The Complicated Mike Evans Record
December 22nd, 2021
Goal: NFL record or playoffs?
One thing Mike Evans is very proud of and Bucs fans like to point out when getting into barroom arguments over receivers is that Evans holds an NFL record.
Last year Evans broke the NFL record for most consecutive seasons to start a career with 1,000 yards each season. The record is now seven. Evans had shared it with Randy Moss, one of his friends and a personal mentor.
When you break a receiving record held by Moss, you are doing something right.
Joe remembers last year Bucs quarterback Tom Brady remarked that the Bucs made a concerted effort to target Evans early and often in the final regular-season game against the Dixie Chicks so he could break that record. Brady noted how Evans coveted that mark and since it meant so much to him the team decided to help him break it.
(This also speaks to how well Evans is respected in the Bucs locker room.)
Evans, with three games to go, is currently 101 yards from reaching 1,000 yards again, which would stretch his record to eight seasons. The longer that record grows, the better Evans’ chances of getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For Evans to get 101 yards in three games should be nothing. And now, here is where the big ol’ “But” comes in.
But Evans has a hamstring injury. In Joe’s eyes, Evans’ injury complicates matters. Like the Bucs did with Playoff Lenny, Joe has a hunch the Bucs would like to shut Evans down for the regular season so he would be ready for the playoffs in three weeks.
Except for that record.
With Evans on the cusp, it seems overly harsh to shut Evans down.
So what do the Bucs do? When Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians speaks later today, a clearer picture of Evans’ potential availability for Sunday should emerge.
What do the Bucs do? Play Evans on Sunday and try to get Evans the record and then shut him down? Play him enough for Evans to get 40 yards receiving each game? Let him sit until the final game at home against the Stinking Panthers and get the record then but risk him re-injuring his hamstring at the dawn of the playoffs?
Normally, what to do with Evans would be simple: Sit him. Evans and his coveted NFL record complicates things.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:07 am
You can’t shut everybody down…or a franchise altering 2008 scenario could happen ( likely not…but the 2008 Raiders were the equivalent to this years Jets talent-wise…and Carolina’s Super Bowl is this week and would be even more so if they could kill the Bucs dreams the final week of the season).
Here’s your chance to keep your career alive Jones…like Lenny did last year.
Evans has been known to play through some hamstring issues…even as a bit of a decoy.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:09 am
Mike caught over 100 yards of balls in a game last tear where he was on one leg. He’ll do it, just limit his snaps amd talk Larry Fitz into playing a few snaps. C’mon Tom!
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:13 am
I agree with all you said Joe about Evans…..He is by far the best WR ever in Bucs history, and also there is a strong argument he is one of the top 3 Bucs ever…..
If we can get the playoffs ticket before, and the other WR are playing good ball, I would keep him out of the field till the playoffs…
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:14 am
Mike is exactly 101yards away from being shut down for the rest of the season
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:21 am
Extend the record.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:25 am
I’m just waiting to see if something more definitive about his injury will be released.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:27 am
Records, Pro bowls, MVPs. Playoffs is what matters.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:33 am
The record is something that will always be remembered, but our top tier players need to be as healthy as they can be going into the playoffs. If he can honestly go before, that’s a dream for him to continue his record, but we’re also trying to go back to back which I consider the better.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:34 am
Healthy for playoffs is all that matters. 1000yds means nothing these days. It’s 50yds a game lol
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:38 am
Constipated Pete, it doesn’t mean nothing. It shows elite consistency. Look at the quarterbacks Evans has had to gain this record. I don’t think I need to repeat them for you. And he’s done this with nagging injuries throughout his career. It’s a very impressive record as evidenced by the fact that Evans broke a first ballot Hall of famers record to attain it. You trying to diminish it means less than nothing if that’s possible. Since it’s not it means nothing.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:41 am
Evans could get 150 yards against the Panthers in January’s game at RayJay.
Rest him the next 2 weeks- the playoffs take priority.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:43 am
Superbowls over HOF lol smh
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:46 am
Evans loves the record and can’t speak on his behalf but he never experienced the playoffs before let alone a super bowl. Being dominant in the playoffs which we will need will do more for his HOF case than this in my opinion and my guess is he cares more about winning another super bowl.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:51 am
If he can go next game, you let him go. As soon as he gets over 1,000, you shut him down until the playoffs.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:53 am
Play Mikey smallamount each game
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:55 am
Ya let’s risk the potential opportunity so Evan’s can get his 1000 yds. Sorry Joe, stupid question and if BA goes for it he is less of a coach than I thought he was. This is a team sport. Bucs might as well throw the ball 10 times in a row to help Brady get MVP. Oh wait?
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:55 am
A good point was brought up about Carolina. This next game with us is their Super Bowl. And their coach Matt Ruhle is kind of on the hot seat. Don’t forget, it is the stinking Panthers we have to play, and nothing they would like better than to beat us, at home Sunday.
I think we play Mike Evans part of the game, then rest him.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:08 am
Cam Newton is Taysom Hill without a brain. If Bucs lose to Carolina, that’s the straw that broke the camals back. Can only lose to bad teams so many times before your one. Stop Anderson, contain Newton game over, he can’t throw over 20 yds. This isn’t their SB, they are ready for their tee times in Myrtle Beach and the coach is gone anyway even though he was sold a bill of goods on Darnold.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:11 am
I would imagine his injury is easily the most minor – only because he’s been known to true Bucs fans to get random dings and bruises and have to come out for a couple of snaps and then be just fine mid-game.
I’d be surprised if he plays this week, but might be fine after that.
I think they’ll want to test what the offense looks like without Godwin as much as possible these last 3 weeks.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:19 am
Rest him this week hopefully it can heal and he’ll have 2 games to get the record
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:21 am
[Joe can understand why you want to be “Anonymous” after such a weak line. — Joe]
Gobucs!
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:24 am
Evan’s is a drama queen, he will play until he gets his 1000 then call it quits like he did in the Saints game, until playoffs.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:39 am
Listnfrmafar, why don’t you stay afar away from this website. Drama Queen? Seriously? The dude is an icon in Buc’s Nation. No way hewouldn’t play if physically able. Although my preference would be to sit him until the playoffs. He’s already set the record. No need to break his own record.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:46 am
PSL, did you see him speed walk into the locker room as he tossed his gloves? If you ever pulled a hamstring you know you can’t do that. Even if it’s not that bad you still walk gingerly on it. Just saying, he got popped, shock his head saw just saw Godwin get intentionally take out.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:52 am
I want to see him extend the record, but not at risking further injury! I would limit his snaps this Sunday and see if he can add a few yards to that goal, Maj if the last 2 games very attainable!
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:52 am
We have had 2 back to back bad games and our entire offense has been wrecked by injuries. We need to start Evans even if it is for a decoy we need to get the best seed as possible. We can’t limp into playoffs off a losing streak we won’t survive.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:56 am
List, sometimes you sound like a bitter ex college LB jealous of Evans success.
But in all seriousness, you ought to take up fishing instead of trolling for Evans
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:04 pm
He’s a jump ball reciever, a good one, but that’s it. Nobody confuses him with a great route runner. He’s soft as puppy poo. If he doesn’t have a 5’8 db on him, and can out jump him, he sucks. Evans, more than any other, has benefitted from Godwin, gronk, He’s not a number one reciever. He wanted no part of the saints the other night
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Bob, take the emotions out if it. I don’t want to coupled with Ben Green, he’s a moron. But I have seen it 100 times. If he lights it up in Carolina that will prove I’m right. Gilmore will most likely cover him which will limit his production.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:40 pm
personally i think he just got bodyslammed by lattimore and said:
“yo the hitting is getting wild out there, my hammy hurts i’m gonna rest up”
🙂
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:41 pm
he will be fine to break the record…use him sparingly this week and pencil him in for the final two
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Evans should be able to get that record in 1 game against the kittens. Since it’s a hammy issue, and he can go on it, let him play the first half. Once he goes into the locker room at half shut him down for the rest of the game. Before the game starts he’s gonna get that hammy rubbed down, stretched and warmed up keep it going with a bike that first half so it stays warm. When he cools down at half just shut him down if he doesn’t have the record. Do the same the following week. But once you let it cool down and start to get tight, shut him down. My 2 cents.
December 22nd, 2021 at 6:44 pm
List, all of us like to analyze the game. I just don’t think yours are always fair and balanced. Evans is a veteran more equipped to assess his injuries than anybody else, except for medical staff. Since he only missed 7 games in 8 years
he is durable and available as any of the top receivers in the league.