“Watch How Fast Godwin And Evans Get Healthy And Stay Healthy”
October 30th, 2020
Outspoken Hall of Fame receiver and broadcaster Michael Irvin knows all about wide receivers — in addition to brushes with authorities.
This week he used his bully pulpit to talk Bucs receivers.
Irvin made his way to the most popular sports radio station in the land, WFAN in New York. There he bellowed like only he can about the Bucs’ Lloyd’s of London insurance policy named Antonio Brown (whose regular season stats are more impressive than Irvin’s.)
A fixture on NFL Network, Irvin loves the signing for the Bucs, and he said fans should take note of the healing Brown’s presence will bring.
“Watch, the human nature and the nature of this beast, the meritocracy that we are living in now, watch how fast [Chris] Godwin and [Mike] Evans get healthy and stay healthy,” Irvin said.
Fun stuff from Irvin, but there’s a tinge of NFL reality there. Astute fans know there’s a lot of funny business in the NFL when it comes to reporting, revealing and discussing injuries. Lines are blurred all over the place.
Joe’s not against it at all, but it’s certainly interesting.
Last week, Bucco Bruce Arians said after the Raiders beating, via the Buccaneers Radio Network, that Mike Evans said he was 80 percent healthy for the game. Evans didn’t really look himself on the field, though he showed more flashes late in the game.
Interestingly, Evans did not appear on the Buccaneers’ official Thursday injury report, the first of this week. That means he’s practicing normally and “healthy,” which sort of jibes with Irvin’s premise.
Joe’s not accusing anyone of anything. But what Irvin said has merit. All of a sudden there’s a new level of competition among Bucs wide receivers, and Joe will guarantee that Evans and Godwin plan to win it.
Mike Evans not listed on the Buccaneers' official injury report! pic.twitter.com/RclGKUuOio
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) October 29, 2020
October 30th, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Really joe. That was a shot. Smh. You are really savage.
October 30th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Well, Irvin doesn’t think they’re actually going to BE more healthy… Whether they practice at 100% is only one part of the question — that ankle injury isn’t going to heal because AB shows up. Arguably, Evans should rest against the Giants and take some practice time off to get to 100%.
October 30th, 2020 at 6:38 pm
Sure Joe take wise words from a crackhead smh
October 30th, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Mike is not 100 percent, but he’s a gamer. I think we can beat the Giants without Evans and Godwin. There’s a lot of tape of Daniel Jones now. NO Saquan. Maybe you play Evans and if you get up 10 or more, you sit him.
October 30th, 2020 at 6:55 pm
I am on record before the season saying they should sign AB. ME is a jump ball guy and Brady demand precise routes and separation
October 30th, 2020 at 7:00 pm
It wasn’t a shot, but Godwin and Evans are still competitors. You have a new guy coming in that has accomplished more than both. Human nature always comes in to play and it inherently will make Evans and Godwin either push a little harder or get back on field faster. Irvin wasn’t back handing Godwin or Evans by any means. Additionally, if Evans isn’t listed on injury report then I personally expect no more gimpiness. I expect to see him have his burst back and frankly with Brady not so subtlety saying he wants to get the ball more to Evans – I expect Evans to have a big game
October 30th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
“Look how fast ndog got sad and stayed sad “
😂
October 30th, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Randy Moss made the same crack last weekend about the healing properties for WR’s of having AB in the building.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:43 pm
I guess he thinks Godwin should play with a broke figure. Apparently, taking 1 week off because you have a broken figure shows a lack of motivation. Maybe Godwin should have hopped on one leg…and now he can caught with one hand. Obviously no willingness to play through the pain. It’s a good thing that Hall of Fame receiver and broadcaster Michael Irvin pointed that out. Perhaps Irvin would cut the such unmotivated dead weigh.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Irvin was a [Joe doesn’t have evidence of that. Be careful of claiming people have committed felonies unless they have already stood in front of a judge. — Joe], and this crap from him is offensive. He has zero idea what a work ethic is.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:52 pm
I think Gofortheface30 got it right. The AB signing is insurance and it is also a psychological and motivating tool. I was watching “Miracle” a while back about the 80 US “Miracle on Ice” and Herb Brooks used this same tactic when he brought in one of his Golden Gopher star players for a late tryout. It both motivated and unified the players on the roster. While they are very different circumstances I think the logic and objectives of the AB signing are similar; motivation and improve the team as well as provide depth and insurance.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Praying for godwin next Sunday night. We’re gonna need it.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Antonio Brown is a total beast of a wide receiver, and it is still sinking in with me that we have him.
I have read talk we are thinking of using 4 wide receiver sets.
Good Lord!
Can you imagine him on the field at the same time as Evans and Godwin ?
I mean, WHO do you cover ?
October 30th, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Over the years we’ve all seen times when players who are injured ‘play through the pain’. Some more than others. Sometimes it helps the team, but oftentimes it ends up hurting the team IMO. And other times it ends up hurting the player, short term or long term.
Injuries like pulled hamstrings & broken fingers impact players in some positions more than others obviously. WRs in particular seem to be more susceptible than others when it comes to both those injuries. Unless the playoffs are on the line, it’s probably better to let those types of injuries heal properly rather than take a chance of extending them indefinitely.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:04 pm
The AB signing could be a motivational tool as well as an insurance policy.Gofortheface30 is right about human nature. I saw Miracle a while back about the 80 US hockey team and their gold medal run. Herb Brooks brought in one of his star players from Minnesota for a tryout and it did grab his team’s attention and brought some motivation to the guys on the roster. While this is a totally diiferent circumstance the logic is still the same: psychologically motivate the team, possibly improve it and also provide insurance. I guess sports psychology is a tool pro teams use along withvthe analytics.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:08 pm
I’m happy that the Bucs have 2 of the best WR’s in the game with Evans and Godwin. Class acts, both of them. I’ve watched the games, I see them getting beat up, Evan’s ankle looked like a serious injury during the Bears game, thankfully it wasn’t as bad as it looked. We know they play hurt, if they can be out there, they will be.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:41 pm
I am a Colgate University alum. I graduated in 1981. I believe I saw at the very least Jim Craig and Dave Silk and probably a few other guys from the ’80 Miracle on Ice when they played in college. I believe those two went to BU or BC. Anywho (as Munch would say) that was absolutely the greatest sporting event of my life time. I was in the Cue and Brew Pub on Airport Road in Naples for the USA-USSR game, which was tape delayed a bit and no one knew who won (it was before the Internet by a long shot.) I yelled out “F#ck the Russians” when we won and I just about go thrown out (again).
October 30th, 2020 at 9:05 pm
Evans and Godwin best duo in the game!! Add AB, now best Trio in the game!!!
Put Either one of our home growns with AB again the best duo in the game!!! I say being a BUC fan now has people FINALLY thinking it must be nice to be a BUC fan!!! GO BUCS! Let’s make history!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:06 pm
I hope they work out together this coming off-season
October 30th, 2020 at 9:13 pm
On 1 side we know Chris and Mike have been hurt, but on the other side you know this will light a fire under them. I understand Mike and Chris are professional athletes, but they are human beings first, and that means human nature is there and having AB in the WR room is going to cause more competition amongst each other I believe in a good way. Heal up boys, time for a Super Bowl run. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP ROLLS THROUGH TAMPA!!!! GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:18 pm
This is insulting to Evans & Godwin. You can’t find two more motivated players willing to play with injuries. If they get healthy when AB arrives, it will be pure coincidence.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:59 pm
We already know how tough and manly Godwin is. Mike is proving it this year. We all saw him fight through that game a couple weeks ago when we needed him. IMO neither of these guys need to prove their toughness because they already have proven it.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:04 pm
There is no shame in Joe’s game.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:10 pm
God you are just so dumb sometimes man!! Yeah, a broken finger is going to heal so much faster now that AB is there… You can’t play through broken bones!! And Mike Evans has been playing through injury all year pretty much anyway!!! Irvin has never been accused of being a brainiac and it makes a lot of sense you are following his lead and saying bucs WRs are faking injuries!! And even tho you said “your not making accusations” …. Yeah dude, that’s exactly what you did and Irvin was just talking out of his butt because he ran out of stuff to say in national TV…. The O.J. thing and your lack of knowledge is about to make me stop coming to this sight…. I’m sure you don’t care but it’s just getting to be too much
October 30th, 2020 at 10:13 pm
Robert. No you’re not.
October 31st, 2020 at 7:30 am
I will give BA some credit. He cares about ME13 and Ungodly and not just cos they are 2 great players. That Evans is coming off the injury list testifies to BA caring. Godwin will rest, and he needs it. Hope AB’s head is in the right place.
October 31st, 2020 at 7:47 am
AB is a good signing BECAUSE Mike and Chris have been injured. They need no more motivation than winning.
Mike and Chris are spectacular players and will rise, along with AB, to the occasion.
October 31st, 2020 at 8:18 am
Irvin is 100% right. But its NOT about ‘funny business’ joe. It is about competition . You are missing Irving’s point. Joe didn’t miss any point whatsoever. It’ll all in there. –Joe Let say you have an achy breaky back. But last week you got a new next door neighbor about your age but in MUCH better shape. Your wife has got eyes and all of a sudden you are doing things to get in better shape… despite your acky breaky back. Yeah… you’ll start doing them consciously, subconsciously and even unconsciously. THAT is the way it works. It is the nature of the ‘beast’ to survive.
October 31st, 2020 at 8:35 am
The Saints game is huge. Win, and a Division title and home playoff game are in sight. Lose, and you can pretty much kiss the division title goodbye. Going to the SB by the Wild Card route is a steep mountain to climb.
I double Godwin’s hands will be anywhere near 100% by then, and his hands are maybe more important than his legs.
Enter AB. IF he can get up to speed quickly—a question mark, for sure—that mitigates a lot of the loss of Godwin. Even if he is not 100%. his unknown within the offense plays to the Bucs strategic advantage. It’s not like he’s a rook in his first game.
Heck of a time to sign him, fortuitous timing to say the least…
October 31st, 2020 at 9:45 am
Sorryjackchuckiesback Says:
October 30th, 2020 at 10:10 pm
“God you are just so dumb sometimes man!! Yeah, a broken finger is going to heal so much faster now that AB is there… You can’t play through broken bones!! And Mike Evans has been playing through injury all year pretty much anyway!!! Irvin has never been accused of being a brainiac and it makes a lot of sense you are following his lead and saying bucs WRs are faking injuries!! And even tho you said “your not making accusations” …. Yeah dude, that’s exactly what you did.”
Hey Joe. What he is saying is it is unseemly (not classy/juvenile) to insinuate BA pulls ‘funny stuff’ on injury reports or that the receivers ate faking injuries. Its irresponsible to create rumors especially when you claim some sort of rapport/relationship with them. A sports blog is not supposed to represent a gossip column.
October 31st, 2020 at 9:48 am
Bird Says:
October 30th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
“Look how fast ndog got sad and stayed sad
You mean got GHOST. He disappeared as soon as the Bucs started winning.
October 31st, 2020 at 10:57 am
He’s just being funny. Irvin can do no wrong in my honest opinion. I love the guy.
Notes: I’m not black. I hate BLM. I hate the cowboys.
Let all that marinate for a bit.
October 31st, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Irving. Now there’s another piece of worthless crap.
October 31st, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Joe, the man pled guilty to possession of cocaine.
October 31st, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
“Can you imagine him on the field at the same time as Evans and Godwin ?”
Dude I’m sure MOST of us have already thought about it. I know I have.
We’ll run teams over!
November 1st, 2020 at 6:31 am
Not a typical deep downer article……….. What a relief and of course godwin and evans are going to try and stay on the field that’s called competition.