Randy Moss And Mike Evans
September 27th, 2020
Comparing with Mike Evans.
If you mention to a casual NFL fan that Bucs star receiver Mike Evans and Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss are alike, you’d probably get laughed at.
Physically, other than being big, the two don’t play anything alike.
Moss flew down the field like an antelope and skied over everyone. It was nearly impossible to guard him one-on-one. Moss was also notorious for his allergy to physical contact.
Evans can sky like Moss but Evans has less speed and is a physical receiver who seems to enjoy mixing it up with defenders. At times, Evans is a crushing blocker. The way he tossed aside a would-be Carolina tackler on Leonard Fournette’s victory-clinching touchdown run last week was proof.
And Evans may be the best receiver Joe has seen with his footwork along the sidelines since maybe Cris Carter or Michael Irvin.
Their similarities? Well, they are friends. When Evans was younger, it was common for him to work out in the offseason with Moss. And the two have another connection.
Evans and Moss are the only two receivers in NFL history to have 1,000 yards in each of their first six seasons in the league. If Evans reaches 1,000 this year, he will set the NFL record for most consecutive seasons starting a career with 1,000 yards per season (seven).
Now that park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady has thrown touchdown passes to both Moss with the Patriots and Evans with the Bucs, he spoke earlier this week about the two.
“From a physical standpoint – both [have] big bodies, big catch radiuses and great body control,” Brady said. “[They have] great understanding of the game – feel, instincts. Randy is a Hall of Famer. I think Mike is going to be one too and it’s been amazing to play with him.
“I love playing with Mike. He’s been just spectacular from the day I met him. I admired him from afar for a long time. I’m just blessed to play with him and Chris [Godwin with] what he’s accomplished in his short time in the NFL.”
Joe had to laugh at Brady referring to Evans’ days in the NFL as “short.” Most guys never make it to six years. Evans is in his seventh. The average career of an NFL player lasts 3.3 years, per the NFLPA. Of course, Brady has been playing 20 years. Moss played 15.
Evans is on a Hall of Fame track. If he breaks 1,000 yards this year it would be hard to argue against him making the Hall someday.
What hurts Evans is, unlike Moss, Evans has never played in a playoff game. Even he confessed this week that the Bucs have been a “laughingstock” since he’s been in the league.
Moss played in six playoff games through his first three seasons, and 15 playoff games throughout his career.
Perhaps Evans finally snaps that ugly playoffless rut in January?
September 27th, 2020 at 8:32 am
The thing that separates mike from moss … and the reason your casual nfl fan would laugh at you is one simple reason … moss was flamboyant… he talked a lot … that’s it …. which got moss more attention because the media likes that … he got big time sponsors because of it … mike is quiet
September 27th, 2020 at 8:38 am
Joe had to laugh at Brady referring to Evans’ days in the NFL as “short.”
I think Brady was referring to Godwin.
I’m just blessed to play with him and Chris [Godwin with] what he’s accomplished in his short time in the NFL.”
September 27th, 2020 at 8:45 am
Henry’s right, read that the same way. Someone get the Joes an “eye-opener!”
September 27th, 2020 at 8:59 am
I think both have one thing in common from a negative aspect. To take Moss out of a game, you would blast him a few times early, and he would disappear from games. Mike is a tougher guy, but occasionally some D backs seem to get in his head in other ways, and effectively take him out of a games.
I do think Mike is doing better with that, and seems to be getting beyond that. And will likely be a HOF receiver as well. But I think that is the only thing slowing him down at all.
September 27th, 2020 at 9:30 am
I think Joe read this quote this morning before his first cup of coffee. He was clearly referring to Godwin’s short time in the NFL!
September 27th, 2020 at 9:34 am
I hate comparing players from different eras because the game has changed so much. Who knows how much better Moss would’ve been with todays rules on hitting defenseless receivers? They’re both real good, and play above the rim. Let’s leave it at that.
September 27th, 2020 at 9:40 am
Moss was lightning years better Evans. Really no comparison between the 2 other than yards
September 27th, 2020 at 9:44 am
Bucslife44- Good point! Moss had shine…and drama.
Hodad- I completely agree, I hate comparing players of different eras. Statistically, they’re alike. That’s about it.
And still, to this day, I would draft ME13 over OBJ 6 days a week and twice on Sundays!
September 27th, 2020 at 9:45 am
Evans has as many SB rings as Moss.
September 27th, 2020 at 9:47 am
I love Mike, I really do despite my criticism of him, that being said he is not in Moss’s league but very few have been or ever will be so there is no shame in that.
September 27th, 2020 at 10:02 am
I think Hodad had it right. I’ve seen Moss taken out of games many times with ferocious hits that made him gun shy, during that era….but in today’s game, he would have likely been totally unstoppable. He had every physical aspect you could hope for in a receiver. And was extremely bright.
September 27th, 2020 at 10:11 am
I love me some mike evans
I am not a big Jersey guy But i have his…And signed memorabilia too.
With that said , moss and jerry rice stand alone at the top
They caught everything thrown their way. Rarely ever saw a drop.
Now …mike has a chance to be the only receiver in nfl history for 1,000 yard per season for consecutive seasons. Thats awesome as hell. And we all are pulling for him.
Go bucs!
September 27th, 2020 at 10:12 am
Lamarcus and ndog the hypocrisy is evident. Y’all love to compare Winston to hof players and say he’s better. Look at ndog comment I’d say it fits winston perfectly. 🤯
September 27th, 2020 at 11:11 am
They are both great receivers, but in different ways.
September 27th, 2020 at 11:16 am
Evans needs 64 ypg to hit 1000 this season.
Seems reasonable…
September 27th, 2020 at 11:17 am
Evans is tougher and more of a possession guy.
Moss had better scoots and was a demon going long.
Different guys, both excellent.
September 27th, 2020 at 11:47 am
Lamarcus Says:
September 27th, 2020 at 9:40 am
Moss was lightning years better Evans. Really no comparison between the 2 other than yards
________
I thought yards were all that mattered?
Or is that reserved for QBs only?
September 27th, 2020 at 12:09 pm
I’m pulling for Evans to take that consecutive 1,000 yards catching streak record all for himself and Buc fans near and far.
September 27th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Mike is the best Offensive player in Bucs History.
September 27th, 2020 at 12:29 pm
@LaRue
I thought the same thing but didn’t type anything. Why try to show “those ppl” how they say one thing but totally contradict themselves when they say something else.
September 27th, 2020 at 12:32 pm
Only yards matter when you “check yo’ sheets.”
September 27th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Man, I wish they would have drafted Johnny Manziel instead of ME13. SMH.
tickrdr
September 27th, 2020 at 12:54 pm
You are comparing apples to oranges. Both receivers have the gifts to be HOF and considered great. Evans needs some Super Bowls.
If I were to describe each with one word those words would be
MOSS-Fast EVANS-Physical. Both the masters of their craft.
September 27th, 2020 at 3:26 pm
I love Evans, and he’s vastly underrated on a nation level, but Moss is the best WR I’ve ever seen. There was no other player that those all-time great Bucs defenses couldn’t defend, but Moss could just run down the field, jump over everyone, take a vicious hit from Lynch and still hold onto the ball. I hated him, he was so good and so dominant.
Evans is a completely different player, doesn’t have that blazing speed and while Evans can sky, Moss was otherworldly in how he could go up and had perfect timing. He was impossible to stop if he wanted to play.
That should be no insult to Evans, it’s like saying Favre is no Tom Brady. Yeah, we know, but that doesn’t mean Favre still isn’t a first ballot HOFer. If Evans keeps up his production for another 5-6 years (would be 32-33), then he should be a HOFer without question. Luckily Brady is here and that should finally get Evans the national recognition he deserves.