Mike Evans Calls Out A Standout Receiver
July 29th, 2022
Mike Evans warming up with Tyler Johnson.
After today’s training camp practice, head coach Todd Bowles named Russell Gage as a standout receiver through three practices.
Mike Evans was asked a similar question about who is shining at receiver, and he chose another Buccaneer.
“I feel like Tyler Johnson, though, is in tip-top shape. He’s looking really good. If I had to choose one guy right now, I know it’s only been three days, but Tyler Johnson looks really good,” Evans said.
This was a discussion on Wednesday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast, how Johnson looks like a man who took everything about his body seriously this offseason. Scotty Miller added 10 to 15 pounds of muscle, and it looks like Johnson was matching him in the gym.
There’s a divide at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. One Joe sees Johnson as as guy who progressed last season despite inconsistency after reporting to 2021 training cap overweight. Catching 36 balls from Tom Brady last season is no fluke. The other Joe thinks Johnson is or should be farther down on the depth chart and is in danger of getting cut.
Joe watched Johnson take after-practice work on the Jugs machine this week with a lot of seriousness in his demeanor. No laughs or jokes.
There sure is going to be a lot of spirited competition when the pads come on in three short days.
July 29th, 2022 at 7:18 pm
Tyler Johnson is one player I still can’t figure out. Despite being in BA’s doghouse at the start of camp last year, he still got used a bunch … 612 offensive snaps (almost 54% of our 1139 total snaps). Yet he was only targeted 55 times last year, probably because he only caught 36 of those for a 65.5% catch percentage with 0 TDs). Tells me though that the Bucs must think a lot of his blocking to put him on the field that much.
Personally I think he’ll make the team again, and especially if he can cut out the drops (he had a 7% drop rate last year) and improve his catch percentage. Lots of talent, if he can just put it all together.
July 29th, 2022 at 7:30 pm
@ DR
I agree. I think the Bucs will end up keeping 7 WRs this season… Johnson will be one of them.
July 29th, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Evans, Godwin, Gage, Jones, Grayson, Perriman, Miller or?
July 29th, 2022 at 8:23 pm
I have not seen Scotty the Body catch like a natural receiver, I have not seen any of the many other attributes starting WRs have. Intrigue and blazing straight line speed are simply not enough for the competition in the back end of WR depth chart. Going to be fierce competition with versatility being the tie breaker.
July 29th, 2022 at 8:30 pm
Is Godwin practicing? He’s avoided the PUP list but not sure how involved he is with the practices.
July 29th, 2022 at 8:40 pm
The receiver room in Tampa is so stacked, the BUCS will have to end up cutting a talented receiver or two. Godwin, Evans, Gage, and Julio are locks, that’s 4, so who makes it out of Scotty, The immortal Cyril Grayson, Tyler Johnson, Breshad Perriman, and Darden? Will the BUCS keep 7 receivers? They could create a roster spot by keeping only two quarterbacks and allowing Trask to be the backup. I’m really rooting for Grayson and Scotty to stick around but giving up on Darden already seems like a waste and if Tyler looks this good he won’t be going anywhere, tough decisions ahead
July 29th, 2022 at 10:13 pm
Yes it looks like Johnson or Miller at this point but not both.
July 29th, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Competition on the inside is what builds championships.
July 29th, 2022 at 11:54 pm
They keep 7
Evans
Godwin
Gage
Jones
Perriman
Miller? 5’ 9” 185-190. 25 (value on sp teams)
Johnson? 6’1 206. 24 soon
Grayson? 5’ 9” 185. 28. Probably gone
Darden? Probably gone
I initially thought Grayson could edge out Johnson but they’re not gonna keep 2 5’9” receivers who are speed demons. And Grayson turns 29 before the season is over. Hopefully he can stay on the practice squad without going somewhere else
July 30th, 2022 at 2:31 am
I like all them all…one thing about miller tho is his ability on special teams..last year he caused a couple turnovers on punts..which gives ur offense another shot at points on an even shorter field..Id keep miller for that reason alone..he can get there as fast as the ball does-which makes the punt returner nervous..I dont think the bucs have anyone that can beat him to the ball on a punt..not to mention -he can stretch the field too-just ask the raiders or packers
July 30th, 2022 at 7:34 am
Miller’s not going anywhere (his Special Teams value is highly important). I trust Mike Evan’s pragmatic evaluation about Johnson. I’d love to know who is taking returning reps other than Darden…b/c he wasn’t much of a human joystick last year (more like a human jokestick).
Let’s not forget the UDFA’s either. I have a sneaky suspicion one of them could make the team (instead of Darden) as a returner. Merely speculation or wishful thinking on my part, though).
Geeze we have an embarrassment of riches.
But that doesn’t mean squat when there’s that demon called “The Injury Bug” always lurking.
July 30th, 2022 at 7:38 am
The Bucs will keep Evans, Godwin, Gage and Jones obviously. Then Johnson and Darden are almost locks for contractual reasons, as well as Johnson is the best blocker besides Godwin and Darden has a clear roll as a return guy.
Rudolph, Brate and Otten are locks as TE.
The question is do the Bucs keep 4 TE or 7 WR. Since Jones will get a lock of Gronk routes in clear passing situations, I lean towards 7 WR. If that’s the case, Grayson will be the 7th guy.
July 30th, 2022 at 8:34 am
Johnson screwed up last season and BA rocked him – rightly so – and never got on track. His 2020 version needs to return – incredible catch vs Saints comes to mind. Miller’s toe took him out, but he always seemed to have great chemistry with TB. As does Grayson. My take is Darden and Permian are out. The new FA guys make it to the practice squad.
July 30th, 2022 at 9:28 am
Grayson looked as electric as AB last season.
Like a clone.
I think Grayson will shock people this season and the next 2.
He’s 28 but fresh. He didn’t play in college.
I’d keep Grayson over Darden any day of the week. Darden plays scared.
July 30th, 2022 at 9:41 am
I agree with David, they keep these 7:
Evans
Godwin
Gage
Jones
Perriman (great speed, has proven to be reliable in the past)
Miller (more valuable on sp teams than Darden)
Johnson 6’1 206. Getting better each year and good blocker
July 30th, 2022 at 10:45 am
Julio may bot make the team.
July 30th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
It’s good if Tyler can step up and make the team, there’s still that Godwin comparison he had coming out of college, although Godwin was much faster. Tyler last year did catch 30-something passes, but also played over 600-snaps, and his average on those catches was 10-yards. He’s a good blocker, which is a plus as a WR, but he also was shutdown when the Bucs needed him.
Nothing against Tyler, I think he showed some good promise his rookie year, but last year, he played a ton of snaps and didn’t seem to be improving. Hopefully just being in better shape helps him out.
July 30th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
I see a receiver going to the trade spot. Tyler Johnson had to get his stuff right, Scotty is a fast bad ass and he needs to stay. Cyril is the same and Perriman shouldn’t be moved. Darden in my opinion is also trade bait
July 30th, 2022 at 10:43 pm
Dardung wouldn’t fetch a long dead carp from the Montreal Alouettes in a trade.