Chris Godwin “Can Stretch The Field”
May 11th, 2023
Stop thinking Chris Godwin won’t be a beast of an outside receiver, one that can strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators trembling at the thought of allowing big plays.
That was the message yesterday from new Bucs receivers coach Brad Idzik.
Does Godwin still have the 4.42 speed he clocked at the NFL Scouting Combine back in 2017 (before they installed the faster turf at Lucas Oil Stadium)? Idzik seems to think so.
Bucco Bruce Arians turned Godwin into a slot receiver and his career exploded in 2019. Idzik and new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales see Godwin as more of a traditional 1b receiver that can cause problems outside, too. Joe agrees.
“He can stretch the field and that’s what I want to continue to remind him,” Idzik said of Godwin.
Idzik said Godwin already has shown in limited spring practices that he’s a handful as an outside receiver, “He’s a problem 1-on-1.”
Godwin’s slot ability is a bonus and a benefit skillset that the Bucs plan to use, too, Idzik said. He added that the Seahawks were working with D.K. Metcalf to get him to be more versatile like Godwin already is.
Joe believes in Godwin at 27 years old and nearly 18 months removed from his major knee injury, and coming off a 100-catch season.
While Joe doesn’t know if Godwin has the elite ball-tracking skills of the league’s top deep threats, Joe is more than willing to see that put to the test.
May 11th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
He was getting dinged up too much in the slot
May 11th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
I wouldn’t call a dirty hit by a Saints player getting dinged up
May 11th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
“Joe is more than willing to see that put to the test.”
So is Jack.
May 11th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
Godwin can stretch the field? THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!!!
May 11th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
You can still stretch the field from the slot. I would like to see him a little more outside. But, his skill to get open quickly is what makes him elite. He should return to full form after that knee.
May 11th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
@jvato he took alota hits in the slot like all
Slot guys do
May 11th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Go watch his final bowl game at Penn state against USC. He was a monster on contested catches downfield. 9 catches for 187 yards. Including a 72 yard td. He may not be a blazing fast runner but his ability to win at the catch point makes him dangerous anywhere on the field.
May 11th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
I don’t doubt CG’s ability to do anything they want him to do.
May 11th, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Not too long ago, at the end of the Dirk Koetter era and somewhere before the start of the 2019 season a big question was “can Chris Godwin play in the slot?”. FFWD to today, and the new offensive staff is looking to preserve Godwins’ value as a player by not sticking to the him playing the slot the majority of the time. What’s it been 6 season played walking into his 7th as a pro? After bouncing back in <a year from ACL surgery? In terms of playing the WR position, Godwin can do just about anything a staff can reasonably task him with.
May 11th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Considering CG and Gage both averaged under 10 yards per catch, it’s apparent it wasn’t both of them not having the ability to run down the field but more the QBs reluctance to throw it down the field.
May 11th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
CG14 is the least of our worries. I see him having a great year if he can stay healthy.
May 11th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
I’m a little concerned about Evans staying healthy. He’s high mileage.
May 11th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Fred, I concur for both. Godwin hasn’t exactly been a marker of health, and ME is another year older with yet another new qb
May 11th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Godwin 1 on 1 is a tough task for any DB, be it out wide or in the slot.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:22 pm
You can stretch the field and play slot. Godwin will be fine.
May 12th, 2023 at 6:10 am
That is good news.
The way we were using him late last year was gonna get him hospitalized.
May 12th, 2023 at 9:09 am
I remember thinking he had elite ball tracking skills coming out of the draft when watching his college highlights. He went crazy in that Rose bowl game i think against Adoree Jackson
May 12th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
ME13 is far from being wheelchair material. And his personal bud CG14 is now going to be used as a complimentary wide threat instead of being beat up in the slot position. I love this news!! Now, who will emerge as the next Adam Humphrey in that slot position? I stayed off all Buc sites until today. Glad I did. Can’t wait until the start of the season. BTW, joes, Bucs are under the radar with the Craporate sports reporters yet again. That is a good sign.👏👏