Bucs Have Been Less Reliant On Mike Evans And Chris Godwin For First Downs
October 23rd, 2024
The move-the-chains crowd might like this.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have been superior touchdown-makers this season. That’s one reason it’s so brutally crushing that Godwin is now lost for the regular season and Evans has a significant hamstring issue.
However, to Joe’s mild surprise, Evans and Godwin are responsible for 37.4 percent of Bucs first downs this season. Last year, they combined for 41.1 percent.
Those are big numbers, but at least the Bucs have been slightly less reliant on their two stars at receiver. Maybe that offers a little more hope in their absence.
Bucky Irving has 22 first downs this season to Mike Evans’ 21. One could argue, of course, that Evans’ presence on the field and the attention defenses give him make life easier for Irving and every other offensive player.
Joe is hungry to see how offensive coordinator Liam Coen re-works the Bucs offense to maximize the strengths of his other receivers and further highlight the running backs.
Joe’s been getting comments from fans that tight end Cade Otton will now get a big spotlight. Joe gets it, but Otton’s been averaging about eight targets a game over the last five games. That number won’t jump too much higher.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:45 pm
In as much as we don’t really have three good wide receivers to put on the field right now, I would think a lot more two back sets to make use of White’s ability to catch the ball
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Last season Rachaad White had 69 FDs. This season he only has 18 FDs. He did miss a game this year, but the Bucs are not getting the best of his abilities. He’s on the sidelines wayyyy too much..
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:52 pm
He’s on the bench because he’s garbanzo beans when he’s on the field. We are getting the best out of him, and his best is worse than both of our other options.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:57 pm
With nobodies at WR, does anyone think this team will be able to run? Get ready for loaded boxes.
Unless one of these WRs magically becomes good, or Licht goes out and gets one that isn’t a dumpster dive, this season is likely done. By the time Mike comes back, they’ll be 4-6 and likely no shot at catching Atlanta.
October 23rd, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Half of mayfields touchdown passes have gone too godwin and evans so i beg too differ somebody has too step up or its gonna be a long few weeks
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:09 pm
Need to trade for a wide receiver Johnson from the Panthers makes the most sense if Canales will cooperate. Hes a free agent in 2025 a short term fix.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Will someone tell me why they don’t bring back Tanner Knue. He absolutely was the best receiver we had in preseason. He tore it up. Sign him for minimum. What do you have to lose. The coaches said he looked like Clark Kent but performed like Superman on the field
Give him a chance
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:13 pm
By the way look at Knue’s college and preseason stats. Impressive.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Godwin kept many drives alive. YAC !!!
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Maybe McMillan will go to slot with Godwin probably out for the season. McMillen was a good slot player in college so maybe he’ll be more comfortable there with Godwin out right now.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Mike and Chris are the two headed monster and dynamic duo. Best of the best. It’s really sad they are both hurt and must concentrate on their own health. They both will be back. Possibly Mike around Thanksgiving as Joe mentioned. Chris possibly in the play-offs or next season.
Robert – Isn’t Tanner still on the practice squad? I say give him a chance too.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Silver lining is the Oline is playing elite. Im not saying these guys are better than Evans and Godwin at all, but both McMillan and Sheppard are probably better route runners than both of them. So if baker continues to get good protection and now were fielding upper echelon route runners, and the with the new ability to run the ball.. the Bucs offense is going to surprise a lot of its own fans with how effective the offense is going to be despite missing their two biggest play makers.
October 23rd, 2024 at 1:34 pm
I think we will see a bunch of new guys getting their chance. Remember Evans gets a hamstring issue almost every year, recently, and we do ok.
I am really glad Coach tried to fight until the end. I hope he keeps it up. We should NOT turtle just to fight another game, let alone give up a chance to win in the one we are playing in.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Will calm the doom and gloom crowd down.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:21 pm
I expect White to line up slot-ish several snaps on Sunday.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:23 pm
I doubt Godwin’s run blocking can be replicated.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:31 pm
Well its easy to explain Evans… Evans is done man. He cant get open. He drops half the balls thrown his way… if hes not giving up on the play first. Baker is completing like 60% of the balls to Evans, and all are contested. I bet half his picks are Evans direction too.
Evans just cant get open anymore. Time catches everyone.
No one wants to hear it. But its on the tape. Or just pull up the game highlights of any of his games this year, even the first game, his best of the season… All his catches were super contested… and a big drop in basically every game.
The David and Evans era of the Buccaneers is over.
October 23rd, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Nobody will replace Chris.
Incredibly reliable catching the ball, tough as nails, big time blocker.
Mike was our only reciever getting consistent seperation. HOF bound but if we’re being honest he juggles/drops more than his share of fairly easy catches over the course of a year.
I rewatched the game… J-Mac played better than I thought. He’s got potential and this is his big chance to prove himself as a pro. Big chance for Palmer to prove himself too.
Otton will be consistent.
Our backs could be the big difference. How will Coen use them? Rachaad probably has the best hands on the team now that Chris is gone. He’s proven he can block. I’d definitely consider putting him in the slot some. 2 back and 3 back sets, plenty of motion and shifts, I can see a way our offense could still be dominant and explosive.
Up to Coen to come up with the plan and everybody, especially some of our youngsters, stepping up and doing their job. There’s hope 👍🏼
Defense…. Different story 😞
October 23rd, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Joe….you’re right about Otten. With all the national attention being given to our new found running game, defenses will be playing up close. That will almost certainly open spots for the tight ends and whoever gets put in the slot. Play action fakes will have to be convincing. Go Bucs!!
October 23rd, 2024 at 4:05 pm
I didn’t rewatch the game so I still am not pleased with J-Mac. He needs some serious time on the JUGS machine, IMO.
October 23rd, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Week 7 vs BAL:
White – 10 rushes, 40 yards, 4.0 ypc
Irving – 9 rushes, 23 yards, 2.6 ypc
Week 5 vs ATL:
White – 10 rushes, 72 yards, 7.2 ypc
Irving – 9 rushes, 44 yards, 4.4 ypc
Week 4 vs PHI:
White – 10 rushes, 49 yards, 4.9 ypc
Irving – 10 rushes, 49 yards, 4.9 ypc
But tell us more about how much worse White is than Irving…
October 24th, 2024 at 2:55 am
Unbelievable,
Whew- you are looking to get banned! Caution sir!