The Streak Hits 10
December 19th, 2022
“Alex, you know I’m healthy.”
Outside of a bad drop and an ugly holding penalty on deep throws, Joe has no explanation.
Despite Mike Evans, the greatest receiver in Tampa Bay history, still being in his prime, Evans hasn’t caught a touchdown pass in his last 10 games. It’s a record streak (by a football mile) for the nine-year veteran.
Evans ranks 34th in NFL history when it comes to touchdown catches. His 78 TDs put him ahead of some Hall of Famers, and a typical Evans season this year would have landed him in the top-16 in NFL history. So it’s not like Evans isn’t a red zone guy.
Overall, Evans’ 2022 health has been rather typical. So Joe can’t figure out why Evans’ scoring production has stalled so badly. And Joe also isn’t sure why the Bucs aren’t forcing more throws to Evans in the end zone. Have they lost confidence in his ability to snatch a 50-50 ball out of the air?
Russell Gage leads Bucs receivers with four touchdowns. That’s how strange and anemic this Bucs offense has been.
Joe expected the loss of Rob Gronkowski to be a red zone issue this season, but Joe wasn’t expecting a loss of Evans there, too.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:05 am
Wow…that’s incredible.
Mike Evans reminds me alot of Vincent Jackson (RIP)……same big body and speed but when Vincent declined…..it’s like he fell off of a cliff. I know the offense hasn’t been good this year..but we may also be seeing the start of a decline physically for ME13.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:09 am
Mike does have 888 yards with 3 games left to make his 1000……that’s 37 yards per game…..looks like he’ll make it.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:12 am
When they trow the ball to him he catches it and the they stop throwing to him! thats on Byron and Tom. He was one on one going into the endzone and didnt even get looked at, he also draws pass interference calls like crazy. How many time has he drawn a PI which led to us scoring on the next play or a 1st down. He still has it!
December 19th, 2022 at 8:13 am
ME13, one of the best Bucs ever….Is not declinning……Explain how come his production on first half was extraordinary and the second one was a none factor……The answer is easy, he was not trageted again……
I love TB12, and always will be thaknfull, but HE is the one declinning…..When QB play bad, receivers are dead……..Pure and simple
December 19th, 2022 at 8:13 am
And my fantasy team is screwed.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:18 am
Looked good in the first half. Then the group of geniuses figured let’s stop what’s working. Mike isn’t declining Tom is declining. He’s been open but Tom who doesn’t want to make a mistake won’t throw it to him and lefty is an idiot. Funny only time this offense ever moves is when mike is a featured target (like the first half) not to mention mikes big play that was like 60 yards that got pulled back… thanks Chris…mike should’ve already had 1000 yards but this team loves to shoot itself in its own foot
December 19th, 2022 at 8:25 am
They don’t target him when they are within 10 yards. How many times did he score on a back shoulder or fade over the last couple years when they were within 10 yards? It was just about automatic. They did it against Dallas in the first game and I feel like we haven’t seen it since.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:25 am
Streak ?
Brown streak season!
December 19th, 2022 at 8:46 am
He better get his 1000 yards
December 19th, 2022 at 8:46 am
ME was killing it the 1st half. Wasn’t targeted the 2nd!! Why keep doing things that work???
December 19th, 2022 at 8:48 am
IMO the play calling is frustrating Mike. Last night in the first half was the first time in forever, he was smiling and having fun. I think it’s like the article joe wrote- not working the field with Mike at all.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:49 am
Mike isn’t declining? Are you serious? He can’t get open his 95th in receivers for getting separation and he’s being covered by number three and four corners. He doesn’t fight through contact it doesn’t look for extra yards. It’s amazing people care more about his thousand yard steak then winning games. He’s been invisible half season and no one here. Tough to win football games when your WR Can’t get separation and your office of coordinator can’t scheme anyone open.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:57 am
You can thank Loser Lefty for that great change in tactics the second half. OMG, why is he still the OC. He should have been gone long ago. But of course Bowles isn’t much better. Clean house, starting at the top. Don’t forget about lazy ass D. Smith. He definitely has to go. Way overpaid.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:14 am
Time to find his replacement frfr
December 19th, 2022 at 9:18 am
Competent Offensive Coordinators find ways to scheme their players open.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:32 am
I don’t believe since the Dallas game I have seen a fade in the end zone even attempted. Unreal
December 19th, 2022 at 9:48 am
Was a stark difference between the looks he was getting in first and second half. I’ll keep beating this drum, but first half he had some routes over the middle, even lined up in slot, did some work form one side of field to the other. Second half felt like back to just run down the sideline and we will ignore you again. I mean. Look at what the Bengals did with chase… They even lined him up at tight end and had him against our linebackers
December 19th, 2022 at 9:49 am
Blow this whole F’ng thing up the minute their season is done.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:53 am
Mike was used all over the field in the first half. Bucs score 17 points should have been 20 if not for a weak leg kicker and controll the clock. So what does the clueless Leftwich do, the exact opposite in the second half. Bucs cant score, coincidence. I don’t think so.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:58 am
Mike had a TD if he didn’t go to the ground on the long reception. He had another long reception called back on a BS call on Godwin. Now you can’t downfield block. To ALL the morons that consider playing Madden compensates for not being able to play the game. Reality check, TOILET BOWL told Leftnut to call conservative plays to protect his 14 point lead. NOT uncommon for D minded coaches. Once again NOT knowing his team’s strengths he cut the O’s balls off and went back to same o, same o. Ran on 1st D 7 of the remaining 10 possessions. You don’t think Brady was enjoying hitting g Evan’s? Can’t help the galacticly stupid!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:00 am
Plain and simple, let me say this so people understand once and for all (but do judge for yourself): Byron Leftwich imposed his game plan in the 2nd half of the Bengals game. It was obvious, recognizable, undeniable, and I even referenced the first half shot of him going up to TB12 ana apparently asking “WTF are you going off-script!?” — We happened to look our finest just then. When we came out after halftime, no motion; running up the gut; WR screens were back. That is CLEARLY a coaching “adjustment”. This falls to the OC, and ultimately the HC. If you own the greatest receiver in TB history and you’re not FORCING him the ball, that’s on the OC. I would have drawn up 18 plays just for him, and at least 8 of those would have been red zone options with secondary routes for my bigger receivers. I’m telling you: this isn’t armchair quarterbacking. This is painfully obvious buffoonery by incompetent coaches from top to bottom. The fake punt in your own red zone from a doofus who stated there will be no risking it for any biscuits, then makes that foolish call, is the equivalent of the Swedish Chef trying to cook up a gourmet meal. It just doesn’t fit, and the kitchen needs new leadership to start moving forward again with the greatest players of all time all on one roster.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:00 am
If I’m Mike Evans, I’m demanding a trade to the Dallas Cowboys as soon as the season is over! He still is in his prime and it’s going to getting wasted here. This team is probably going to get blown up, so why make a class act like him suffer through losing seasons again after tasting what it’s like to win? Show him some mercy and gratitude for his time here, then let him go to a contending team that will utilize him.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:05 am
Mike has lost a step. He’s said he could be creating more separation. This blind love for Mike has to stop. I love Evans. He’s been a class act, but he’s not above criticism. Gage’s first TD was created because teams are bracketing Mike in the EZ. They know he’s the only true RZ threat. Take him away and the Bucs are screwed. That’s where they miss Gronk
December 19th, 2022 at 10:11 am
It looks like Arians scripted for him (BL) the complete 1st half of the game, because those plays had Arians written all over them.
After the 1st half, it was Leftturd all by himself running his plays….and you know the rest…..BL have got to go, for real…🤦
December 19th, 2022 at 10:19 am
Buc-up,COM’ON! Really the Cowboys?What are you smoking? Americas Dream team… everybody keeps dreaming that the STARS are going to the SuperBowl but they always end up Pooping thier drawers:)
December 19th, 2022 at 10:24 am
He is not running as fast or diving out for it, just sort of lifting hands at end to indicate the effort. At least on runs I watched earlier in season – had to avoid it yesterday. Hope he gets 1000 yard season though!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:25 am
Whats up with horrific black outfits? To much change going on.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:28 am
20 – 80 ball is more like it now that Evans is old.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:35 am
David G he’s from Texas, so he’d be playing back home in another tax free state.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:37 am
“Iamabuc Says:
December 19th, 2022 at 10:11 am
It looks like Arians scripted for him (BL) the complete 1st half of the game, because those plays had Arians written all over them.”
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Now this 100% makes sense!!!!!!!!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:46 am
Hey idiots,. Evans is having troubles getting free in man coverage!!!!!! Most of his big catches in the 1st was against zone!!!! Geeze!!!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:49 am
Old School Bucs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TROLL ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:50 am
Mr New Yorker Mike Evans is still our best receiver and he’s probably tired of being hung out to die on all this jumpers and come backs. He showed he does fight thru contact because they were using him in the 1st half but 2nd half the Offensive To Our Eyes Coordinator took him completely out. And how do you figure we don’t care about winning? You’re a not so funny dude
December 19th, 2022 at 10:50 am
Mr New Yorker Mike Evans is still our best receiver and he’s probably tired of being hung out to die on all this jumpers and come backs. He showed he does fight thru contact because they were using him in the 1st half but 2nd half the Offensive To Our Eyes Coordinator took him completely out! And how do you figure we don’t care about winning? You’re a not so funny dude
December 19th, 2022 at 10:56 am
It is the scheme. 13 is fine.
December 19th, 2022 at 11:04 am
NOT MIKE DECLINING!!! BRADY DECLINING PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY!!! Did you watch that first half. Brady was finally connecting with Evans and it was 17-0. He stopped in the second half and got 34 unanswered points and three turnovers. Always love what Brady did for this franchise and Tampa Bay area, but he’s the one really fallen off the cliff for whatever reason you would like.
December 19th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Anybody notice the plays we run out miler and Tompkins and two tight ends are always running plays. Because every defensive player in the league does. Who makes that call to not leave either Evan’s or Godwin on the field at all times to keep defenses a little honest. Both are better blockers than the two midgets as well. No wonder our running game sucks.
December 19th, 2022 at 11:13 am
With a competent OC, he’d probably have 8-10 TDs right now and have passed 1000 yards. Thanks Byron.
December 19th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
SOEsuc@ are you saying Brady came out second half and went back to the conservative offense after a 261 yd first half? Bowels, Bowels, Toilet Bowels. He choose to protect a 14 point lead against a high powered offense. Stupid is what stupid does.
December 20th, 2022 at 12:38 am
A big part of the problem is they get into the red zone and you can probably count on one hand the number of times they’ve actually targeted him in the end zone the last 10 weeks. It’s disgusting. BL needs to be fired weeks ago.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:44 am
Mike looked great to me in the 1st half, he’s fine. Evans is not what’s getting us beat, period. Btw, did anyone else catch Brady on the sidelines with this huge black coat on to keep warm? It was like 67 degrees……he reminded me of my 86 yo grandmother trying to “stay warm” in balmy Tampa. That alone tells me that he’s not the Brady of old. His mind and focus (and commitment) have been sorely missed all season.