Todd Bowles Addresses Chris Godwin Controversy
December 8th, 2023
Briefly addresses social media statements.
It seems Bucs’ former Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin was a busy man yesterday.
In the wake of his wife, Mariah Godwin, taking to Instagram on Wednesday to call Bucs coach Todd Bowles a liar multiple times, the Bucs, Joe senses, were in scramble mode Thursday. Not only did Chris Godwin have a stand-up with the local pen and mic club, he had a private sitdown with his offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
That wasn’t all.
It seems Godwin had a sitdown with Bowles, too. Was he called to the principal’s office as a result of his wife’s social media activity? Joe isn’t sure but Bowles will have you know there is no issue between them.
“We’re great, we’ve been great,” Bowles said today after practice. “There’s nothing else to talk about.”
Well, if the Bucs adjust their offense to get the ball to their best players in an effort to score points instead of stupidly pounding the ball between the tackles, which far more often than not has been a colossal waste of time and effort, then OK. Then there is nothing to talk about.
If the offense is its usual rotten self scoring 19 points a game by pretending the league’s worst running attack is somehow good and Mike Evans, Rachaad White and Godwin are not carrying the team, then there is a whole lot to talk about.
And probably it will be and should be talked about at the highest levels of One Buc Palace.
Winning cures all ills. And a win Sunday might go a long way to perhaps saving jobs.
Canales has been doing a ton of talking this season, including at length yesterday, about getting Godwin more involved.
That talk is over. Action is needed and demanded. Either get Godwin more involved or at least be straight with folks that you don’t know how to get Godwin involved. No more talking about it.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
Lets face it. Rashaad White is the guy under Todd Blows offense.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
I released Godwin from my fantasy team, so I expect him to have a huge game Sunday. Ya’ll can thank me Monday.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
I predict an uptick in batted balls and INTs this week. ATL knows where the ball will be going. The QB has probably been told “throw to Godwin or else.” So he will.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
0%chance they win sunday, we can’t score points and we can’t defend so save yourself the frustration, after Sunday we should see what Trask has with the rest of the season, i like Mayfield but he is no Tom Brady not even close
December 8th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Yep, force feeding a WR never works. Hopefully Canales can scheme Godwin open.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
With this article, Bucs are basically telegraphing their only offense to the dirty birds…. hahahahahahaha
December 8th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Anyone have advanced stats on Godwin pre and post injury?
I feel like he either lost a step or are we just that feckless at getting him the ball?
Mayfield is a midget so maybe that is the problem. He cannot see over the o line.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
optimisticbucsfan Says:
Mayfield is a midget so maybe that is the problem. He cannot see over the o line.
—-
Brock Purdy 6 ft 1
Bake Mayfield 6Ft 1
keep repeating the silliness about height with objective fact right in front of you
December 8th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
Joe … ‘Winning cures all ills. And a win Sunday might go a long way to perhaps saving jobs.’
Heard that for many years Joe, and yet even winning coaches get fired in Tampa Bay. Tony Dungy (2001 Bucs: 9-7 … adios). Jon Gruden (2008 Bucs: 9-7 … hasta la vista).
Todd Bowles & his staff will finish out the year (Glazers have already made that pronouncement), but he’ll be gone next year regardless of what happens in these last 5 games. We’ll never know, but I wonder how much of their ‘profit’ has been impacted from 2020 to today.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:55 pm
Joe … ‘Either get Godwin involved or at least be straight with folks that you don’t know how to get Godwin involved. No more talking about it.’
Godwin IS involved, and has been all year. Mayfield has thrown 411 passes (disregarding sacks which are almost always pass plays) & Chris has been on the receiving end of 85 of those … 20.7% targeting percentage this year. Last year that was 18.9% with Tom Brady throwing to him. Back in 2021 it was 17.4% and in 2020 it was 13.4% but in only 12 games.
He’s being targeted in this offense AT A HIGHER RATE than he’s ever been targeted. The PROBLEM is that his catch percentage is WAAAY DOWN. Lots of possible reasons (Canales, Mayfield, Godwin, All of the Above?). Coaches need to figure out the WHY and fix that, not just ‘Hey let’s throw him the ball more and see if he catches more of those’.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
He was moved from the slot, which was where all his success was. I can’t speak to what he does NOW, but like Winfield playing nickel corner, it’s not the best use of his talents
December 8th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
“There’s nothing else to talk about.”
oh $hit…that means this is serious!
December 8th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Oh so THIS Bowles claim we are supposed to believe is correct and true. Got it.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
If he caught the ball when they do throw to him he would see more targets. He’s got the drops.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Like everyone has been saying all season, move CG14 back to the slot.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Godwins wife sounds like she wants to be on a reality TV show….
Bowles may be a cruddy head coach, but he’s done a good job keeping this team away from drama at least untill this non story came along.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
It has been clarified and confirmed.
His targets are actually UP this season. A competent coach would point this out for all to see.
Problem is, by pointing it out he exposes the stat that tells you all you need to know about Baker. “Catchable Passes”.
Across the board for every WR Baker has ever thrown to. His numbers reflect that he is not an accurate QB. Which is why he has only eclipsed 300 yards passing 11 times in all his years in the NFL.
Baker is who he is. A collage QB who did great because of the system and WR he had. Much like Johnny Football.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
“Brock Purdy 6 ft 1
Bake Mayfield 6Ft 1
keep repeating the silliness about height with objective fact right in front of you’
Agree Tony and you might have added Drew Brees who was listed at 6-0”..and that might have been stretching it.
D.R. or anybody watching the all 22’s.
Has Godwin been running the same routes as he did previously under BA. He used to catch a lot of passes on the dead run across the middle which requires massive courage, something CG possessed.
Now I see him targeted a lot on outs…a hard throw requiring arm strength and excellent timing as well as a WR who makes incredible cuts. Baker was recognized as having an elite arm before his surgery for the torn labrum. I don’t see his arm strength on outs being a huge problem but he’s clearly thrown some passes late and Godwin is rarely wide open on out routes.\
ME on the other hand doesn’t need to be open and he seems to flourish on the entire route tree.
BTW thanks for the stats on who has been getting targetted.
I’m just not certain they’re using CG on the correct routes perhaps saving his body from all the over the middle collisions. I gotta say CG is a warrior and he’s taken some HUGE shots the past few seasons.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Running the ball up the middle for 2 yards should cure it.
We’re on a road to nowhere.
On the bright side, only 5 more “We gotta get better” post loss excuses to go.
5-12 should be good enough to send the mental midget packing.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:56 pm
Todd needs to grab his stuff and family and go he is not the coach the player nor fans want or need maybe we could trade for belichick
December 8th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
This guy has become insufferable!
A Bucs team WITHOUT Todd would be an instant improvement…
December 8th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
What I don’t understand is, Evans and Godwin has been almost equal in catch yards the pass few years and the both really carried the offense and now, the offense stink and has stunk the whole year but you don’t get the ball to Godwin. Can someone please enlighten
December 8th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Seriously, what else would he say?
December 8th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Todd Bowles has 5 games left in his career as HC.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Since when do players determine how and when they get the ball. Clearly the coaching staff has kept Godwin in the dark regarding his role. Maybe that’s all Chris wants to know. Hey maybe you can try to pick up Baily Zappe, he can throw for 3 tds against a winning 7-4 team. He doesn’t seem to have problem seeing receivers even though he’s vertically challenged.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:29 pm
BM seems to be getting bretty happy with those sideline routes just a few yards out.
mark this post, as he is overdue for a pick 6 on that route.
and it is played out.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
it todd was a car they would reset the ecu
December 8th, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Talk about a big game Sunday- we lose and the seasons over, Bowles head coaching career is over, and it may be Mayfields last gig as a starter. The next couple years really could hinge on this game and if we win how we finish the season. Biggest game of Mayfield’s career.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Colonel Angus, you fantasize about Chris Godwin? Whatever you are into man.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:54 pm
If rookies aren’t rookies any longer come December, then Canales time is running out to figure out what works for this team…
December 8th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Please keep the Feminists out of football
December 8th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
December 8th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Seriously, what else would he say?
Exactly. So many people want to pile on, but what else could you possibly expect ANY head coach to say in that situation?
December 8th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Bowles does not have a clue on how to coach a team.
December 8th, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Rumor is that Mike Tomlin will be fired in Pittsburgh. He should be on the Glazers jet the next day. Dude has never had a losing season, and his players love him.
December 8th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
Every time he opens his yap he makes it worse. I just want to see what happens in Atlanta now. it is possible they could outblunder Bowles for a Buc win. Possible but not likely.
December 8th, 2023 at 4:47 pm
They moved Winfield, Godwin, and Wirfs from their good positions…what would you expect? Just another Bozo Blunder.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Canales has been trying to call plays for Godwin. Canales control over where the ball goes is ended when the play hits the ears in the helmet. Mayfield can not consistently get him the ball for whatever reason. Not really more to say. Mayfield is not getting passes to him. If Canales isn’t on purpose he’s is completely inept and should be fired on the spot.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Evans has 103(8.5) targets per game compared to Godwin 85(7.0). Not much difference it is the play designs, Evans has more opportunities for big plays so he gets more attention. Godwin needs to move back to slot but we really don’t have a capable #3 WR so Godwin has to stay outside.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
I am very curious to know what his average depth of target is this year. Last year a lot of us. Success came on these wide receiver, screens, and short slants where he would use his yards after the catch ability. This year would seem he is being used more as an outside receiver, and not taking advantage of his skill set.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
T.Mgee@ true Tomlin has never had a losing season on the flip side he has only won 1 SB. In other words the majority of his career his team treads water. It’s like Bowles winning the south this season again and one and done PO game. Dallas & SF win a lot to but not SB’s anymore though this season maybe different for one of them.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:46 pm
stpetebucfan: Baker’s surgery was on his left arm. Last I looked he was still throwing right-handed.
December 8th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
WiseCrack and others on the Island of Misfit Fans: If you did your homework you might have heard the name of Nick Chubb. During Baker’s four years with Cleveland they were a run-first team. And when the Browns had a lead in the 4th quarter they tended to RUN THE CLOCK OUT. So, obviously, that limited Baker’s passing yards. Honestly, if ANY TEAM had Chubb they’d run the ball!
Keep winning Baker.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Believe it or not, this will be one of Mayfields biggest games in his career. It’ll likely determine his future with the Bucs.
If the Bucs lose then with playoffs out of reach its very possible the Bucs turn to Trask and Mayfield will not return next year.
But a Bucs win likely seals Mayfield finishing out the year as starter and potentially returning as a bridge QB for the next guy we draft.
Lots of stakes in this otherwise dull NFC south game
December 8th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
@wyomingjoe – Dude. Come on man. Nick Chubb is why Baker sucks?
SMDH. Joe, how about just a 5 question simple test to post here.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
Godwin had the right to remain silent. But not the ability.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:32 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
December 8th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Keep winning Baker.
Baker: 37 – 46
Unbury your face from Mayfield’s jock strap, he’s not good.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
PFT suggested Mike Tomlin might be available after the season. I don’t want a defensive coach, but that is tempting.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Brady for HC
December 8th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Bakefield has a better record than Bozo
December 8th, 2023 at 7:59 pm
What a mess that’s happening in Tampa. How does this end
December 8th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
Mike Tomlin – game has passed him by…
You guys think the Steelers would just move on from a good HC?… PLEASE!
Bucs NEED an OC turned HC if they are ever going to become consistent winners!
December 8th, 2023 at 8:11 pm
He would be better to keep his Yap shut….Maybe the Glazers will issue a Gag Order.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:11 pm
HC Grover Says:
December 8th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Bakefield has a better record than Bozo
—
Kid after you claimed 200,000 times 550 was 1.3 billion nothing you say has anything on it but the label of laughter.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Carolina has certainly improved on his exit
December 8th, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Baker hasn’t been great but he hasn’t been terrible either.
On target 292 (74% 19th best)
Batted 13 (4th worst)
Throw away 15 (middle of the pack)
Drops 19 (4.8% 14th worst)
Bad throws 59 (15% 12th best)
Pressure rate 18.7% (10th lowest)
Pocket time 2.4 secs best pocket time is only 2.7 secs and worst is 2.1 secs
Completion 63.6%
Att 409
Comp 260
December 8th, 2023 at 8:46 pm
CG average depth of target is 8.6 yards which is deeper than the past two years but shorter than the first three years of his career.
ME average depth of target is 14.7 yards which is longer than the past three years but shorter than 18-19 seasons
December 8th, 2023 at 9:01 pm
CG average separation is 2.8
ME average separation is 2.5
So the idea that CG can’t get open any more isn’t accurate
December 8th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Baker is throwing TDs with Mike. Not gonna change. Too late in the season. TB wants to keep his job and so does Baker.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:21 pm
Just for info, there’s an interesting site called SIS Data Hub that contains a wealth of information on how passes are being distributed by the various QBs (just add Dot Com to that site and you’ll find it).
For example, folks talking about Mayfield’s deep throws. Turns out he’s #3 in the NFL in deep (at least 20 yards) pass attempts with 52. Also turns out that he’s completed only 13 of those … for a whopping 25% completion rate. That’s bad; that’s very very bad.
He improves somewhat on intermediate throws. He’s tied for #5 in intermediate (10 – 19 yards) pass attempts with 88. However, he’s only completed 46 of those … for a lowly 52.3% completion rate.
Baker does much better with the short stuff, but we all knew that already.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:18 pm
DR, every QB does, that’s why they are called high and low % passes. No secrets there.
December 9th, 2023 at 2:08 am
Defense Rules Says:
December 8th, 2023 at 9:21 pm
Just for info, there’s an interesting site called SIS Data Hub that contains a wealth of information on how passes are being distributed by the various QBs (just add Dot Com to that site and you’ll find it).
For example, folks talking about Mayfield’s deep throws. Turns out he’s #3 in the NFL in deep (at least 20 yards) pass attempts with 52. Also turns out that he’s completed only 13 of those … for a whopping 25% completion rate. That’s bad; that’s very very bad.
He improves somewhat on intermediate throws. He’s tied for #5 in intermediate (10 – 19 yards) pass attempts with 88. However, he’s only completed 46 of those … for a lowly 52.3% completion rate.
Baker does much better with the short stuff, but we all knew that already.
—————————-
How does he compare to other QB’s on that site?
Statmuse (add dot com) has his deep ball completion percentage considerably higher, but just 7th worst in the NFL
December 9th, 2023 at 2:14 am
We all know what is going to happen tomorrow, right? Because of all this we will force-feed Godwin…
December 9th, 2023 at 5:08 am
Defense Rules Says:
December 8th, 2023 at 9:21 pm
For example, folks talking about Mayfield’s deep throws.
———
OH good grief……. sigh…… Of course we Talk about Baker’s ability to throw the deep ball because we actually KNOW what we are talking about in regard to his ability and you do NOT..
The last time baker started a whole season uninjured
BAKER MAYFIELD WAS RATED TOP SIX IN THE LEAGUE AT DEEP BALLS
Google “Next Gen Stats’ top 10 deep passers of 2020: Aaron Rodgers lands at No. 4 ”
first result
and scroll down the list of that page to see who came in at 6
So get over it – the claim that Baker CANNOT hit the long ball is DEAD ON ARRIVAL
The only question is why its lower with the Bucs – less receivers going deep with separation, timing with receivers ala new offense , the fact that our third receiver is actually our rb or the fact that our running game being spit teams can concentrate on pass coverage etc etc etc.
December 9th, 2023 at 5:19 am
RuKa Says:
December 9th, 2023 at 2:14 am
We all know what is going to happen tomorrow, right? Because of all this we will force-feed Godwin…
——
Increasing the possibility of ints …..Yep…all this could have happened behind closed doors and the defenses wouldn’t know a thing
I am going to blame Godwin on this. His wife felt she had to try and handle his business because he wasn’t; handling his business. NO one can tell me if Godwin wanted to he could not demand the attention and a sit down with Bowles without his wife putting it on blast on social media and all these public announcement that getting him the ball will now be a priority – just before a critical game.
Hopefully Canales will be smart enough to use it the other way and use Godwin as a decoy as well.
December 9th, 2023 at 6:07 am
UKBuccaneer … You got me curious regarding the apparent difference between StatMuse & SIS Data Hub regarding Mayfield’s deep throw completion percentages. I suspect that the differences are in how they define deep throws (distance), but can’t be sure (I don’t pay for StatMuse).
On going back through the game play-by-plays though on Pro Football Reference, it looks like Baker has thrown deep 79 times in our 12 games and completed 29 of those (36.7%). I believe though that PFR uses 15 yards or more to define a deep throw, whereas SIS uses 20 yards or more, so that’s apples-and-oranges IMO.
Did notice on going back through that 3 of Mayfield’s INTs have occurred on deep throws, and that quite a few have involved penalties (on us & our opponents) & thus didn’t count as a play.
December 9th, 2023 at 7:28 am
My conclusion is it’s all intentional. Every play. Godwin is either the second or the third read, that’s not an accident
December 9th, 2023 at 8:06 am
0% chance of winning man of bet you kick your poor dog every morning too
December 9th, 2023 at 8:48 am
Offense sucks because we can’t run the ball.
We can’t run the ball because most of the players we have to block suck out loud.
The bad players who cannot run block were hand picked by Jason Licht.
Licht’s poor talent evaluations and acquisitions have made the coaches and players look bad all season on both sides of the ball.
Licht is apparently a sacred cow.
December 9th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
I ran into Baker over the Summer. Nice guy. I talk to him about the young Wr talent. He is exactly my height. He is not 6’ 1”. I usually found up and say i’m 6’ but I’m actually 5’ 11 3/4”.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:06 pm
Stanglassman Says:
December 9th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
I ran into Baker over the Summer. Nice guy. I talk to him about the young Wr talent. He is exactly my height. He is not 6’ 1”.
—–
oh please . Anyone with common sense knows you didn’t pull out a tape measure (much less check shoe verticals) so stop with the nonsense pf – exactly.
I am 6 foot and half inch And theres no way I can tell the exact difference by standing up next to someone an inch and half difference. What most people do is look shoulder to shoulder or eye to eye but the difference in necks and shape of head relative to eye position is too varied to go off that.
My son has gained a lot of his height. I thought I still had him until the fam put us back to back and confirmed he is now taller than me and we all know You didn’t do that with Baker either.
December 10th, 2023 at 6:13 am
Go on about your business folks nothing to see here. Bucs PR release from Friday morning quoting the company line.
See Todd can too read!
Go Bucs!