“He Looked Like Chris”
September 9th, 2024
Chris Godwin scores his first touchdown of 2024 on Sunday.
Joe already touched on how damn sharp Chris Godwin looked Sunday in the Bucs’ 37-20 season-opening win over the Commandos.
Joe noticed Godwin practicing on another level from the very first training camp practice. Maybe he’s re-energized because he’s back primarily at his old position where he has had his best seasons, slot receiver. Maybe it’s the first time in three years he is fully healthy.
Godwin practiced lights out this summer. And that has carried over to the regular season.
Godwin caught a game-high eight passes, every pass he was targeted. How well did the Bucs’ passing attack look? Well, Godwin averaged 10.4 yards a catch. And his game average per catch was fifth-best for the Bucs on Sunday.
Joe doesn’t ever recall seeing something like that before.
Todd Bowles couldn’t talk up Godwin any more than he did.
“He looked great,” Bowles gushed. “I mean, he looked great. He did some good things in the run game, as well as the pass game.
“He got loose on some plays. He made some big catches. Yeah, Chris looked like Chris.”
After the game, Godwin didn’t deny he felt much more comfortable playing slot.
When Godwin was asked if, like Bowles said, he looked like his old self on Sunday, Godwin was was with his head coach.
“I think I would agree with that,” Godwin said. “Just back doing a lot of things that I’m accustomed to doing over the last four or five years or so.
“It was a lot of fun. It felt good being in a lot of those tough positions.”
Godwin explained that playing slot enables him to deceive defenders so much better than when he was stuck playing outside last year.
“Obviously when you are in the slot, it’s a little bit easier to disguise if you are going to be run blocking or running a route – going inside, going outside, it gives you a lot of flexibility,” he said.
Godwin, ever the professional, wasn’t quite ready to call himself back all the way.
“Having a lot of fun but we have a lot of stuff to clean up,” Godwin said.
Perhaps.
But Godwin looked like he was back in his prime hauling in passes from Tom Brady. Now he’s doing the same, only with another hot quarterback on a roll in Baker Mayfield.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:24 am
Goodwin did look good today – way quicker than the beginning of last year when I was worried that injuries might be catching up with him. I thought he looked much better as the year along – and today he looked fresh, and fully healthy.
But Godwin’s best season was 2019, when he was lined up outside and had 1300 yards and 9 TDs in 13 games – so I don’t buy being in the slot being some magic answer for him. But being fully healthy, I think that’s huge. Regardless, if he’s wanting to be in the slot, then play him in the slot – he’s an ALL-PRO WR and you should let him play wherever he wants if he’s the best guy for the job.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:11 am
I distinctly remember shouting his name more times than I could count all afternoon along with the words first down. Excellent game by many players, but Godwin stood out. Bravo!
September 9th, 2024 at 5:17 am
CG is a football players football player. And now he’s back to full health. I don’t know much but I do know that’s a good thing for us.
September 9th, 2024 at 5:58 am
PAY THAT MAN! We are living in an era where the 2 best receivers the team has ever had are playing at the same time at similar ages, don’t muck that up.
September 9th, 2024 at 7:08 am
2019 was the year we hired Bruce Arians and he moved Godwin to the slot.
September 9th, 2024 at 11:26 am
Slot is the ideal position for both his current age and his enormous experience. Bucs now with the young speed burners and Mike’s size and deep threat, make Godwin even more effective. He is the master of crafty moves and getting open in the short to medium zones. Tough, clever, great hands, great blocker, great route runner! What a complete player!!!
September 9th, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Ungodly. Enough said!
September 9th, 2024 at 7:43 pm
Godwin is a stud & should be paid
September 15th, 2024 at 9:25 pm
I thought Cohen was channeling the ghost of Joey Galloway there the entire first half