“He’s Just Spectacular”
October 28th, 2020
Getting the rock to Mike Evans.
Most diva receivers would be having a complete meltdown by now.
But Bucs star Mike Evans is not a diva. He’s a team guy admittedly sick of losing and dying to win.
Evans, statistically, is way down from his typical season average. He’s on pace for the fewest receptions in his career and his first season of less than 1,000 yards. With just 318 yards through seven games, he likely will have to rack up over 600 yards receiving in the final eight weeks to keep his streak alive.
Evans isn’t hung up on himself and winning is the sport’s best perfume, so you don’t hear a peep of complaining even though 1,000 yards receiving this season would set an NFL record for being the first guy to record 1,000 yards or more for seven consecutive seasons upon entering the league.
Even today, park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting Bucs quarterback Tom Brady admitted he needs to get the rock to Evans more.
“Mike, in my view, is one of the great players to play in the NFL,” Brady said. “He’s just spectacular. He has an incredible skillset. His attitude, his production — I wish I could get him the ball more.
“When you have a guy like that, you want to find ways at every opportunity to get him the ball.”
Now a reason Evans’ numbers are way down is he’s playing hurt. Another reason is there is only one football to spread around on each play, he’s often double-teamed and the Bucs are loaded at receiver and tight end.
And of course, part of this could be getting on the same page as his quarterback, though Joe is dubious of this excuse.
As for getting Evans the ball, one former NFL quarterback seems to think that another Bucs stud, future Hall of Fame tight end, foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski, may be stealing passes from Evans.
In the BSPN clip below, Peyton Manning, Brady’s biggest career rival, pumped out a video in which he swears Evans is targeted but instead Gronk races in to grab the overthrown ball. Very few people break down game film like Manning, and if you follow along, he points out why he thinks a pass caught by Gronk was actually intended for Evans.
Leave it to Manning to pick out the nuances that reveal Evans, not Gronk, was the intended target on a pass FOX analyst Troy Aikman howled about.
Nothing gets by Peyton, especially when it comes to @TomBrady getting a little too much credit. 😂#DETAIL: https://t.co/wZvh0BpmZO pic.twitter.com/IVe2Ad4ISB
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 27, 2020
October 28th, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Reason number three or four that Evans isn’t seeing the ball as much is the coverage. If he’s doubled and other guys are uncovered Tom will never force it to Evans unlike some. Pretty simple.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
I think it was meant for Gronk. Brady saw his release and turned his head a little in his direction just as he was about to throw. Not definite but I have a feeling he knew. Ball was perfectly thrown
October 28th, 2020 at 2:35 pm
“When you have a guy like that, you want to find ways at every opportunity to get him the ball…….
……..also said by JayMiss Winsnone before forcing another pass for another interception because he had to pad that sheet for his boy ME13.
2 slightly different QB mindsets huh?
October 28th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Want to see a Disrespectful Classless Childish Moniker that was not even funny the First time? This is what you call the GOAT? Why again?
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.
Hey JOE does BRADY know who you are yet? Tell him what you call him when you get the chance-I am sure he will just love it!! Bush league low class is what it is.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
As long as somebody on our side catches it.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Evans is double teamed most of the time. Enough of a reason. And Brady is getting even better and making the best choice of targets, game by game. I see fewer bad throws in recent games. Get it to the open guy – nothing wrong with that. Keep it up.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Sorry Mr. Manning……but there is absolutely no way that pass was intended for Mike Evans……it would have been at least 10 yards off target.
Sure, Evans got more targets from Winston…..Winston stared him down and forced throws creating interceptions…..
I love Mike Evans & hope he gets health and continues to draw double-teams……that is a prescription for disaster for opposing defenses.
October 28th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Paul guy needs to lighten up. I’m not usually the first in line to defend Joe, but it’s humor, man! Take it easy.
October 28th, 2020 at 3:00 pm
lol salty Manning is just trying to be funny right? He obviously stared at Gronk in that video. Somebody is feeling a little jealous, no?
October 28th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
We’ve seen this many many times on the NFL, when a player receives so much attention like Evans does….he teammates in this case Miller Gronk Brate OJ CG will benefit, is exactly the same on defense, JPP and Shaq takes attention, Suh WHite LVD Gohlston will take credit….Is is as old as my grandmother……What really makes me happy is in this case ME, is a class teammate, ego on the side, a true old school player, who doesnt make any diva/egomaniac scene….something that is going on US sports just as the pandemic……Is all about legacy and and myself…..this is not tennis nor golf……this is a team sports…..
October 28th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
I bet by game 12, Evans is catching 8 balls a game and gets to 1,000. I also bet if he does not, but makes the playoffs, he is selfless enough to be much happier than a 6 won season and 100 catches. That is the man he is.
October 28th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
TBBF…AB will draw away those double teams.
Pick your poison.
October 28th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Evan’s knows that its far easier to get into the HoF with a ring or two on his finger (versus getting in on stats alone)
October 28th, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Paul please give it a rest.
Next time Joe uses the Peter King moniker click on “hot dog eating” moniker – Hilarious!
The reason I come to this here website is because of the Joes and Ira. I like their Bucs coverage but most importantly their narrative and style. And that includes the monikers whether I like them or not. This isn’t a buffet where you choose.
Paul – there are other Bucs websites and one uses the moniker “G.O.A.T.” quite a bit. You’ll be much happier!
October 28th, 2020 at 3:42 pm
To me, Evans was most impressive after Tyler Johnson’s TD grab. He ran over and congratulated him as only a super class act would do.
That would never happen with former and current me-divas like Odell Beckham, DeSean Jackson, Dez Bryant, Chad Johnson, Michael Irvin, Antonio Brown, Keyshawn, and Tyrell Owens.
So glad we don’t have the likes of any of them on our team.
Evans is the best!
October 28th, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Hmmm. Doesn’t throw to the receiver being double teamed but instead throws to the more open receivers. What a novel concept. A quarterback could go far in this league with that attitude.
October 28th, 2020 at 3:55 pm
ME13 and Ungodly have to be able to rest. If Methusaleh is a great as claimed, he will push for the healthy TEs and WRs we have. We have Miller, Brate, Hudson, Gronkowski, plus the RBs who can catch the ball. The defense is ready. Just watch LVD and his bud White. Looking forward to Monday Night. Hope I can get it on radio.
October 28th, 2020 at 4:14 pm
AB BA BL BS………I’m confused!!!
October 28th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Wow never thought of Peyton as a hater. Lost some points in my book here Mr Manning, pick six for Peyton…
October 28th, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Was expecting this to be a clip from the Bears game, as there were 2 or possibly even 3 instances where Gronk and Evans ended up in almost the same exact spot.
However, I think Manning is incorrect here. When you watch that video, you’ll see Brady turn his head slightly back to the left, just enough to see Gronk is coming over from the middle towards the sideline. Brady then turns his head back to the right and throws it to a perfect spot.
@BuccccNasty- Brady and Manning are competitive friends and rip on each other all the time. Plus Manning considers himself an amateur comedian. No issue there in my book.
October 28th, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Manning might just be jealous of Brady…and was pretty fortunate to win two Super Bowls himself…the first vs Lovie Dovie’s Bears and the second one in spite of him.
October 28th, 2020 at 4:57 pm
Paul. Keep up the good work👍
October 28th, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Umm he did look at gronk look at his head movement
October 28th, 2020 at 5:12 pm
[Yawn]
October 28th, 2020 at 5:19 pm
After watching what Peyton Manning was talking about….. After watching Brady play here in New England for twenty years….. I think Manning took too many hits to the head. Brady knew where Gronk was cuz I’ve seen that play so many times. A drop in the bucket. Mike’s hitch was slowly going and Gronk had the break from the O-line. But here’s the simple answer to this question. Who’s Tom Brady’s favorite receiver? THE OPEN ONE!!
October 28th, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Brady won’t say it, but the reason Evans isn’t getting the ball is because he can’t trust Evans to be were he is supposed to be all the time. It happened with Winston a lot and it led to picks and Brady isn’t going to risk it or deal with it. Look at who he is throwing to Godwin, Miller, Tyler Johnson and Gronk guys who are precision route runners and tend to be where they suppose to be when they are supposed to be. Brady isn’t going to be blamed like Winston was for wrs mistakes. Its not a coincidence Watson & Evans rarely get looks from Brady. Both guys run bad routes.
Be where you’re supposed to be and Brady will get you the ball. He Moss the ball a lot.
October 28th, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Paul..Fat Joe the schmoe is still farting in the room and losing respect. Still thinks disrespecting Tom, the GOAT, Brady is humorous and/or appropriate. Tsk Tsk. Fat old Joe reeks of cologne all loosahs wear. Haterade. Its sad… he uses the GOATS comments to fluff up Evan, but demeans the GOAT with negative attributes. How STUPID is that.
October 28th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
BS – he was clearly watching both of them – the sideline view shows him switching very quickly back and forth b/w Gronk and Evans – any dig Manning can get he will take, no one calls him the GOAT….imagine that
October 28th, 2020 at 6:28 pm
WOW…….Just WOW.
First time I have ever heard Manning break down a play sounding like a
COMPLETE IDIOT!
October 28th, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Why Manning, why?..you starting to sound like a butthurt little girl after a spanking…i thought you were better than that. I understand your point here; but this constant nitpicking of Brady’s game, all of them negative…says a lot more about you than anything else. Jealous because you sense another ring in the horizon?…Sorry for your grief….🤣🤣🤣🤣
October 28th, 2020 at 6:55 pm
How many SB’s you got Peyton ,2, okay,not bad. But how many times did you play the GOAT and get destroyed. Lol Just stick to golf lol, it is a little more competitive lol. 11-6 Brady over Peyton. lol. And Tom might get to his 10th SB. So I would love to see Peyton do a Detail of Tom winning Another SB. lol Peyton “tied to the TBrady Wippin post” Manning. It sure is fun these days in Tampa Bay. GO BUCS!!!!
October 28th, 2020 at 7:16 pm
When you look at Evans route he barely even tried to get around the defender and ended up pulling up on it and walking the rest of the way telling me he knew he wasn’t getting the ball. Besides look at Brady, he was cued in on Gronk.
October 28th, 2020 at 8:18 pm
I think Manning is dead wrong, here. Has he never heard of peripheral vision? TB turns his head slightly left to check for Gronk. that’s enough. TB knows the route; he knows where Gronk is. Even better than that, he appears to keep Evans’ DB short, with his persistent looking at ME to allow the opening for Gronk. Evans even stops too, probably to keep his DB shallow just long enough. The throw was perfect!
October 28th, 2020 at 8:37 pm
This is not the first year Evans has played hurt and not the first time he has been doubled. The difference is for JW, even when Mike was covered he wasn’t, also JW and ME darn near perfected the scramble drill
October 28th, 2020 at 9:19 pm
ME13 didn’t get that pass cos Methuselah was looking for his bud Gronk. Just as well cos Mike is still not 100%.
October 28th, 2020 at 9:53 pm
@paul @boaton boy
Joe hates Tom Brady and Gronk because they get that puntang.
Joe is jealous but he wont admit it.
Haters gonna hate.
October 28th, 2020 at 10:28 pm
I saw that Manning video as comedic satire.
October 28th, 2020 at 10:54 pm
The jealousy just oozes from this jerk off!! Brady got the best of you 9 out of 10 times because you were a notorious choker in the big moment!! From your college days to the day you retired!!
October 28th, 2020 at 11:07 pm
A guy at the local sports bar [The sports bar crowd are all experts, just ask them] says the reason Mike Evans numbers are down this year is because NFL Referee’s are wise to him pushing off defenders, and are watching him closely for offensive pass interference.
October 28th, 2020 at 11:40 pm
Evans has been hurt – but Evans also has AT LEAST 100 yards in PI calls this year, I mean he had 70 yards of PI calls in week 1 alone. Those PI calls aren’t put on his stats, but if you put those in his stats, and all the calls I remember have been legit calls, now he’s up near 500 yards receiving with 6 TDs in 7 games and he’s well on his pace to 1000 yards and maybe 15 TDs.
October 29th, 2020 at 1:10 am
It’s seemed to me like a rather clear joke/comedy piece. The headlines though picking as a serious take.
October 29th, 2020 at 6:42 am
Boston Boy Says:
October 28th, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Paul..Fat Joe the schmoe is still farting in the room and losing respect. Still thinks disrespecting Tom, the GOAT, Brady is humorous and/or appropriate. Tsk Tsk. Fat old Joe reeks of cologne all loosahs wear. Haterade. Its sad… he uses the GOATS comments to fluff up Evan, but demeans the GOAT with negative attributes. How STUPID is that.
October 29th, 2020 at 7:37 am
@Hammerhead. I think Paul and a few others whine too much, but that ain’t humor. I don’t know what it is.
October 29th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Manning is very obviously joking.
October 29th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Been watching Brady and Gronk play together for 10 years. They have the best QB/TE chemistry in history and they have years remaining to play together barring misfortune. When I first heard about Peyton’s jibe about “The Pass II”, I immediately thought that Payton and Brady set this prank up beforehand like a “WWE” skit. Why? Because ANYONE who has followed Brady and Gronk know that they have the best telepathic communication skills in the NFL. As Gronk crosses he speeds up after making the briefest of eye contact with Brady and almost begins his leap BEFORE Brady lets go of the ball. It was a relatively short pass with touch. Brady wouldn’t have missed Evans in a million years if he had targeted him BUT Brady would have zipped it on a rope considering the tight double coverage. But rather than zip it, Brady arcs a rainbow pass over Evans head (who drew in the top safety away from Gronk) and it lands like a bullseye to a leaping Gronk, a pass which no one other than Gronk could have caught. OTOH, if Brady wanted to sail it out of bounds, he would have done so with authority. For any hater who still thinks Brady overthrew a touch pass to Evans, that means you believe that is was purely coincidental that Gronk was sprinting to the exact place and then leaped to where the ball was thrown. It seems that all the doubters here missed the latest sports commentary consensus that Mike Evans was used mostly as decoy because of his dinged ankle. He did on Sunday as well and his apparent high ankle sprain, along with Godwin’s continued hammy issue and OJ Howard being out for the year, all factored into the AB signing.
I’ve enjoyed watching Brady’s and Peyton’s growing friendship over the years especially hearing that anecdote (by BA?) that the two got together for a long weekend together to play golf, fish and talk football. Talk A LOT of football. For these reasons I am not persuaded that Peyton’s critique of the pass (he knows far more than I ever will) wasn’t half with tongue in cheek as just the act of criticizing Brady on one errant pass….well, I think that Peyton would be above that kind of insecure jelly drama.
October 29th, 2020 at 11:57 pm
Some of you guys don’t get hat Peyton is just being facetious and joking around.