Todd Bowles: Chris Godwin Is Hurting More Than People Realize
December 4th, 2023
Bucs WR Chris Godwin.
Outraged that a receiver like Chris Godwin can only touch the ball once in a close game? Joe sure is, and Joe is fed up with this weekly idiocy.
But hold up, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said.
Godwin is so beat up he’s a warrior for just being able to step on the field, Bowles said in his day-after presser this afternoon.
“We were subbing him out a lot,” Bowles said. “He’s a little nicked up so, he’s not totally 100 percent. Nobody is, but he’s probably banged up more than most.
“For him to get the run for us was huge. I think it helped him out a lot. It helped us out a lot. So it was good to see him get into the end zone.”
Now Bowles didn’t detail why Godwin is nicked up. He was questionable to play yesterday with a neck injury. Bowles didn’t offer if Godwin is suffering from additional injuries.
But think about this, if Godwin is a walking ER patient, why did the Bucs call his number to score a critical touchdown that won the game on a 19-yard end around? Did Godwin suddenly find a magic elixir on the sidelines to get fully healthy? He sure didn’t look hurt on that play.
If Godwin was healthy enough to score on that play that may have saved jobs, then he was healthy enough to get more than three friggin’ targets.
If Joe were sitting behind a big desk in Team Glazer’s office suite at One Buc Palace, Joe would demand someone from the team explain in great detail why coaches cannot find a way to get the ball to Godwin, a man the team has so much loot invested in.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
I agree. Something is wrong with either Godwin or the coaching. I’d bet on the coaching.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Ran for a TD but did not catch a pass. If something is physically wrong with him they need to sit him until hes healthy. I mean he did not catch a pass its not like we are going to the superbowl.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
60+ games with 2 or more receptions snapped.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
In my opinion Baker trusts Mike more than Chris because of Mike’s size. Baker knows he doesn’t throw an accurate pass, so size matters in this case. Brady was very accurate which is way Chris had a lot of receptions while Brady was the QB.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Not sure I understand this article.
Aren’t the joes part of the media?
Then why not just ask Godwin when he is available?
Hatred of Bowles aside . Is it possible for a player to make some plays and be too injured to play more? entirely.
So ask Godwin. This isn’t politics – not everything has to be a conspiracy theory.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Aubpierce Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
In my opinion Baker trusts Mike more than Chris because of Mike’s size. Baker knows he doesn’t throw an accurate pass, so size matters in this case. Brady was very accurate
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So why did the team suck last year too with brady?
December 4th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
If something is physically wrong with him they need to sit him until hes healthy.
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if most teams did that going down the stretch they’d never make the playoffs.
December 4th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
That is one of my biggest questions. Why has a superstar receiver we are paying so highly for not been getting the throws? Mayfield seems to be avoiding him for some reason. It’s not just for this past game either. Evans gets plenty of targets but not one of our best players. Godwin needs to be targeted more. We’re wasting this guys proven talent. No wonder our offense is so offensive.
December 4th, 2023 at 1:07 pm
After following Baker over the years, I doubt that he is going out his way to avoid throwing to Godwin. That just doesn’t make sense. Goodwin also dropped a pass from Baker earlier in the game. In fact, at least three passes were dropped yesterday. Curiously, no one seems to mention that. I also agree with Tony Marks about asking Godwin directly what exactly is wrong with him. Or is the media too timid to ask?
December 4th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
He sure looked healthy last night when he spoke.
December 4th, 2023 at 1:12 pm
At Tony Marks: It was about receptions, and your correct about the team sucking last year.In 15 games last year Chris had 104 receptions.In 11 games this year Chris only has 53 receptions. Chris will have to average 13 receptions a game in the next four to reach what accomplished last year in the 15 games he played. Poor offensive scheme, poor coaching, and an inaccurate short QB with small hands.
December 4th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
“Joe would demand someone from the team explain in great detail why coaches cannot find a way to get the ball to Godwin”
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I can answer that… Because you have a middling QB who is struggling to get you 200 yards a week passing.
There isn’t enough ball to go around because of the limited QB play, in particular if Mike has a big week.
December 4th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
Goodwin also dropped a pass from Baker earlier in the game. In fact, at least three passes were dropped yesterday.
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The Baker Bois know there’s a conspiracy at work to make Baker look bad, and Baker isn’t going to take it!
Baker could have easily put up 215 yards if his WR’s would stop betraying him and dropping his perfectly placed balls. Why is everyone against Baker!?!? Why does everyone, even his teammates, want to see him fail!?!?
LOL!
The Bucs WR’s over and over and over again bail out this middling QB with amazing catches – but Godwin “dropped” a 5 yard out on 1st down, and so Baker needed to teach him a lesson.
December 4th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Coaching. Play-calling. Schemes. Progressions. Last in league in rushing.
Playing from behind nearly every possession. These things dictate what the qb s told to do. Situational football. If a qb constantly faces 3rd and long (due to poor running) the whole stadium knows he’s throwing. Did you notice mikes 75 yard td was on first down? Amazing what a “middling” qb can do when the play caller
gives him a pass on first down. Too bad Trask wasn’t in during Noah’s flood the first half, he certainly would’ve thrown for 300! Mike would’ve had 260 ! TRASKPOSITIVE… 🙂
December 4th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
He also was barely subbed out. Compete crap from Bowles. He was in for 31 of 35 passing plays. This guy has no business being a head coach in today’s NFL.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Joe Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Then why not just ask Godwin when he is available?
He sure looked healthy last night when he spoke.
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So do I when I have a sore calf, touch of arthritis and even a sore throat. Medical journal are filled with conditions that have no looks and cause no limps.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Mush the aspiring mathematician says:
There isn’t enough ball to go around because of the limited QB play, in particular if Mike has a big week.
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Bake had 29 passes yesterday so the was lots of opportunities if you change the play calling. As usual check reality and you show your usual scrub qualities.
and by the way none of this or your posts changes the obvious
KYLE SUCKS! lol
Bake 13 Kyle 0
December 4th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Let Em Bake Says:
gives him a pass on first down. Too bad Trask wasn’t in during Noah’s flood the first half, he certainly would’ve thrown for 300! Mike would’ve had 260 ! TRASKPOSITIVE
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I told them in the game thread Kyle should have gone in. He would have fared better in water
since he’s already all wet.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
I am with some others, I think it’s Mayfield that’s not getting the ball to Godwin. Hell Evans is wide open many times and he throw to the tight end. It’s bad enough where the past couple of games the analytics have come out and said that Mayfield either have Godwin or Evans wide open and he miss them. Not to criticize Mayfield but fact is fact. Also my biggest concern is why has Mayfield been with so many teams the last 3 years
December 4th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Start Trask to find out what they’ve got in him.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Aubpierce Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 1:12 pm
At Tony Marks: It was about receptions, and your correct about the team sucking last year.In 15 games last year Chris had 104 receptions.In 11 games this year Chris only has 53 receptions
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you are making no sense whatsoever. It an entirely diffferent offense not just a different QB so you ae comparing apples to Avocados and if the last Qb was so accurate ad got everyone involved with his accuracy and the buc still stunk then OBVIOUSLY the issue is nothing to do with the QB
December 4th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Buc1987 Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Start Trask to find out what they’ve got in him.
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Kyle SUCKS. Lets see what we have in Wolford.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
I appreciate Bowles candor in this inexplicable situation but letting Atlanta know Godwin’s status on Monday with the most critical game of his coaching career coming up is not smart. I don’t give Bowles enough creedence to think he is gaming them and Godwin will be a healthy deployable weapon come Sunday. Running him from the slot at least on first and second down would be a nice change to see. He is a best of a blocker for his size. Godwin may not have as many receptions as he did last season but his has a bunch of impressive third and long receptions late in games so I don’t buy the notion that Mayfield doesn’t trust him. A bum neck makes it hard to track a throw your way. Some jammed fingers can render a WR next to useless outside of being a decoy. Hurt or not I’m praying for some vintage Chris come Sunday.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
He doesn’t seem to get separation the same as when he was in the slot. We’ll never get $20 million in production from him in this system each year. They should switch him back to playing in the slot, put Palmer out wide. Godwin plays with physicality, I just don’t see him making it through future seasons with all the injuries he’s already accumulated. For $20 million per season, we are likely overpaying for what he’s producing.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Tony Marks says Kyle SUCKS…
Yet he outperformed baker in camp and preseason… other than that you or any of us have not seen him in a game with the starters. Why the negativity? Why just waste a 2nd rd pick to never see him play is bizzare. You and the rest of the baker boys riding his meat are morons. Basically think Bowles ,canales, and leftwichs evaluations of players are good huh? Lmao
December 4th, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Looks like he has a very common neck injury where pain isn’t the main issue rather inability to move your head is. Swelling causes the lack of mobility to the point where you can’t move your head to the left or right. You literally have to move your head and body at the same time. Just a guess but I see him moving his entire body when looking back for the football
December 4th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
So why didn’t Godwin get more targets? I don’t think Bowles is the one to answer that. I’d start with Mayfield then move on to Canales.
Watching Mayfield yesterday & listening to the game announcers, he doesn’t survey the field very well it appears. Got a hunch he maybe does 2 reads (at the most) before he’s either releasing the ball or moving all over the place to keep from getting squashed. Started wondering if his ankle’s hurt more than he’s saying, because he seems to plant his foot earlier than most.
Seemed to be a number of times yesterday that the announcers would say that he threw into coverage, but had someone wide open on the other side of the field, yet never looked that way. Impossible for any of us to know though since TV angles don’t usually show that very well.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
BucnJim … Just saw your comment above about Mayfield possibly having a neck injury. Maybe that’s it. He doesn’t look nearly as fluid back there as he did earlier in the season.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Could someone local to the Traskies hold a Start Trask convention at a camp ground in Homestead or something? It’s just like a Star Trek convention- derisive, geeky, tubby, pimpled fanboys get to fawn over mediocrity from the past together as if it’s god’s gift to humankind and get exploited by low-end hookers. Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerrful could sign autographs. Aaron Hernandez could maybe put in a Skype appearance from jail. I think it’ll be a real hoot, boon to the local economy and an appropriate place for this QB battle that never was trash talk that infects every article’s comment section. No one is riding Mayfield’s jock except for his wife. He is better than Trask. That’s it. 3/10 is 3/10. It’s safe to say an injured Mayfield is preferable to a healthy Trask at this point but this irrational beef will continue on all Bucs’ fronts even after Trask hangs up his cleats and starts selling y’all insurance you don’t need.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
JByrd … ‘He (Godwin) also was barely subbed out. Compete crap from Bowles. He was in for 31 of 35 passing plays. This guy has no business being a head coach in today’s NFL’.
Why do folks let Canales off the hook so easily? Bowles isn’t telling Canales to play Godwin on 52 of yesterday’s 62 offensive snaps (84%). Bowles didn’t tell him to only target Godwin 3 times in that game, and he certainly didn’t tell Godwin to catch none of those.
In the previous game against the Colts, Godwin got 7 targets but only caught 3 of them. That’s very unGodwinlike. Game before that against San Fran, he caught 6-out-of-7 … much more like the Chris Godwin we all know & love. Something’s obviously been wrong with Chris these past 2 games that’s hampered his catching the ball (3-of-10 is very unlike him).
Bigger question IMO is … Should Godwin be out there at all if he’s hurting that bad? He’s tough as nails, but would hate to see him do any career damage by playing right now.
December 4th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Godwin is making around 20 mil last season and 20 mil this season. And what are his stats this season, low right. That’s poor money management by this coaching staff and Team Licht. Trade Godwin to a passing team. A team that will use him properly and often. If your Chris looking at your stats, you got to be frustrated
December 4th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
@Rod Munchkin – All you talk about is Baker. Do you even read the articles?
December 4th, 2023 at 5:07 pm
Conner50 Says:
other than that you or any of us have not seen him in a game with the starters. Why the negativity?
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A) because I am tired of traskies and its more fun to point out the realities of Trask and the situation.
B) because nature tends toward balance so we need more Kyle suck posts
C) because it make some traskies blood boil and its fun to see the steam come out of the ears
D) Because ALL of the people who watched him daily in training camp AND ( notice the and because I know who you are and this is just another of the four names you have used) through preseason games – said he lost the QB competition
For all those reasons stay tuned………
December 4th, 2023 at 5:09 pm
Kyle Sucks!
December 4th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
@DefenseRules wrote;
Watching Mayfield yesterday & listening to the game announcers, he doesn’t survey the field very well it appears. Got a hunch he maybe does 2 reads (at the most) before he’s either releasing the ball or moving all over the place to keep from getting squashed. Started wondering if his ankle’s hurt more than he’s saying, because he seems to plant his foot earlier than most.
Seemed to be a number of times yesterday that the announcers would say that he threw into coverage, but had someone wide open on the other side of the field, yet never looked that way. Impossible for any of us to know though since TV angles don’t usually show that very well.
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Most plays are designed to go to one side of the field or the other. On most plays, there are 2-3 reads, and maybe a hot/outlet route. So, if Mayfield was scanning the left side of the field, that’s because that is how that particular play is designed. Same fallacy that OBJ’s father fell into 2 seasons ago – it does not matter how often the guy on the back side of the play get’s open. Unless the QB get’s 4 seconds to scan without getting moved off his spot, they might as well sit down, cause the play is NEVER coming to them. Baker has rarely had 3 seconds, let alone 4.
Not directed at you, but this BS about Franchise QBs is really getting ridiculous. IF your team is a Top 10 team, then yes, the QB makes all the difference between being #10 and #1. IF your team is NOT a Top 10 team, no QB is gonna magically make them a Top 10 team… don’t believe me – look up Dan Marino. GREAT QB on a crappy team.
December 4th, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Joe, go back and watch some of his routes. You can tell he shouldn’t have been out there. Some he was literally jogging which isn’t typical of the type of work we see from him. There’s definitely something wrong and I hope he gets some time to recover
December 4th, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Defense Rules Says:
Watching Mayfield yesterday & listening to the game announcers, he doesn’t survey the field very well it appears.
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I will slightly defend Baker here. Despite not thinking that’s he’s a very good QB, he’s doing what he’s been told to do, and that is first and foremost protect the ball (as opposed to scoring points).
Anywho, watching Baker, and listening to people talk about Baker, he’s trying to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible, and goes through his reads very quickly – and that isn’t letting plays develop. So if he snaps the ball, and he doesn’t instantly like the coverage, he just moves to his next read. Godwin might be the first read on a lot of these plays, but due to coverage or Godwin not being instantly open, Baker moves to the next read.
Watching the games, I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with Godwin, and as of like 3 weeks ago, Godwin was still on pace for a 1000 yards as remarkable as it seems.
The issue is this isn’t much of a passing offense anymore – by design.
December 4th, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Some QB’s can look at the Pre Snap Coverage and movement at the snap and tell which routes are out. Brady was one of the best at it.
Godwin got a lot of quick hitters from Brady because he could throw short passes in the middle, on a line, and over the top of the defensive line.
Baker may be mobile but he certainly has his limitations.
Out routes that Brady threw on time were unstoppable because he could throw it to where he wanted to. Peewee depends on the lane available.
When edge rushers get into the throwing lane Mayfield can’t throw over the top of the defender and the throw end a little more right or left and end up too far in front of the receiver. Goes incomplete or Godwin dives and makes a circus catch.If that first timing route gets taken away he just can’t seem to get it to another receiver down field. Unless he can throw it as far as he can and hope for a big play. If Evans is covered you can forget about Godwin getting the next look cause the timings off. Enter the check-down. Got to keep those completion rates up. Even if the pass goes for no yards. Occasionally Mayfield will get out on the edge and make a throw but not often enough. Defenses usually take that way.
Been a ton of out routes Godwins catches where he had to lay out for it and take a hard hit from the ground. Also many where he’s open and has to elevate to get it and takes one for the team. No wonder he’s busted up.
If someone that could make ‘all the throws’’ was in there Godwin would have two or more three catches a game and would definitely be less banged up.
December 4th, 2023 at 10:06 pm
His biggest problem is that the midget QB we have can’t see him through the linemen.
If Godwin got more action he would probably feel better, where he is right now must be depressing,
December 4th, 2023 at 10:17 pm
Hopein1hand… Says:
December 4th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Could someone local to the Traskies hold a Start Trask convention at a camp ground in Homestead or something? It’s just like a Star Trek convention- derisive, geeky, tubby, pimpled fanboys get to fawn over mediocrity from the past together as if it’s god’s gift to humankind and get exploited by low-end hookers. Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerrful could sign autographs. Aaron Hernandez could maybe put in a Skype appearance from jail
Perhaps you just got work release from the joint or got off for good behavior
but the news is Hernandez has been dead for about six years now.
As far as Baker’s wife and his jock I’m not convinced that’s the only one in his jock. He has openly admitted to getting aroused by seeing a large man chasing after one of his receivers on a field with 20 other men and a 100 watching on the sideline.
December 4th, 2023 at 10:35 pm
Let’s rely on our depth and let him heal up
Wait
December 5th, 2023 at 12:08 am
Joe, can you go back and look at Baker Mayfield’s history?
Both in college and for other NFL teams did he favor one receiver or did he spread the ball around to multiple guys?
If he has a history of logging in on one receiver then that seems to be Mike Evans and there’s your answer!
December 5th, 2023 at 12:48 am
Todd Bowles hurts Chris Godwin more than anyone realizes. BA put him in the slot, he beasted.
Todd tells his coaches what to do, he is the ultimate top down coach, he just hides it under the fake Dungy demeanor.
If he has been fired after the Texans game, we’d have a chance.
December 5th, 2023 at 3:12 am
Has their ever been a season he wasn’t hurting.
December 5th, 2023 at 4:39 am
I see so we get one more BS excuse from Bowles. If Godwin was that injured he should have been on the bench! Period! instead he was on the field for 84% of the snaps! Todd that wasn’t up to par with most of your excuses sir.
Geez!
Go Bucs!