Mike Evans: Substance Over Style
July 22nd, 2023
Big check coming?
Joe found what might be the best description of Bucs stud Mike Evans.
The late Frank DeFord, a guy who got paid a lot of bread writing for magazines — remember those things? — once typed of Bobby Knight in a classic piece of sports journalism that Knight is “a substance guy in a style world.”
That is what Joe thinks of when folks gush about all these receivers considered the best but don’t mention Evans as elite.
For reasons unknown, Evans is not talked about with other stars like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase or Cheetah Hill. Joe suspects this has something to do with fantasy football and Evans’ bad fantasy season in 2022 after great fantasy years in 2020 and 2021.
(As most fans blame the offensive line for everything from the price of home insurance to unrest in the Ukraine, Joe equally likes to blame the world’s ills on fantasy football.)
Cody Benjamin of CBS believes so many people miss the boat on Evans. Why? He believes Evans may not be “flashy” enough. However, Benjamin seems to think if Evans has another Evans-like season (you know, 1,000 yards receiving), Evans will get a massive payday from someone by mid-March.
Going on 30, he may not be nearly as flashy as his younger, more explosive counterparts, but the longtime Buccaneers No. 1 has done nothing but produce as a steady downfield target, with nine straight 1,000-yard seasons. Even without a stable Tom Brady in 2022, he averaged nearly 15 yards per catch, proving he’s got gas in the tank.
It would be a little surprising if Evans got a massive haul next spring (he’s in the final year of his contract) only because Evans turns 30 in August. There doesn’t seem to be a ton of 30ish receivers who break the bank.
But yeah, Joe agrees with Benjamin that Evans is certainly a helluva bargain and a fantastic if not overlooked receiver.
July 22nd, 2023 at 12:01 pm
They better not let him go.
July 22nd, 2023 at 12:21 pm
I’m sort of shocked the Bucs haven’t extended him already. I’m not sure what he wants as part of a new deal, but I think you can safely give him 3 more years, knowing 2 of those (beyond this year) should be safe, and you’d expect a drop off in the 3rd year of the extension, but who cares.
As for why people don’t talk about him – it’s because he doesn’t run his mouth and doesn’t get a ton of catches. As for being flashy, I don’t get that, he’s a big guy who makes big catches and literally lead the league in yards per reception in 2017. I actually think his rep is that he’s just a deep ball guy, for some reason, which makes no sense since that’s not true either.
All-in-all, the time with Brady helped his TD numbers, but hurt all his other numbers and his highlight plays. With Winston, he’d just throw the ball regardless of coverage and that’s where Evans excelled, just skying over guys or out muscling them for the ball – with Brady, he rarely threw the ball to Evans unless he was open-open. Not at all saying Brady should have changed anything, he’s the GOAT, but I do wish he had given Evans more chances to make plays in 1-on-1 situations, regardless of coverage.
Also the reason Evans isn’t talked about, this year in particular, is because of the incredibly awful QB situation, and the fact the Bucs are considered one of the worst teams in the NFL because of it. If the Bucs had figured out how to get Rodgers here, for example, Evans would be talked about bigly. But with the worst QB in football over the last two years set to start, and the most boring coach in football saying he wants to run a 1972 offense, that’s why no one is talking about Evans – or the Bucs.
July 22nd, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Mike is a consummate professional and ultra consistent performer. Mike deserves to be a Buc forever and he should be.
July 22nd, 2023 at 1:07 pm
I remember Odell beck ham made one of the most amazing catches I’ve ever seen in football and for three years was considered one of the best in football. I’ve prefer mike Evans consistently over him but I bet when it comes to the hof they’ll probably consider him first because of three years out of his career
July 22nd, 2023 at 1:09 pm
They are probably trying to restructure his contract AGAIN, to get more CAP space and he may be tired of doing that. I sure hope they agree soon. I love the guy.
July 22nd, 2023 at 1:19 pm
I would like Mike to be a Buc for life, but the Bucs are in a difficult cap situation for the next couple seasons and transitioning eras. It’s hard to see how they get it done, but I really hope he does get paid and the Bucs keep him! Im also hoping the Bucs somehow win a lot this year because I know that’s what Mike really cares about. If the team looks like a dumpster fire this season he might end his career somewhere else trying to chase a ring… I’d rather the Bucs contend for one instead (like most of us do).
July 22nd, 2023 at 1:23 pm
@Crickett there’s nothing left to restructure, and all restructuring does is pay the player earlier and kick the can down the road for the team. It’s sort of like a taking out an interest-free loan out.
July 22nd, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Unfortunately this will be the year Mike Evans does not get 1,000 receiving yards because of Baker Mayfield’s sorry as
July 22nd, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Evans should be in the ring of honor already. Why wait?
July 22nd, 2023 at 4:30 pm
I don’t think Evans wants to go anywhere.
I am surprised they haven’t hammered it out too.
Evans is excited about the offense and being open and he wants to break Jerry Rices record so 3 years is perfect for the Bucs.
He might want 4 or 5 years and there is the RUB.
If we clear up 13 Million, we should sign Wirfs now while we can.
They will chase a guy who disappoints IMO.
July 22nd, 2023 at 5:08 pm
He lacks the speed as some of the other guys but they lack the durability and longevity. Pay the man, Licht
July 22nd, 2023 at 6:02 pm
He won’t get a massive payday in March because the Bucs are working on extending him before training camp. Not only do they want him to be a Buc 4 Life, they need to free up some cap to have some flexibility for in-season moves.
July 22nd, 2023 at 6:08 pm
It would be worth it as a thank-you for Mike Evans if they have to overpay him a little bit. He is a Buc through and through and has renegotiated his contract for the betterment of the team more that once. He has always been a team first guy, let him retire a Buc one day. The Bucs owe him that much.
July 22nd, 2023 at 7:57 pm
ME13 has bin consistently putting up 1000 yards season for 9 straight. He was doing it when JJ and chase were still in diapers. What gets me is these cats only bin in the league for a what 3 years maybe 4 ? When they put 9 straight 1000 yards season come talk to us until then take ya seat and watch the ME13 show.
July 22nd, 2023 at 8:13 pm
MIKE EVANS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE VERY BEST RECIEVERS IN THE LEAGUE HIS WHOLE CAREER-VERY UNDERATED !..TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT A MOMENT….LET’S SIGN MARCUS PETERS OUT FROM UNDER THE L.V. RAIDERS !..WE NEED HIS EXPERIENCE & CAGEY VETERAN KNOWLEDGE & GUTS IN OUR SECONDARY ( IT WILL BOOST & GIVE DEPTH TO OUR YOUNG SECONDARY ! ! !
July 22nd, 2023 at 8:19 pm
I’VE BEEN AFTER YOU GUYS TO SIGN HIM FOR MONTHS NOW !
July 22nd, 2023 at 8:25 pm
LOOK WAY BACK WHEN A SUPPOSEDLY WASHED UP NEIL COLZIE HELPED US OUT THAT YEAR !
July 22nd, 2023 at 8:31 pm
HE WILL ASSURE US WE HAVE A STARTING NICKEL-BACK !
July 23rd, 2023 at 6:29 am
Rod Munch Says:
July 22nd, 2023 at 12:21 pm
“As for why people don’t talk about him – it’s because he doesn’t run his mouth and doesn’t get a ton of catches. As for being flashy, I don’t get that, he’s a big guy who makes big catches and literally lead the league in yards per reception in 2017. I actually think his rep is that he’s just a deep ball guy, for some reason, which makes no sense since that’s not true either.”
What you said Sir!
It is hilarious to me when the talking heads invent something like Mike not being a top ten WR and then another one says he’s “He believes Evans may not be “flashy” enough.” while admitting he got 15 yards per catch.
That’s pretty flashy to me. These people are beyond ridiculous!
Go Bucs!
July 23rd, 2023 at 8:19 am
Mike Evans walks the walk. Always has.
It’s becoming painfully clear most nfl pundits do not actually watch the games.
They can’t be as they wouldn’t parrot what the others that don’t watch the games parrot. It’s like one great big ‘circle jerk’.
July 23rd, 2023 at 8:27 am
It’s hard to watch a lot of games. It takes time and it takes study. So most pundit parrots take the easy way out and simply say what the others parrots say. But where does it stop? Who’s actually watching?
It’s like most fishing guides don’t actually look for new fishing spots when they can simply see where the other fishing guides are fishing and fish their spots. It saves a bunch of time and time is money.
July 23rd, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Every Bucs player gets overlooked and underrated, whether it’s Evans, Godwin, David, etc. Wirfs will probably join them too now that Brady is gone.
No matter, Evans will be a Buc for life unless HE decides he wants to go chase a ring in his final years. But that seems unlikely, it’s just not his style.