Mike Evans Producing Like A Young Man
September 25th, 2023
Dominating.
At an age that where he is giving his own team pause about re-signing him at top dollar, Mike Evans is off to one of his best NFL seasons.
This has been his hottest two-game start to a season with 237 yards receiving after two games. Further, Evans entered Week 3 with the third-most catches of 20 yards or more (five). He’s behind only Jaylen Waddle of Miami for most yards per catch (19.8). Evans was also fourth in the NFL after two weeks in yards after catch (91).
Simply put, Evans is dominating at 30 years old.
Last week Bucs coach Todd Bowles spoke with reverance about Evans’ play this season with a brand new quarterback in a brand new offense.
“Mike’s been a pro,” Bowles said. “He loves to catch the ball, he loves to play the game, he loves to block, he loves to do it all, so he is excited about it.
“It’s something new for him to learn, but his production hasn’t dropped off one bit. He’s just as excited as he was the past few years.”
If anything, Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales should be applauded for finding ways not just to get Evans open, but for ways to allow Baker Mayfield a chance to get him the ball.
Yeah, Joe knows it is only two games. But dang, it’s hard to believe that at 30 Evans is off to his best season. That’s saying a bunch given his Hall of Fame-worthy numbers.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:11 am
And Baker Mayfield is slinging him the rock. Who woulda thunk?
September 25th, 2023 at 8:13 am
Baker isn’t afraid of 50-50 odds…
And, if the Cardinals can beat the Cowboys……anything can happen….
September 25th, 2023 at 8:13 am
Guys at his size in the NFL don’t have longevity. The fact that he is still doing this in his 10th season is unreal.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:18 am
Let’s get 250 and 3 tuddies tonight big Mike!!
September 25th, 2023 at 8:19 am
Dear Bucs fans, many of you will be happy to read this and few may not be happy. Actually you probably won’t see this post, since Joe has chosen to censor anything I post that doesn’t give you all the warm and fuzzies.There is no reason to ban me I will remove myself from this site. Let it be known I did NOT get Joe’s warning from off color remarks on politics, religion, swearing or race remarks. It is a shame that yet another media outlet has chosen to mute those that don’t follow their narrative. Good luck tonight and the rest of the season. FYI, pay Mike, he is great for the locker room!!! Thank you all for your comments good and bad this site if anything has been entertaining. Best, NE Fan/Lst-from-afr
September 25th, 2023 at 8:22 am
Mike is eating avocado ice cream. Lol
September 25th, 2023 at 8:26 am
Breakdown by Hawkins on ESPN was great. Showed how Canales and Co. worked Mike on deep comebacks to setup the deep TD ball.
ME13 has continued to show his dominance on the field. Several of his blocks last week were highlight reel worthy, with the best one springing the RB for a crucial 1st down in the 4th quarter.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:27 am
We need White and Tucker to have a solid game. I would love to see either one break a long run. This will keep their defense honest.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:30 am
Wouldn’t it be awesome for Mike to have his 200+ yard game tonight on Monday night football as they beat the NFC champion! If Baker keeps playing smart ball and the D continues to dominate, this team has enough talent to make noise in the NFC. Eagles, niners maybe cowboys as the best teams. I hope Mike goes for 250 tonight in a Bucs win!
September 25th, 2023 at 8:40 am
Easy The Great Says:
September 25th, 2023 at 8:13 am
Guys at his size in the NFL don’t have longevity. The fact that he is still doing this in his 10th season is unreal.
___________
Bigger receivers have always shown better longevity. You have no proof. TO, Moss, Rice, Art Monk, Cris Carter, Vincent Jackson, Stallworth, Keyshawn, big receivers play well far longer than their smaller counterparts. Even when they experience a fall off in speed, they’re still big and physical. Evans will have several more good years at the top.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:47 am
Brandon – agreed. Mike Evans still has at least several more good years left in him as long as he avoids major injury. Jerry Rice played 20 seasons to age 41, and was still hitting 1,000+ yards at age 39. That may be unusual, but unless a dropoff in performance is starting to show (as it did with Jerry Rice in his last season), then expectations of a fall off in performance and retirement at age 30 are extremely premature.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:12 am
Should have paid the man. Now you can pay him more.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:28 am
I think that is partially because Mike isn’t the proverbial “one trick pony”, only relying on his speed and athletic ability. He is a tough guy with attributes that don’t deteriorate quickly over time, if well maintained. I’m not shocked that he is able to have a fine year.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:32 am
I want a Carolina type game from Big Mike tonight.
225 and 3.
I definitely feel a couple deep shots to someone will happen tonight.
And I’m talking deep scores not just 71 yards.
Hard to believe it hasn’t happened yet.
Baker did miss Mike over the top wide open in the middle of the field before he scrambled and threw the ball away last week.
Baker is close.
Tonight could be the night!!!
I read a site where over 40 media outlets picked the Eagles and 1 picked the Bucs.
I hope that dude is leading the rankings after tonight.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:56 am
Looks like ME13 finally got his problem hammy fully healed. He even went over 1000 yards when that injury was driving him nuts. HOFamer first round. If anyone can get him the coin he deserves, it’s Magician GM Licht. Go Big Mike tonight!!
September 25th, 2023 at 10:22 am
ME13 said during training camp, “The TB12 method is for real!” He’ll probably play until at least 36…
September 25th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Bucs could have locked him up for Godwin money 3 years for 60mil and have him retire a Buc. Now likely close to Kupp money 3 years for 75mil. I don’t know how Bucs can keep both Godwin and Evans, unless they extend Godwin too.
September 25th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Tbbf
Welcome to the NFL. Anyone can beat anyone, and usually will. Cowboys rarely play well in Arizona
September 25th, 2023 at 10:35 am
@BradyGronkFan – you are late to the party. Mike’s agent has been asking for Cooper Kupp money since the beginning of negotiations.
September 25th, 2023 at 10:38 am
Nailed it Joe. I would not be surprised if the whispers of his decline have driven him to show folks just how full of it they are. Hope our two young guys are taking notes.
Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2023 at 10:58 am
That’s what happens when one plays against the worst 2 teams in the league (combined w-l total is 0-6). Let’s see what happens over the next 5 weeks when the bucs start to play real NFL teams.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:05 am
A Bucs Fan
I’m aware of it but that was top 5 WR money and as good as Evans has been, he wasn’t anywhere near that level. However, the Bucs should have made a counter offer instead of the wait and see approach.
Due to the increasing salary cap, Evans only has to play near the level of a top 5 WR to get 25 mil average.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:06 am
Eagles secondary is suspect. I think they’ll overload Evans, and this will be Godwin’s breakout game.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Speaking of top 5 WRs. Who is better than Evans?
Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson
Devante Adams
Who else? After the top 3, you could probably put Evans name anywhere between 4 to 15 depending on the season he has.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:25 am
Debatable.
September 25th, 2023 at 11:59 am
Brady Gronk, all of those guys can be divas. Not Evans. That’s huge.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
@BradyGronk Fan the issue four fold. $, age, franchise timing and Godwin.
Bucs will still owe Mike and Godwin over 53 million combined AFTER their contracts expire. so let’s say he signs for 25 million next season.. his cap hit will be 37 million dollars due to the $ paid out on the void year of his contract. That’s a lot to invest in a 31 year old WR.
That being said Mike will be 31 next year and not saying he wont because I believe he will… but 98% of receivers begin to decline around that age. Especially physical ones like Mike has been his entire career. Not a WISE investment for the future.
Speaking of the Bucs are in transition from a big push to the SB. They won’t have the books balaned until 2026 which means they aren’t planning to really compete unless Baker or Trask becomes the Franchise QB this year until 2025/2026 the earliest.
Lastly Godwin’s contract will expire at 28 years old and will be looking for a premium contract. He’s the younger option which logically makes him the better investment time wise.
However, as a Buc Fan Mike Evans should be a buc for life and all logic goes out of the window for a player like Mike. Pay the many and ensure he retires a Buc.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
The Bucs could use ME13 at TE in like 2 or 3 years when he losses a step or 2. TE arnt the fastest but for how big ME13 is and how good he blocks he could totally play TE. KInda like when ronde barber switched from CB to safety at the end of his career.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
Keep an eye on Palmer and Jarrett , Eagles will have to single somebody and Baker will not overlook the one on ones these two will receive. Really like both these kids.
September 25th, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Of the list of Big receivers mentioned above. Rice, Monk, Carter Etc only Stallworth was with one team his entire career.
Bill Walsh tried to move on from players earlier than later. Either it was to avoid signing them to a big deal and getting marginal returns or letting them go with a Thank you to sign an even bigger deal and let the next team end up taking the hit.
September 25th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Top 2:
Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson
top 5:
-Mike
-Devante Adams
-Keenan
September 25th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Mike has been here for 10 years, and has seen a carousel of OCs and Qbs. Rarely did they feed him early and often. Good recognition by Canales as to where his bread and butter is. Imagine if they played as if Mike needed 120 yards for that 1000 yard season just a handful more times per season. The more ME13 becomes a problem for defenses, the more opportunities CG gets. I never had a problem with the drops or his ability to get open when I watch him throw DBs around and refuse to be tackled.
September 25th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
It will get interesting when Canales works Otton, and the rookies into the receiving mix. Iggles can only guard so many receivers. Plus, the weather is now becoming a factor. Go Bucs!!
September 25th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Doubt weather will be much of a factor at 7:15pm EST…
September 25th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
As for Evans – I’ve been saying it all along. Dude is a pro’s pro, and is playing as well as ever.
Doosh, marine, and a few others will probably whine about something that isn’t up to their standards tho…
September 26th, 2023 at 8:23 am
#trade Mike (butterfingers) Evans