Todd Bowles Wants More Production From Chris Godwin
November 29th, 2023
Needs more targets.
In Todd Bowles’ mind, one key element must improve if the Bucs are to turn around their 1-6 spiral: Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin needs more catches.
Preferably touchdowns.
Of course, Bowles was asked a lot of questions today related in one way or another to the losing streak that Sunday reached six losses in seven games.
Only thanks to the horrid NFC South are the Bucs (4-7) legitimately in the playoff hunt.
Godwin often is invisible in the first halves with few if any targets. Unthinkably, Godwin has just one touchdown catch this season.
Bowles said the Bucs have to find a way to get that turned around.
“He’s definitely a better player and he’s doing everything he can,” Bowles said of Godwin who only once in the past five games has had more than eight targets. “He’s been a little nicked up but we’ve got to get him in the end zone, as well.
We’ve got to keep Mike [Evans]’ production where it is and we’ve got to bring Chris’ up to where Mike is.”
Joe can’t find one Bucs fan who would disagree. But Joe thinks there’s a simple answer.
Maybe, just maybe, if the Bucs weren’t so hellbent on running the ball with the league’s worst rushing attack (now up to 3.4 per carry, still the worst in the NFL), Godwin might get more targets and more catches, which may lead to more touchdowns.
Gee, what might an offense do to move the chains better, target one of the best receivers in football or pound the ball time and again for three yards?
As you will hear Joe say on the next “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” it’s not what Dave Canales or Bowles may or may not want to do, it’s what’s responsible to do with the talent available to score points and win games.
Running between the tackles for three yards ain’t it. Targeting Godwin more than once or twice in the first half is a start.
Plenty of teams out there have two (or more) good receivers and those coaches scheme their receivers open in the red zone. At times, Joe wonders if the Bucs even care enough to do this for Godwin.
You cannot tell Joe the Bucs offense is better off running the ball between the tackles for three yards as opposed to targeting Godwin.
If folks at One Buc Palace haven’t realized this yet, that’s probably a good reason why the Bucs are 4-7.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Move Godwin back in the slot where Bruce Arians had him. It puts Godwin in the best position to succeed.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
Fine Todd. Just Jim Dandy. We, the fans want a hellava lot more production from your Defense. You are getting gouged, gashed and trampled every game. Teams are running so good against us. I started thinking about Alstott up the gut on every play Offenses are running against us. Fix the pass rush. Fix the Defense sir.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
Also think they force the ball to Evans non stop and that why we score so little
November 29th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
How about throw him the ball if you want more production unless this is code word for our 20 million dollar man can’t get open
November 29th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Ya think?? Talk to your OC and move CG around…it’s not rocket science! #forgottenman
November 29th, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Also, can we for the love of God…get more pre snap motion?!?!!!!!!!
November 29th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
Personally, I don’t think Bowles is capable of fixing things.
The Glazers won’t fire him before the end of season, but I would jump at the chance as owner.
I would tell him straight up: “You are not a good a head coach, Todd. That’s the bottom line. You have this view of what a team winning team looks like, and you refuse to adjust if it doesn’t work. Stick with running defenses…elsewhere.”
November 29th, 2023 at 4:32 pm
“Maybe, just maybe, if the Bucs weren’t so hellbent on running the ball with the league’s worst rushing attack (now up to 3.4 per carry, still the worst in the NFL)”
This is where the whole multiple anonymous joes thing gets confusing. Just a day or two ago the narrative from this blog was the run game is significantly improved which would validate Canales own narrative of sticking with it.
I don’t think Canales is going to get the memo running the ball “aint it” when you just told him yesterday his whole thesis on running the ball and it will improve is actually working.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
@Panhandle Buc
I thought I saw plenty of pre-snap motion…but maybe it’s below normal? I don’t know. Add too much, and Baker will miss the play clock.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
LOL. Chris G. making a lot more money than any receiver in Bucs team and he is least utilized. It is not Dave C. It is Baker who can’t get the ball to him. Baker is too short to see him. Trask came in right away Dave C. went to Chris.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Tony Marks, I don’t personally think it is on Canales. I think he is doing exactly what he was hired to do.
That said…he’s toast as well.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says –
I don’t know the count but it doesn’t seem like enough to get quick throws and separation. CG used to touch the ball a lot more until this infatuation w/ our RBs.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
David Says:
November 29th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
. Trask came in right away Dave C. went to Chris.
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for ZERO production because Kyle chose the target with no room to bring the ball down for an in bound completion.
Not exactly what production means in the NFL High priest of Kyle
November 29th, 2023 at 5:04 pm
IDK, maybe Todd Bowles should demand more production from his defense.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:05 pm
Agree Joe. 199 percent. He’s being wasted.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
November 29th, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Tony Marks, I don’t personally think it is on Canales. I think he is doing exactly what he was hired to do.
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Like I have said before defensive coaches if they have the choice want to the games to be won on defense. Its natural . it make them look better
They instinctively do not want an offense that overshadow their specialty. The run game is great toward that goal. runs are less sensational and give the defense more time to rest. I have no doubt Canles is working with a leash.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Both ME12 and CG14 are being misused. How about the HC leaves his office and walks across the hall and talk to his OC. Put CG 14 in the slot, run the WC offense to keep pressure off of Baker. It is not rocket science, but our OC doesn’t seem to make adjustments very well.
As far as the defense, I want more production from the DC… lol. Somebody needs to step up on defense.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Only took til week 13 for Brilliant Bowles to say something. Good grief. If our next head coach is a defensive guy too, I may lose it.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:19 pm
It would help a lot if they targeted him more. He’s got sure hands, but they’ve been empty recently – almost like he’s an afterthought.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Toddball strikes again.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
When your starting QB is throwing for less than 200 yards a week, it’s hard to find those targets.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
todd bowles wants nothing…
the winner of the coaches sideline mannequin challenge wants nothing…
absolutely nothing
November 29th, 2023 at 5:44 pm
So sad when everyone but Bowles and Canales know what to do with Godwin. Unlike Evans, he’s got reliable hands. Throw him the damn ball instead of running White up the middle for a 1 yard loss. Not that complicated. Unfortunately, it took Bowles 11 games to come to his conclusion.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Completely agree – he speaks with a forked tongue and is hanging his OC out to dry basically
I can’t believe for one second Canales wants to run on 2nd and 8 multiple times a game
They have to use Chris more in the short passing game to move the chains- something BA and Byron absolutely knew how to do
November 29th, 2023 at 6:03 pm
This offense is incapable of utilizing 2 productive receivers.
November 29th, 2023 at 6:19 pm
Bowles so full of it, the guy is an excuse machine. Every time he opens his garbage comes out. I wish he would shut up and learn to coach this team.
November 29th, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Leftwich knew how to route guys open. Canales doesn’t… check our red zone offense
November 29th, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Hasn’t he only had 1 drop all year? Dude needs more targets! Only good game that he’s had this year was vs the Saints after Mike went out and he became WR1! #GetCGtheball
November 29th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Dang, it only took Bowles 11 weeks to realize this? He must be some type of genius…
November 29th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
We’re paying Chris Godwin what? We’re paying Rachaad White what? Obviously one more productive than than other. Mismanagement
November 29th, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Tony Dungy football all over again. Why he was fired so the Bucs could win a Superbowl
November 29th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Tony Marks syas;
“for ZERO production because Kyle chose the target with no room to bring the ball down for an in bound completion.
Not exactly what production means in the NFL High priest of Kyle”
Do not post unless you speaks the truth and have the proper supportive docs.
Go watch the film with your thick prescription glasses.
Chris had adequate space to make that catch. He just dropped it and acknowledged that was on him.
At lease Kyle give his receivers chance by throwing balls than din and dunk captain Baker all day to White.
Baker is done here but you can follow his instagram or get a free seat to his XFL games.
November 29th, 2023 at 9:28 pm
Trask fan, EVERYONE who commented on the play (save for you) said Godwin could not possibly have caught that pass in bounds. Maybe noone else was open and he took the best remaining option, dunno. Stinnie screwed us with the penalty. At least the guy didn’t get picked off
November 29th, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Hammerhead Says:
November 29th, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Tony Dungy football all over again.
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One of the most retarded comments yet on this site, great job!
November 30th, 2023 at 12:08 am
IMO, we primarily use the motion to reposition a player another spot on the line. Just one example caught my attention, 49er’s put a WR in motion and he went right into the route at snap. By that time he had afterburners on had a big gain.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:57 am
Desperate David Says:
Chris had adequate space to make that catch. He just dropped it
————
THere was no drop… The CATCH is on film silly. However I get it. In a Traski’s world Physics and momentum does not exist
What else is new for a traskie?
November 30th, 2023 at 1:05 am
Canales is a joker or following orders form toilet bowl.
No excuse, CG should have been schemed open games ago ! Not just moving forward. Too little too late. Another season essentially over.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:29 am
I used to look forward to BA’s pressers but I find TB so boring I hardly want to listen. If I feel that way I wonder how players feel. I agree with Joe 100%.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:37 am
How about more production out of TB?
November 30th, 2023 at 5:32 am
Arrrg!
November 30th, 2023 at 6:29 am
A little late to the collective party but we welcome you sir. yes we ALL agree so let’s make that happen shall we.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:06 am
Or, Meybe Godwin isnt trying very hard to get open
November 30th, 2023 at 9:33 am
Perhaps you can have your hand picked offensive coordinator call some plays for the man!
This coach is in over his head.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:35 am
I concede that Canalas/Bowles have tried to force the running game at the expense of the offense, particularly Godwin!
But it’s not just the playcalling. I think they spent so much time on new blocking schemes and details in the running game that they neglected any creativity in the passing game.
And so I see lots of receivers who get wide open…if it’s Cheetah Hill I get the exception..I also get that watching our opponents may not be a good indicator because our DB’s are always out of position.
Flip over and our guys are rarely wide open. We had a great mistake by the Colts that left ME13 wide open but why is Baker always forced to thread needles? Palmer gets open because D’s are looking for ME and CG…perhaps Canalas should get more creative with play designs or different routes.
Perhaps ME13 especially gets “open” with his size and strength and you just have to throw it to him even though he’s covered. Most of CG’s catches have also come on incredibly well thrown balls to a covered target.
Is there no way to scheme these guys open? Just asking not really sure.
November 30th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Ironically, Bucs fans want more production out of Todd Bowles