Season’s Lack Of Targeting Mike Evans Is Baffling
January 5th, 2023
Bucs are paying him. May as well use him for TDs.
One thing that got jacked up about last Sunday’s win over the Stinking Panthers was the return of Mike Evans.
The best receiver in Bucs history finally, finally broke out of his 2022 slump with three touchdowns and 207 yards last week. Why this didn’t happen sooner is one of the many reasons why Bucs failing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich should be using a moving service in the coming weeks.
Per the Bucs’ media relations team, the Bucs are 7-2 since Tom Brady arrived when Evans has at least two touchdowns in a game.
Obviously, none of those wins happened this season prior to last Sunday. So given how the offense hums when Evans is scoring touchdowns, shouldn’t that raise an eyebrow with Leftwich (or Bucs coach Todd Bowles) that, you know, just maybe, Evans needs to be targeted more in the red zone?
The Bucs have 24 offensive touchdowns this season, No. 13 in the NFL. That’s middle of the pack.
So many elements of this Bucs offense this season that frustrate Joe. A reluctance to target one of the best receivers in the game in the red zone is right up there at the top.
January 5th, 2023 at 11:35 am
I don’t get how TB12 and Leftwich seem like BFF’s thru this whole offensive disaster this year.
January 5th, 2023 at 11:43 am
Baffling and extremely dumb to limit his touches!
January 5th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Bowles and Leftwich keep making too many questionable decisions – Brady is not the Brady 2020 or 2022 – his OL is not allowing Brady time to throw like the past 2 years.
Jansen playing in the playoff could give the Bucs the confidence needed to go deep in the playoffs. Brady needs to hang in longer and not bawl out – it’s all on TB – that’s the difference between winning or losing.
Coaches and players need to get on the same page.
January 5th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Evans has had safety help over the top all year. Essentially double teamed. No Gronk to exploit the seam left open by the double team. It did seem that Evans got more underneath and crossing routes last game which helped set up the deep ball. Byron could’ve done a much better job of scheming Evans open .
January 5th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Tom Brady likes to throw the ball quickly and Mike Evans is best at running deep routes to get one-on-one coverage because he’s tall enough to jump over everybody. So maybe the lack of targeting is due to a difference in playing style or our offensive line not being able to block long enough for Mike Evans to get downfield. Antonio Brown matched Tom Brady’s playing style more because AB was a very quick, intelligent route runner who was always open and reliable for catching the ball. Byron Leftwich should probably move Mike Evans around more like putting in in motion pre-snap and putting him in the slot when we’re in the red zone so he can catch more touchdown passes.
TEAM no risk it no biscuit!
January 5th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
It’s not like Mike Evans is Randy Moss or Terrell Owens or even that level of receiver. So the struggles isn’t all that surprising regarding Mike Evans
January 5th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
PREACH!!!
OMG! Everyone knows we’re going to throw to a TE in the end zone. Try Evans and Godwin. They are really good.
January 5th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Todd.Blowes.Byemron.Leftwurst.
Like trying to run a race with a dead yak tied to your leg.
January 5th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
The red zone is unbearable. Every time they live up inside the 15 about 50% of the plays should be ME in the corner
January 5th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Lamarcus, that’s just a dumb and illegitimate statement. Evans has somehow “struggled” to get nearly 800 receptions, over 10,000 yards, and over 80 touchdown receptions. Some struggle. /s
January 5th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
We obviously all know that the play calling this year has been putrid, especially in the red zone. Our plays take too long to develop. In the end zone, you are open for a split second. It’s like we are going in slow motion and always backwards. Yes Mike is our best option, but if the play stinks, I don’t care who you have recieving. The team is getting better looks but once again on Sunday we left points on the field. I know exactly how to remedy this. Back a U-Haul with a few movers to One Buc and knock on Byron’s door to expedite his removal.
January 5th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Struggled to almost get Jaymiss 30 mill a year, and hand Johnny football (smh, calm down Joe) his position in the Draft.
January 5th, 2023 at 1:37 pm
Kentucky and Jack make great points. Defenses are playing strictly coverage, and shading Evans a ton. This offense can’t stretch the middle, which condenses everything. I’m no expert and I can see it clearly on all 22. When you’re throwing into coverage over and over, it really doesn’t matter who the recievers are. By far the biggest problem has been the lack of a run game. If they were just middling, things would look different. It’s incredibly difficult to run play action, when defenses don’t have to worry about the run.
January 5th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Offense lacks some speed but they can make up for it with a better scheme. There isn’t enough crossing routes, motion, misdirection. The Bucs see a lot of zone and Leftwich offense is too vertical and too slow. I think if the Bucs had more speed the throwing windows would open up. Right now they are very tight because this group of receivers, especially Evans and Jones are more effective downfield than in tight windows.
Godwin is regaining some of his quickness and Gage is too so if they can spread it out more then Godwin and Gage should see more space to work. The check downs are mostly causing 3 and outs and the power running game isn’t there at all.
January 5th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
The Bucs are in the playoffs, and they have playoff Lenny and the goat. There’s not a team in the nfc looking forward to playing against that in a one and done format.
January 5th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Hey guys listen to Lamarcus, he’s only been saying the Bucs should trade Evans for about the last 5 years in a row lol.
January 6th, 2023 at 2:36 am
Kentucky Buc Says:
January 5th, 2023 at 11:58 am
“Evans has had safety help over the top all year. Essentially double teamed. No Gronk to exploit the seam left open by the double team.”
Carolina did not… thus the “Targets”.
Add inconsistent O-line to the mix and this is the answer to why! Brady has done an excellent job considering these fact Joes. And not so puzzling to me. Puzzling is that the Joes dont seem to see this!
BTW don’t expect to see much single high in the playoffs.