Byron Leftwich And Mike Evans
December 20th, 2022
Forgotten?
This season has gone so haywire for Bucs stud receiver Mike Evans, it’s almost like the guy crafting the offense and calling the plays has something against him.
Joe has already typed about the treasonous use of Evans. He is on a 10-game streak of no touchdowns. How in the hell can a team with Tom Brady at quarterback not connect with Evans for a touchdown for 10 straight games?
Folks, that’s not an accident.
For a star like Evans not to have a touchdown in 10 straight games, that’s almost intentional. And others have noticed and agree with Joe wondering who Evans ticked off on the Bucs coaching staff.
That includes Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports. He sort of suggests someone at One Buc Palace may need to tap failing Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich on the shoulder and remind him No. 13 is still on the roster and active.
Did this team forget Mike Evans was on it?: Evans had five catches for 83 yards in the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Bengals, as Tom Brady found him for a 16-yard gain on third-and-8 in the first quarter that led to a field goal, followed by a 33-yard gain (some yardage after the catch was negated by a penalty) on the next possession.
The Buccaneers scored 17 points in the first half in what was arguably their best offensive half of football all year. They didn’t even bother to target Evans in the second half outside of one call that drew a pass interference. Just inexplicable for a team that turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions and couldn’t get out of its own way.
The more Joe thinks about it, the shot-callers at One Buc Palace have done a grave disservice to Leftwich, if you look at the big picture.
Leftwich probably should have been canned after that disgraceful gameplan he had against the Steelers two months ago. Joe has never seen a more irresponsible if not stupid NFL gameplan.
The next week, three points against a sorry Stinking Panthers team that just ran its coach and was starting an XFL refugee at quarterback, should have been the end for Leftwich. But Joe guesses Leftwich got a stay of execution because those who sit in suites watching games figured Leftwich would figure out a way to turn things around.
Week after week goes by and Leftwich adds to his stained resumé. The dumb things just continue to build.
It’s getting to the point Leftwich may want to start over and be a college grad assistant working on the defensive side of the ball.
Not using Evans properly, the best receiver in Bucs history, along with the other stupid things like staying away from play-actions and a hurry-up offense, areas in which his quarterback excels in, has to be intentional for some illogical reason.
No one can be this knot-headed, can they? “Malpractice” doesn’t begin to describe it.
No wonder the team has bad body language.
December 20th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
The offense should run through Evans.
December 20th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
wE gOt tO fInD a WaY tO gEt MiKe tHe baLL
December 20th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Cant remember the last time a fade was thrown to Evans in the endzone.
Bucs have been running this play since Evans was drafted and it has been remarkably efficient.
The fact that its not calling at least in every/ every other drive that the Bucs get in a goal to go situation is bewildering and absolutely inexcusable.
LOL
December 20th, 2022 at 2:07 pm
This has been typical use of ME13 for quite a few years now. He dominates in the first half, then they use him as a decoy for the rest of the game while the offense sputters. He should be the main target of every play in the red zone and you live with the percentages.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:07 pm
Don’t be surprised if this moron at GM trades Mike on Draft Day so he can concoct which small school lineman he will move up to draft and whiff on next year.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:09 pm
“Cant remember the last time a fade was thrown to Evans in the endzone.
Bucs have been running this play since Evans was drafted and it has been remarkably efficient.
The fact that its not calling at least in every/ every other drive that the Bucs get in a goal to go situation is bewildering and absolutely inexcusable.
LOL”
100% agree with LOL!!
December 20th, 2022 at 2:09 pm
Yeah he shoulda been fired months ago. He won’t change and the product won’t change until different minds get in there and correct this nonsense. It’s beyond disgusting. Sad to say but I’m not rooting for them to win, they don’t deserve a playoff game. Worst coordinator in team history and that’s saying something. Fire bowles too Glazers! Steer this thing back to the promised land!
December 20th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
They might score too many points and mess up the Bowzo Prevent Game Plan.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
No variety in this offense. It’s brown beans without salt. Bland. Evans should be moved around. He should be getting some slot snaps. Hell he should be used on some of Gronks old seam routes. He should be put in motion more. It’s just poor , predictable offense.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Leftbowels must be fired.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:19 pm
I used to think that Leftwich’s poor use of the English language was due to professors at Marshall giving him passing grades because he was a football player…..or sheer laziness on his part…
But now I’m thinking…..nope….he’s simply a retarded moron.
December 20th, 2022 at 2:19 pm
No fade, no stand up slant at the goal line – very few comeback routes which is his bread and butter, the 20 yard dig route – just gone from the offense
Yet the OC is force feeding the ball to CG on stupid screens for 2 yards coming off an AcL injury which limits his explosiveness
Byron is a moron – not only was he a bad NFL QB, he is even worse as a OC
December 20th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
and what about the “go up and get it by the goal posts” in the back of the end zone…
that’s the easiest of plays to mike evans…
the ball is 9 feet in the air and the only one who can reach it on a crossing pattern is mike…
simple…
this play happened often in the jameis days too…
lefto must have something against mikeo
December 20th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Joe I bet you if you ask him he’s gonna give you a dirty look and say, “we’re trying to put our guys in the best position to win.” Something is totally off and has been for a while. It seems to me that this is purposeful. We’ve shown what we dominate at then BL goes away from it. Where was Otton in the 2nd half? Brate is done why is he being targeted on crucial 3rd downs. Is BL upset he wasn’t named the HC and is sabotaging things? I know that’s a crazy thought but there’s gotta be a reason. He refuses to stick to what works for an entire game. Not targeting Evans in the 2nd half should get him fired as well. There’s plenty of reasons he should be gone and he continues to add to the list each week.
December 20th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
Yayyyy!!!! another “blame everything on Byron Leftwich” post
December 20th, 2022 at 3:19 pm
So all those dropped touchdown passed Tom Brady threw Mike Evans was Byron Leftwich’s fault to??!?
Smh
December 20th, 2022 at 3:21 pm
“HC Grover” has it right…..
December 20th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
“Todd Bowles FIRED!”
.
.
.
.
.
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Is what I keep hoping to see when I check this website.
December 20th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
Tough to get separation running blocking routes. Does BL know the difference?
December 20th, 2022 at 3:55 pm
Some things are so obvious they really don’t even need to be analyzed, and dumping “Left-It-Out-Which” is the perfect example of that Joe.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Its apparent that Bowles and Leftwich are over their heads in their positions.
Head coach is most importantly evaluated on W/L.
OC is evaluated on scoring.
Both failing grades. This wasn’t a rebuild year where you have a few years of breathing room, this was built to compete for a Super Bowl. Whether the Bucs were overrated is pretty much obvious, but fans and the media still expected a 10–11-win season at worst.
I think the most serious evidence against these 2 coaches is the drop off in scoring. Its negligent. Its preposterous. Its sickening.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
I am so sick of hearing about Mike Evans. Just like Brady, he’s not beyond criticism. He has not had his best season. By his own admission, he’s not getting his usual separation. He gets lazy on his routes and is prone to drops. He’s also not the only receiver on this team. Sometimes the primary read is to another guy. Gage caught a TD on a fade route. Some fans were upset the the ball didn’t go to Evans who was bracketed on the play. Who gives a damn! We scored a TD. that’s all that matters. Fans are way too concerned about Evans getting stats than actually winning games.
Folks, Evans is not on the level of Adams, Hill, Jefferson, or Kupp. We need to stop acting like he’s on their level.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Leftie wants Evans to play the game Leftie wants. Evans has to play the game he is, a possession receiver who posts up at the first down line.
That doesn’t fit with what Leftie wants, so Evans suffers.
That is when Brady is scared behind the revolving line; when Brady is scared the whole team suffers.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Not smart enough
December 20th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
I posted this (below) late yesterday. As this article is on the same, specific topic, I’ll post it again; because I’d really like to see this presented to Bowles.
……………
Give it “the test.”
The Glazers tell Todd Bowles (Bowles will never do it on his own) that, for the rest of the season, Brady calls his own plays; and see what happens.
MaHomes has always pretty much done whatever he wants on plays (of course, there aren’t any official plays calling for running around the backfield half the time: those are called “blown-plays”- but whatever). And it doesn’t seem that Reid ever feels that his “authority is threatened” because of it, for example. if it works, it’s smart coaching.
It is kinda silly in the first place to operate under the grand assumption that Byron knows more about how to run an offense than ten-time Super Bowl marquee-quarterback, Tom Brady.
The solution could be right there, Todd; easypeesy.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Leftbowels coiching incompetence is vomitous.
The team is unwatchable. Not since the post Doug Williams Bucs has the team so generously coughed up a game they were dominating.
Please Glazers, fire the nincampoop and his boss Terrified Todd now.
Do not wait.
Now.
December 20th, 2022 at 4:58 pm
This team has quit on both coaches
December 20th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
I don’t understand some of you , are you watching the same game? He’s not getting open, he’s cutting off route, His efforts been questionable in some of the games. He’s more concerned about his thousand yard record than anything else. I said all season he goes right out of bounds or straight down after catches. He’s had a few games or he’s been locked down by number three and four corners., not getting any separation. 95th thought of all qualified wide receivers. That’s hardly #1 material. Chris Godwin is the teams best receiver. They need to move on from Mike Evans if they want to keep Brady , bringing some speed and run the O thru CG Russell gage and C. Otton.
December 20th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
I’m sure Evan’s is frustrated because watching the game I get frustrated here it is plain and simple Byron has to go, I just players and coaches based on this simple criteria! If Byron is canned tomorrow tell me one team that will hire him as their OC (NFL Team). Cut ME there will be 31 waiver claims the guy is that good! Don’t understand Byron philosophy at all!
December 20th, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Bowle Leftwich circle jerk shet show. They just can’t help it. Disgusted.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:12 pm
Goatfarmer Says:
“Not since the post Doug Williams Bucs has the team so generously coughed up a game they were dominating.”
Well, that is simply not true. It happened against the Colts when Dungy was our coach.
December 20th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
Brains Leftout is a complete failure, I would say he’s a joke but there’s nothing funny about this nonsense. The guy doesn’t seem to understand how horrifically bad of a job he’s doing. His answers to questions are either nonsensical, condescending, or a combination of the two. This garbage will be blown up after the season hopefully starting with him.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:15 pm
I’ve said this a million times and I’ll say it a million more:
1 of every 4 passes should be to Evans. Always. Every game.
When Evans is involved, we win. Simple as that.
December 20th, 2022 at 7:19 pm
OK I’m not saying that Evans hasn’t contributed to some of the lack of his own stays with some costly drops this season. All I’m saying is our OC needs to do a better job at moving him around and scheming him open. I just don’t understand how there have been no fades to him in the end zone with him, Godwin, and Julio or Gage on the field. I don’t care about his 1000yds I’m talking about putting points on the board bottom line. Our 1st drive the other night did we even throw the ball in the end zone to ANYONE!
December 20th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Not to mention all of the pi Mike draws
December 20th, 2022 at 7:47 pm
Kind of miss BA who would pop up once in while and say mike Evans was open.
IMO, Brady sometimes go to a favored target. One example was when he went to Gronk 11 times and only completed 4 passes in last year’s playoff game with
the Rams. It was not until he got Evans more involved we started to make the game more competitive. Smart coaches feed the hot hand and Mike was tenacious in the last game in the first half.
December 20th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Evans, like everyone else, shoulders plenty of blame.
He has been lazy on most sundays.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
Yall are crazy if yall don’t think Mike is not open on dam near ALL of his down field routes. Go to the game and WATCH him. He runs wide open on so many dag gum plays that it is seriously criminal he is not getting the opportunity to make a play.
Now before yall say I am the crazy one. Watch the film and REMEMBER, in the NFL, separation is never more than a yard and wide open is typically 3-5 yards.
BRADY is scared to make those passes. ALWAYS HAS BEEN. Not blaming Brady, BUT the coaches have got to push Brady to make those throws. Otherwise he just wont. To the point where he does not see him when the D blows the coverage and Mike is literally running all alone down the side line. It has happened in SEVERAL games this year.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
LOL
Yeah…it’s Brady and not Evans.
Even Clayton, who is the biggest player homer on the planet said Evans has been lazy all year.
SMDH
December 20th, 2022 at 9:53 pm
It really is insane. Every time they do a hurry up offense, or at the very least, a passing based offrnse with play action and tempo, they move the ball. Look at 1/2 against Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, Cincy… They’ve literally had about five good halves of football the entire year. All of them were because they played up-tempo and used play action bunch.
I don’t understand why it’s so hard to figure out. We were told over and over BL is awesome and just “gets it“. Obviously he doesn’t. We’ve watched three months of him trying to force this team in to being a power running team from the 70s, it’s pathetic.
People don’t want to hear it, but he is a young up-and-coming coordinator of a certain skin color, it’s the only reason I can think that he still has a job
December 21st, 2022 at 2:35 am
I totally agree that Leftwich should have been fired months ago, but I can’t blame him for this mess anymore. Leftwich is like someone who has a few screws loose, but those entrusted with his care routinely allow him to play with matches and burn himself. Unless ownership has intervened, Licht and Bowles are just as complicit in this mess as Byron.
December 21st, 2022 at 8:37 am
mike evans has been very poor in press coverage this year!
December 21st, 2022 at 4:40 pm
I have not watched a Bucs game in weeks. Their just to pathetic and embarrassing to watch. I don’t understand what the second half deal is with the Bucs . I do know one thing for sure and that is this is not a good team, “THEY STINK”!
December 21st, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Only a good team could play like they did in the Munich game, and the 1st half of Sunday’s game, for example.
December 22nd, 2022 at 12:38 am
This is the consequence of losing Bruce Arians, he was heavily involved in the offense, you take that away and you have just poor planning and calls
December 22nd, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Evans seems to be not at his best….but probably due to being coached so poorly….likely Fed up with it…..but do not forget Otten…..he shows great promise and us not double teamed….yet.
December 23rd, 2022 at 6:22 am
Evans went from scoring 8 or more tds for like 10 seasons straight , and 10+ every year with Brady too not being able to score more than 3 this year, and THERES NO GRONK OR AB????? Mind boggling , yeah leftwhich is getting fired after this year and yes again he will be coaching as an assistant somewhere in college next year , adios leftwich all us buc fans are tied of your horrid play calling and mis usage Evans
December 26th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
What has changed with Tampa since last year, OL guys leave or injuries, major problems. Gronk retires, Major problem. Does anyone realize Mike Evans cannot get open, cannot outrun anyone on a deep route (except one huge drop for a TD) he’s 113th in YAC, are you kidding me. 113th, most interceptions from any QB to WR in the league, Brady to Evans. If he makes the catch, he runs out of bounds or drops down. This team isn’t going to turn things around. The coaching staff are complete morons. It’s Brady, 7 rings, GOAT, and the Toilet Bowl has no trust in him. WTF. I actually want them to lose to Carolina next week so they don’t get embarrassed in the 1st round. Look at the schedule to see who they’ve beat….nobody but Game 1, Dallas, no other playoff team. All losing teams. And got asses beat by Pitt, Cleveland, Carolina, GB. Tom is leaving….he will not play another year for the 2 idiots running the show