Underrated?
November 12th, 2020
Excellent hands.
While Joe surfed the net trying to figure out what “The Weeknd” is — Joe never heard of this band that NFL strongman Roger Goodell has hired to assault Americans on national television at halftime of the Bucs game at the Den of Depression Super Bowl — Joe came across a very interesting stat.
(Wait, “The Weekend” is not a band? It’s a he, not a them? Oh. What, “The Situation” was booked? Well, if it/them/he is not hologrammed Van Halen or AC/DC live, then Joe’s either spending halftime on the throne or watching a Curly Howard video on his iPhone. Hey, in Joe’s world, “The Weekend” is a 2 1/2-day festival of football-gorging and Big Storm Beer-guzzling.)
Now Joe can already hear the cry of the calculator crowd of “small sample size, small sample size!” (That’s what she said.). And Joe wouldn’t disagree. But check this out.
Tw guys who are among the lowest-targeted receivers on the Bucs also seem to have the best hands.
One is Cam Brate. That’s not a surprise. Brate has always had good hands. That’s why he was always targeted in the red zone and the end zone by Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Brate has a catch percentage of 83.3 percent. Catch percentage is the number of targets divided by receptions. Take a guess who is tied with Brate for having the highest catch percentage on the Bucs?
Try rookie Tyler Johnson. He also has 83.3 catch percentage. Oddly enough, both have 12 targets after nine games.
Look, Johnson is not going to get a lot of snaps this year with the receiver corps loaded. Unless there are injuries.
Joe has seen enough of Johnson to think the Bucs got a helluva player for a fifth-round pick. Not only can the guy catch, but remember how he got blown up catching a seam pass for 20 yards and a first down in New Jersey and hung on to the ball? Most mortals would never have held on.
Joe doesn’t expect Johnson to get many more targets the rest of the year, barring injuries. Next year Joe envisions a fully different roster and who knows if Chris Godwin, who will be a free agent, will be retained (remember, the salary cap is expected to plummet this winter)?
It’s hard to imagine furniture-tossing Antonio Brown will return just because of his salary. So next year is the year Johnson should get more targets.
And that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
November 12th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
The Chris Godwin comparisons were right on the money. Too bad he hasn’t been able to show it due to the depth chart.
November 12th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Ever since Roger Godell hired Jay-Z to pick halftime show artist it’s been pretty bad lol50 year old J-Lot then Travis Scoot now The Weekend 😂😂😂😂
November 12th, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Brate is clutch most of the time. I do remember that one dropped pass that would have resulted in a first down and kept the Bucs final drive alive to beat Chicago. Can’t win them all. But that’s what championship teams don’t do. Choke in crunch time.
November 12th, 2020 at 2:50 pm
I am far from an old fogey, but to bring that Weeknd Guy in for a Super Bowl is a freaking reach!
November 12th, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Brady has said Brate should be on the field more. When he is, throw him the frickin ball! He’ll probably catch it!!!
November 12th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Yes this team is going to look different next year. I’ve asked for a Mike Evans jersey for Christmas but for the life of me something is nagging me saying he won’t be here next year. Hope I’m wrong but if not we better get a lot for him.
I enjoy all types of music and I do like The Weekend but I’m having a hard time thinking it’ll be a good halftime show. His style of music just isn’t something I’d consider to get people up and dancing having a great time. Guess we’ll all find out.
November 12th, 2020 at 3:42 pm
There is this song I have really liked all year, I just never knew the name of the song or the artist. Turns out it’s “Blinding Lights” by the Weeknd. Go figure.
November 12th, 2020 at 4:03 pm
I completely agree on what you wrote about the weekend. More proof this country has gone crazy. All this “we” matter more then you stuff is dumb. I’m a Gulf War Veteran and in the military it’s just common sense that you trust the person next to regardless of sex or color. The enemies Bullets will kill whomever they hit. It was my job to protect my fellow soldier’s as much it was theirs to protect me. We need to stop all this only one side matters more then another and start coming together as Americans. We are the only ones who can stop this division of people being forced on us all by a hidden enemy, and start bringing ALL Americas together.
November 12th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Imagine old white people not knowing who the weekend is and complaining about him doing the half time show. Then we have fans complaining that he was picked because he was black smdh. What i guess you would be satisfied if Van Halen or Sting performed? Hey lets get Elvis. I hear he is still alive. The nfl choose musical performers who are relevant TODAY. ie lady gaga, bruno mars, maroon 5, justin timberlake, coldplay, beyonce, katy perry all recent performers and now the weeknd. Notice not are all black. Didnt know a halftime performance was “being forced on you.” How about its because the man has won 3 grammys, 8 billboard awards, 2 AMA’s, 2 MTV awards, 9 juno awards and nominated for many more. That says he is qualified and a large segment of society likes him. Obviously not the old white guy but as we have learned recently the old white guy does not speak for everyone in this country.
November 12th, 2020 at 6:07 pm
@Tattoo
I saw the same thing in Vietnam. Soldiers in war zones have realized united we stand divided we fall. I agree with you totally brother.
November 12th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Joe you have your math backwards. Catch % = # of receptions ÷ # of targets.
November 13th, 2020 at 5:15 pm
I have zero desire to listen to or watch The Weeknd, but-
I also wouldn’t scoff at anything just because it did not include AC/DC or Van Halen holograms. Last year for example, i imagine Joe would be very disappointed if he missed out on the visuals of the half time show. (Put it on mute, and enjoy watching Shakira and J-Lo shake it for 20 minutes). M
This year not so much.