“He’s The Most Unselfish Star Receiver That I’ve Ever Been Around”
December 30th, 2020
Bruce Arians hits at Sunday strategy
Bucco Bruce Arians delivered stunning praise yesterday and hinted at a Sunday strategy against the Falcons.
Before arriving in Tampa, Arians coached standout receivers like Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace, Michael Floyd, Santonio Holmes, John Brown, Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Plaxico Burress, among others.
But they’re not Mike Evans, at least when it comes to being a team-first dude.
“He’s a workaholic and he’s a very selfless guy,” Arians said. “I mean I couldn’t be happier. And it means a lot for me personally, too, to make sure he gets this record because he’s the most unselfish star receiver that I’ve ever been around.”
That’s a stunning compliment from Arians, who made the statement on WDAE radio. What a star Evans is. And the Bucs have him signed through 2023.
Evans is only 40 receiving yards from setting an all-time record, seven consecutive seasons to start a career with 1,000 or more receiving yards. Arians said he wants Evans to nail the record early against the Falcons on Sunday.
“It’s fortunate for us this week because this game matters and had it not mattered, we would have had some tough decision,” Arians said, “But it matters as far as our playoff seeding. So I just hope he gets it early in the game and then we just go win the ballgame.”
Joe loves how the record is important to Arians and he’s not hiding it. Joe is sure other players respect and appreciate that.
Team Glazer really needs to do something to honor Evans. When’s the last time a Buccaneer set an all-time record of this magnitude? Joe can only think of Rondé Barber’s record of most consecutive games played by a cornerback, set in 2011.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:20 am
Ronde’s sole membership in the 40/20 club is the one that sticks out to me on top of Mikes chance at this record. That and sapp’s all time great guy personality and record as a nice guy.
December 30th, 2020 at 5:47 am
So happy, as a Tampa Bay fan, to have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the Bucs! Remember when the “prognosticators” predicted AB would ruin the Bucs in 4 games or less? Maybe Evans/Godwin have rubbed off on Brown, instead of the other way around?
December 30th, 2020 at 5:52 am
Johnny Manziel probably has ME13 to thank that he had a shot at an NFL career at all (but blew it) because clearly Evans was the bright point of that Texas A&M duo. You just gotta get the ball near him for him and he’ll find a way to snatch it out of the air. I’ve noticed he’s nixed the OPI calls this year too as I don’t remember a single one. He’s definitely found his groove, and the playoffs will season him even more.
December 30th, 2020 at 6:02 am
Good article,Joe
Agree with the Joe in Fla. and Michigan that we are extremely lucky to have
Mike and Chris on our team. Goodwin is also an unselfish player in his own right.
Initially I was not happy AB with signing, but I have to admit that he has learned to fit in and not worry about his catches as he did in Pittsburg. If he can get his anger management issues under control , there is a ggod chance he can reignite
his career. It had to take a lot of humble pie to accept his role on the team.
December 30th, 2020 at 6:09 am
Maybe we can rack up a bunch of points early while Mike is being quadruple-teamed…..then get Mike his 40…..
December 30th, 2020 at 6:25 am
Bob
Think AB is humbled at your own risk. A couple months of good behavior is not the end of years of lunacy. The ticking bomb usually go boom boom. And Joe in Mich. Losing so many in a row and looking totally out of whack offensively doesnt sound to me like someone fit right in and helped the team. Quite the opposite. 4 quarters in a row against bad teams doesnt convince me its fixed either.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:09 am
Two things I was hoping for this year. Bucs make playoffs and Mike to get this record. This record is a big deal when we talk about Mike as a HOF candidate years from now.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:26 am
I thought the same thing Roy T. Evans made him look a lot better than Johnny Football really was.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:31 am
Love ME. I think he is my favorite player.
If Raheem is smart he will NOT double ME, but let him get his 40 so BA will take him out of the game Sunday.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:48 am
Not that it really matters but I wish Arians would not talk up getting the record.
Along those lines, I remember back in ’84 and McKay’s last game against the Jets at home. We destroyed them, and in the process tried to get James Wilder to set a record for all purpose yards. We even let them score near the end to get the ball back.
The Jets remembered that and kicked the living crap out of us the very next year, 62-28. So freaking embarrassing.
December 30th, 2020 at 7:51 am
They can double ME all they want, TB (I mean BL) will scheme him open.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:15 am
Flea flicker on 1st series of game to mike. Knock it out in one play and then decide if/when he sits.
I hope they are playing to win for that 5 seed. Nothing wrong with being strategic in playoffs. Nfc east is a good place to get a win and playoff confidence when other good teams are matched up and knock each other out.
Atlanta may want to ruin an division opponent from winning but bucs are already in playoffs so its a tad different. Teams want to finish season on good note but who cares if all the coaches and some players will be gone. Matty ice may be done there.
Will arthur blank rest his studs and secure that top 10 or whatever draft position finish. It may be close to top 5 since they have 4 wins. And there are some quality qbs arthur blank may want on team next year
December 30th, 2020 at 8:24 am
And mike evans is best offensive player in buc history. Not even close in my mind. And such a good dude. The things he does to give back to community in offseason are pretty cool. Always willing to rework contract to sign another player.
(We got a lavonte article too earlier )
Not a big jersey guy but got both their jerseys. Lets show up in playoffs and maybe a brady jersey coming my way next.
The bucs are close. Not sure they get it this year. But next year …look out…meaning brady doesnt fall off due to age. They have a few holes that need to be plugged but this team is very talented. Bucs need to find a way to keep their 3 big free agents. They may if nfl adding 17 game and cap goes slightly up. And their pass defense is just pathetic but dont fix with another high pick. Bring in reliable db.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Best WR to don the Bucs uniform.
There, I said it!
I’m happy that his success this year is not for naught. Imagine stats AND playoffs?!
December 30th, 2020 at 8:47 am
Special thanks for this insight Joe.
Watched ME play BB at Ball High before he even played Football in his Senior year.
Thinking of this almost brought a tear to my eye.
December 30th, 2020 at 9:08 am
Love ME it’s a shame he is just a modern day Paul Gruber with NO HOPE for any post season success. Sorry Mike the Glazers organization will never figure out how to field a consistent winner or do the right thing. It’s a shame your only career post season game will be led by a washed up goat and BS fraud of a head coach.
REMEMBER LADIES— ONE AND DONE JUST PROVES YOU DID NOT BELONG THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!
December 30th, 2020 at 9:36 am
mike elite!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 30th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Tmaxcon=Hater. If 36 TD’S and soon to be 11 wins is washed up, give it to me every year.
December 30th, 2020 at 9:50 am
Not to mention when Jason Licht needs cap space who does he call Mikey. He’s a team player as well as a very talented wide receiver. He definitely deserves the record.
December 30th, 2020 at 9:53 am
It was apparent they wanted the record last week. Gabbert was targeting him a loy latr in the game. They even ran a wr screen with him, something usually reserved for godwin, scottie or brown. I was happy to see the blatant effort to feed mike.
December 30th, 2020 at 10:30 am
absolute beast – 2nd best Buc ever – have to give DB55 the nod there, Lee Roy 3rd, Sapp right behind them with Alstott at #5 IMO
He will be our next HOF jacket recipient
Sorry, Barber and Lynch
December 30th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Tmax
Better to be ‘one and done’ than NEVER been there like you are in life
December 30th, 2020 at 11:19 am
I agree that ME13 is moving into greatest Bucs of all time territory. Look at all the QBs this guy made look good on Saturdays and Sundays. Plays hurt. Plays with passion. I never see him in the news because of a poor decision he has made, and if you feed this Man Beast the ball, He opens up opportunities for everyone else on the offense. Hoping he gets the record and a ring this season.
December 30th, 2020 at 11:32 am
tmax- If they can carry some momentum going in to the playoffs, I like our chances as much as anybody’s.
AND, for Buc fans, I’ll take “one and done” over the last decade of garbage football we’ve endured.
Happy New Year!
December 30th, 2020 at 11:44 am
3 weeks ago I didn’t think ME was gonna get it, but he will most definitely get it this week. Greta job guys.
December 30th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Defense:
I remember that game like it was yesterday. Worked for the old Barnett Bank and had taken clients to skybox. At the end of game everything went to Wilder. Still didn’t break the record. I was sort of a fan of Mark Gastineau at the time. Tampa had pics 33 & 34, could have had Mark who went to NY @ 41. Somethings never change.
December 30th, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Wow a crime was witnessed in this article today ( No not tmaxcon) but Lee Roy selmon 3rd best buc ever , blasphemy, watched every game in person or tv that he played and #55 was a great buc but had WAY more help especially on defense .#63 was first buc ever in a time when expansion teams did not get the benefits given to the last expansion teams of extra draft picks and better choice of players from other teams . The bucs had end of roster dregs from other teams thus lost first 26 in a row. 63 was strong through out and held franchise together and in only 4th year made playoffs , which at the time was the fastest RISE from new team to playoffs ever will always be 1st buc in all ways.
December 30th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
0-26- Couldn’t agree more. Selmon is #1, how you fill in behind it depends on your generation.
December 30th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
SB : Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
December 30th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Tmax
Better to be ‘one and done’ than NEVER been there like you are in life
don’t worry about me pal. I hire minions like yourself for all sorts of tasks maybe one day i’ll donate to you. I hear your a pretty good hack at carpentry.
December 30th, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Bucsfanman
happy new year sir. raise your standards just going to the dance to get turned down by the fat chic is never a happy ending.
December 30th, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Selmon
Sapp
Evans
55 was a popular coat tail rider that never accomplished anything without sapp carrying him.
December 30th, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Definitely Selmon!!!!
And Tmax. I would Slam your dumb a$$ on the ground.
You are a sour, lonely, loser. Everyone knows it. Just glad that you stick around to get abused when your brothers left.
Happy New Year.
I would say ‘get a life’ but I am sure it is too late for you. Life won’t accept you
December 30th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
SB : Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
awe does the keyboard tough guy need a hug!!!
December 30th, 2020 at 4:32 pm
tmax the attention addict/schmoe. ME13 is a class act and not a ego hog. With his bud CG14, Brate, Gronkowski, AB, and the RBs, he will get his 40 yards. The team will see to it plus win. I hope they do not overlook the Falcons.
December 30th, 2020 at 8:09 pm
Mike’s also a better player than all of the other receivers listed in this article. 😜