Chris Godwin “Close To Being 100 Percent”
November 3rd, 2022
It’s halfway through the 2022 season and Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin is not right.
He’s damn good, but he’s not himself.
That was the word from Todd Bowles this week on the Buccaneers Radio Network. Bowles’ comments invite all kinds of speculation about how playcalling and Tom Brady’s confidence may be tied to Godwin’s health.
Godwin was there on opening day in Dallas and, predictably, the Bucs threw him their opening pass to reward his extreme dedication to get back on the field after early-January ACL (knee) surgery. But then Godwin quickly got a hamstring injury in that game and missed the next two.
Against Baltimore on Thursday, Godwin took a short throw and YAC’d (yards after catch) his way to a 44-yard gain in the first quarter. It was a hell of a sign, although Godwin’s night was quiet after that and he’s yet to score a touchdown this season.
“It showed that he’s close to being 100 percent,” Bowles said of that early catch and run. “… It shows the strides he made since the season began. So hopefully that will continue to open up and it will open up our offense.”
So is Bowles saying the offense isn’t its old self because Godwin is still recovering? That it will open up when he’s 100 percent?
Joe can only hope that the extra rest before Sunday’s Rams game is the spark Godwin needs to get back to full health. He’s played a ton of snaps in the last three weeks with 36 total targets, and the Bucs lost each game.
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November 3rd, 2022 at 6:59 am
The offense won’t improve . The last chance was the trade deadline to get some linemen.
Aaron Donald will likely knock Brady out for the season and end his career.
November 3rd, 2022 at 7:47 am
Draft SS396 !
November 3rd, 2022 at 7:56 am
What troubles me most is not Godwin but the disappearance of that “winning culture” Brady and Arians were supposed to infuse throughout the Bucs’ organization for years to come. It was here last year. It’s nowhere to be found this year. Was it Arians’ departure? Ryan Jensen’s training camp injury? Ali Marpet’s retirement? The absence of Suh and JPP? The disintegration of Brady’s personal life? Or a combination of all of the above? Remember how upset Bucs players were at that loss to the Rams last year that blocked them from repeating as SB champs? In the offseason and preseason they seemed to be on a mission to avenge that loss. Now it seems like they just don’t care. That’s a far cry from a winning culture.
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:23 am
PSL, great points.
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:25 am
Good news but how long until Godwin is banged up again?
Most likely it is just a matter of time, and hurt again, but hope not.
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:29 am
Like Dirk Koetter, good assistant coach, not a Head Coach,
Bowles is the same thing, good assistant, not Head Coach, different team, same ol garbage the Jet fans witnessed firsthand.
Yes Bowles did decent one year, but over all- no.
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:34 am
I believe it was totally IDIOTIC to rush Godwin back like they did. He should have been on IR for the first few weeks. He plays one crap game and gets hurt again.
Stupid dum dums run this team…
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:53 am
Sorry, this takes a couple of years. Chris looks slow and plodding out there. The Bucs really don’t have any explosive receivers. Just garbage time stat hog, Mike Evans, and gimpy Godwin. Brady never had a chance. As soon as AB left, the offense fell apart. Still enough “talent” here to win 8 games but not with this clown show coaching staff.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:03 am
It’s not all about talent. Character goes a long way. At this point you have to question the character of some of these guys. Everyone who got that pay bump sucks right now. Why is Dean excelling? Trying to get that pay bump. Why is Logan Ryan still in the League and playing well? Character and intelligence. Need him back baaad. And no, Godwin is not playing well right now. His routes are off and he’s slower than he was that first game against Dallas. Playing a little tentative. To be expected after the injuries. Officials seemed to be letting excessive grabbing and holding on WRs go on across the league right now although it was supposed to be a point of emphasis.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:06 am
Marine Buc Says:
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:34 am
I believe it was totally IDIOTIC to rush Godwin back like they did. He should have been on IR for the first few weeks. He plays one crap game and gets hurt again.
How is it idiotic, Godwin has missed games 4 years straight, maybe they can actually redeem some of the contract money he is getting paid, by him playing.
Godwin has not been able to stay healthy since he was moved to the Slot in 2019.
Why blame the team for Godwin being fragile?
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:12 am
This is turning into the three stooges Licht, Bowles and Lefty they cut Tyler Johnson who had a great preseason because he can’t play special teams so they rush Godwin back. Then they turn around and bring him back. Looks like the Curly shuffle.
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:38 am
Define “close”
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:43 am
@Jeff Says
“Garbage time stat hog, Mike Evans” What planet are you on? The best receiver by far in Bucs history who plays hurt and gives his all. Please…
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:20 am
None of our receivers, including Chris Godwin, seems to be getting much separation. Could it be because other teams have figured out our Offense ?
Antonio Brown was capable of nearly always getting separation, but our other receivers, not so much.
I just do not see Leftwich adjusting our scheme, to scheme our receivers open.
The article here on JBF about trusting Mike Evans more I agree with 100%.
Brady had that type of trust with Gronk, but for some unknown reason, he does not seem to trust Evans.
I really wish he would trust Mike more, because many times Evans will come up with the ball.
But before he can come up with the Ball, the Ball must be thrown to him.
November 3rd, 2022 at 11:39 am
Frankly, I read Bowles statement on Godwin as an indictment of the teams medical staff & organizational decisionmakers, as a whole.
Bucs are nearing the half way point of the 2022 season & Godwin still not 100% recovered from his ACL/MCL surgery.
November 3rd, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Didnt they say that in training camp lol
November 3rd, 2022 at 12:58 pm
@marine Buc
You nailed it.
Godwin should have rehabbed until Week 4.
He came back waaaaay to early.
November 3rd, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Chris, I think that’s part of it. It’s either Evans deep or Godwin underneath. They can’t stretch the middle of the field. I was dumbfounded when they didn’t start Godwin on IR. His hamstring injury was as predictable as the sunrise.
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:09 pm
oh… THAT’S the problem… ah okay, uh got it.
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:32 pm
If we beat Rams Sunday confidence will be restored.
Stafford, Kupp and Donald need to miss the flight.
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:15 pm
Trade him for some picks