Winning Has Stoked Mike Evans’ Fire

August 26th, 2021

New standard.

Many Bucs fans have asked and Joe’s answer has been pretty consistent.

When fans have asked Joe who has been practicing the best in training camp, Joe responds that Mike Evans has been playing above the rim and Devin White isn’t far behind.

A couple of weeks ago Joe asked Evans if he was having his best camp? Evans agreed. He said he’s in top shape and that may be why.

His position coach has another idea.

Receivers coach Kevin Garver has noticed a new Mike Evans this past training camp. Garver, too, believes Evans is having his best camp of the Bucco Bruce Arians regime.

Why? Garver said it is all about winning. Evans finally got a sample last year and it has been rocket fuel for him.

“I think it’s his mindset,” Gaver said. “When I first got here and met Mike, he wanted to win. That’s everything I heard about him before I got here. I think just tasting that and being able to experience that, I think it drives him even more.

“He came into camp the best I’ve seen him. This is year three for me (with Mike). For sure, [he is] getting after it every day. Really hasn’t had a day off so I’m proud of Mike and where he’s at right now. Just really excited to see him get started with the season.”

And Evans works his tail off. Yeah, that’s easy to say. If a player wasn’t working, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians would be on his hide big time.

Joe has seen Evans in the last hour or 45 minutes of practices and the dude looks like he’s about to pass out. Evans puts out in practice to the brink of physical collapse.

What almost seems cruel to Joe is that you see Evans barely able to kneel he is out of it so badly, and yet Arians won’t give him a vet day off like others.

Why?

Arians says Evans, 28, is too young.

27 Responses to “Winning Has Stoked Mike Evans’ Fire”

  1. Jonny Says:

    Losing for most of your career and then discovering the formula for winning makes fighters out of men in all other facets of their life beyond their career. After the first falcons game comeback win, this team was playing with the type of unity and belief rest of the season that became an inspiration to me.

  2. Youngbucs Says:

    He Finally has QB that he doesn’t have to make look better than they are. More on time and on target throws. Less of a need for circus catches all hail the 🐐!!!!

  3. BillyBucoff Says:

    I’m one that envisioned Mike Evans having a similar year to Randy Moss.
    Really unfortunate that he began the year last year with hammy issues.

    Still had 13 totties.

    This year I’m thinking closer to 18-20.
    3 more seasons like that and he will be in the 100 club with very few people.

    Sitting at 62 right now.
    LFG!!!!

  4. Evolvingbucsfan Says:

    Love this, year 8 and the dude is pushing himself and im sure doesn’t want to go back to the losing years. He’s drinking what TB12 is drinking….success and he’s addicted now lol.

    He wants another Parade!!!

  5. Duane Says:

    ME13 has been here to compete from day 1. Contributes regardless of the personnel or record. Just as hampered as every other player in the franchise by a horrible defense and no running game during his tenure here. Glad to see that some of his prime years will not be wasted on an unsuccessful team. Would love to see TB12 go to him more early and often this season. Still think he has a lot of hidden value in the amount of flags he draws.

  6. Jason Says:

    Just curious, but we’re any changes made to the training staff this year? I don’t recall hearing about a single hammy all camp.

  7. Bojim Says:

    Mike will be one of the Bucs greats. Pretty close already.

  8. Cobraboy Says:

    Winning feeds on itself. Just like losing feeds on itself.

    The difficulty is the muddled middle.

  9. Buc50 Says:

    Remember when people wanted to trade ME13 for a ham sandwich every year.

  10. Medicated Pete Says:

    Mike, Lavonte, & Will Gholston can just have fun now after many years of suffering

  11. SlyPirate Says:

    Youngbucs … Good point. He won Johnny Football a Heisman

    Buc50 … No. I remember a little chatter in his contract year, but I’ve been amazed at how incredibly loyal fans are to Evans.

  12. Mike Says:

    When Evans is fully healthy, he is just downright uncoverable 1 on 1, and mostly even when doubled. And now, he’s upped his game even more? Oh boy, watch out NFL!

  13. Ben green Says:

    Can’t wait to see him limping around by week 3. Always something with this guy. He doesn’t miss a lot of games, but I don’t trust him to stay healthy this year.

  14. Joe Says:

    Just curious, but we’re any changes made to the training staff this year?

    TB12 and Alex Guerrero seem to be popular among players this summer.

  15. b4l Says:

    1500 Yards. 20 TDs. Go Bucs!

  16. Infomeplease Says:

    ME is still very hungry!!! He hadn’t gotten his first Super Bowl TD yet!!! Go Bucs!!!!

  17. Jerry R Jones Says:

    ME13, is already one of the greats in Bucs history. No receiver has ever done what ME13 has done. His bust is already reserved in Canton.

  18. Biff Barker Says:

    ME13, always the consummate pro. The biggest difference is that now he is surrounded by other pros who know how to win.

  19. Eddie Marz Says:

    Don’t know how his numbers will shake out. But Evans is gonna be a monster this year. Winning games is the number I enjoy most. GO BUCS!

  20. Erik Hesson - Fine Artist - City of St Pete - Founder of IAMSTPETE.community Says:

    Man, I’m so happy for Evans… He’s finally able to combine personal and team success and now he may end up going down in NFL history as the greatest WR ever by the time he’s done…. Can you imagine someone having 13-4 seasons of 1000 yards or more in a row, and then also having done of the best individual seasons too (which I believe are coming up this year and next season)….

    Wowza.

  21. Erik Hesson - Fine Artist - City of St Pete - Founder of IAMSTPETE.community Says:

    Typo… I meant 13-14 seasons in a row of 1000 yards recieving or more

  22. Jack Burton Mercer Says:

    I remember that touchdown catch last season where he dragged 3 guys into the endzone. From the 7! Yes, I’d say Evans will to win is as strong as anyone’s in the league.

  23. Anonymous Says:

    I think we have to get straight here, I believe TB and Gronk refer to touchdowns as Tuddies, i saw it spelled totties above.
    Joe what is the correct spelling so we can all be on the same page ?

  24. Joe Says:

    Joe what is the correct spelling so we can all be on the same page ?

    There is no such thing as a correct spelling for a word that doesn’t exist.

  25. Crickett Baker Says:

    I love it when Joe makes me smile 😀

  26. kaimaru Says:

    Tuddie is the correct spelling

  27. RC Says:

    The Gronk caught two tuddies in Superbowl LV. Pretty sure he said tuddies and totties doesn’t sound the same.