Only Julio Jones Bested Godwin
July 17th, 2018
Better than most. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Football is in the air. And you know how Joe can tell?
No, it’s not the sight of internationally famous JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman showing off his prized collection of Father Dungy clips. It is the return of L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, social activist Peter King and his weekly NFL column after he takes his annual summer siesta.
In case you haven’t heard, King, after nearly two decades, has found a new home. He left Sports Illustrated where he founded theMMQB.com website and landed at NBCSports.com full-time. And in his debut column for the Peacock, King dug up a very, very interesting stat on Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin.
It seems based on Godwin’s rookie season (remember his final play of the season gave the Bucs a win over the Saints?), defenses should fear Godwin more than any other wide receiver in the loaded NFC South not named “Julio Jones.”
Chris Godwin of the Bucs averaged 15.4 yards per catch last season as a Tampa Bay rookie wideout. Using a threshold of a minimum of 30 catches, only Julio Jones (16.4 yards per catch) stretched the field better among AFC South wideouts. Godwin was better in yards-per-catch than Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Mike Evans.
When the Bucs signed DeSean Jackson two years ago, Ira made a bold prediction on his podcast (featured twice weekly on this here corner of the interwebs) that Jackson would not see the final year of his three-year contract in a Bucs uniform.
That remains to be seen but if Ira is correct, a big reason likely will be the emergence of Godwin (who doesn’t seem to have any chemistry issues with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston).
Joe never dreamed of the day he would type the following, but the Bucs are absolutely loaded at receiver.
July 17th, 2018 at 12:23 am
I feel like I’ve already read this… a week or so ago…
July 17th, 2018 at 12:44 am
You felt wrong. King’s article posted late Sunday night.
July 17th, 2018 at 5:23 am
Agree with Ira that DJax most likely won’t see year 3 of his contract (too many other mouths to feed). But before folks nominate Godwin for the prestigious ‘Second Best Receiver in the AFC South’ Award (you need to talk to Peter King about which conference the Bucs & Falcons play in Joe), we should probably let Chris get at least one more year under his belt.
Comparing Godwin to Julio Jones is quite meaningless … at this point in Chris’ career. Yes he averaged 15.4 yds/catch … in ONE year on 34 receptions. Julio has averaged 15.5 yds/catch over SEVEN years on 585 receptions. Not only that, but Julio has AVERAGED over 95 YARDS/GAME in the 95 games he’s played in since being a rookie. That’s my definition of a beast.
Still, I’m really hopeful that Godwin does even better his 2nd year. His 61.8 catch% was better than ME13 (52.2%) & DJax (55.6%) but I think he can do even better depending on how much Koetter uses him. He got targeted a lot (10 targets with 5 catches) in the Jets game (first game Fitz started), but not so much in Fitz’ other 2 starts. Also got targeted a lot by Jameis in last game against the Saints (12 targets with 7 catches). It’ll be interesting to see how our coaching staff uses him this year.
July 17th, 2018 at 5:59 am
Stats are for fools. You may as well say that he is the only receiver on the top 5 (with this average)that has an A and I in their last name that matches the A and I of the first name of the leagues top receiver Antonio Brown. Wow, he made a TD catch in the final game against a team that had nothing to play for. He most certainly has chemistry with dumb as a bag of hammers JameISNOT, as they both rack up yards well after the game is over or if the game does not matter.
I speak the truth, I am the truth, and the truth hurts.
July 17th, 2018 at 7:14 am
If the right opportunity comes knocking, we may not see Djax finish his 2nd year.
July 17th, 2018 at 7:22 am
Godwin will make people forget that DJax was ever even here, eventually. He’s a well-rounded WR and should be at least a #2 WR, at least.
Comparing him to Julio is a bit unfair but, that’s good company to be in. He’s got a great future if Koetter can get this offense humming.
July 17th, 2018 at 7:50 am
Godwin doesnt change defensive alignments. Jones does.
Can we let Godwin become great before announcing him as the next Jerry Rice/Julio Jones? I would also counter that Godwin will have a very difficult time becoming great because there wont be many balls available after Evans-DJAX-and Brate get their receptions.
July 17th, 2018 at 8:01 am
Yeah Joe, you’re absolutely right…
From WR to TE, the Bucs are loaded…Jameis has no excuses this year as long and the Running contributes and the Offensive line holds up the Bucs offense should finish as on of the best in the league…
July 17th, 2018 at 8:37 am
@Joe
I guess that NFL GM predicted it too!!!!!! And that is why this is the last year for dead money on his contract!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 17th, 2018 at 8:49 am
I was against signing DJax from the start. I knew his stats were padded by his excessive number of opportunities. The other WRs always suffered because QBs threw more to him, whether he deserved it or not.
Out of ten passes thrown his way, he might catch four, and he might break for a good run after catch once in every twenty-five catches. And he has never been a true deep threat as people here kept claiming. His stats came from those few times he did break free, and he did it more when he was younger.
The proof is in the stats since he arrived. All other WRs stats plummeted because Winston was forced to throw more to him.
We were sold that DJax was so fast he would always be down the field faster than defenders, yet that is not the case. Fans like to point out how Winston kept overthrowing him. Did anyone consider that was because DJax slows down, throwing off the timing of the plays?
Because as much as the Jameis haters want to blame him there is one fact they cannot vet around. Jameis has no problem getting the ball to any other pass catcher on the team. Only DJax. So if the issue is only with DJax, then it is because of DJax.
Because of his contract, cutting him this year is not feasible. But if he isn’t paying off by mid season, Jameis himself will stop throwing to him as much, and Djax might throw tantrums and eventually get deactivated like Keyshawn did.
Unless Licht finds a trade partner.
July 17th, 2018 at 8:53 am
donuts Says
“Godwin doesnt change defensive alignments.”
Yet.
That’s not really a fair statement considering Godwin has only had 30+ opportunities. You can’t predict he won’t do just that when given the chance.
July 17th, 2018 at 8:54 am
I will say this: the Bucs will not make the playoffs so long as Winston is being fored to throw mainly to DJax.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:11 am
I think you just used the wording “The Bucs are loaded at wide receiver”once before, but that’s ok, it’s a true statement.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:18 am
Lol at everyone with their panties in a wad.
Nobody is “comparing” Godwin to JJ. Just in interesting stat that was dug up.
Aren’t you guys Happy that we have a young WR snapped up in the third round that has star potential?
July 17th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
@SB,
Of course they are happy. The article gives them something to criticize. Either Joe, or Peter King or each other.
July 17th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
I’d shop DJax around for a solid CB or OL.
July 17th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Open receivers on every play. Can’t wait for one to get open, others are already open.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:02 pm
I know he’s not flashy and on a team which includes some media whres like GMC and Jameis but for me Godwin was one of the most fascinating stories of HK.
I know Hard Knocks has a bad rep here but I enjoyed learning about guys like Godwin was a large reason.
You could quickly tell that Godwin was the real deal with his head on straight. How cool is it to be dating a woman so physically fit she can lead and inspire your workouts. Godwin is comfortable in his own skin…doesn’t need lots “camera time” and has modesty….what did I just type…a freaking NFL player or any top professional athlete displaying modesty? There are a few left but they are far and few between.
July 18th, 2018 at 2:07 am
As far as receivers go the Bucs are in a good situation. Sure beats the alternative.