nauseous.)
July 18th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Joe, we know your reasons. Loser mentality at it’s finest.
Ndog, I’m on board. Fitzy will be fine early on, and JW will explode this season. All the additions to both sides of the ball should have ell optimistic, yet that’s not the mode of operation on Joe’s page. I don’t really post much anymore due to the constant drumbeat of doom. I know what I know, and that’s gonna have to do. Between the racist and the pious comments the Joe’s attract, I just scan these days. Hang tough. The Bucs will contend late into the season. Bet.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:19 am
Loser, or accuracy?
Joe has to base things on substance, not blind hope, puffy white clouds, balloons and puppies. You know, reality?
Joe hopes the Bucs make the playoffs, but there is no way Joe can look someone in the eye with a straight face and say that.
Are the Vegas boys who believe the Bucs will only win six games losers as well? If so, might want to hop on a plane to Vegas (or Newark). There is money to be made in them thar hills!
July 18th, 2018 at 11:18 am
It all will hang on Koetter and Smith. If they don’t adjust their play calling then all this talent won’t mean squat. Quick slants and outs, sweep runs, screens, plus getting him to run more all things to get the ball out of Jameis hand faster then when the defense is starting to expect it hit deeper routes. Our d line is much better so Smith has to play more press and blitzes to pressure qbs more.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:21 am
I’ve got a good feeling about Watson.
Something tells me this 5th rd pick will have the staying power that Kenny Bell did not.
I will be very surprised if the Bucs do not keep 6 WRs on the final 53 considering all the talent in that room.
Evans, DJax, Godwin and Humphries are locks to make the team obviously.
Watson, Bobo Wilson, Freddie Martinez and I guess Reedy will be fighting for those last 2 spots. With the “talent” edge going towards the first 2 IMO.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Joe what were the Vegas odds last year for Jacksonville?
July 18th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
NDOG
I’m with you bro. There is a famous Zen saying that says you’ll see what you place your attention on.
Joe lists all valid places to put your attention but if you do, indeed you will end up with a negative outlook for the Bucs. A harsh generalization and one that hinges on your definition of “negative outlook.” –Joe
But you and me NDOG and I think quite a few are placing their attention on the litany of improvements this team made in the off season. They’ve added two rookie DB’s in the 2nd round….if neither of them work out that will add to Joe’s thesis that the Bucs can’t coach up DB’s. There is a 50% failure rate in that round of the draft but that also means there is a 50% chance for success. Where do you wish to place your attention, which 50%…success or failure?
Barber impresses me a competent NFL back if not great and ROJO has the potential to be excellent.
I could list the rest NDOG but you already have placed your attention on possible success not possible failure.
OPTIMISM RULES!
July 18th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Not for nothing guys, it’s tough being a Bucs fan! Every last point Joe made is COMPLETELY relevant. We’ve been kicked in the junk year after year!
That said, it’s hard to overlook the improvements made in the offseason. I want to believe that we are trending upward, I have to believe!
Color me cautiously optimistic!
July 18th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
The Bucs will be a contender in December. If they don’t win the division outright, they will be a wildcard. Jameis will bring them together. Adversity bonds players.
July 18th, 2018 at 6:58 pm
On DJax:
“Especially in the film room, he is pointing out things he is doing wrong [and what] other guys are doing wrong.”
So, were these observations verbalized the film room:
“On this play, I am open, deep, by 4 yards and the QB can’t get the ball to me.”
“On this play, the ball was not perfectly thrown, so I gave up on it.”
“Training in CA while my brand new teammates have their OTA’s without me is great for chemistry and a team-first move!”
July 18th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
We need a fast white guy like him. It will catch the other teams flat footed when they play off him and he just motors past them. 😉