Primed To Dominate
September 4th, 2021
Julio Jones was at his very best at age 26 and at age 29.
Calvin Johnson was most dominant at 26 and 27 years old.
Randy Moss had his greatest seasons at 26 and 30. Terrell Owens’ best years were 27 through 29. Larry Fitzgerald’s last great season as an elite deep threat was at 28 years old.
The greatest Buccaneers receiver in history, Mike Evans, turned 28 last month and sure looks poised to deliver his greatest season in 2021.
Not only would it be right on cue based on the calendar, Evans had a stunning training camp that didn’t see him take one day off.
Offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich addressed Evans’ strong summer this week.
“It’s kind of been under the radar. We’ve noticed it. It’s the best he’s been; I hate saying that. Now this is the best he’s been since we’ve been around here, really,” Leftwich said of Evans. “He’s had a hell of a camp. Like you said, no days off. He’s working on his game, the things he felt as though he needed to better for this year, you see him constantly working on those things. So Mike has had a lights-out training camp and excited to see him play this year.”
Joe’s going to predict 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns for a healthy Evans in the NFL’s first 17-game season. That’s not historic production, but it should be part of a historic Bucs offense loaded with elite weapons.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Evans, AB and Godwin cannot be covered 1 on 1, so there’s going to be a lot of defenses struggling to stop the Bucs passing attack. I’m excited to see Evans elevate his game and just blow up!
September 4th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Why isn’t it Thursday yet dammit!!! LoL.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
Mike Evans is poised to have a MONSTER YEAR, here’s why…
He played his heart out for years even, though, he knew he was on a losing team that wasn’t going to make the playoffs. Yet he still showed up every game and played well.
NOW… he has his Super Bowl ring. His dream. He’s reached the top. Nothing more to really prove. You could see in his face when talking to Brady after the Super Bowl how happy he was. You could hear it in his voice after the NFC Champ game where he didn’t know there was a ceremony after that game and he said “I don’t know where to go, this is all new to me.”
ALL THE PRESSURE IS NOW OFF.
Now Evans can get back to just playing and enjoying the game he loves. Because of that… LOOK OUT. This man is going to ABSOLUTELY DOMINATE people.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Mike is also very grateful they found a way to keep his 1,000 years each season record going last season when it looked like it might not happen.
Now that his record is still intact, there will be no let up. Hopefully unlike last season, he can say 100% healthy all season this year.
The only challenge is if there are enough balls to go around with us having such a deep receiving corp. But I think Evans will still be the focal point of the offense, and he’ll put up some huge numbers this season.
September 4th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Judging on the first three series of the Houston game last week, 1,400 may be pedestrian numbers.
If ever there was a team built to break records, this would be the one!
Without a doubt, this is the most anticipated season by far!
September 4th, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Pete wanted Mike to not have hamstring issues this season, so i put a special message in his fortune cookie that said “drink pickle juice wise one” & he must’ve listened to Pete 🥒🥒🥒🥒
September 4th, 2021 at 4:54 pm
I’m hoping Antonio Brown gave Mike some tips on building up his leg strength. For him to stay healthy those legs need to muscle up. He reminds me of a racing horse coming up lame too many missed games or playing less than 100%. Gotta take better care of his wheels. No doubt some of the strongest hands in the league. Get those calf muscles and legs stronger for a fantastic season.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
I hope Mike does that, Joe. Maybe finally he would get some proper accolades. It feels like he is still viewed outside the top 5 of WRs because he doesn’t Diva around. We are blessed to have Mike.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I think Mike knows he’s only got a limited amount of time with Brady and he’s hungry for more after finally tasting success.
September 4th, 2021 at 5:34 pm
I hope what everyone says comes true. Looking for another great year for Mike and success for The Bucs!👍
September 4th, 2021 at 5:53 pm
mike will have about 1,100 yards and have yet another 1,000 yard season…
spreading the ball between the big 3 will take away from all of their individual numbers…
personally i think brady wants the 3-some to get 1,000 yards each, respectively…
it can happen too…
#Three1000YardReceivers
September 4th, 2021 at 5:54 pm
maybe mike will have 1,200
September 4th, 2021 at 6:02 pm
ME was ALSO 4th in the league with 13 td’s. (WHICH is why I drafted him on my fantasy team)
September 4th, 2021 at 6:34 pm
It’s almost impossible to defend Mike for 4 quarters. Every team puts their best db on him and often double team him. Only a few of the very best dbs have shut Mike down. Even then it opens opportunity for our other top tier receivers. The only way to derail this team is to take Brady out. One cheap shot could do it. That is my number one worry.
September 4th, 2021 at 6:52 pm
He is an extremely talented receiver. But what really amazes me is his work ethic…and the head on his shoulders. There isn’t hardly anything he won’t do to support this team and his fellow players. While busting his tail to win. Brown comes in…Godwin rises to #1 status? Most guys in his position would act like a diva, pout and cry, or start looking for jobs out of town. What did he do? Put his head down, play through pain, and support the organizations decision. Mike is a man, a player, that everyone would want on their team.
September 4th, 2021 at 8:04 pm
ME13 and CG14 are friends as well as a HOF pair of WRs. Godwin is a freak. He has the body and the talent of a WR, but he blocks like a TE. That’s why he gets injured. I am hoping these two will not get injured and play their best as a tandem. Use Brown and the TEs as decoys. I want the Bucs to just win the NFC South.
September 4th, 2021 at 9:04 pm
orlbuc .. I would like to see us win the South, too. But if that doesn’t work out, like it didn’t last year, winning the Superbowl would be fine.
September 4th, 2021 at 10:06 pm
I can see 3 guys getting over 1,000. I still see Godwin getting more yards than Evans tho. Brady looks to the slot as his security blanket. Either way just win baby
September 4th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
Mike seems like he’s in the best health this training camp. I know joe has that one article already wrote about Mike’s hammy’s. I really wonder if the TB 12 method has doing wonders for Evans. If Evans is the healthiest he’s ever been and Tom and him are on the same page now on the field, look out, it’s going to be his best season ever! Plus they’ll have the best offense ever in the league.
September 5th, 2021 at 12:27 am
We never really realized that Everytime it looked like Latimore was in Evans head it was partially because they (saints defense) knew that they could play Mike a certain way and our former QB wasn’t mentally sharp enough to adjust at the line of scrimmage and reroute his receivers or check into a running play. On the other hand TB12 has the mental capacity to win at the LoS. That alone is probably Brady’s greatest asset and Winton’s weakest attribute. No disrespect to the guy that made me go bald a few years early but thank TB12 for recognizing a real team
September 5th, 2021 at 12:40 am
Would love to see him put up those numbers but with all the targets plus the addition of a pass catching back I wonder if he’ll get 1000. I wish health for the Bucs which is the only thing I think can derail and repeat
September 5th, 2021 at 8:11 am
He’s starting the season more healthy than most seasons. Maybe he adopted the TB12 method. Brady and Suh teaching these guys how to eat right could pay massive dividends.
September 5th, 2021 at 11:43 am
Brady never had a team like this in New England. An O line has never been more important. Should be fun if Covid and politics don’t interfere with the season.
September 5th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
120 catches, 1600 yards
September 5th, 2021 at 7:52 pm
In the past, on the majority of his receptions, M E went down or ran out of bounds. I think he will get CRAZY YAC and explosive plays this season.