“Better From Top To Bottom”
August 18th, 2020
Hyping teammate.
While early in 2020 training camp Bucs fans are reading about and hearing about Scotty Miller likely leading the pack to be the No. 3 receiver, Mike Evans advises Bucs fans not to close the book on another receiver.
Evans, who is on a Hall of Fame path, seemed genuinely stoked talking about forgotten teammate Justin Watson. So when Evans had a Zoom conference chat today, he raved about him.
“This year, we are going to be better from top to bottom,” said Evans of the Bucs’ wide receivers.
“And J-Wat, he improves every single year,” said Evans as he karate-chopped the air with his hand for emphasis. “Like his quickness, at the line of scrimmage, his routes, he is more physical, he is running faster, he is catching the ball better.”
Watson had a rotten training camp and preseason last year to the point Joe wondered if he was going to be a final cut casualty. He seemed to progress enough to have an OK year when he saw playing time due to injuries late in the season.
Watson averaged over 10 yards a catch while being targeted 26 times.
Joe gives Evans credibility here in judging receivers. He’s a damn good receiver so he should know one.
Joe will retell the story of Evans’ advice to Joe after then-rookie Chris Godwin caught a 39-yard pass to beat the Saints in the final game of the 2017 season (that win cost the Bucs Quenton Nelson).
In the locker room after the game, Evans said Godwin is a No. 1 receiver. Joe was shocked by the statement and replied, “Mike, I thought you were a No. 1 receiver?” Evans said, “I am,” and walked away.
Then Evans stopped and came back to Joe and said, “Now don’t you start nothing.”
Joe laughed knowing full well what Evans meant. Evans was dead-on accurate about Godwin, and Joe sure hopes he’s just as accurate about Watson.
August 18th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
interesting to see who will be number 3, BA and BL seem enamored by the speed of this little scotty dude.
[Joe is assuming you are referring to the national ad feeds, as none of the subjects you mentioned Joe has contracts with these people/subjects. These national ads can be based on your computer’s browsing history. — Joe]
August 18th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Had high hopes for Watson. I give Dirk Koetter a lot of criticism for not developing players but the man did know how to train an NFL receiver. Figured Watson would be another success.
August 18th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
These national ads can be based on your computer’s browsing history. — Joe
Oh boy, you don’t want to see my browser history 😳
August 18th, 2020 at 2:46 pm
I too have high hopes for Watson. Ivy league kid = smart? Probably. With his size speed combo he seems like a certain WR3 on this team.
August 18th, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Year 3 is always breakout anyway.
August 18th, 2020 at 3:05 pm
That’s the glass half-empty point of view. You say the win cost the Bucs Quenton Nelson but I say a loss would have cost the Bucs Vita Vea!
August 18th, 2020 at 3:13 pm
D Rome
Agree!
August 18th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
Again, Watson was terrible last year when he was given the chance to start – he was absolutely awful. If the team had any depth at WR, he’d get cut, or would be reduced to a Ryan Smith-like role of special teams only.
August 18th, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Besides Evans and Godwin, the receiver unit was inexperienced. Perriman was in the league a couple seasons, but it took him half the season to get things down. Scotty was injured most of the season. Watson had no real playing time. Scotty and Watson should improve with that year under the system.
August 18th, 2020 at 3:57 pm
Shades of Joe Jerivicous ,sp,
August 18th, 2020 at 4:24 pm
I’ve always like Watson, only wished he had hands like Godwin.
August 18th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
As much as I was rooting for Watson, and still hope he makes the team, I really want to see Scotty Miller on the field A LOT this season. That dude is just a long boom waiting to happen and that will only help the other players getting open.
Ronald Jones is one of the best RB’s that came out of his defat class (the best actually) at yards gained after reaching the second level. Get Miller heavily involved and send him home on some successful long bombs and that will pave the way for a bunch of 60 yards td runs for ROJO.
It’s all about making every ingredient complement the others!!!
August 18th, 2020 at 5:27 pm
There’s no way that our defense would have improved as much as it did last year without Vita. As good as Nelson is, I’d still rather have Vea.
August 18th, 2020 at 8:32 pm
I don’t see a clear #3, I see situational play calling based on what we are facing and the individual match-ups determining who is getting the most snaps
They are inter-changeable
August 18th, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Mike Evans press conference makes me melt. That guy is a serious professional and FHOF and not gonna bullsh!t you.
August 21st, 2020 at 6:55 am
He had so much energy in that press conference. He feels the hype as much as we do!