Targeting Chris Godwin
November 25th, 2023
Get him the ball.
Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales gave a simple answer this week when asked about Chris Godwin reportedly not dropping a pass yet this year.
Canales raved about Godwin’s mental and physical toughness. Even when covered, Godwin always seems to haul the ball in, Canales said.
So why not get him the ball more?
“I think [defenses] are always aware of where Mike [Evans] and Chris are at,” Canales explained. “I think, in general … we don’t really have that 15-target, 12-catch day for anybody. Maybe that’s me, maybe that’s game-planning and attacking coverages better.
“I do have to give NFL defenses credit for knowing where those guys are at and really trying to increase that part – particularly in the redzone. I’d love to get Chris in the end zone more, or at all – he’s got one touchdown on the year.
“That’s been kind of a mystery for me. As we’re building these concepts and these plays, looking back at the stuff that he’s had success over the years [on] and really trying to replicate those things, we just haven’t had the outcomes come that way.”
Joe thinks one Canales reason is right on: It may be on him.
Scheme these guys open, Coach. That’s what the big boys do. Of course defenses try to take away Evans and Godwin. That seems like a no-brainer. That can’t be a new thing for 2023, either.
Shoot, if you have to, look what other teams do with their top two receivers and thieve some plays. It shouldn’t be this difficult.
Maybe if the Bucs studied and researched and found ways to spring open Evans and Godwin as much as they try to run Rachaad White between the tackles, no one would be typing about Godwin’s lack of targets. And by the way, Godwin ranks 26th in the NFL in targets, tied with Jaylen Waddle. That’s a solid total for a No. 2 receiver, and Godwin has played one less game than some other receivers.
#FreeYaYa
November 25th, 2023 at 10:20 am
Taking him from the slot and giving all the seam looks to Palmer and Otten is crime number 1
CG is a mismatch to any LB or S, although he can play outside he is most effective in the slot because he is so physical
And spot on in the excuses – let’s run on 2nd and 8 about 6 more times this week too!!!!!!
UGH – rookie OC and his playcalling is either neutered from the HC or woefully lacking in creativity
November 25th, 2023 at 10:25 am
Joe – It’s his first year in this job. Cut the guy some slack. As I recall, Lombardi wasn’t very good in his first year!
November 25th, 2023 at 10:46 am
Throwing the ball is against Bowles philosophy it’s really that simple. Look at last years offensive strategy vs. this years. We only throw the ball when we absolutely have to and by then it’s usually too late. Teams know we have to throw and they’re in their nickel and dime packages.
November 25th, 2023 at 11:01 am
Godwin runs a lot of intermediate routes. That’s a very dangerous part of the field for QBs that don’t have great accuracy and can’t see the field well.
November 25th, 2023 at 11:22 am
Not good when getting your best players involved is a self proclaimed mystery.
Hope he figures it out, soon. This season would be nice.
November 25th, 2023 at 11:30 am
Canales’ explanation is Twilight Zone material.
November 25th, 2023 at 11:36 am
Canales is candid which is refreshing. He’s also simply not very good.
November 25th, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Not sure about the “fans” who comment on this stuff. Godwin will end the 2023 17 game season with 90 catches. Evans will have 83. Those numbers are consistent with recent prior seasons. Naturally, the scholars who comment here want to scapegoat Mayfield. For what? Ought to ask Evans and Godwin if they feel underutilized. The data is there for anyone who wants to know the truth.
November 25th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
He doesn’t know why it’s different from years past?!?! Get a clue, dude! It’s Baker Mayfield. He doesn’t throw the slant because he’s a dwarf.
November 25th, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Show Me. Why don’t you look at the stats instead of saying dumb things?
November 25th, 2023 at 2:27 pm
CG is the Best player on the team. Its a dam shame he’s not on a legit SB team .
November 25th, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Targeted 75 times but only 50 Receptions. No Drops. Can’t tell me defenders shut Godwin down on 1/3 of the times he’s thrown to. Between 18% of his Passes being Bad (53 and 4th or 5th worse in the league) and 3% Batted at the line(11 and tied for second worse in the league). One of every five of Mayfield’s passes don’t have a chance but yet ‘It’s not B.M. According to the Kool Aid Gang. B.S.
Might as well run up the gut.
November 25th, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Voice of Truth ,,, You are Spot On !! People !! NFL Coaches are literally highschool coaches with friends / openings ……. Go around the NFL and look at the coaches that tried highschool and were terrible ……. Lawrence Dawsey was never equipped to play outside in the NFL but would have been Hines Ward 2.0 with great coaching …….. Bruce Arians made Godwin , he’s a good experienced coach !! As soon as Pete Carrolite said he was moving Godwin I knew he didn’t understand his talent and he was more a product of Carrol rather than a football savant …. BTW the kid from Nebraska is a hell of a down field threat but he’s not that short space explosive and ding dong thinks because he’s fast he’s explosive . We all know the Head Coach is a basic football dude that convinced the GM to have one of the highest paid cornerback tandems in the NFL and Their Production SUCKS under him !! He Certainly isn’t fixing the freshman OC . Oh Jeez !!
November 25th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Realistic-Opimistic: Please stop with all the BS about Baker not being accurate and not being able to see the entire field. C’mon, thats a lot of crap that some national media suits repeat over and over in their echo chambers. Really, that’s not Baker at all. I’ve been following him very closely since he came into the league. I’ve seen him throw 24 passes in a row and 5 TDs to beat Joe Burrows. And he beat Burrows every time he played him. Let’s see what Baker and the Bucs do in these last 7 games.
November 25th, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Show Me the TDs: Baker doesn’t throw the slant because he’s a dwarf? That hilarious! Have you watched him at all during his first 5 years in the league? Lazy commentary on your part my friend.
November 25th, 2023 at 8:23 pm
Canales is right about the fact his game calling stinks! But, in all fairness, it is his rookie year as an OC. How about it, Dave Pear? Canales has had enough time to see the receiving talent still on this team. Godzilla14 has a SB ring. He can split for $$greener$$ pastures after this year. I will be pleasantly shocked if he doesn’t. Only thing standing in the way of this team winning a bunch of their final games is the coaching calls. Sure hope that changes tomorrow.