Columnist: Chris Godwin Has Much To Prove
April 18th, 2021
Embarrassing evaluation.
Joe often admits that many Bucs fans may know the NFL better than Joe because Joe is 24/7 consumed with the Bucs.
In other words, Joe’s laser focus on the Bucs means some fans watch all things NFL more thoroughly because Joe is so locked in.
Now if Joe were covering the league as opposed to one team, that would be totally different. So it really bothers Joe that a guy who in theory is supposed to know the league doesn’t even have a fundamental understanding of the Bucs roster. You know, the Super Bowl champs?
Take this Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. He thinks Chris Godwin is some second banana receiver. It’s clear and obvious Knox just looked at receiving yards numbers and has zero context about Godwin, which is frightening considering who else plays on the Tampa Bay offense.
The problem is that 2019 represents Godwin’s only year of elite production. He had 842 yards the year before and 840 yards in 12 games this past season.
Like many players on this list, he will have to prove he can stay healthy after missing six games over the past two seasons. More importantly, he’ll have to show he can perform as he did two years ago consistently. If he can, he could become a receiver-needy team’s top offseason target.
Joe has no issue with Knox knocking Godwin for being dinged up. That’s fair. But dude, do you know anything about the Bucs? Have you heard of Mike Evans? Rob Gronkowski? Antonio Brown? Cam Brate? Scotty Miller? O.J. Howard?
Godwin is just one cog in a loaded offense, maybe the deepest group of pass catchers in decades. There’s only one ball. Of course Godwin is not going to have ridiculous yards playing with this group.
Godwin had 84 targets last year, second-lowest season total of his career. Why? Because it was the fewest games he played in a season. Knox cited Godwin’s best season as 2019. That was also Godwin’s lone season with over 100 targets (121). Think there is a connection?
If Godwin played with fewer weapons around him, he’d easily have over 100 targets in a season and 1,000-plus yards. This isn’t about Godwin being less talented; it’s about Godwin being on a team with superior talent.
You’d think a guy covering the NFL would know this. Or maybe he just doesn’t watch football games?
April 18th, 2021 at 8:18 am
That’s all these guys know Joe. Stats without context. Players are viewed by the public and some analysts through the Fantasy football lens.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:25 am
Agreed Joe. He’s one of the best all around WR in the game. Doesn’t help your numbers with all these FHOF receivers that might possibly be able to be in a better position to catch the ball. The health issues are a problem, but when you do the math 842 yards in 12 games is pretty damn good.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:28 am
Nobody hits the ground harder than Godwin. It’s like he fell off a 10 story building
April 18th, 2021 at 8:30 am
Godwin is one of my favorite players. He plays tough! Makes difficult catches in heavy traffic. Gives up his body to make diving catches of poorly thrown balls. Rarely drops an accurately thrown ball. Most of his injuries are the result of his fearless style of play. And he blocks. Truly a badass player with a team first attitude.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:33 am
“Maybe the deepest group of pass catchers in decades … ” Exactly, Joe. Plus the new RB can catch with the best of them. What a set of weapons for TB.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:35 am
Now that he’s used to playing with TB12, if he takes a step backwards it’s on him. Tyler has a chance to exploit that if Godwin falters.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:38 am
I think Godwin’s biggest talent is that he NEVER, EVER drops the ball (well outside of that Green Bay game). Guy is a frikkin vacuum cleaner
April 18th, 2021 at 8:42 am
Godwin was on pace for >1100 yards if he had been healthy the whole season. As long as his yips are cured by the off-season and we don’t go dropping balls in January again. Glad he’s here
April 18th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Godwin does not fit the definition of a current era NFL WR … he is a very good WR… but not EXPLOSIVE
IMO the missing pieces on the offense is Explosiveness from the WR & RB positions .
Time will tell
April 18th, 2021 at 8:53 am
There is never a year that any player doesn’t have to prove himself that is the nature of this game. He is still getting paid a ton on the tag and the way the team is balance and structure it is hard to be a standout. He needs to stay healthy and produce when given the opportunity and if the team wins another championship everybody is going to want a part of that magic. That is when you get the outrageous contracts is when people are dealing more emotionally than economically, he will get paid cause of the type of person he is and his work ethic towards the team. It would be nice if we could restructure his contract but we can’t afford to be emotional as we have a chance to do something only 6 other teams have done is go back to back, and if by some miracle we do stay healthy and accomplish this, we still might have a strong enough nucleus to do something no one else has and win 3 in a row. That’s America’s team, the steel curtain, the undefeated season, the Lombardi, the Pat’s, and the Niners all rowed in to one. Just a dream right now but maybe after this coming season it will be a possibility.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:55 am
If you use a K to spell Christopher, you’re already a moron.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:59 am
Godwin standing out in the Bucs offense is like a beautiful gal standing out on a beauty pageant.
April 18th, 2021 at 9:04 am
Meybe he just watched the playoffs- where Godwin did not look like himself.
Godwin usually has incredible hands! He was a little shaky in the post season.
I bet that ring cures his playoff jitters!
April 18th, 2021 at 9:12 am
“the deepest group of pass catchers in 100+ years of NFL HISTORY”
There – I fixed it for you Joe.
There should be no contention of this FACT.
ME, Godwin and AB is the best 1,2,3 WR group on 1 NFL team ever.
Add Gronk, Brate (and OJ Howard for 5 games) – with Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson as backups….
And you have the best and deepest collection of receiving weapons ever assembled on an NFL team.
April 18th, 2021 at 9:15 am
Lots of these so called experts look at stats only. They don’t watch the games. This knuckle dragger probably watches reruns of the Oxygen network on Sundays.
April 18th, 2021 at 9:31 am
When it comes to the Buccaneers, it is apparent who watches the Bucs and who reads about the Bucs.
That includes fans.
April 18th, 2021 at 9:41 am
I agree with columnist and fair assessment. I see the same thing. Godwin is knocking the door but not in yet. Injuries and drops need to be canceled out of his game
April 18th, 2021 at 9:53 am
Don’t be surprised for a trade up for a edge rusher or explosive WR…just don’t know what the Bucs are thinking and or other teams with multiple picks in the rebuilding mode. Bucs are definitely in the win now mode !
April 18th, 2021 at 9:53 am
I think many team fear Godwin more than Evans. Because Godwin makes plays every game he plays. Mike sometimes gets shutdown and not just when he’s double-teamed. However, in Evans defense…. he is sometimes used almost as a decoy.
April 18th, 2021 at 10:05 am
I get what he’s saying. Yes Godwin means more to the Bucs than just catching the ball, but does that warrant the franchise tag? Is he really worth 16 million a year when he’s not even considered the #1 receiver on the team? If the Bucs wanted him long term, they could’ve given him a new deal, and saved us cap space this year in the process, they didn’t. Godwin was franchised to keep the band together for another run. If I had to bet, he’ll be playing somewhere else after this season.
April 18th, 2021 at 10:29 am
This is the fantasy football effect. Most of these guys can’t evaluate talent, they can only crunch numbers and look for trends.
April 18th, 2021 at 10:31 am
I agree with the columnist. Godwin battled health issues and also seemed to lose confidence with AB on the field, leading to uncharacteristic drops. He still flashed the talent we saw in year one and had some great plays, but it was definitely a disappointing year. Let’s see what the kid shows in year 3, which is often the year that pro WR break out. GO BUCS
April 18th, 2021 at 11:13 am
I will give Godwin a semi-pass on drops based on breaking his finger and having it screwed back together.
April 18th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
I gotta be thinking the receivers REALLY don’t want AB back, it just means fewer targets for them. Can’t say that out loud, of course
April 18th, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Jeebs- I don’t know you at all but you clearly don’t follow the Bucs because this is Godwin’s 4th season. And everything else you said was wrong too. Keep tryin though.
April 18th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
People agreeing with this columnist should cheer for the Panthers or something. Holy crap, Sapp’s theory continues correct. The stupidest fans in the league reside in Tampa.
April 18th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
The fans in Dayton OH want an NFL team also….. But the league days no, because THEN Cincinnati and Cleveland would want one too
April 18th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
infernal phone
April 18th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Godwin is great indeed…but 2021 is a huge year for him. He’s currently the 2nd largest cap # on the team ( Evans 1…Brady/Shaq have deals pushing $ to the future of course ). In fairness…AB had more clutch catches in the Washington playoff game and Super Bowl. The assessment isn’t completely off base…just not a popular one with Buc fanatics.
April 18th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
You can’t even knock the guy for injuries. It’s not like he’s out of shape or out of condition. Most of that is bad luck and probably someone not monitoring the guy’s fluids during a game.
April 18th, 2021 at 9:42 pm
Unless AB returns Godwin is the best receiver on the team. Usually has great hands (not in the playoffs), makes the contested catches, fast (4.42 40), explosive enough that he usually plays the slot even when Scotty is on the field.
April 19th, 2021 at 1:03 am
A national writer that half a$$es his coverage of our Buccaneers? Crazy talk!