Mike Evans Didn’t Know He Was Approaching A Franchise Record
October 4th, 2022
Best Bucs offensive player.
Stud wide receiver Mike Evans is in his ninth NFL season. Generally, guys have to play at least a decade before they start breaking franchise records.
But this shows what a beast Evans has been player (and how the Bucs, before Evans was drafted in 2014, had lousy offenses).
Sunday night, Evans became the greatest offensive player in Bucs history. With his 103 yards receiving, Evans holds the new Bucs standard for yards from scrimmage.
The previous top-four behind him in yards from scrimmage are running backs (James Wilder, Warrick Dunn, Mike Alstott and Doug Martin).
Joe caught up with Evans as he was leaving The Licht House after a night’s work on Sunday.
“I saw the record” after the game, Evans said. “I didn’t even know I was approaching that. That is a huge honor and a blessing.”
Joe has a hunch Bucs’ offensive records are soon to fly off the shelf in the coming years as Evans continues to rack up yards.
“I wanted to be the best I could be and I wanted to be the best player,” Evans said of his personal goals when the Bucs drafted him. “But getting records like that? It’s cool and always a blessing.”
Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles said something interesting on his podcast “In the Trenches” this week. Usually, the top receivers in the game, they are elite for only a few years.
Evans, Beckles said, is amazing in that has been one of the top receivers in the NFL since he’s been in the league. Beckles maintained you don’t often see that high level of production.
Joe would add that’s why Evans will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Without question the most UNDERRATED top-5 to top-10 WR in the league.
Sure, he doesn’t have the speed or joystick ability of some other guys, but the guy just consistently wins his battles and produces. He can line up in any position as well, and is an absolute monster in the red zone.
I’ve been harping on this every year since Tom got here, but when we feed Mike early, good things happen. He opens up the offense for other guys as well as our run game.
Feed the beast!
October 4th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
I wear my red ME13 Buccaneers jersey proudly. Everyone in the locker room should watch the game tape of Mike, and then of themselves. And adjust accordingly, the soft, prideless bunch of petunias.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:17 pm
My favorite Buc of this era! Should be in the HOF and ROH. He’s right there with Brooks and Lee Roy Selmon as far as impact and legacy here in Tampa. I hope he never leaves the Bucs and puts on another jersey.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:19 pm
Another Super Bowl makes Evan’s a 1st ballot HOF’r
October 4th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Good to know that he doesn’t pay attention to those kinds of things.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Mike Evans has the talent…..and the tude…….
October 4th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Craig, they showed him on the bench during the game being congratulated after it was announced. He shook his head no and shrugged his shoulders which I interpreted as him not knowing that he had that record. I agree, great that it’s not on the top of his mind.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
Just broke
The Brady’s have hired divorce attorneys
October 4th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
And tell me again why we wait until the second quarter to throw him the ball?
October 4th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Just another example of how selfless Mike is! It’s remarkable for a position that is predominantly divas!
October 4th, 2022 at 1:03 pm
@SB – yea I saw that.
Well now we know what’s been wrong with Brady, lol.
The question is – does this turn him into a madman machine, or does he wilt without his family support?
October 4th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
Maybe he gets divorced and realizes he can now play till he’s 50!
October 4th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
When Evans was drafted, I thought he was a one trick, jump ball reciever. Boy was I wrong. He’s had a stellar career, and is the antithesis of a diva reciever. From all accounts, he’s a terrific teammate, and is all about football. He’s also grossly underpaid for what he does. Sure first ballot HOF.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
I can’t believe that “Wilder” musta obviously, had THAT Many Yards… Wow!!!! I just assumed I guess, that “Evans” already had that ‘record,’ too. I ‘used to’ read every list/record book out there, but come to think of it, I don’t believe I’ve EVER seen one from the Bucs. Mike Evans is Fantastic!!!!
October 4th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
Mike has been such a blessing to this franchise. He was always overlooked because he played for the Bucs. Mike was always a volume receiver. He put up great numbered with Josh McCowan and Mike Glennon as his QB. He became a more efficient receiver with Brady. He’s nearly unstoppable at the goal line. Brady in his first season used to YOLO to Mike, but I see a more cautious Brady who’s looking for the more high percentage play. Mike is also the ultimate competitor and great teammate.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:31 pm
I call bullsp!t. With todays access to information someone whether it was a Bucs staffer, a fan on social media, or Evans looking up every Buccaneer record knowing he is breaking them all. He knew lol
October 4th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
Love ME 13. Went to the Aggies first game this season where they honored Mike. He was the key to Johnny Football’s success at A&M.
When the Bucs drafted him I was ecstatic, having been a Buc’s fan since 1976 and living in Texas with all the Cowgirls fans.
Love the guy, tough, humble, team guy (how many times has he restructured his contract to help sign guys?)
October 4th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
I’ll admit it. I was pissed when they drafted him instead of Johnny Football. I’m so glad I was wrong. VERY wrong.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
How many receivers have we had last 8 years??? Without a doubt he is the best player we ever drafted but also is a sad testament to the offensive futility this team has suffered thru. To think some folks up here were saying during the last few seasons we should trade him for some higher draft picks. His records will probably last for the existence of this franchise. Just hope he has at least 2 more years in him to get 1000 yards per season
October 4th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
No ego, all hustle, legitimately one of the best players and sportsmen this franchise has ever had on the payroll.
October 4th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Mike is awesome and probably my second favorite Buc after Brooks.
October 4th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
I’m with you Joe. Some will argue he’s not elite, only ever top 10 and sometimes top 5, rarely top 3 etc. however you want to call it. Personally I feel it’s more impressive to be near the top year in and year out than to just have a coupoe really awesome years.
October 4th, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Mike Evans and Lavonte David both demonstrate that adulation and glamour are fleeting in this league. Both have produced and both have substance as ordinary human beings. They will both be compared favorably with our own Derrick Brooks and Leroy Selmon for many many years to come.
Go Bucs!
October 4th, 2022 at 4:22 pm
He has consistently been very good, for an extended period of time.
Some might make the argument that it’s the Hall of Fame, not the hall of very good. I think the length of time that he has performed over will get him in.
For me, the most impressive part has been what I would call growth as a Buccaneer. Keeping in mind that none of us actually really know these guys, his demeanor on the field, and in uniform in general (Lattimore incidents notwithstanding), has grown by leaps and bounds.
Early in his career, it seemed he would let a lot of external factors impact his performance and behavior, mostly the zebras, but opposing players and game conditions as well.
These days he displays a much more professional demeanor. The growth has been awesome to watch as a fan!
October 4th, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Don’t forget he generally leads the league in drawing Defensive Pass Interference. A couple of hundred yards easily would be added to his stats if they were. The Bucs gain the same 30 yards on a DPI as they do a catch. Nobody is better at that.
October 4th, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Early in his career, it seemed he would let a lot of external factors impact his performance and behavior, mostly the zebras, but opposing players and game conditions as well.
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Were it not for the “zebras”, this would have been a story two years ago!
October 4th, 2022 at 5:31 pm
The man love I have for ME13 has no boundaries
Best Buc ever with all due respect to Brooks and Selmon – neither put up his numbers from day 1 and every single season of his almost decade long career
Selmons career was cut short and he carried an infant franchise, Brooks played a long time and was crazy productive but Mike is a notch above both
I expect to see 10 years of 1k yds in a row – a feat that will stand for a long time
October 4th, 2022 at 8:41 pm
@ DavidBigBucsFan99 – 100%
I always had to laugh and call those fools out every season / offseason.
October 4th, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Just get him to 1,000 yards.
October 4th, 2022 at 10:54 pm
My top three favorite Buccaneers in order are Mr. Derrick Brooks, ME 13, and
The QB Killa.
October 5th, 2022 at 1:32 am
Joe will Ira present for Mike Evans?
October 5th, 2022 at 1:34 am
Unlikely. Ira just hopes he’s alive when Mike Evans is eligible.
October 5th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Hands down, Mike is the best offensive player in the history of the Bucs. Brady is out of the conversation since he wasn’t a Buc initially like Mike.
His highlight catches rank as some of the most athletic in the NFL, ever. He isn’t as quick and as smooth as some other Hall of Fame receivers but he’s been doing this for a long time and has stayed consistant. Never has had a bad season.
I remember when he used to drop some easy passes early in his career. Now he can use his fingertips to haul in a pass. What a player!
October 5th, 2022 at 8:07 pm
He’s averaging almost 16 yard’s a catch , FOR HIS CAREER ! He has speed , he’s just one of those guys that doesn’t always get the catch and run for 90 yard TDs . But he is always in the top 5 or better in catches over 40 yard’s and is a TD machine !! He’s less than 500 yard’s away from 10,000 too ! My all time favorite WR and ALL time favorite offensive player on the Bucs. Ronde Barber is my favorite defensive player that should be in the HOF himself and it’s a slap in the face that he’s not. Go Bucs