“I Can Be The Best Receiver In The League”
June 6th, 2016
Mike Evans speaks
There’s no denying that Mike Evans easily can have a happily-ever-after Bucs career, as long as he finds a way to lose the K-Y hands that dogged him last year.
Evans gets open. He blocks. He can make huge plays. Yeah, he loses his focus sometimes — on the ball and by worrying about flags. But Evans has the tools and the athleticism. At 22 years old, he’s already recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Evans is feeling it and knows his future is ultra bright. Speaking to the Houston Chronicle recently, Evans didn’t back off his potential.
“I’m never going to settle for second best,” said Evans, who’s entering the third year of a four-year rookie contract worth $14.6 million. “I think I can be the best receiver in the league. That’s my goal, year in and year out. I want to play in this league for a real long time. I want to dominate and help my team win. I just have to stay injury-free. I’m healthy. I feel really good.”
One might consider the “injury-free” line to be a cliché, but Joe believes there’s a lot more to it than that. Remember, at the NFL Scouting Combine this year, Dirk Koetter explained “there’s a plan” for Mike Evans’ body.
Tweaked groins and hamstrings have hampered Evans through two seasons, despite his production. Evans might just be a guy susceptible to those types of injuries, or he might be able to wipe them away with altered strength and flexibility training. Joe’s guessing the Bucs believe the latter.
Via the feature link above, Evans also talks about how he and Jameis are trying build/force better chemistry. Is that even possible? The answer is coming soon.
June 6th, 2016 at 10:09 am
“I just have to stay injury-free.”
Yup … that and catch the ball.
June 6th, 2016 at 10:24 am
Would be nice to see him get through the year without any hamstring issues. Seems to be an issue for WRs that we draft. Maybe morning practices will help a bit.
June 6th, 2016 at 10:25 am
finally having a real WR coach in his 3rd year coupled with more work with Jameis should really help. I can see Evans having a monster year. Just keep your mouth shut and ball young man.
June 6th, 2016 at 10:27 am
How many WR’s in the NFL “underperform” with 1000+ yards?
June 6th, 2016 at 10:30 am
There is absolutely ZERO question in my mind that Mike can be one of, if not THE best in the league. Think about what he accomplished last year WITH all the drops and no help on the other side.
If he can get beyond the focus issues…watch out!
June 6th, 2016 at 11:05 am
The WR’s the last couple of years suffered, like most of the team, from very poor coaching.
Poor coaching leads to lack of motivation because you don’t know any better, especially from youngsters.
This is the first staff since the Gruden era that has some coaches with “juice” and cred…
That alone should fire up the fans. We’re already seeing the players embrace it…
June 6th, 2016 at 11:11 am
Still blows my mind we didn’t, and haven’t, picked up another WR, either a solid vet or a young burner to give Jameis plenty of options. Hopefully by the time we roll into Atlanta we’ll be set there.
June 6th, 2016 at 11:23 am
Ben the Ga Buc Says:
Perhaps Licht & Koetter know something casual fans don’t.
WR’s aren’t the only pass-catchers. Look at Koetter’s offense and understand he really spreads the ball around to RB’s, TE’s & WR’s.
And Sims has played as a WR in this O.
This is NOT a WR-dominant offense. In fact, based on scheme & personnel, I can’t think of a potentially more balanced, high-production offense in Buc history, nor more offensive balance on any team in the NFL except maybe just a few.
I’ll predict the addition of Vitale will make many fans very happy with the passing game…
June 6th, 2016 at 11:44 am
Andre Roberts is sitting at home. I think we should at least bring him in or something.
June 6th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
cspann Says:
Like Louis Murphy, late season knee surgery. Robert’s was a meniscus so it’s not as severe as Murphy. He underwhelmed his $16 million deal with the ‘Skins, $8 million guaranteed.
Depending on how TC shakes down, I wouldn’t be surprised if Roddy White was signed after the first game so his entire contract wouldn’t be guaranteed (a really dumb move by the NFLPA.)
June 6th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
K-Y hands > Charmin heart ? I say yes.
June 6th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
hamstring/muscles issues are a magnesium deficiency problem, Joe..magnesium is used in the body by over 200 plus enzymes that perform specific functions…every heartbeat requires magnesium…every muscle contraction requires mag….when you dont have enough nag,, lactic acid builds up in the muscles and that leads to strains, pulls, tears…..
June 6th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Super bowl,who is with me.i know 1987 and nole on sat. Are.Tampaaaaaaq
June 6th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Mike Evans will be the first wide receiver I take in my fantasy draft I believe he will blow up this year pros and cons pros heavily outweigh the cons this year get ready Buc fans this is the beginning of something very special.Dynasty and then some jump on now being original
June 6th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Evans is going to EXPLODE this season. He’s hungry, he wants to prove it. I can’t wait to witness him grow into an ELITE top 5 wideout!
June 6th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
I can be? Yes you can Mr. Evans. But you won’t..unless you improve your concentration and ball catching skills. I can be? Grace will you please pour me another libation dear?!
June 6th, 2016 at 4:24 pm
I’ve banged on Mike Evans but I’m done. New year and he has talent. I’m refuse to expect him to be anything less the a reliable and big play receiver. He’s shown he can do it.
The slate is clean. Mike Evans has two paths in front of him……one is filled with gumdrops and kittens and pro bowls.
June 6th, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Man Joe and everyone better stay off my boy Mike Evans. No matter what I like this kid and I hope he stays with the Bucs for a long time.
June 6th, 2016 at 5:57 pm
I can easily see Mike getting 1,600 yes this year if he can play all 16 games.
June 6th, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Do it!
June 6th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
I like turtlez..
I love Hamus”
Mike Evans is a slacker who eats to much and is only concerned with being in da club B
June 6th, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Last year he and Jameis had no chemistry, partly because Evans had hamstring injuries for camp and preseason. having DVR’d NFL Replay and FF’ing to Bucs stuff, Jameis missed Evans as often as Evans dropped. They were not on the same page. Hope their time together fixes this.
If you frame it as… Evans was injured all preseason.. had a rookie QB… never got to practice with him.. and still had a 1,400 yard season…
It sounds like there is hope.
June 6th, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Love the attitude.
Hate the so called fans that are so damn negative all the time.
June 8th, 2016 at 12:24 am
Not can but will…
Just sayin.
June 8th, 2016 at 7:51 am
[…] expectations for himself: He actually believes he can be the league’s top wide receiver, per JoeBucsFan.com via The Houston […]