Be Like Mike
July 28th, 2019
Influencing teammate.
Bucs stud wide receiver Mike Evans may not know it, but just by Evans being Evans, he is a big influence on one guy he shares a meeting room with.
And that is Justin Watson. Joe had a chance to talk to the Bucs’ second-year receiver from Penn yesterday after practice and Watson noted he has a standard he is trying to reach.
And that standard is on his own team and is in the wide receivers meeting room with him every day.
“Yeah, you know, if you’re not trying to be like the best in the game, and while you’re out here [trying to be like Mike], so that’s certainly a blessing,” Watson said. “And I got Mike in the room and someone that’s shown [his skills] every day and get you to learn from him and hear from him every day in practice.”
Evans is a good measuring stick for Watson, and not just because Evans has put up Hall of Fame numbers since the Bucs drafted him in 2014 in the first round. Both players had very similar numbers in their respective combines.
Evans is 6-5, Watson is 6-3. Evans ran a 4.43 in the 40 Watson, a 4.4. Evans had a vertical jump of 40 inches; Evans 37. Evans weighed 230 pounds coming out of Texas A&M; Watson 225 coming out of Penn.
Watson noted Evans is always helpful to teammates.
“Oh yeah, of course,” Watson said. “You know, Mike’s the ultimate team player and wants nothing more than to win. And I think you see that every Sunday and every day out here.”
And if Watson could emulate any one thing from Evans, it’s his ability to create separation at the line.
“I think his releases that the line, I think he’s one of the best at,” Watson said of Evans. “You know, one-on-one. Winning, especially against press coverage. So something I’ve always watched him on, even in college and now here, he’s giving me some pointers in the film room” on releasing at the line.
While clearly folks are focused on Evans and Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard and Cam Brate and the underdog rookie flavor of the year Scotty Miller, Joe’s sort of looking at Watson as being that guy that comes from nowhere and has an impact.
As Bucco Bruce Arians said yesterday, Watson is “sneaky.”
July 28th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
No this guy is just a JAG right? Just like Nassib, Spence, Smith and pretty much everyone else on this team especially that disaster Jameis Winston. CUT HIM NOW! CUT HIM NOW! CUT HIM NOW!
July 28th, 2019 at 2:07 pm
This team really has way too many recieving options….more depth than any other team between wrs and tes. Cant keep them all. The guy im really hoping makes an impact is Perriman. His size and speed should be lethal. Either him or Miller need to make the team for a deep threat and a dangerous return man.is desperately needed.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:11 pm
I think the toughness Mike brings would be the most difficult characteristic for Watson to emulate.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
^^^^^
“Change my diaper . Change my diaper …change my diaper “
What’s funny is he tells people to grow up on the site.
Jo$ says one negative comment about Jameis in 4 plus yeArs and he crossed the line …to Never dog.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Cut him now, cut him now, cut him now! Come on Bird it’s what you have been begging for join the chant !
July 28th, 2019 at 2:36 pm
Ndog, I not sure if you’re a fan or a person that like to bitc*. Read you comments man there negative to everything choose another team. I’m not overly optimistic about most of the team, but I’m hopeful. You want to get rid of 2/3 of the team and then what complain about that. 🤷🏾♂️
July 28th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
never dog
He is the first grown baby to play junior college football. I mean it. He’s 50 going on 1 1/2
Therefore , he is the only one qualified to talk about football, quarterback play, binkies and poopie diapers.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
Here is another prediction
Jameis will have a good day today
And never dog will respond “ oh I thought he couldn’t have a good practice. “. Oh. I thought he was terrible. “.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:50 pm
Thank God the Bucs have Evans and guys like him that can haul in those wild pitches.
July 28th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
I heard at practice they are going to start positioning ball boys in the West Tampa neighborhood just south of Once Buc to recover those balls when Winston goes long.
July 28th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Evans only ran a 4.55 in the 40 at the combine. That’s a lot different from a 4.43. He isn’t near as fast as OBJ.
July 28th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Practice starts in 8 minutes they still have time to cut him! Do it what are they waiting for???? Act now Bucs don’t let Jameis drag down another season with his complete lack of ability to hit receivers in stride, hit a deep ball ever or even be respected due to all of the horrible things he has done in the Tampa community. Come on Jason Licht, CUT HIM NOW!
July 28th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Ndog=the ultimate Winston apologist. you should really watch some other NFL teams and listen to some experts who MAY know more than you. The truth wheterh you want o admit it or not, is the Winston is a TO prone QB with spotty accuracy and a losing record. Blame the running game defense whatever, the rest fo eh NFL thinks he is a loser. With all due respect, I trust the opinion’s of Bill Polian, Pat Kirwan and Gil Brandt more than I yours. I do root for Winston because he plays for us but truth is he has not been very good. LEt’s hope Arians can straighten him out.
July 28th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Mike Evans official 40 time at the combine was 4.53. But he was lazer clocked “unofficially” at 4.50 and 4.47 in 2 attempts there that are on video.
Watson was not invited to the combine – but was clocked right around 4.4 at his pro day. The official listing was decided on as 4.42 – but a # of people there had him hand clocked at just under 4.4 (4.38 range).
Watson’s vertical jump is 40″ – Evans hit 37″
With Evans being 2 inches taller – that means Watson has a 1″ advantage over Big Mike at high pointing a ball – and Justin is at least a step or 2 faster than Evans…..
But Watson has a looooong way to go before he gets into Evans class as an effective NFL receiver… like 17 light years or so – LOL
July 29th, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Joe, what the hell? Is it true you reported a 4.4 40 for Mike Evans and it wasn’t true?