Chris Godwin Sticks Out

May 24th, 2017

Focused. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Yes, it is hard for Joe not to get the football juices flowing seeing Bucs veterans and rookies together on a practice field, albeit in during Day 1 of underwear football yesterday.

Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter called it “touch football” at one point.

No, it’s not football. And it’s only one practice. And in the past, guys who have shined in underwear football have been total stiffs. Tommy Streeter, Solomon Patton, Chris Owusu and Kenny Bell are past underwear football warriors. So Joe types the following with a lot of trepidation: It caught Joe’s attention that both Koetter and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, raved about the first OTA practice by rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin.

Koetter was asked if O.J. Howard and Godwin had their heads spinning transition to the NFL in their first practice with veterans. On the contrary, Koetter said, Godwin was smooth.

“I think those guys have handled it well,” Koetter said. ” I think the two guys that you’ve mentioned, first off, are really mature guys. I thought Godwin had a really nice day today. I thought of the rookies, Justin Evans wasn’t practicing today, but I thought Godwin really showed up. I didn’t think O.J. showed up quite as much, he had a couple chances to make plays and for whatever reason it didn’t work out.”

Later, Jameis said that Godwin looked “amazing.” But Jameis has a bit of a Hollywood starlet in him when it comes to talking about teammates. You know, it’s like when some fetching, scantily-clad babe shows up on “Conan” with virtually no skirt, flaunting a midriff-baring belly shirt with a plunging neckline to sell a movie? The producer is amazing and the script is amazing and the co-stars are all amazing… all the while Conan is staring at her (ahem) necklace?

So Joe tried to pin down Jameis  about what he meant by Godwin appeared “amazing.” Jameis’ answer was impressive.

“A lot of guys, the stage might be too big for them, but he came in and stepped right in with the ones and he produced,” Jameis said of Godwin. “That’s what is amazing to me. The fact that he was prepared, that he was urgent and he had a great day.”

Prepared. Joe loved that. Preparation is so key and so often overlooked when comparing guys’ and skillsets and their 40-times and all of that. A prepared player who positioned himself to make a play, that’s 70 percent of the battle, the mental game. Preparation often separates studs from the JAGs (Just A Guy).

Koetter also cautioned that the team is bringing rookies along at a planned pace. While rookies may not be going Sybil now, that could change in a week.

“When we come from Phase Two to Phase Three we start back over at install No. 1,” Koetter explained. “The rookies actually got install No. 1 in rookie mini-camp, so wait a couple days. When we get installs 3 through 13, I think those heads will start spinning a little bit more. But, they were fine today.”

33 Responses to “Chris Godwin Sticks Out”

  1. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Whats the deal with justin evans

  2. Bucsfanman Says:

    Write it down: Godwin will be starting in 2018, 2019 at the latest.

  3. Defense Rules Says:

    @Dirk … “When we get installs 3 through 13, I think those heads will start spinning a little bit more. But, they were fine today.”

    Love the way Koetter tries to keep his excitement tempered. Nevertheless, you know he’s E-X-C-I-T-E-D big time to have all these new toys to play with.

  4. Pickgrin Says:

    Godwin would have been an excellent pick if we had taken him in the 2nd rd where he was expected to go. Getting a receiver of that quality in the 3rd rd – 30 something picks later was definitely a fortunate turn of events.

  5. Lou. Says:

    @Pickgrin:

    The local pewter sites were higher on Godwin than the national coverage was. We’ll have to wait to see who’s right.

  6. JTHV Says:

    If my expectations (developed from lots of research and following of Godwin’s Penn St career) come to fruition, he should become the 2nd best WR the Bucs have ever drafted and have had, behind Mike Evans of course.

    I jumped through the ceiling at the OJ pick, and damn near to the moon for Godwin in the 3rd.

    Winston – 23yo
    Evans – 23yo
    Godwin – 21yo
    Hump – 23yo
    Brate – 25yo
    OJ – 22yo

    This is crazy!

  7. alamba78 Says:

    “I didn’t think OJ showed up quite as much..” Gotta be after that kid, I get worried with him hearing these kind of sound bites and people questioning his passion for the game. I’m sure as much as he was a steal in the draft, it really comes down to his potential. He wasn’t a steal because he dominated his college career, he had flashes of dominance. So, I’m not sold on his potential till it becomes a regular sighting. Wish him and the Bucs the best of luck.

  8. darin Says:

    Bucsfan
    You just wrote it down. N he was a high draft pick we expect them to start.

  9. Casual Observer Says:

    Seem extremely deep at WR. Have overlooked Dye, who apparently is looking good. With the talented rookies around, he may not make the roster. And 3 (counting the Laval guy) TEs look fine too. Lots of targets.

  10. Bucsfanman Says:

    @darin- I guess I did, didn’t I?! We got him in the 3rd round, not the 1st where the expectations are loftier. It might go down as one of the “steals” of this draft.

  11. biff barker Says:

    I don’t think it’s possible to keep a talent like Godwin off the field. Rook or not, he’ll get his snaps because Koetter will have some plays designed for him.

    Him, ME13 and DJax on the field is a coverage migraine. Throw in OJ and it’s a nightmare.

  12. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Not sure on OJ and lack of passion for the game not sure you put up with saban for 4 years without loving the game

  13. rayjay1122 Says:

    With the young talent we have at the QB/ WR/TE positions, if we can get the OL and DL stacked as well as the DB’s and RB positions, we may very well hoist the Lombardi trophy in Tampa for Super Bowl XV. I see us being in the playoffs this year and next year and being Super Bowl ready for the next few years after. Exiting times finally to be a Bus fan. It has been so long since we have been this promising of a team.

  14. Owlykat Says:

    This may explain why he dropped to 19 in the first round. Some scouts noticed his great measureables and flashes occassionally on the field but questioned his dedication. Until he shows great passion for the game he is just talented but unproven like another second round TE started out before he bombed. I sure hope he gets his head on straight with good coaching because we need him starting bad!

  15. Kobe Faker Says:

    godwin faced double coverage against the #1 corner and safety up top. look at who went against the last 2 years at pennstate. alot of the corners are/were 1st round draftees…

    now he will be facing the slower nickel corner/safety/linebacker…..

    the hardcore fans will love him…because he is fearless and will do the dirty work in the middle of the field. 6’1 210 lbs …he can handle it…with 4.48 speed

  16. tmaxcon Says:

    hump is going to have a hard time getting on the field this year. hump will assume his rightful place as a number 5 receiver. hopefully he can improve his special teams play as not to loose his roster spot. nice to see jameis has more than one nfl wr to throw to now.

  17. CalBucsFan Says:

    Mark it down, Godwin will turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the 2017 draft.

  18. Bucsfanman Says:

    tmax- Hump COULD be a #4. He’s going to see playing time but it will diminish as Godwin gets acclimated. I want to see more from Sperbeck (?) before I make that assessment regarding the 4 and 5 spots.

  19. big serious Says:

    does anyone think HUFF we wake up this year? he is never mentioned

  20. big serious Says:

    and what about Walker the EX team mate of ME13/CFL WR

  21. Bucsfanman Says:

    @big- Good questions! And, they’re good ones to have because it means we have talent, for a change.
    Huff made me nervous returning kicks and never really made an impression at WR. Walker is a complete question mark, unless someone watched a lot of CFL.

  22. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    If the light goes on early on for Godwin and we got ME13 DJAX and him running deep and OJ and Cam the Bratest in the middle who’s gonna see Dougie or McNichols wheeling out of the backfield? Man when this offense is clicking on all cylinders the whole nation will take notice!

  23. chris Says:

    It’s underwear footbalml, Kenny Bell was amazing at this point of the year also.

  24. tmaxcon Says:

    Bucsfanman

    both bobo and sperbeck have more upside than hump. however they must prove it. or they will have to join the Glennon, Bell and Murphy insurance team.

  25. Bucamania Says:

    Godwin will be a factor in 2017. Count on it. He’s just too talented to keep off the field. You guys are worried about OJ after one practice in shorts? Cmon man.

  26. TheShaz Says:

    OJ & GODWIN

    We got them because we were in a position to pick BEST AVAILABLE. If you are filling a dire hole you can lose out on good players. And I dont mind the occasional gamble like a kicker in the 2nd round. On paper coming out of college he “Looked” to be the next Sebastian Janikowski, the fact that you admit the mistake (Bringing in a veteran and having a “Kick Off” decide who stays), cut the loss and move on.

    I do not know the feeling for most stick carriers but I really like Licht & Koetter

    This season can’t start fast enough for me!

  27. Mo_Downs Says:

    Godwin’s measurables are “off the chain”. He also seems to be mature….
    Yaaaaay..!!

    IMHO, the Bucs will have several candidates (Godwin, OJ, etc) for Rookie of the Year

    I see Godwin as being the next Jerry Rice. And, because he chose #80, OJ will be the next Kellen Winslow, Sr.

    I’m really excited about his “potential” along with the rest of our rookies.

    I would like for all the Bucs fans to calm down and not be quick to label ANY of the rookies (OJ Howard?) based on a few days of OTA’s.

    OJ Howard is unique. So, let’s give him a chance to make the transition without a lot of cruel comments.

    Be a fan, trust the coaches and cheer for their success..

    Go Bucs..!!

  28. Bucsfanman Says:

    “Glennon, Bell and Murphy insurance team”!!!! LMAO

  29. Erik w/ Clean Athletics 'The Kwon Alexander of Bucs fans' Says:

    Write this down: Godwin will be our #3 WR by Week 1 of 2017.

  30. Mo_Downs Says:

    With all due respect to those who think Godwin will be a starter the first week of the season and Hump will not; I implore you to consider the reality of:

    1) Attrition
    2) Fan appeal
    3) Rotation of skill position players in Kotter’s 4V offense to keep them fresh throughout the game/season.

    It’s just not possible for 2-players (WR1 – WR2) to run sprints (decoy or target) on every play. Or, to think that proven players will lose their starting roles because of the “potential” of untested rookies.

    I see Godwin (the next Jerry Rice) as more of a #1 or #2 moreso than as slot WR.

    Giving ME13 and DJax a breather (running plays, decoy) is as important a task for our reserves as catching every ball thrown their way.

    Lastly, OJ Howard hasn’t done a thing in the NFL and must still EARN his playing time.

    I’m rooting for all of them to succeed.

    Go Bucs..!!

  31. LakeLandBuc Says:

    I will say that Adam Humphries was ranked 11th among WRs in YAC. He did have a 66.3% catch radio…….if it aint broken…..why fix it. Instead of benching him, why not give him more targets?

  32. LakeLandBuc Says:

    ****catch ratio*****

  33. PSU knows receivers Says:

    Get excited Bucs fans you got a good one. The best thing about Godwin is his smarts. You don’t see it in the write ups but this kid is an extremely smart football player. I don’t think he’s there yet but I think he can be better than Allen Robinson. He has better hands, he’s more disciplined and has sneaky athleticism. He doesn’t have a 42 inch vertical but this kid has everything else you could want in a wide receiver…..could be better than Engram and Robinson. I actually like the Jerry Rice comparison. Once the confidence builds with this kid watch out, he can beat you in so many ways. My only question is whether he wants it like Rice did. Thats a pretty high bar but if he only realizes 3/4’s of it he’s a pro bowl player. Take care of him he’s a good egg.