Promoting Chris Godwin?
March 11th, 2019
Better than most. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Very newsy last several hours out of One Buc Palace — which leaves unanswered questions.
So yesterday Joe learned from sources familiar with the situation the Bucs expect to wave goodbye to their most consistent receiver from last season, Adam Humphries.
Then, shortly after the clock struck midnight, Jenna Laine of ESPN reported the Bucs are busy trying to find a sucker taker for malcontent wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
So it looks like the Bucs will be without two of their top three receivers from last year. Now Joe understands the Bucs are crunched up against the salary cap, but Humphries could be had for less cash than Jackson was to get ($10 million). Why not use some of that $10 million to keep your most consistent receiver?
Joe wonders if new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians is so impressed with receiver Chris Godwin that Arians plans to use him as a No. 2 receiver, or if Arians has someone else in mind (John Brown)?
March 11th, 2019 at 7:05 am
Because they have a jewel on this roster name Justin Watson who coupled now with professional coaching will in my opinion will be challenging Chris for his assumed dept spot. Justin freakish man,gotta get that 6’4 4.35 running 40in vert on the football field. I fully expect BA to do so.
March 11th, 2019 at 7:16 am
John Brown. Jameis doesn’t need 6 pass catchers, including TE, to throw 40 times a game to. He needs 4, a respectable running game, and a defense.
March 11th, 2019 at 7:27 am
Hopefully we sign John Brown. He will replace both DJAX and Humphries at same time for less money. Slot receiver that is fast and runs all routes, which DJAX doesn’t do. Plus he knows Arians offense.
March 11th, 2019 at 7:28 am
Good thing incompetent Licht traded djax at the trade deadline last season so the bucs would not be in this cap hell
March 11th, 2019 at 7:30 am
Bobo will be our new slot receiver. He is lightning quick and very tough. Plus, he also has a good rapport with Jameis from their time at FSU. Bobo is the new slot receiver.
Chris Godwin and Justin Watson are our #2 and #3 receivers. Justin Watson is NOT a slot receiver. He’s 6-2 and fast, not 5-10 and quick. Watson is an outside receiver.
Should we consider Golden Tate and Cole Beasley and Danny Amendola? Absolutely. They are all good options in the slot.
But I think Licht will want to push Bobo in the lineup.
If Hump signs elsewhere, then we may finally get a compensatory pick! Yippee!
March 11th, 2019 at 7:59 am
Don’t sleep on Justin “randy” Watson to move up depth chart.
However , They still need a burner though. Get reasonable free agent so we can cross that off draft list.
I hope hump gets 10. Colts will pay that. Same with jets.
March 11th, 2019 at 8:04 am
This should have been done last year….along with trading Jackson. Could be sitting with 7 picks in a deep draft for RBs, D-Line, and LBs….All positions of need.
March 11th, 2019 at 8:08 am
I said this yesterday and i will say it again now. Larry Fitz ran about 50% of his routes from the slot when he was in BAs offense. We dont need a small, quick WR to play the slot. We dont even need a WR to be a 100% slot guy.
The league is all about mismatches and we now have a coach creative enough to design mismatches. Godwin and even Evans running routes from the slot from time to time is a mismatch for slot DBs.
Hump is replaceable. Replacing DJax speed is more important. And counting on Bobo and Watson to just step in and produce is idiotic
March 11th, 2019 at 8:18 am
Joey right on, definitely need someone to stretch the field and both be able to catch and jameis hit him and if ronald jones could catch or is able to get on the field he would be that mismatch on a $trong safety or LB, similar to how the bears use their versatile RB cohen in the slot
March 11th, 2019 at 8:29 am
Joe can’t go there. Watson is a whole lot of wishes and hope. He certainly could turn into the next Humphries but what has he done in the NFL to indicate that? Both Humphries and Godwin showed they had the capability when they were rookies. Watson is a good special teams player but Joe cannot say he’s seen anything to suggest Watson will be the next Humphries other than he’s white.
And the professional coaching part, the wide receivers coach/offensive coordinator was Todd Monken. He was not the problem whatsoever. He fixed Mike Evans and developed both Humphries and Chris Godwin. Monken was one of the few bright spots on the staff.
March 11th, 2019 at 8:31 am
Bobo and Watson as 3/4 isn’t idiotic. Good teams get enough from those spots with the guys they have. If you have to sign guys that deep then you don’t have a franchise qb. Better than the guys we had when we had Dye and Martino starting games
March 11th, 2019 at 8:33 am
teacherman777
We will likely not get a compensatory pick for Hump because his salary is too low…..we may get one for Fitz and Grimes…..and only if we don’t pick up a higher priced FA.
As for the receiver corps…..we are in still in good shape barring injury.
And Joe….the reason why we don’t use some of the Djax money to sign Hump is that we desperately need that money to sign the other multitude of unsigned players……
March 11th, 2019 at 8:54 am
How can a VERY BAD football team with very few star players not have piles of $$$$????
March 11th, 2019 at 9:05 am
@Getaclue
Could Bobo and Watson be good 3/4s? Sure. But expecting them to just step in and match what DJax and Hump did when they havent shown anything is the idiotic part.
Idiotic might be a bit harsh tho. Like Joe said in his comment. Its just wishes and hope that it will happen.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:19 am
Last year, wide receiver was our deepest position. We will have no problem replacing the productivity of Humphries and DJax. Their departure will mean more time and catches for Godwin, Wilson, Watson and our tight ends.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:20 am
@Duthsty
I agree with u on needing a RB who could also be a mismatch in the passing game, but Rojo aint it. He could be it but just like i said about Bobo and Watson, u cant count on him to just step up into a bigger role without showing anything.
Djax replacement and a RB who is a threat in the passing game are not on the roster right now imo.
Hump can be replaced with creativity imo. Rotate guys into the slot. Heck we are keeping Brate, line up OJ in the slot from time to time. The name of the game is mismatches
March 11th, 2019 at 9:23 am
I like this guy a lot but he’s too inconsistent and lost a game cause he couldn’t hold on to the ball which is very uncharacteristic of him. I trust BA to get him right. As a #2 or #3 he’s a pretty good option. Id like to see more speed at the #2 though, so replacing Hump with Godwin is definitely an upgrade. If they stick Godwin at #2 BA better have a VERY good run game or else dink and dunk Jameis will again be a turn over machine.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:23 am
“Joe can’t go there. Watson is a whole lot of wishes and hope.” OMG, Joe just became the voice of reason. Now I’m scared Joe; got used to you playing devil’s advocate.
Assuming that DJax & Hump don’t return, we’ll have a true superstar (ME13 at $20 mil/year) plus Godwin plus several unproven WRs. Throw in one of the best TEs in the league (OJ) & Cam Brate and Winston will have 4 excellent pass-catchers at his disposal. And lest folks forget, Peyton Barber is decent as a receiving back (41 catches of 54 targets for 76% in his 3-year career).
Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Bucs add a RB with excellent hands to complement Barber, and maybe even a FA WR if the price is right. If not, we’ve still got some decent weapons. With a decent running game & some creative play-calling there’s no reason Bucs can’t improve on our scoring this year.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:41 am
Exactly what ATL said. Pop a lot of folks thought the same about Adam Thielin(Watson’s nfl comp)until he. Was put on the field and given reps. I’m sorry hump easily replaceable,glorified possession guy. Nothing more nothing less. Watson is fluid,people act like his 4.35 speed isn’t more than enough to stretch a field please. Hump will never be gameplanned for,develop Watson and teams will have to. Much like they game plan for Adam Thielin now.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:50 am
Oh and Joe when I say “professional coaching” I mean a HC that is game plan specific. One that makes half time adjustments. A coach that game plans to attack the weakness of an opposing teams offense and defense. Professional coaching.
March 11th, 2019 at 9:53 am
TEs and Godwin will be more of a focal point. Somebody in the backfield will catch 40 passes this year also. Add in the ascending Godwin and a cheap deep threat and you ave all the targets the Bucs could hope to use and then some
March 11th, 2019 at 9:57 am
It’s not being impressed with Godwin than its you don’t play a slot receiver that’s not your top target 10+ million especially one who’s best season only topped 800 yards. I get it how desperate fans and media are but playoff teams lose guys and still compete. We’ve been good for 5 wins the last two years, does anyone really believe we can’t top that without hump? If so you need counseling. He’ll be the fourth ranked target and that’s if we trade d jack
March 11th, 2019 at 10:16 am
humphries was the most consistent receiver last year with mike evans almost doubling his yardage totals ? that’s weird. pretty sure i remember humphries being almost non existent for the first 5 to 6 games of the season .
March 11th, 2019 at 10:25 am
@Joe: with the deep depth at WR and TE, Watson couldn’t get on the field to show his mojo. That certainly does not mean he doesn’t have it.
I saw plenty in TC and pre-season games.
His issue is getting used to NFL speed because the Ivy’s don’t have it.
March 11th, 2019 at 10:25 am
Lol yea right pick6 we don’t even think about running back production on this team. If we had a good run game he would not have even topped 800 yards, would have been worse if Winston could connect with d jack. Not hating though hump go get your money dude you need to be Second or third in targets and it shouldn’t happen here.
March 11th, 2019 at 10:31 am
Watson does not have 4.35 speed. At best he’s around 4.41-2.
What he does not yet have is the suddens. Quickness. And guys like Humphries, Amendola, Welker and Edelman have that in spades.
Quickness is what you want in the slot, because it is quickness that gets you open quickly for a 1st down.
If Jackson is gone and not replaced in the draft, it’ll be interesting how Ariens handles the slot. I suspect his version of slot play may differ from Koetter’s.
March 11th, 2019 at 10:40 am
Why did Watson not go higher in the draft. Excellent career at Penn State but apparently not invited or unable to attend the Combine.
Still on his Pro Day Scouts clocked Watson’s 40-yard dash between 4.35 and the mid-4.4s, with the consensus around 4.41 and 4.42. He also completed 20 reps in the 225-pound bench press, which would have been good for fourth among receivers at the NFL Combine, and posted a 40-inch vertical jump.
The guy has great physical tools and played well at Penn State.
He didn’t really get a chance last year but when did Koetter ever give guys a chance who weren’t high draft picks or there were injuries forcing him to try them.
I like Bobo OK but his 40 at the combine was 4.57 considerably slower than Watson. He’s NOT the guy who is going to stretch defenses…Watson could be.
So I don’t get into trouble here…remember the movie “White Guys Can’t Jump”. Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes? This not my original thought!
Sometimes there is a bit of reverse prejudice against white guys who are fast. We simply don’t expect it. Chris Collinsworth was in the finals of the Florida High School dashes…the ONLY white guy. And he claims in his early years at Florida and with the Bengals DB’s took him for granted and were shocked by his speed. Just askin’ is this the problem for Watson?
March 11th, 2019 at 10:42 am
Didn’t play for Penn State. That was Godwin.
March 11th, 2019 at 10:58 am
Yeah Watson played at Penn not Penn State. I think that Justin Watson is more than capable of coming close to Humphries 2018 production or at the very least his 2017 production.
Watson looked like a legit player when he got chances in the preseason. Yes I know it was only preseason. He just didn’t get many offensive snaps during the regular season due to the incumbent starters we already have.
March 11th, 2019 at 10:59 am
Or had I suppose.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:01 am
@teacherman777 “Chris Godwin and Justin Watson are our #2 and #3 receivers. Justin Watson is NOT a slot receiver. He’s 6-2 and fast, not 5-10 and quick. Watson is an outside receiver. ”
Yeah but Chris Good (6’1′) is quicker than fast. He may at times move to slot with Watson moving to the outside.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:02 am
Watson went to Ivy league Penn, competition was poor
March 11th, 2019 at 11:03 am
Justin Watson? lol…sorry, he’s proven nothing at all.
Here’s where my concerns rise…injuries.
We all know the Bucs are plagued with them on an annual basis. The new coaching staff does not know or understand how bad it can get.
What happens when 1-2 WRs go down to injury, and OJ Howard gets his annual injury too? We had depth at WR for a reason.
I’m with Joe on this one..re-sign Humphries. Otherwise we’ll regret letting him get away.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:05 am
And I don’t see John Brown happening at all. If anything, the Bucs bring in a RB, since Barber is a restricted free agent.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:07 am
Watson and Godwin each ran 4.41, Evans 4.53, OJ 4.51, Hump ran 4.56, not sure about Bobo think he was hurt predraft he looks fast and quick, WR position is fine without Hump and Djax, the right side of the line, and defense should be the focus of this offseason, maybe another RB, but that’s easy for most GMS not named Licht, he’s really good at picking the worst RB in the draft, or over paying washed up RBS like Martin n Quizz
March 11th, 2019 at 11:08 am
Bama I think you are definitely right about Chris Godwin being utilized in the slot, and I think theirs a good chance we’ll see Evan’s in that role a fair bit as well.
But Godwin is not slow. He is fast in addition to being pretty quick. He did run a 4.41 and has had numerous 50+ yard plays in the Nfl. He is explosive as all get out.
Wide Reciever is of very little concern in my opinion even with losing hump and mejax. Especially in comparison to the massive needs all over the defense and the right side of the Oline. Another playmaker at Rb wouldn’t hurt either. But we are good as far as pass catchers go.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:12 am
@Joe
Thanks for that correction. When I went back to look at Watson’s career I found he was a “Quaker” not a “Nittany Lion” which does explain the lack of respect and no invite to the combine.
He did however turn in three consecutive thousand yard seasons for the Quakers.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:32 am
Joe,why didn’t hump go higher in the draft??? Better yet why didn’t Antonio Brown go higher in the draft??? It’s not a science that’s why.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:46 am
He did participate in the senior bowl. YouTube highlights show him easily running past defenders. We have something in Watson is all I’m saying. Slot,wideout I givea$&@. Just give the young man some run is all I’m saying.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:49 am
Cooper Kupp played at a small school. Quickly became a major component of the rams offense prior to the injury. I’m black and I wanna see this young man get some run.
March 11th, 2019 at 11:52 am
He posted a blazing 4.6. But was ballin for the rams.
March 11th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Arians is not going to rely on Godwin as a number two , not happening !!!
Godwin is a good player but will get dominated by decent corners out wide , he doesn’t have great separation skills, great ball skills at times but plays more like a 4.6 guy than a 4.45 guy !!
March 11th, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Evans, Godwin, Watson, Wilson, Sergio Bailey
I’m not unhappy with that as a depth chart – assuming the young WR talent steps up which I’m pretty sure they will….
March 11th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Huh? Godwin is already the #2 WR by midseason last year and is already a proven #2.
Not sure what this story is about.