Going Old School
June 7th, 2017
Original Mike Evans?
Very interesting words from a well-respected former NFL pro personnel director.
Gil Brandt still keeps busy working for the NFL and is a coordinator of the NFL combine, which was his baby. Brandt, along with other former NFL suits, dreamed up the combine decades ago.
The 84-year-old former architect of the Dallas Cowboys was a key force in building the roster of the Cowboys that was a dynasty for about 18 years. Originally from Wisconsin, Brandt watched as a young boy one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, Packers great Don Hutson.
Speaking on his SiriusXM NFL Radio show, “Late Hits,” earlier this week with co-host Alex Marvez, Brandt said Bucs receiver Mike Evans brings back memories of Hutson.
How old was Hutson? He played with Bear Bryant at Alabama, not for Bear Bryant. Hutson retired just three months after World War II ended.
In discussing Evans, Marvez noted he was targeted 171 times last year and everyone knew he was going to get the ball. Marvez cautioned defenses that won’t be the case this year, and he said Evans is likely to blow up with teams having to play honest with DeSean Jackson on the other side of the field.
“If you are a Tampa Bay fan, I want you to watch [Evans] catch the ball over his head,” Brandt said. “He has a great ability to catch a pass over his head. You know, he is as good as anybody I have seen since Don Hutson back in the late 40s, running full speed and extend the hands and bring you the ball in. He is really good at that.”
Joe never ever heard anyone compare Evans to Hutson, so off to YouTube Joe went. And you know what, the way Hutson reached out for the ball when he was on a dead run, he sort of does look like Evans.
Now Joe isn’t suggesting Evans is an all-time great (yet). Still, it was cool to hear one of the few people alive who actually did see Hutson play compare him to Evans.
If you want background on Hutson, watch this video, which Roger Goodell won’t let Joe embed on this site.
June 7th, 2017 at 9:18 am
Makes you feel good early in the morning when national media says good things about your favorite team.
June 7th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Thanks for the link to the video, Joe(s)! The NFL has to bring back those white footballs for the throwback games!
June 7th, 2017 at 10:35 am
Jameis, Evans, Godwin, and Sperbeck will be putting fear in defensive coordinators heads for years to come. Finally Jameis has more than ONE nfl receiver. It wont take long for Jameis and Evans to achieve the dream and surpass the underachieving dugny era teams.
June 7th, 2017 at 10:43 am
Joe says:
“Now Joe isn’t suggesting Evans is an all-time great (yet)”
His contract extension in August will say different!!!!!!!!!!
June 7th, 2017 at 10:58 am
I dont understand the logic of how a contract extension (that is not guaranteed in term just dollars) is related to greatness or HOF consideration. Those designations are determined by what happens on the field.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:16 am
Today them young buls call it “Mossin”.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:20 am
And ME d@$! good at it.
June 7th, 2017 at 12:27 pm
🙂
June 7th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Don Hutson? Yeah he was 6’5 with a 40 inch vertical too. Jeezus, is Adrian Peterson Steve Van Buren?
June 7th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
No one compares him to Don Huston because not many people living saw him play.
June 7th, 2017 at 2:22 pm
The Buc Realist Says
“His contract extension in August will say different!!!!!!!!!!”
I think you are right about the contract extension. Doesn’t seem like the team has spent their money yet.
But even so…a ‘contract’ does not mean he’s the best. Results do. 😛
June 7th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
I was very proud of Mike Evans last year. I was one of the fans calling for a new number 1 after Mike had problems with his hands in 2015.. Evans responded by showing me a clinic of great catches. His hand and body control were amazing. One of the greatest seasons I have ever witnessed by a WR. . Dude made me eat my words. Mike Evans is a guy to be proud about here in TAMPA.