Mike Evans: “I Think This Is The Best Team That I’ve Been On”
September 4th, 2018
Joe had a simple question for Mike Evans yesterday, one he easily could have blown off or answered with vague nothingness.
But Evans was all over it. He is fired up for Sunday.
JoeBucsFan.com: Mike, this is your fifth Bucs team. What’s your favorite thing about this team.
Mike Evans: I think this is the best team that I’ve been on since I’ve been with the Bucs. So I’m pretty excited about that. The energy, the swagger, the depth at each position. I just love this team. This is the funnest training camp I’ve had. I’m just looking forward to the season.
Evans is not alone. Joe’s confident a majority of Bucs fans think this is the best roster the team has fielded in years.
Joe agrees but only slightly. The 2016 roster felt pretty good in September of that year.
Is Brent Grimes now as good as he was two years ago? Is Chris Conte, Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander, Gerald McCoy or Vernon Hargreaves? Those are fair questions. That’s more than half your 2018 starting defense.
On offense, the improvement is clear, but question marks remain on special teams.
Regardless, the Bucs are a very talented group capable of beating anyone. Will the first desperately needed W come in five short days?
September 4th, 2018 at 5:43 pm
obviously, they are putting something in the player’s water at one buc circus tent… . the weakest roster in the entire SEC awe crap that’s right they are trying to compete in NFL
September 4th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
This isn’t saying much.
22 wins during his 4 seasons in Tampa
September 4th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Ur delusional if u think this is one of the worst rosters in the nfl. Give this roster to a competent coaching staff and watch them win 12 games. The scheme on both sides of the ball is garbage.
Can’t fix Stupid
September 4th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
JPP will have more fingers than the Bucs have wins in January.
I guarantee it
September 4th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Lakeland, why don’t you take your F’ing negativity somewhere man, get the hell outta here
September 4th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Well hell, then I guess we should forfeit all the games and not bother to watch them if they do play. Just don’t come back to bandwagon, if they should just happen to kind’a sort’a surprise you & do well, since they’ll just lose the next one, if you do. Just move on, nothing to watch here.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
@Joe … “Regardless, the Bucs are a very talented group capable of beating anyone.” Now THAT Joe is a true spark of positivity. I’m surprised that so many ‘negative nellies’ (besides Lakeland & Reality-Whatever) weren’t all over that as soon as it appeared in print. I thought that as a minimum they’d accuse you of starting to drink earlier than normal today.
Obviously those players who you mentioned are 2 years removed from 2016, but they’re still playing at a reasonably high level, and most importantly, they’re now surrounded by significantly better talent (JPP, Curry, Allen & a bunch of others). Our offense (hopefully) will field a greater portion of the load this year, increasing TOP, reducing turnovers, and putting more points on the board. Powerhouse offenses (that actually score points) make it a lot easier on their defenses IMO. Bucs have a lot of potential this year, on BOTH sides of the ball, but it’s still one game at a time. And only time will tell what we’ve really got in this roster.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
I just hope one thing…a hope that will probably be dashed by Joe.
If the Bucs play well this season I wish Joe would lock out all “sock puppets”.
Anybody who wishes to comment who has previously commented has to use the same name.
If maxipad and the rest show up here if the Bucs make the playoffs and use their “normal” or “original” names and take their medicine then I’ll no longer refer to them as obnoxious trolls.
Perhaps I could issue a challenge to our trolls….will you show up here and take your lumps if the Bucs win 10 and make the playoffs? No need to respond yet…lets wait and see what actually happens.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
They do have a lot of good players that look like are coming together but we have got to see what these coaches can do.Maybe Jameis can just audible and call a different play every snap.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Chris Cotten
Why dont you accept reality. This team has not eon a single meaningful game in 16 years and has not even played in a meaningful game in over a decade. Reality is not negativity.
Goat
This roster is beyond garbage….. no proven rb…. horrendous right side of line. when dotson is not sucking, he is hurt or committing drive killing penalties. No secondary no pass rush and a fan base counting on a fool who plays with fireworks for leadership. Oh yeah roster is just peachy. . It freaking sucks. Period. No depth and captains on defense are 3rd string on a real team. bucs cant compete against anyone.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
I just don’t get the point of all these negative folks. I picture 50 year old comic book guy from the Simpsons with the brain of Homer living in his mom’s basement with potato chip crumbs on top of his gut and a red bull in one hand and a coke in the other. Yak, yak, yak. Get a job.
September 4th, 2018 at 6:54 pm
I predict 6 wins
But I hope like hell they prove me wrong
September 4th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Actually I picture them as Homer when he gains 200 lbs. to get disability and work from home.
“Press any key to start”
“Any key? Where’s the any key?”
Hahaha
September 4th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
This team is not only slightly better, it is markedly better in every way.
Hmm JPP or Jaques Smith?
Year 3 Hargreaves or Hey Jude Barista?
Carlton Davis and MJ Stewart or Alterron Verner?
Beau Allen and Vea or Clinton McDonald and Silva?
Vinny Curry or Robert Ayers?
Justin Evans or Bradley Mcdougald?
Aguay-o-no or catanzaro?
Beckwith or Bond?
Conte or Conte? Haha had to do it.
Kwon has grown, LVD is still a man among boys, Grimes has not lost much if any, and this is just on the defense.
The offense is so much better than 2016 its not even close.
No more excuses!! Go BUCS!!
September 4th, 2018 at 7:24 pm
Simple math , doubtful Fitz out passes Brees , Barber must get 20 rushes or have a super day on 16 or so carries !! This hasn’t been a Koetter strength ,I hope he has learned from his past tunnel vision mistakes !!! Fitz doesn’t do much well but he can hit the deep ball !!
September 4th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
I have guarded optimism that we can win. I’m just not ready, again, to be disappointed. But I will cheer on every great play! Go Bucs!
September 4th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
I think if Fitzie speads it out, and Barber does his thing, we kick their ass. JPP is gonna demand beasting. I like our chances.
September 4th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Good comparisons Alaskan … Kudos. I’d feel a lot better about Sunday’s game if we had Beckwith & Vea & Donovan suited up, but hey, you play the hand you’re dealt. At least this year we have better depth to draw on.
September 4th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Lakeland, how could they have more wins in January than he has fingers? There’s only 4 Sundays in January…
September 4th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
Joe – Did they have media available today? I didnt see even Dirk interviews on Bucs website. Thx again Joe’s
September 4th, 2018 at 7:54 pm
Enough with the fluff pieces already “the best team” this, “the most talented roster” that, then a few weeks pass and we are staring at a losing record wondering what happened. ENOUGH!!!!! NO MORE EXCUSES!!!!! JUST WIN THE (explative) GAMES!!!! I DONT CARE HOW, I DONT CARE WITH WHO, JUST WIIIIIIIIIN!!!!!!
September 4th, 2018 at 8:12 pm
How is it possible for this team to ever be good with GMC on it?…(extreme sarcasm)
Just thought I’d start something…..
September 4th, 2018 at 9:04 pm
What he meant to say is that this is the best Bucs team he has been on for at least the first three games. Since dumbo will not be on the team for those three games. We have such a better chance at winning this game with Fitzpatrick at the helm. Take a look at JameISNOT’s stat line from last years Saints away game…..UGLY. trade the dumpster fire.
September 4th, 2018 at 9:21 pm
Let’s see what he thinks come week 8.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:04 pm
Wwg. Q.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:07 pm
JameISNOT with some of the stupidest material I’ve ever read… sure, dude, because a team’s wins and losses are entirely on the QB, right? Winston is far more talented than Fitzpatrick, and it’s not even close, but Fitz does have the experience edge & he does understand how to be a good game manager.
Winston has some growing up to do, but he can make the throws that only about 4-5 QBs in the league can make. For you to use a single game’s stat line as your evaluation criteria on whether to “dump” a franchise QB shows a miserable lack of both intellect and maturity.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:10 pm
Like I said. They can change their names but they always write the same way, say the same things even make up the same names.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Holy crap negative fans. Why the hell are you even fans what joy do you get if every offseason you don’t take the same joy as the rest of us fans and have some hope that this will be the year. I would hate the bucs if I thought like you guys. So reality what is making you a fan serious question what are you waiting for to change. We bring in talent but you already have stupid lame jokes that no one that plays with fireworks can be a productive nfl player. Seriously answer what joy do you get from the bucs then. Do you get joy from coming to bucs websites if we do have a bad year and gloating that you we’re right. If we do make the playoffs then what do you say. We got lucky we will lose first game in playoffs where does it end. What do you think the team needs to do to get better. Fire everybody and start over. Seriously I just want to know what your end game with this is. Every article you are negative. So please do me a favor and you play owner and tell me what you would do.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Hey Mike Evans..A lot of us Buc fans who are tired of being losers sure the hell hope you are right!
September 4th, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Alaska, I hope you are right, but it’ll take a couple of games for the D to gell, with so many new faces.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:39 pm
The real question is, is this 2018 team better than the 2016 team that won 9 games. Forget last year. We know this team is better than 5 wins. I think they are a 10 win team in 2018. We’ll see.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:41 pm
This might be the most negative I’ve seen the comment section before the start of season. Incredible.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Q: if it’s his favorite then why did he play madden with the Titans? Mobile QBs? Come on son. Blasphemous!
September 4th, 2018 at 11:27 pm
I just hope the players mentioned are smarter than they were in 2016. Everybody in the NFL is strong, fast and talented. Winning comes from between the ears. Not being out of position, not freelancing, not committing stupid penalties, losing focus, etc.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
DB55 Says:
September 4th, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Q: if it’s his favorite then why did he play madden with the Titans? Mobile QBs? Come on son. Blasphemous!
________________________________
That is funny as hell. Bucs are always underestimated in Madden in my biased opinion.
Madden boosts playoff team’s rosters which is inaccurate since coaches, schemes, and circumstances play a huge role on who goes to the playoffs and eventually wins the super bowl.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
DB55 Says:
September 4th, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Q: if it’s his favorite then why did he play madden with the Titans? Mobile QBs? Come on son. Blasphemous!
________________________________
That is funny as hello. Bucs are always underestimated in Madden in my biased opinion.
Madden boosts playoff team’s rosters which is inaccurate since coaches, schemes, and circumstances play a huge role on who goes to the playoffs and eventually wins the super bowl.
September 5th, 2018 at 5:52 am
@dalvincook: would you have the same perspective if Fitzpatrick played at FSU???? NNNNNOOOOO. Va Tech rules. We should of picked up Tyrod Taylor
September 5th, 2018 at 8:46 am
It’s the glee with which the negative narrators blow! I mean why bother? Every year is a new beginning. Can’t wait for Sunday! Go Bucs!!!!
September 5th, 2018 at 9:27 am
well, we have the talent and depth as mike said…..time to put it all together…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
September 5th, 2018 at 11:02 am
local media keeps saying how much talent that the Bucs have!!!! Then they only compare it with previous Bucs teams!!!!!!! Why are we not hearing of how the Bucs stack up against the rest of the NFC South!!!!!! The truth is that this roster is a work in progress!!!!!! The local media over evaluated the job that talk show host dominik did and this was a full roster rebuild!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The media say look at the weapons and depth of targets for the offense!!!! But that was started to build back in 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The simple fact the local media and sheep over estimated the talent and won’t admit of how wrong they were are now trying to build a false reality that the current regime and coaches are the reason that great results have not come!!!!!!!
The “real” fans would hate to see good coaches let go, because the roster is a work in progress and growing in the right direction!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!! Fix the “real” problems!!!!!!! The roster!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 5th, 2018 at 11:25 am
I want to see this coaching staff put together a solid game plan that utilizes all of these weapons we have. . . spread the ball around and let the playmakers make plays.
AND
Mike Smith better get this D in shape and playing aggressive. . . not this soft zone crap good QBs shreded time and time again last year.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:57 am
@JeffBuc
“Why the hell are you even fans what joy do you get if every offseason you don’t take the same joy as the rest of us fans and have some hope that this will be the year.”
Jeff I hear ya bro. Two major words in there…joy and hope. I always try to cultivate both in my life.
I hate to be a copycat without giving attribution…sorry I forgot the poster who first used this last week but he was spot on. Stephen King’s great words from Shawshank Redemption(I think I’m up to a dozen times watching it) when Red tells Andy hope is a dangerous thing. Red could have posted here..LOL
But Andy has the answer and it’s great advice for many of our posters here.
“Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
September 5th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
And it’s amazing how the trollers are the first to comment. It’s laughable. Thanks for the laughs guys