The Demise Of Chris Godwin
November 6th, 2023
His numbers don’t lie and the Bucs’ apparent disinterest in throwing deep to Chris Godwin tell a story, too.
Joe is in a bit of disbelief when it comes to a man who likely is the second best receiver in Tampa Bay history.
Godwin hasn’t had a 2023 season befitting of a guy earning $20 million in his prime. This baffles Joe considering Mike Evans has played in every game, the playcaller and quarterback respect the hell out of Godwin, and he’s more than 1 1/2 seasons removed from knee surgery (ACL).
This was supposed to be a huge year for Godwin at 27 years old. He looked strong in the summer and was a daily regular at the voluntary spring workouts.
What Joe sees is a playcaller that has given up on Godwin as a deep threat and the Bucs (for reasons Joe can’t figure out) aren’t throwing Godwin many slant passes to help ease the sting of their sad running game.
Godwin has just one touchdown catch this season after a paltry three last season. Is he no longer a red zone threat, either?
After eight games, Joe has to think something is going on — beyond hearing Bucs officials saying “we have to get Chris more involved.”
If it is just a case of the Bucs don’t know how to get the most out of Godwin, then Joe is speechless.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Agreed!!!
November 6th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Well, according to Bowles and Canales, as long as the Bucs have Rachel White to run the offense, no need for Godwin and Evans to run their routes. Rachel White is the future of the Bucs … hahahahahahahahaha
November 6th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Godwin used to be a 4.42 40 guy , but I suspect that is up to 4.50-he is just not as fast post injury.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:54 am
I’ll go with answer #1
The Bucs don’t know how to get Godwin more involved.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Godwin still an excellent route runner. So what if he lost a half step? Use him more.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:57 am
Both the scheme and the quarterback seem to be allergic to Godwin. I can’t fault the offense too hard for yesterday, but 1 game doesn’t make up for the season, especially when you don’t win.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Hard to get your #2 WR involved with run run pass Canales.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:59 am
He does look pretty slow out there. Our recievers are overrated. They are big buddy strong receivers but lack elite speed and separation which are the most important attributes.
November 6th, 2023 at 11:59 am
Baker is trash. Happy feet and can’t read a D.
Trash team
November 6th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
He was featured in the Brady years now he is an afterthought, shame too Chris really moves the chains
November 6th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Takes two full years to come back from his injury. That being said, let’s not pretend Chris was anything more than an average receiver who had the privilege of catching passes from the GOAT. Bucs need NEW Play-Making receivers. Team need a full reboot. Bowles MUST be fired!
November 6th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
It is pretty weird. Wish the players and coaches would be straight forward
November 6th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Here’s the problem: the Bucs are wasting way too many snaps on unproductive running plays.
We had 18 rushes go for 2 yards or less. 18!!!!
Plus 4 more that only went for 3 yards. That’s 22 of our offensive snaps!
Obviously some runs will get stuffed, but there were Multiple times yesterday when we were losing, and Canales would insist on running on both 1st and 2nd down with nothing gained from it. Almost every time we ran on 1st down and got less than 3 yards, we ran again on 2nd down and got stuffed. Over and over they kept doing it. Then we get to 3rd and long and Baker throws a pass behind the fricking line of scrimmage…
November 6th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Also we don’t have any electric skill guys.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Bucs OC spending all his time, with the obsession of trying to get Rachaad White over 3 yards per carry? lol
November 6th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
@Jeff – that’s a terrible take. Godwin was very productive when Jameis was throwing the ball too. It wasn’t just Brady.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
@Jeff I agree we need fresh blood at the skill positions.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
At least Leftwhich was run, pass pass.
Canales has proved that he isn’t read to be an OC yet. The drive with 2 runs and a screen to Keyshaun Vaughn was infuriating.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
What Jason m said. I’m a huge Godwin fan, but he’s not an overly big target like Evans, and with Baker being an inaccurate long ball thrower, Godwin just isn’t getting those targets.
I know the Joes always say the Bucs have 2 of the best weapons in the league, but we have to be honest. Neither Mike nor Chris are truly elite. They’re both in the top 10-20 WRs in the league.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
18 total yareds in the 3rd quarter, what does that tell You???? But M1K3 got 11k, let’s celebrate that! Go Bucs!!!!! New HC, QB, and two new CB and don’t forget about the GM!!!!
November 6th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Baker is having trouble getting the ball to CG. That Oline that is supposed to be good in pass pro, does not give him clear windows to throw out of, and in particular to his right. I have noticed it for weeks. Godwin was getting targets, but one week half of the 12 targets were missed. You have to throw the ball to an open space with CG, and he will get it. Baker misses a lot of the medium out routes that they have Godwin run on the right side. Much easier to throw to the 6’5 receiver, and he can likely spot Otton over the middle. Definitely a Baker too small thing on top of Canales doing a poor job of changing the pocket for Baker to see better.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Disagreed!!!
How can anybody question CG14????
Is everybody NUTS!!!
He is not dropping or missing passes, he is note getting the fricking ball, that´s not on him!!!!
That´s on the QB or the OC, and I wouls say that´s more on the second one….
November 6th, 2023 at 12:16 pm
This team needs to start over outside of a few key players (Kancey, Vea, Winfield and wirfs)
November 6th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
It’s obviously the quarterback. Somebody help me see what i’m not seeing please i’m begging. This is the same Houston team that rushes for 3.3 yds a carry for the oh the offense stinks because of the run game brigade. You give stroud our skill position guys he might’ve left with 7 tds. 2nd game our in a row our QB has thrown for under 150 going into the 4th quarter and he’s getting clean pockets. Baker has you guys played out big time man.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
It’s Baker and the scheme. CG made plenty plays this year. CG isn’t in a slump nor is Evan.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Godwin is a freaking 3rd down machine. He catches pretty much everything he can get his hands on. Why are the Bucs almost last in third down conversions? Not using Godwin would be a good place to start! If Evans is getting doubled then there should be open space for everyone else.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Why get Godwin involved when you can run Vaughn twice then throw him a -1 yd pass! Three tiuches in a row for Vaughn. Hope Joe ask’s that question at his presser.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
The amount of dummies on here blaming Mayfield for yesterday is astounding.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
When you have Godwin and Evans and an entire offensive series is dedicated to getting the ball to Keyshawn Vaughn, you know there’s a problem.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Hodad, I read your comment after I posted mine. Touche.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Likely? What other Buccaneer would you put in at #2, not including Antonio Brown (wasn’t here long enough)? In my mind it’s Evans #1 and Godwin #2.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
FIRE TOILET BOWL NOW !
FIRE TOILET BOWL NOW !
GUT THIS HEARTLESS TEAM NOW !
November 6th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
I think Canales is getting way too much blame for the rashad white and run run pass scheme. Bowles hired this guy because he was green and he can keep him under his thumb.
A small detail I think is being overlooked from yesterday’s game is that Bowles had timeouts to use towards the end of the first half while on defense.
Instead of using them and giving your offense an opportunity to score at least a field goal before half and getting the ball to start the 3rd quarter he let the time run out. In today’s NFL that mindset is never going to win you games.
long story short…. sh!t rolls down hill until it starts piling up at your feet and that is exactly what is starting to happen with Bowles.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
He is getting open and the excuse of a QB can connect with him. This team was doomed ever since they signed that OU garbage.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Chris was targeted six times in the game but had only two catches. I put the blame more on Mayfield. Many of the passes were difficult, if not impossible to catch. On the other hand, maybe Chris just wasn’t able to get sufficient separation. It could be both, or it could be a third option. Could it be that the play calling is not putting Chris is situations where he has easy catch opportunities. Surprisingly, Otten led the team with nine targets and six catches.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Its not Baker Mayfield fault (because lets be honest nothing is and Baker can do no wrong)… Its (checks roster) CHRIS GODWIN’S FAULT.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
With no deep threat to stretch a defense these guys scare nobody. They haven’t had one since that idiot AB went haywire in New Joysee. Why Lycht didn’t move as many of these players as he could have at the deadline is a mystery, and Evans wants top ten wideout money? Good luck with that…somewhere else.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
put him back to being a full time slot guy. that is his best spot. Also this offense seems to have a lot less seem routes then in years past which he is money on.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
I hope we lose every single game the rest of the year. That’ll finally rid us of this clown coaching staff and we’ll finally get a real QB.
Can U dig 3-14? Prepare accordingly Bucites.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Bucs got two things from Seattle in the off-season and they both suck. Canales and Neal. Seems to me that Pete Carroll didn’t lose a wink of sleep over those two departures.
November 6th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
I watch the games and yes I know our secondary is a hot mess, but I watch other teams all Sunday throw to guys running in open space, then I watch the Bucs and every thing is a contested pass. Yes we don’t have track starts at wr, but other teams craft plays designed to get coverage break downs while we run 4 curls, like we don’t realize slants and crossing routes are allowed. We run good routes and curls and hope for the best
November 6th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Steelers fan, enjoy being irrelevant in the AFC north for the next decade.
November 6th, 2023 at 1:07 pm
What’s going on is we have a more mobile dump down Teddy, he don’t throw the ball deep well so Godwin opportunities are limited!
November 6th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Baker has never had a really good deep ball. Early in the season there was a discussion on this site about his deep ball. It’s up to the OC to play to a QB’s strengths. This is on our lousy coaching staff to overcome a QB’s weakness and find ways to win. Individual stats are nice but wins are better. Unfortunately, this staff is clueless when it comes to winning. @Fire the cannons to scuttle this ship.
November 6th, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Its because Bakre needs lanes to throw in and he can see godwin
November 6th, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Before you say CG lost a step, look at his stats from last year. The first year back from injury. They were awesome!
November 6th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
How many more games till we see what Trask can do with Evans and Godwin? (I know Baker isn’t the problem, but is he the solution, either?)
November 6th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
The last two QB’s here routinely threw for over 300 yards a game. That corresponds to receivers getting more catches and more yards. The current QB is not a downfield thrower and hasn’t had 300 yard game yet as a Buccaneer. Mayfield is a solid back-up QB at best, he’s not the kinda QB to win games with his arm.
November 6th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Canales is a nice guy but he seems lost. Baker may not be the solution, but he has played well enough to be 5-3 rather than 3-5. The losses to Atlanta and to Houston are on the defense in the last minute of the game.
November 6th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Fascinating points of view!
If we are going to be so dedicated to running the ball, can someone please, PLEASE explain why we are so adverse to using a FB?!
2nd, Texans’ WRs were WIDE OPEN a lot. Maybe it’s scheme?! Do all pass plays have to go 30 yds downfield?! Can we run some slants or in-routes so that Baker doesn’t have to keep scrambling around?
Chris’ woes are multi-layered, IMO. He’s not getting open AND they aren’t throwing it to him
November 6th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Mike S: I thought that you were no longer going to watch the Bucs play or provide any of your horrid comment on JoeBucs. Too bad because you’re such an annoying loser.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Godwin is not Godwin anymore. He is not the same player after the acl injury.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
If Godwin was with Brady in the early years, he would’ve been 130 catchers 1500 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s a better version of Wes Welker, with better hands . He’s being lost with an adequate quarterback , he’s a first down machine with great hands, and is extremely tough.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Baker can’t get the ball to Chris Godwin through inside lanes due to being short. That is why the defenses force in him to stay within the pocket which will result in batted balls and in accurate throws.
why the Toilet Bowls still here. Replace him with BA and bench Baker. Let’s see what Trask can do otherwise we will be in the same situation next year. This is a pathetic organizations.
Joe would have asked for benching Trask if he had started and lost 4 in a row. Uh wait I meant losing two in a row.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:31 pm
Well…They should be using Trask, he would make better use of the receivers.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:31 pm
David Says:
November 6th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Baker can’t get the ball to Chris Godwin through inside lanes due to being short. That is why the defenses force in him to stay within the pocket which will result in batted balls and in accurate throws.
why the Toilet Bowls still here. Replace him with BA and bench Baker. Let’s see what Trask can do otherwise we will be in the same situation next year. This is a pathetic organizations.
Joe would have asked for benching Trask if he had started and lost 4 in a row. Uh wait I meant losing two in a row.
—
Trask has been on the team for 3 years. If he was any good he’d be starting. He is a career backup. As for the height, that argument is terrible. Tua and Purdy are the same height… what do those offenses do the most – throw slants!
November 6th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Godwin is a great Bucs receiver just like Evans is. Health going forward is the hope of fans.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
put in trask
November 6th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Godwin would be top 5 on this roster to keep if you cleaned house.
November 6th, 2023 at 3:56 pm
The lack of Godwins involvement in this offense is pure insanity! I scream throw the ball to Chris at the TV at least a dozen times a freaking game.
November 6th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
Possible explanation is that Mayfield is too short, can’t see over the middle and when he does try the pass is batted down. Slants are out so there goes Godwin’s bread-and-butter.
November 6th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Could it be that Godwin may have an injury we may not have been told about.
Even with Mike out of the game from time to time Godwin didn’t seem to be the first option or maybe he isn’t getting open.
November 6th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Godwin had 6 targets yesterday. Evans had 5 targets.
The team scored 37 points. What else do you want? Godwin’s legs are gone. Modern medicine is great, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be lasting effects from a knee reconstruction. Godwin can no longer ger get separation.
November 6th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
And no disrespect to Godwin, but the White Tiger was a game changer. He ranks higher than Godwin in Buccaneers WR history in my opinion.
November 6th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
The quarterback is unable to see receivers clearly nor is he able to throw accurately ant distance.
November 6th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
My favorite was run up middle on 2 & 18 in the 4th. This is 3rd most penalized team in NFL maybe #1 after this game. Thats coaching
November 6th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
why they don’t use Godwin like they did when Bruce was the Coach
November 6th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Bucsfan2520 … ‘Trask has been on the team for 3 years. If he was any good he’d be starting. He is a career backup.’
So you want ‘Toilet Bowles’ fired & replaced, but you’re willing to accept HIS EVALUATION of Kyle Trask as gospel? Trask was NEVER going to start ahead of Tom Brady in 2021 & 2022, we both know that. And Bowles is on record as saying he’d wanted Baker Mayfield in the draft, so if this summer’s ‘competition’ was anyplace close (which it was), then Trask was never gonna get the starting nod.
This season is toast now IMO (even though Joe is convinced we’re still competitive in the NFC South). The only reason we’ve got 3 victories so far is because our defense played very well against the Vikings, Bears & Saints, only allowing 43 TOTAL points (essentially 2 TDs per game) & created 8 takeaways to help our offense. After that defensive sh1t-show Sunday though, I just can’t see us salvaging this season in the remaining 9 games.
Mayfield isn’t the future of this team. Good chance that Trask isn’t either (at least with Canales still doing the play-calling), but I’d sure like to find out what we’ve got in our 2nd Rnd pick BEFORE we start calling him a ‘career backup’.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
BucsFan2520 Says:
November 6th, 2023 at 3:31
“Trask has been on the team for 3 years. If he was any good he’d be starting. He is a career backup. As for the height, that argument is terrible. Tua and Purdy are the same height… what do those offenses do the most – throw slants!’
1. Are you serious as a Baker fan ? Please be reasonable. Really ? Last time I checked there was a player GOAT name Tom b. in Trask First two years and you really wanted Bucs bench the GOAT ? LOL
2. This year Toilet Bowl brought the trash Baker to start while setting Trask up for a circus competition. He even harldy played Baker in pre-season and started Trask in the Jets game on the road hoping he fails but he shined.
Now fans like you, Joe and Locked on Bucs show blaming 3-5 record all on Toliet Bowl not Baker. No Toilet Bowl gave the offense chance to win in every game this season except the Texans game.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:34 pm
The Trask nut lockers need to get a clue.
Baker’s play is why the Bucs have a chance in games, despite being out coached
The reason we don’t see more CG or ME, is the OL doesn’t hold up. Hell our QB is getting hit as he releases the ball on a 3 step drop.
The Ls are primarily from being out coached.
The team has talent, but we want to scheme guys into a system.
BUILD THE SYSTEM AROUND THE TEAM.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:34 pm
Baker has good pocket presence and has escaped some sure sacks. But the way he has missed Evans on out routes to the sideline two weeks in a row leaves me wondering if he can make all the throws accurately. And these throws are necessary to make first downs and get our best receivers more involved. Also think he may need some deeper drops so he can see more of the field.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:41 pm
It’s Baker…. Baker knows to keep his job he just has to not throw interceptions. So he throws it to his big targets and RB and doesn’t really take the chances throwing the tighter inside windows to Godwin. Baker has missed multiple seem/corner routes to Palmer as he lacks touch on intermediate throws.
Baker has only impressed me with his ability to dodge sacks, but the rest of his game is totally average.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Well you have to actually throw the ball to Godwin for him to catch it.
Also, this is the result of having a QB who, on his best game of the season, throws for 250 yards and 2 TDs.
If Mike is getting his yards, and the Checkdown Charlie QB is feeding the RB and TE a bunch of short passes, where is Godwin supposed to get his yards?
This isn’t Brady or Winston out there, this is Baker “you need 3 yards I got it” Mayfield, and this is what you get. If Godwin starts to get yards, it will come from Evans part of the pie, and frankly I’d rather feed Evans.
November 6th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Oh, so now I skim this one and read about the demise as in end of GodzillaCG14? Joe, is this crap for real??? You’re getting plenty of clicks so what’s with the stupid?
November 6th, 2023 at 9:00 pm
Mayfield just isn’t good. This was his first average game this year. Nice guy below average Qb
November 7th, 2023 at 7:48 am
Once again, everyone’s putting the blame where it doesn’t belong. Chris doesn’t call the plays, that’s why he’s not going deep. Mayfield has problems going long to either receiver, that should be obvious by the lack of long gains. Next, everyone is already saying that we need to draft a really good quarterback when WE HAVE ONE SITTING ON THE SIDELINES THAT A JACKASS COACH DOESN’T PUT IN THE GAME. Trask is a lot taller than Mayfield, he can spot the open receivers that Mayfield misses. He’s big and powerful, he can run when he needs to, but his arm is an extremely accurate cannon that can go waaaay downfield and thread a needle, we all saw it in the preseason. Before wasting another valuable draft pick when you have a real need for great players on both sides of the line, bring out the Heisman finalist that always played PRO-STYLE and let’s see what we’re missing.
November 7th, 2023 at 10:12 am
I still say it’s Bowles not allowing Canales to call the plays he wants. Look at last year like Joe said…Godwin with 3 touch downs, this year 1…common factor BOWLES…get rid of him!
November 7th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
If you’re not going to use Chris Godwin has a receiver then add another offensive lineman as an additional blocker.
Toad has spoken
November 7th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Godwin is money !! Bowles sucks on how to use are deep wide out room ! Simple as that .bowles needs to go !!!
November 7th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Godwin had a great game when Evans got injured earlier this season. That tells me the offense goes through Evans unless he’s not in the game. Godwin’s routes are usually quick hitter slants which works well as the primary receiver but not so much as a second read.
November 7th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Bowles, Duh!
Rachaad screens opened up seam plays for Chris Godwin Sunday. It worked perfectly early in the game for a lead. Excellent, they must have read my posts.
Then Bowles decided, because that works, let’s change it and use Vaughn instead.
Then Bowles decided, let’s use Edmonds, too; who’s afraid of being hit.
Then Bowles decided, sure, as long as I’m doing so well blowing another game, I’ll forget all about Chris Godwin altogether and use Palmer; who can catch but fumbles, repeating the exact screw-up he made last week by running after the catch with the ball in one hand, with arm extended where a strong breeze would push the ball out of his hand, nevermind being clueless that he was heavily covered.
Geez, I can’t figure-out the problem, either.
November 8th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Godwin is one of the best receivers in the nfl. It doesn’t help that baker throws to the same person over and over. Its like he only puts trust in one guy a game. Who was it this time otton. We have the fastest wr rookie in the nfl. Don’t tell me we cant stretch the field. Sh*t even evans old legs are getting 40yd completions. Baker gets the shaky legs if he feels any pressure and gets sacked.