Bruce Arians: “This Was One Of Those Double-Mike Games Again”
October 20th, 2020
The Buccaneers threw the ball in Mike Evans’ direction twice Sunday, and he caught one for a 10-yard gain.
This isn’t 2016, 2017 or 2018. No longer is the ball forced to Evans.
It’s a new era of Bucs football, one with a treasure of weapons, including a running game, and a legendary quarterback who abhors risk.
The results have been fewer yards, fewer points and more wins and balance.
Evans has two games this season with over 100 yards receiving, and in the other four he’s combined for 55 yards on nine catches. (That’s not a typo.)
This evening, Bucco Bruce Arians sounded like he shook his head a bit while talking about Evans’ day against the Packers.
“This was one of those double-Mike games again,” Arians said on a Buccaneers.com live stream.
Combine that with Evans not playing at 100 percent because of his ankle, and it’s a recipe for Tom Brady to take what the double-team affords him.
“Defensively, if you’re going to rotate to Mike, you’re usually leaving the middle of the field open,” said Arians, before praising Brady for working the crossing routes and the middle of the field.
So it goes for Evans. He’s the top dog receiver and Joe completely understands why defenses key on him. Some won’t, though, and Evans knows that. Those are the games in which he’ll shine most. And Joe has no doubt Evans will be ready.
The best part about Evans is that he’s a true team guy. He’s not going to sulk.
Joe also suspects that when Evans is completely healthy, the Bucs will do a little more to ensure he hits that 1,000-yard mark for the seventh consecutive season, which would set an NFL record. Evans is currently on pace for 749 yards.
October 20th, 2020 at 5:55 pm
This is the one thing that bothers me badly this season. It’s like when peyton manning wasnt throwing to marvin harrison. Certain qb duos never broke up. But obviously the stat that came in between that was winning percentage. Go bucs I’m enjoying the ride until a wheel comes off
October 20th, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Motion. They need to Move Mike around. Arians says that but Leftwich doesn’t call for it.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:07 pm
…then Godwin is full strength, and the other team forgets about Evans for a 200 yard day.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Bs. Then scheme better. All top receivers are doubled. Come on. Brady and Co afraid of the interception??
October 20th, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Fewer points? Week 7 last season the Bucs were (2-4) with 173pts scored. This year Week 7 Bucs are (4-2) with 177pts scored. So we are scoring basically the same, with less yards and way less turnovers.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Mike will get his catches…..but not when doubled…..Brady will not force it to Evans……or anyone for that matter. Look for our #3 receiver and the TEs to produce more.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Evans has been an all pro level since day 1 and gets lots of attention. I think Brady and the coaches are doing a poor job of involving him. If we want to get to the mountain top we have to utilize him and his elite level talent.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Any real fan for Tampa Bay loves Mike and knows what he means for the team. Nothing but respect for a guy who plays through injury and leaves it all on the field. Get Mike a nother TD this week and just keep getting wins.
Once we wrap up the division look at our last 4 games. The Falcons twice? Hahaha get me a break….We can feed Mike on thdm last 4 and get him his 1k. If notIm sure Mike wont be worried about it as we prepate for playoff football.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Typos**
October 20th, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Winners score the most points, not accumulate the most yardage. If a defense wants to leave the middle of the field open to double Mike, by all means let them … and make them pay dearly. Sooner of later they figure out that’s a losing strategy, THEN Mike will get his catches & yardage.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Lamarcus
Not sure if that comment was made sarcastically. Sure hope it was. Yes we should all be afraid of the interception. Other teams throw to their top wr doubled cause they lack other weapons. We don’t so no need to force it to Evans if we can be productive throwing It to the open guy. That’s called smart QB play. I know we’re not used to it so it’s hard for some to comprehend.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Mike is on a different level. He’s got HOF stats. He’ll be Top 5 in stats by the end of his career. The only thing Mike doesn’t have is wins.
What’s never been reported is Evan’s involvement in Winston’s departure. Mike is THE super star on this team. The Bucs don’t release Winston and sign Brady without Evan’s blessing. He was tired of the Winston BS. Watch Evans in the games Winston threw away. Check Ebay for Winston’s Evans signed jersey. Winston is butt hurt because Evans let the door hit him in the ass.
Don’t confuse Evans for some fantasy obsessed WR. The guy wants to win. Period.
October 20th, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Just win, baby.
October 20th, 2020 at 7:36 pm
I don’t give a damn how many yards or TDs he has.. we been losing for so long all I care about are these Dubs!! Keep stacking them W’s and stay healthy for a super bowl run
October 20th, 2020 at 7:39 pm
Who cares how many catches or yards Evans gets? Are we playing for stats or to win games?
October 20th, 2020 at 7:48 pm
If Evans is double team, why not throw it to Godwin, and stop throwing every pass to his drinking buddy. One man had more catches then Godwin, Evans and Johnson combined. I guess all three was double teamed.
October 20th, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Lamarcus
All i can say is wow. Great comment.
Ndog at least appears to understand football. Just has terrible bias
“Brady and company afraid of the interception?“
Every qb in the nfl should be terrified of interceptions
You are making that comment cause jameis was so good at it. Like its a positive. I Mean dude. Stay off the meth.
Turnovers lose games. Look at aaron rodgers last week.
Packers maybe hottest team coming off the buy week
Guess what happened. Rodgers pulled the jameis special …2 picks with one pick six and the packers lost big.
Maybe you should start sitting these out.
October 20th, 2020 at 7:59 pm
The goat will make sure M1k3 gets his 1000 yards, it will happen in the last quarter of the season once they have secured a playoff spot.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:10 pm
But when will we know if Evans really gonna be able to go??? He had a huge part of us being 4-2 but I was so pissed watching him gimp around his entire games and the Bucs left him in. BA said Godwin is already a go for the Raiders. I know he’s a gladiator, but I want to sit Evans against the Raiders unless he’s close to at least 80%. He’s our top weapon on offense and we need him for the second half of the season.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:14 pm
Brady just hasn’t quite got that trust to just throw it up to him yet…. Mike is never “open” he’s made a living not being “open” but still making the play…. Don’t force it.. But they do have to take some shots to him a few times a game
October 20th, 2020 at 8:15 pm
If he’s in single coverage (which he was A LOT in that game) and he’s going deep… You just have to throw it to him!!! He was not doubled all night that’s an excuse!! He was one on one a lot of the times and he just doesn’t get open like Godwin and the others do…. You just have to throw it to him!!
October 20th, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Would love to have ME play the slot from time to time…a massive target that’s running hard….easy first downs and more!
October 20th, 2020 at 8:38 pm
A sh!tload of people. Evans is on the cusp of setting an NFL record which would likely guarantee him a place in the Pro Football Hall if Fame.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:42 pm
The ONE thing Gronk and SuperBrady have taught players like Evans, Godwin and the rest of our team:
Stats suck.
Rings matter.
Chicks dig scars.
Play for the glory.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:06 pm
I care about Mike Evans legacy. And Yes stop with the double non sense. Most number 1 receivers are doubled. Its nothing new
October 20th, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Bird
I’m in it for entertainment purposes. Not ballerina I’m gladiator type stuff. Who freaking cares about turnovers are only soft men and crybabies. Its only a game. I saw this team win a Superbowl so I’m done with all that. Idc of Tom Brady 20 or 30 picks. A game is a game
October 20th, 2020 at 9:16 pm
I sure want to win. But it would be great to see Mike hit 1k.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:51 pm
Lamarcus
Then why are you a cry baby only interested in soft men?
Everyone is garbage on bucs like you have said . But of course your beloved jameis
Cause jameis would have won by 50 against packers Like you said
Man. Keep that last brain cell You have
Jameis was so entertaining winning 40percent of the time. His turnovers didnt matter to you. His yardage did.
Again the guy didnt win half the games he played. But your a gladiator. 😂
Brady career winning percentage is almost 80%
Yah. Thats ballerina ball
😂
October 20th, 2020 at 9:52 pm
The thing people who care about winning are failing to realize is the emergence of RoJo and Gronk along with a healthy Godwin will only force teams to pick their poison. As long as those three can consistently make plays teams will soon have a decision to make either double Mike and die by the others or try to single Mike and die from ME13. Can’t speak for ME13 but I’d rather see us in the playoffs than him get another 1k, although both would be amazing
October 20th, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Fortunately I was at the game Sunday and what a great experience. It was clear as one is able to see all of the action that neither Evans or Godwin are no where near 100%. As simple as walking back to the huddle or going out to formation they are hobbled. They are gutting it out! Brady knows what he is doing by occasionally getting the ball to them while allowing them to draw coverage to hit the open routes. Hopefully they will get healthier to be the main producers we are used to seeing. Until then it is always about getting the win.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:28 pm
JP09
Agreed. RoJo is legit. And it only took Godwin to open up what looked like a huge turn for the better for Gronk. What will happen if Evans, Fournette, and Miller can get back to full speed??? Dubs
October 20th, 2020 at 10:34 pm
When I say hobbled not like you and I hobbled. Like and elite receiver not able to move smoothly… Not trying to dramatize.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:51 pm
Tom learned a good lesson in 2007 that you should not rely only few receivers even you have Randy Moss. Individual record is the factors destroying the team success. Tom did not get any ring the year he was MVP. This time is for experimental plays.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:53 pm
Lamarcus………
You have gone full Nuthugger retard.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Lamarcus you gotta be bout dumb as a rock. Are you actually thinking before typing 🤯
October 20th, 2020 at 10:56 pm
Still have to find a way to get the ball in his hands.
October 20th, 2020 at 11:10 pm
mike is getting “secretly furious” 🙂
October 20th, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Well Lamarcus you are surly entertaining us. At least those who enjoyed watching Forrest Gump.
October 21st, 2020 at 12:15 am
I’m not buying the “Doubled” B.S. It’s clear that both Evans & Godwin are hobbled out there. It’s unfortunate because this offense can’t flourish until they’re “healthier “.
October 21st, 2020 at 6:10 am
Stats are meaningless if you lose. Let that sink in Buc fans, that’s who we have been for the last (“lost”) decade.
Wins are what matters.
Mike, regardless of his stats, is already the best WR this team has ever had. He will continue to produce for us and WILL have huge games. When this offense gets healthy and starts clicking, watch out.
It’s a testament to the player he is that defenses gameplan him.
October 21st, 2020 at 6:25 am
Id like to see kore and more of scotty miller , but not only deep shots but shoet slants.
October 21st, 2020 at 7:28 am
Julio and Calvin Ridley can get their catches
Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Michale Thompson, Keenan Allen get their catches…, one thing JW knew, need 10 yards for a first, he could buy enough time for ME to get open, where Brady can’t run around enough on a scramble drill where ME thrived
October 21st, 2020 at 10:16 am
Don’t know why, just not a fan of ME…