Did Liam Coen Help Lure Mike Evans Back To Bucs?
July 28th, 2024
Recruiter.
It seems like Liam Coen still had recruiting in his blood as he transitioned from Kentucky offensive coordinator to the Bucs’ playcaller this spring.
The Bucs hired Coen, in part, because he was largely responsible for righting Baker Mayfield’s ship. When the former No. 1 overall pick was released by the Stinking Panthers in 2022, Mayfield then landed in Los Angeles, where Coen was the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
Of course, Mayfield signed with the Bucs in 2023 and we all know what happened after that.
Mayfield admitted part of his desire to stay with the Bucs this season was a reunion with Coen. But Coen didn’t stop there. Last week, Mike Evans confessed that Coen did a recruiting call with him. And Evans also admitted Coen did a helluva sales job.
“I like him,” Evans said. “I talked to him even before I re-signed. That’s another reason I wanted to sign back; he had all these plans to continue giving me the ball.
“I love to hear that. That just makes me happy. I like him a lot. I’d rather be nowhere else but here.”
Good for Coen! And if the Bucs have another solid season and Coen sticks around, Joe only wonders who else Coen might lure to Tampa Bay as a free agent. Or what free agent Coen may sweet talk into staying (coughChrisGodwincough)?
But if the Bucs offense is good this fall, Coen will be a wanted man as a head coach for a team with a quality quarterback or plans to go get one.
July 28th, 2024 at 3:31 am
Mr. Evans is in his fk money zone….he’s chasing records and legacy….HUNGRY…Get it Mike!
July 28th, 2024 at 4:22 am
Good to hear that this sort of chemistry is brewing.
July 28th, 2024 at 4:58 am
If Coen turns out to be the next best thing, I’d hate to lose him after just one season. Todd has two years remaining on his contract. Would be nice if there was a succession plan in place?
July 28th, 2024 at 5:46 am
Wow, this is an excellent piece of information. Thank you! It sounds like Coen is going to feed Mike the football! Feeling so good about all of it. Mike is going to break more records. Go Bucs!!
July 28th, 2024 at 6:41 am
Mike Evans wasn’t going anywhere.
July 28th, 2024 at 6:46 am
No he did not
July 28th, 2024 at 7:44 am
Hodad, I agree. Kind of like what the Pats did with Mayo. Todd has already hinted at retirement in the past too. Hopefully Coen is our next HC!
July 28th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Wow from Joe’s Day 3 notes it sure looks like Trask has picked up Liam’s offense quickly, he was on fire – remember, Baker and Wolford played for Liam before. I predict Trask will once again outplay Baker in training camp as Joe said happened last year but regardless Bowles will stick with his boy Baker again and we’ll be a couple field goals above or below .500. I don’t know what part of “nothing ventured nothing gained” the Bucs don’t understand smh.
July 28th, 2024 at 8:50 am
If the Bucs are winning, it is unlikely they move on from a currently 60-year-old Bowles or 62 at the end of his contract.
Weebs10: I’d be curious as to the reference you are talking about where Bowles hinted at retirement.
July 28th, 2024 at 8:57 am
Capt Jimbo Neal:
You made me laugh.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained with Kyle Trask.
Bucs have seen years of Kyle. Not sure why you think reading a few weeks of blog posts from last year are the most accurate reading of his skill set over the coaches’ everyday eyes.
Seriously, man, that’s like thinking you know a Michelin restaurant better than the chef because you read a Yelp review.
July 28th, 2024 at 9:45 am
geno711 Says: “Bucs have seen years of Kyle.”
The kid has never played a single game with the starters, not even in preseason, so how have they “seen years” of him with the starters?
Also, the Falcons/Packers and the Patriots had also “seen” Brett Favre and Tom Brady in practice, each being a backup and coming off the bench only after injuries to the starting QB. How did that work out? You don’t know much NFL history do you?
July 28th, 2024 at 9:45 am
I guess if they are successful this year we can trust Bowles to find another good young OC.
July 28th, 2024 at 10:13 am
Geno, Bowles said something about not coaching when he was 70. He was chuckling, but it sounded like he meant it.
July 28th, 2024 at 10:19 am
If Cornales can get a HC spot after just one season of mediocre to decent OC work even though he didn’t know how figure out how to get us into the end zone on an opening drive or scheme our run game into respectability then if this guy can and also break the Mayfield curse of every other good season then it’s almost guaranteed he will be head hunted before the end of this season because he’s also very experienced at the job. However before the Bucs try to make him our next coach in waiting always remember Dirk “Diggler” Koetter, it’s not guaranteed he’s HC material just because he’s a good OC.
Geno you are a prime example of the tunnel vision of the Bakette fanbois who only see thru their rose petal googly eye sun glasses when it comes to their crush. The fanboi Joe wrote in another article the other day that Trask was on fire in TC in 2023 yet of course you ignore facts like that and and the product Mayfield put on the field in most games and jump on posters who aren’t in love with him
July 28th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Liam Coen looks and feels like a “Buccaneer Guy”. I agree, if we win with him, we can’t let him go.
Dave was always a west coast guy in my mind and interacting with him always felt a bit contrived.
July 28th, 2024 at 10:33 am
After we go 13-4 and make it to the NFC Championship, Coen will gwt a head coaching job.
July 28th, 2024 at 10:54 am
On the pre-conditions of both a double digit win season and deep play off /championship run I would hope the Bucs could keep Coach Coen as assistant head coach and a hefty pay raise until Bowles does retire. It would be the best way to ensure stability for the franchise because if either one is lost at this juncture it would result in a net negative on the franchise.
July 28th, 2024 at 11:20 am
Joe Says : Good for Coen! And if the Bucs have another solid season and Coen sticks around, Joe only wonders who else Coen might lure to Tampa Bay as a free agent. Or what free agent Coen may sweet talk into staying (coughChrisGodwincough)?
Teed up and ready, I’ll take the bait.
At the risk of annoying some commenters, I might add.
I made the case for the trade for HR. A case can be made for anything. I don’t really care what they do. It’s the Glazer’s team not mine. Besides it takes two (or in this case 3) to tango and maybe the Jets won’t make the trade.
Will Coen stick ? That’s a big question. Evans stayed and accepted low money as he usually does. Godwin has made more than Evans the last few years. Will he play for less than M.E. next year or will he want Bank ? Will Jason allow a HOF player to be insulted again by giving the #2 receiver a larger contract for the second time ? That’s a predicament. Will Jason just let a first rate talent that has been a fan and team favorite and a superb teammate walk into free agency commanding a huge payday with no shortage of suitors without getting something in return ?
Will JTS step up this year ? Even if he does will Jason want to pay him ? Could we get a 5th, 6th, or 7th round pick for him ? Will Jason just let his 1st round pick get away with nothing in return ? At the very least JTS is serviceable.
These are my thoughts behind trading for HR. One commenter essentially said if my argument was valid that Jason would have already pulled the trigger. Sir, the Jet’s own the rights to HR and they don’t have to trade him if they don’t desire. Let this situation play out. Other teams want him as well.
July 28th, 2024 at 11:41 am
After looking at Spotrac, I suppose the thought that C.G. reaching free agency is not that dire. M.E.’s contract is for 2 years ( I thought 3).
After some thought the Bucs are actually in a good position to do whatever they want. Jason is in the drivers seat.
July 28th, 2024 at 11:43 am
Tip of the hat to Jason Licht. He most certainly belongs in the ring of honor and sooner rather than later.
July 28th, 2024 at 11:51 am
The prospects for another Super Bowl ring in the next few years, in my opinion, are exceedingly good.
July 28th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
WiseCrack Says:
July 28th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Liam Coen looks and feels like a “Buccaneer Guy”. I agree, if we win with him, we can’t let him go.
Dave was always a west coast guy in my mind and interacting with him always felt a bit contrived.
^^^^
Very intuitive observation
July 28th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Capt Jimbo Neal Says:
July 28th, 2024 at 9:45 am : Also, the Falcons/Packers and the Patriots had also “seen” Brett Favre and Tom Brady in practice, each being a backup and coming off the bench only after injuries to the starting QB. How did that work out? You don’t know much NFL history do you?
Just ask Don Majkowski and Drew Bledsoe if they saw it coming.
July 28th, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Maybe the QB 2 competition is to stoke the fire under Trask.
July 28th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
I suppose the dilemma Jason might face next year is this; Which receiver will be the number two ? Even this year we may have 2 number one slot receivers.
If both YaYa and Braswell can “grab the brass ring”…WOW…we won’t need HR at all.
July 28th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Trashk is getting what he’s earned. If anyone thinks the better player who gives the Bucs a better chance to win is being with held because of some weird conspiracy, they should take a long nap and wake up in a few years when he’s selling cars.
July 28th, 2024 at 1:14 pm
Dave Pear Says:
July 28th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Trashk is getting what he’s earned. If anyone thinks the better player who gives the Bucs a better chance to win is being with held because of some weird conspiracy, they should take a long nap and wake up in a few years when he’s selling cars.
^^^^^
WTF are you talking about ? That comment makes NO sense at all.
It is nothing more than a derogatory and meaningless statement that adds nothing of value to the conversation.
July 28th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
“I like him,” Evans said.
———
A ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one!
July 28th, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Rod Munch Says:
July 28th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
“I like him,” Evans said.
———
A ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one!
^^^^^
A ringing endorsement of whom ?
July 28th, 2024 at 10:46 pm
Canalwater is on speed dial with Tony Robbin’s. He will be getting in touch with a lot of feelings after he goes 0-17.
July 28th, 2024 at 11:53 pm
^^^^^
WTF are you talking about ? That comment makes NO sense at all.
It is nothing more than a derogatory and meaningless statement that adds nothing of value to the conversation.
^^^^
Welp, we found Kyles mom