Mike Evans: I No Longer Need Preseason
August 16th, 2023
As recently as 2020, the greatest receiver in Tampa Bay history said he needed at least one preseason game to get his mind and body right for Week 1.
“I need those preseason games,” Evans told the I Am Rapaport podcast during the COVID lockdown. “I need at least one or two preseason games to get right and know where I need to be at. Because receiver is one of the hardest as far as being tired and being fatigued. So you get about 50 or 60 plays as a starting receiver per game. And you gotta run those plays full speed, take the hits. Yeah, I wouldn’t be able to play next week.”
No more, Evans said today.
No longer does Evans require a quarter or more when it doesn’t count.
“Now, I don’t really need preseason,” Evans said. “But if I’m asked to play this week or next week, a drive or two, I can play.”
Joe thinks this is encouraging because it might be a sign that Evans feels super comfortable in the new Dave Canales offense. If he didn’t, wouldn’t he want more reps at game speed?
August 16th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
When is that extension coming?
August 16th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
i’d argue greatest BUC in tampa bay history
GO BUCS!!!!
August 16th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
A true healthy, athletic, and true team player tells it like it is.
August 16th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Crazy watching him and LVD throughout the years. 2 HOFS
August 16th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
813bucboi, I agree with you. Ronde, DB, and Lavonte are up there for me as well.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
“Joe thinks this is encouraging because it might be a sign that Evans feels super comfortable in the new Dave Canales offense.”
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Definitely. In his 2020 comment, he also referenced conditioning. He must have ramped up his off-season conditioning to the point that he no longer questions his readiness level.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Amazing–at 30, he’s faster than he was at 21
August 16th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
@813bucboi
Lee Roy Selmon will have a word with you in the afterlife
August 16th, 2023 at 8:12 pm
Me neither. ME13 is our best player.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Ok, so for those of you who didn’t read what Joe said, Mike Evans the greatest receiver in Tampa Bay history.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:13 pm
back up the brinks truck full of glazer loot and make mike a buc for life
August 16th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
kaimaru69 Says:
“@813bucboi… Lee Roy Selmon will have a word with you…”
.
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LOL. I thought the same thing. Most people on here probably aren’t old enough to remember watching him play. Not their fault.
August 17th, 2023 at 7:38 am
Wrap him and Godwin in bubble wrap until the season starts. With Gage out, we can’t afford to lose them.
August 17th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Now it is just one more chance for his annual Hamstring pull.
If he does not need preseason with a new and untested OC, how about some compassion for the QBs that are supposed to throw to you.
Is it that the Bucs don’t deserve you because a different market will make it easier to be a Hall of Famer?
August 17th, 2023 at 9:04 am
nc^^^ how do you leave out lynch and sapp?? are you a new fan? I agree 13 is the best bucs wr of all time.. Take it easy.. i remember sapp wrecking games at old tampa stadium.. We used to sit in the old south endzone.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Brady still played 1 to 2 quarters per game during pre-season even during his Patriot days just to be in synch with his WR’s and TE’s. I think the BUCS players mindset are getting back to being complacent. Not a good sign.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:11 am
Let’s not jinx his healthy hammys.
August 17th, 2023 at 10:22 am
2022 drops in Carolina, and the playoffs say otherwise
Love Mike but he needs to be better in 2023
August 17th, 2023 at 5:30 pm
IMO the Greatest buc honor goes to DB and Lee Roy Sermon, with Evans right behind them, with a chance to catch and surpass them still.
August 17th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
He knows his body but I think he SHOULD take a couple reps to AVOID a hamstring pull. Hamstring injury’s have skyrocketed since the preseason games have been cut. His legs needs the work and need to be stretched out even if the rest of his body doesn’t.