Premature Jocularity
August 17th, 2014
Bucs WR Mike Evans streaks down the left sideline for an apparent touchdown. But, no! He fumbled at the one with the ball rolling out of the end zone for a touchback. It proved to be the difference in the game. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
Bucs fans got a glimpse of the future tonight, and almost immediately wanted a time machine to turn the clock back 30 seconds.
Bucs coach Lovie Smith always touts Mike Glennon as the quarterback of the future. And there he was, in a shotgun from the Miami-42 midway through the second quarter.
Running in the middle was big, tall rookie Duncaneer Mike Evans, the team’s first round draft pick. Glennon hits Evans who catches the ball, runs into Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler, bounces off Wheeler, runs to the left sideline and tried to outrun Dolphins corner Brent Grimes (the Bucs could have had him) to the end zone. It seemed he did.
But wait! Something was missing. That was the football. Grimes knocked the ball away just as Evans was about to cross the goal line.
Instead of a Bucs touchdown, it was a touchback. Miami got the ball at their own 20.
“I just used my frame, got in front of the ball, the guy whiffed on the tackle, and I showed by 4.8 speed,” said Evans, jokingly sharing his frustration at getting caught from behind.
“Embarrassing. You know, I want to still win even though it’s preseason. That touchdown could have helped us win. We lost by six, I think it was. But that’s a learning experience, though. I’m happy it’s preseason. Happy I could get that out of the way.
“[The defender] surprised me. I didn’t know it was that close, and he hit my arm and it went out of bounds. I kind of knew it was a fumble. That’s why I didn’t celebrate.”
Everything about the play explained why the Bucs think Glennon is the man and Evans is the start of the not-so-distant future. Everything but the fumble. And yes, as Evans suggested, that was the difference in the game.
“At least it is preseason,” Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown said. “That’s the best time to learn. At least it wasn’t against Carolina or Atlanta.”
If there was a silver lining to Evans’ gaffe in Joe’s eyes, it was in a game that doesn’t count. Live and learn.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:30 am
Had the ball in the wrong hand. Hope he learned.
August 17th, 2014 at 1:04 am
Glennon may be the future, but he has butterfingers and can’t hold onto the ball. You saw it twice in games last year, multiple times in practice this year, and again tonight, with no one touching him the ball slips out of his hand. I don’t know if his hand is too small or what, but he has an issue with holding onto the ball.
August 17th, 2014 at 2:44 am
Thus wouldn’t gave happened if Greg Schiano was still our head coach. .he always preached about holding the ball high and tight . by the football! Bite the football!
August 17th, 2014 at 4:11 am
Meanwhile, earlier this summer:
Dear Critics,
“I have never been caught from behind.”
Sincerely,
Mike Evans
Welcome to the big leagues, Bud.
August 17th, 2014 at 7:16 am
Premature Ejocularity! I’ve had that happen to me before!
August 17th, 2014 at 8:03 am
Bucdon is exactly right. It was a rookie mistake. Best it happened in the preseason.
August 17th, 2014 at 8:38 am
That would have been his first NFL touchdown. He’ll never forget that moment. I’ll bet it doesn’t become a regular thing. Glennon looked really sharp with the ones. But it quickly went South with some backups and vanilla play calling. He looked good early. We got bit by the injury bug last night. Hope they make it back soon…
August 17th, 2014 at 9:42 am
If Glennon showed anything last night it’s that he is not the QB of the future for the Bucs or any other team. He has missed the opportunity for the last two games to showcase something, anything. He does not have the ‘it’ factor that one can see from other franchise QB’s. He needs to to relish and accept the fact that his future is and will be a career backup. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
August 17th, 2014 at 10:48 am
@kevin, no it wouldnt have been his first NFL TD because preseason stats dont count.
August 17th, 2014 at 10:57 am
He is just learning from Vincent Jackson (not that Vjax would fumble), but the whole part of the DBs catching you at the 2 yard line.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
@bob – put McCown with the 2nd-3rd string and see if they don’t look identical. Til then, give the anti-Glennon talk a rest.
August 17th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Right on Louis!