Why Toy With Success?
July 3rd, 2020
Bucs WR Chris Godwin.
Chris Godwin already was a damn good receiver with the Bucs before Bucco Bruce Arians showed up in Tampa.
But Arians may have tapped into magic.
A lot of folks — Joe included — were hoping the Bucs, in the offseason of 2019, would have kept then-free agent Adam Humphries. He seemed the prototype slot receiver. Good routes, good hands and decent YAC.
Keep Godwin on the outside, especially if the team was going to move on from malcontent DeSean Jackson.
Arians didn’t see it that way. Arians is big on speed. That’s why he wasn’t losing sleep if the Bucs lost Humphries. And Arians figured Godwin would be a damn good receiver, sort of a lesser version of Larry Fitzgerald.
Damn if Arians’ wasn’t just right, it was a brilliant move. Godwin absolutely blew up last year and had what for many is a career year — 1,333 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
An overlooked element of Godwin’s game is his all-round physicality and willingness to block. Godwin may be the perfect slot receiver if this past season is any indication of his future play.
Joe notices some Bucs fans dabble with the thought of bringing in another slot receiver and moving Godwin to the outside, where he does play some.
One of Joe’s basic tents of sports and in life, is that you do not fix something that is not broken. Having a season like Godwin had at slot is a polar opposite of “broken.”
Joe once worked with a guy who, while a good dude, was very rough around the edges if not cranky and easily triggered. Once the office was frigid and Joe asked the co-worker if it was cool to turn down the AC.
Joe’s co-worker glared and Joe and barked, “It’s. JUST. FINE!”
That’s pretty much Joe’s reaction to those who want to replace Godwin at slot.
July 3rd, 2020 at 5:30 am
It sure would be great to have Humphries with Brady as well.
July 3rd, 2020 at 5:47 am
Adam Humphries makes $9 million a year. Chris Godwin makes $3.28 mil, and needs to get paid. So, no. That’s Tyler Johnson’s role, or one of the young guys on their first contract.
July 3rd, 2020 at 6:15 am
forget humphries…
that was winston’s guy
July 3rd, 2020 at 6:45 am
Chris Godwin 4.42……Adam Humphries 4.53……
We don’t need Humphries…..
Put TJ or Miller on the outside….
Or, better yet….run an empty backfield with Evans, Godwin & 3 TEs…..
July 3rd, 2020 at 7:35 am
I for one can’t wait to see an empty backfield set on 1st and goal from the 8 with Evans, Godwin, Brate, Howard and Gronk.
July 3rd, 2020 at 7:51 am
I can’t wait to see what kind of rapport Brady and Scotty Miller end up having .
July 3rd, 2020 at 8:15 am
SmoothBayRider, I’m with u on that thought. I believe the rapport Brady develop with Scotty will bring out the best in him. Not to discredit other receivers but I believe Miller will be the diamond in the rough. As a rookie, he came in with blazing speed but was still learning all the small nuances of the position. However, this year, add Brady to the mix, n it will all come to fruition.
July 3rd, 2020 at 8:48 am
I still say the Bucs should have inquired about Edelman.
July 3rd, 2020 at 9:28 am
I say throw Godwin out wide %50 of his passing plays since he has the speed and size to beat up CBs.
July 3rd, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Good article and I couldn’t agree more.
July 3rd, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Thanks man!
July 3rd, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Is a tent anything like a tenet? Asking for a friend
July 3rd, 2020 at 3:35 pm
I think it just might be, WillieG
July 3rd, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Can someone tell me why Scotty Miller name comes up all the time??? I really don’t understand. I’m waiting to see what TJ can do in the slot. He runs the beautiful routes like Godwin style.
July 3rd, 2020 at 5:35 pm
Humphries is gone. Get over it.
July 4th, 2020 at 10:42 am
I would move chris outside and motion him.inside on certain plays and rotate with another slot guy.Start using.the tight ends more and the tunning backs.8n the passing game.