“Just Don’t Mess Him Up”
November 29th, 2019
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
So what do coaches really think when they first watch film of a player and get to know his game in person?
It’s rare to get a candid answer, but Joe believes one appeared this week.
Hanging out behind a microphone on Buccaneers Radio, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich painted a picture of Bucs coaches studying Chris Godwin when the regime arrived in Tampa.
“We felt that he was headed for what he’s doing now,” Leftwich said of Godwin’s monster season to date. “I knew where he would be playing at, for the most, and I knew what that brings.”
Fans have heard that from coaches previously, but Leftwich took it to another level.
He said Godwin looked so good on film and early in practice that Leftwich realized it was on him not to screw up Godwin’s development.
“When I got around him more and more, ‘I was like, man, this kid’s gonna roll,'” Leftwich said. “…You can actually feel it. I can see it in the grass with my own eyes. It’s not tape no more. I’m out here; I’m coaching him, and now I’m seeing him play the plays that he make…
“I told Chris that when I first met him. I was impressed by his tape. I mean, his tape from last year was impressive. My thought was, ‘just don’t mess him up.” (laughs) You know, just put him in a position to make plays. Continuously put him in position to make plays, knowing that his skill set will allow him to [be successful.]”
Joe liked that candid chatter from Leftwich, “just don’t mess him up.” Sometimes it is that simple. And that’s definitely the kind of take a player-turned-coach would utter.
Derrick Brooks & Ira Kaufman in Episode 2 of TAMPA TWO this week dive into Sunday’s pivotal Bucs-Jags game. Yes it is a crossroads kind of game. Presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating. Another great production from The Identity Tampa Bay and Joe.
November 29th, 2019 at 11:38 am
“LOL
Hey Leftovers
Why dont you call minimum 5 shallow crosses for Godwin like a real OC like what seattle does with Lockett
Godwin would have 1500 yards already”
Kobe Faker
November 29th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Yes Kobe yes I am not a Leftwich hater but you nailed it. We just make it to dang hard
November 29th, 2019 at 11:59 am
Because Arians doesn’t believe in calling the same play more than once in a game. Which shows how arrogant and stupid even a good coach can be. If it works it should be used until its stop.
November 29th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
“WE COULD HAVE 6 MORE WINS THIS YEAR
If we had a competent OC
NO RUNNING GAME NEEDED
SAME LOUSY DEFENSE
WE HAVE 2 OF TH BEST YAC RECEIVERS IN THE NFL
JUST DUMP/DROP THE DAMN BALL IN THEIR HANDS
OJ is having a tough time catching the 15-20 yard pass with defender contact
Just Dump …Hand Toss….Drop…Underhand… Throw it like a girl
the ball to OJ and see him run
Kyle Shanahan would have had this team at 10-1 if he was the HC”
Kobe Faker
November 29th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
yada, yada, yada
November 29th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
If only he was saying those things about our QB.
That would be nice.
In BA I Trust!
November 29th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
Him saying that is a tacit admission that he knows he is developmental cancer.
November 29th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
This site is full of delusional fans, you guys are hilarious! If Licht was as dumb as you guys think, one of you clowns would be OC, cos y’all are brilliantly astute at all facets of football.
November 29th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Kobe….exactly!
November 29th, 2019 at 1:14 pm
The only way to mess Godwin up is by not throwing the ball to him.
November 29th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
Kyle Shanahan would have had this team at 10-1 if he was the HC”……
RIGHT !!!!!!!!
November 29th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Godwin is a natural and Evans is a beast. Great compliment. Excellent that Leftwich is just letting Godwin be himself.