Moving The Chains
June 22nd, 2022
Statistical definition of a star.
You want a first down, you need a first down, Tom Brady knows who to call.
Last year Bucs receiver Mike Evans was nothing less than a first-down machine. How so? Well, charts noting what receiver has the highest percentage of first-down conversions when targeted on third or fourth down were studied by Nate Tice of The Athletic. And he says in 2021, no receiver had a higher percentage than Evans.
Evans hauled in early 79 percent of his on third- and fourth-down targets for a first down. In fact, it was the percentage of the past three seasons and it wasn’t even close.
Think about this: Teams knew Evans was likely going to get the ball. And still they couldn’t stop him. That is a star! When defenses know the likely target and they still cannot prevent him from hurting them, that is the pure definition of a superstar.
Crazy stat for Evans.
The Chainmovers
NFL player seasons since 2019 with the highest 1st Down/target % on 3rd/4th down*:
’21 Mike Evans – 78.6% (28 targets)
’20 Cole Beasley – 71.4% (21)
’19 Tyreek Hill – 70.4% (27)
’21 Brandon Aiyuk – 70% (20)
’21 Hill – 69.8% (43)*20+ 3rd/4th down targets
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) June 7, 2022
June 22nd, 2022 at 9:15 am
How do you not love ME? Awesome player, future HOFer, nothing but a class act and farthest thing from a diva you could ask for. The anti AB
June 22nd, 2022 at 9:24 am
That’s incredibly impressive on Mike Evans part last year, but he’s always been a ‘go to’ receiver. Hard to fathom that Mike’s been with us 8 years now, and every year he’s gone over 1,000 yards. HOF for sure.
It’d be interesting to find out Joe how our other top performers fared last season picking up the 1st down on 3rd & 4th down. ME13 had 57 total 1st downs (56 receiving; 1 rushing) and apparently 22 of them came on 3rd/4th down.
Chris Godwin also shined in his 14 games last year, gaining 59 total 1st downs (55 receiving; 4 rushing).
The team leader in total 1st downs made was Playoff Lenny: 75 total 1st downs (45 receiving & 30 rushing). Not a bad three-some for a single team.
June 22nd, 2022 at 9:26 am
My favourite Buc ever……By far!!!!
June 22nd, 2022 at 11:07 am
D.R.
“Not a bad three-some for a single team.”
INDEED! And they all return this year. Yes Godwin will not be “fully” healed.
Most athletes claim after that kind of knee surgery even after you heal and can play it takes a season to regain trust in that knee.
So…OK CG14 may only be 80% of his former self…that’s still studly.
Meanwhile Playoff Lenny enters the season fat and sassy with a new contract. He loves Brady. He is a HAPPY man. He’ll drop the lbs and be ready for perhaps his best season ever!
ME13…is simply da man! We KNOW what he’s going to bring.
June 22nd, 2022 at 12:10 pm
I’m having the warms for Mike.
June 22nd, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Cooper Cupp didn’t have any trouble after his ACL tear but that was 3 years later.
AP almost broke the rushing record his next year back, but OBJ looked a shell of his former self.
Hard to fathom CG at 80%. I think he heals and plays the same.
June 22nd, 2022 at 3:18 pm
With Godwin recovering and gronks retirement, Evans will almost certainly get more attention. I think the bucs passing game starts with him. If you leave Evans 1 on 1, Brady will simply throw back shoulders, and jump balls to him all day. It’ll be interesting to see how defenses approach him this year. I think if you frustrate him early, Evans has a tendency to lose focus. We’ll see, but no doubt, he’s the best healthy pass catcher they have by far.
June 22nd, 2022 at 6:36 pm
They’ll pick on him all season and he’ll still get his thousand.
June 22nd, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Leroy Selmon first and ME13 second. The greatest Bucs. With apologies to to Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Ronde.
June 23rd, 2022 at 2:43 am
Really thought the 13th of feb in lala land would be MVP recognition of Evans talent but AB wanted to go as a fan spending 10m for tickets for his close friends. This year its the 12th and that can mean only one thing