Mike Evans Talks Demanding The Football
October 20th, 2024
One of the most stunning happenings in NFL circles of the last 30 years was receiver Keyshawn Johnson releasing a book about his 1-15 rookie season with the 1996 Jets only a handful of months after that season ended.
It was titled, Just Give Me The Damn Ball!
Imagine that happening during the Internet era. Johnson might not have survived ripping popular teammates and coaches.
Instead, Johnson got past the freakout and thrived. The Jets ushered in a new head coach and were leading at halftime of the AFC Championship game a year later before choking the game away to the Broncos.
The term “diva receiver” took on a whole new meaning after Johnson’s book was published.
Joe remembered all that when Mike Evans was talking last week on The Rich Eisen Show on SiriusXM.
Evans, known for being a non-diva among many great receivers in the league, was asked if he’s ever been that guy to tell his quarterback to get him the damn ball.
The greatest receiver in Bucs history replied, “absolutely,” even to Tom Brady.
However, Evans said he’s always aware of cameras recording his every move so he makes sure to be discreet. He said he only did it twice to Brady. And on one of those occasions, Evans didn’t catch the ball he asked for, he said. Brady didn’t react well, Evans implied.
Regardless, Joe was intrigued by Evans saying he demands the football at times. He cited how receivers are so “dependent” on quarterbacks.
Joe would never believe Evans is an ass about demanding the ball, or that he does it regularly, but Joe does hope Evans would consider doing it more often.
Joe trusts Evans’ feel for the game and his judgment when it comes to winning.
And what might the Bucs’ record be now if Evans walked up to Baker Mayfield late against Atlanta this month and said, “You are not handing the ball off on first down. Let me put this game away?”
October 20th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
We need a healthy Evans to be targeted. A Evans at 75% doesn’t help himself or the Bucs, and may actually help the Ravens.
October 20th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
This is just my opinion and everybody has one. The Bucs are a good team and will most likely finish this year on a good note regardless if the season doesn’t turn out the way we really want it to finish. If Coen stays (let’s hope) Baker will be very solidly in command of the offense and team as a whole. The degree of success we have this year will determine the strength of his commander in charge position next year. At that point some games may very well be won by the “give me the ball” command decisions made by Baker. Baker, I believe, will soon reach the ” I’m gonna win this game myself ” (when necessary) stage in his career. That to me is the definition of a true franchise quarterback. When needed the great ones take over and win. We all saw that here in Tampa not long ago. What was that guys name ?
October 20th, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Looks like Winston will get his chance with the Browns. Watson out with Achilles.
October 20th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Irishmist Says:
October 20th, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Looks like Winston will get his chance with the Browns. Watson out with Achilles.
^^^^
WHO CARES ? I don’t.
October 20th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
Irish, news broke today that Wiston the American Gambling Quaterback got moved to 3rd on the list. Sorry just FYI.
LFG BUCS!!!
October 20th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
So glad to hear that Evans does speak up for the football. Now I am also wondering what could have been at the end of the Falcons game.
October 20th, 2024 at 3:16 pm
I wonder if the drop was his wife as open TD vs Carolina. Either way, two times in three years is not a lot lol. Antonio brown probably had that convo every game.
October 20th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
We about to be in first place once Atlanta takes this loss. They going to lose again next week when we face them.
October 20th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
It looks the the Bucs will have sole possession of first place in the NFC South! At least for a day.
October 20th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Birdies gonna lose boys, win Monday and take over NFCS!!
October 20th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Birds gonna lose, win Monday take over NFCS!!
October 20th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
ATL gonna lose, take over NFCS with win Monday Bucs…LFG!!
October 20th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
The baby birds losing too seahawks 😌
October 20th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
The Buc’s have to get the ball to Evans, obviously. Now more than ever, the Dirty Birds are losing to the Seahawks. Buc’s please don’t lay a goose egg Monday night. Hopefully Buc fans didn’t go and sell their tickets to Raven fans.
October 20th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Yeah I heard that interview, funny stuff.
As for Winston, he’s playing right now and just threw a TD an a 2pt conversion.
October 20th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
55 13 99 20 63
October 20th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
I don’t know what players talk about in the huddle, but I’m sure the receivers speak up when they spy defensive weaknesses. Bet on it. They’re all over the field; the QB ain’t. It’s not just their egos talking. Watched most of the first half of the Lions-Vikes game. Have a feeling Minnesota is no longer undefeated. Detroit is a juggernaut even missing the mankiller Hutchinson. Seahawks usually have decent teams so it’s no surprise Falcons are getting their tail feathers yanked.
October 20th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
Joe, we all know we would have won that game and we’d be 5-1.
On a related note, if Mike isn’t 100% tomorrow I’d just as soon see him sit. No doubt we could use him, but the win over Atlanta will be more important come the end of the season. I’d rather not take the chance tomorrow night.
October 20th, 2024 at 6:16 pm
55 13 99 20 63 47 54
October 20th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
someone can tell mike you can order new hamstrings on amazon…
and with prime they arrive in one or two days…
mike can probably even overnight those hammies, he’s got the loot
October 21st, 2024 at 1:42 am
Damn Joe. That last line sticks. Evans isn’t necessarily that guy and it’s part of why we love him but every now and again the situation calls for it and that would have been a great moment.
Just had a conversation today about arrogant athletes and the line between using that confidence/arrogance to become great or be great without taking it too far and being an a**h*le.
October 21st, 2024 at 12:33 pm
AB was a more explosive player and was always a danger for taking a 5 yard pass for TD. And he’s not going to the HOF.
If Evans hopes to get in the HOF, he’s going in because he has been very good for a very long time, not because of being utterly dominant. So he needs at least a couple more 1000 yard seasons.
If he’s hurt, he may have to sit it. If/when he’s healthy he has to demand the ball. If Godwin keeps on getting most of the looks, Evans is going th fall short.
October 21st, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Idk if anyone caught the end of the lions Vikings game but it was a terrible final drive by Minnesota where they handed it off twice and then tried to achieve the third and 6 or 5 but failed and had to punt back to Detroit who had all 3 timeouts and was only down by one point. They of course drove down the field and kicked a FG to win. My point being that the Bucs & any other team can no longer try to run out the clock when only up by 3 or less. The mindset must be to win by 10 or more despite what the clock says. I hate the play not to lose mindset. Go out there and play to win with the ball in your hands to end the game.