Mike Evans Learning NFL Ropes
July 27th, 2014
Bucs WR Mike Evans got a taste of squaring off against an All-Pro yesterday.
Joe saw kind of a cool thing after training camp practice yesterday. There was Mike Evans, the stud wide receiver, selected at No. 7 overall, carrying a pair of helmets back to the locker room.
It’s not hazing, but tradition. Rookies carry helmets (and when pads are worn, shoulder pads) back to the locker room. Evans could have copped an attitude, being one of the top picks in the draft, but he didn’t.
Just like the rest of the rookies, Evans had his arms full of helmets. Earlier, he had his hands full of Alterraun Verner.
In a drill that pitted two cornerbacks doubling up on a wide receiver at the line, the receivers were ordered to get past the double-coverage and get the ball.
Evans learned a few things during this drill: 1) He’s in the NFL; 2) Verner is an All Pro; and, 3) He’s not going up against children any longer.
“It’s real technical [beating double-coverage],” Evans said. “We work releases all of the time. Even in walk-throughs, we work releases and I found out today, [cornerback] Alterraun [Verner] was right there and he didn’t budge. I gave him so many moves and he didn’t budge. You have to be real technical and give it all you got.”
Welcome to the NFL, rook. This was not a bad thing whatsoever.
Evans is learning the NFL ropes, just like every other rookie. And if Evans can somehow find a way to get past Verner, then he should do just fine facing lesser defensive backs.
It may take time, but Evans will be OK. To hear more of Evans, click on the red button below courtesy of Joe’s good friends at WDAE-AM 620.
July 27th, 2014 at 8:12 am
I liked him at that pick and think (hope) he will eventually be a really solid NFL receiver. Seems like a good character guy.
July 27th, 2014 at 8:19 am
I am still laughing over the Jim Rome interview. Guy shows up, takes his rookie licks, keeps his nose clean, then answers questions short and sweet. If he can play like his attitude we are going to see some special things for the next 5 years.
July 27th, 2014 at 9:59 am
If he struggles against double-coverage, DCs are going to throw that at him often. And that’s OK. He’ll get more practice at beating it AND, everyone else will be one-on-one. Leaving VJ, Demps, Jenkins, Wright (etc) one-on-one is playing with fire.
July 27th, 2014 at 10:51 am
hawk if another team sticks 2 corners pressed man on evans that HC will be fired it was a drill, evans will be fine
July 27th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
I realize it was double coverage, but it also gives the idea that Verner isn’t just a drop-back-into-zone-coverage corner but probably also has the goods to play some decent press