Mike Evans Destroys Corners In Single Coverage

December 30th, 2023

Single coverage = disrespect.

Here is a hidden reason why Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales may be getting sniffs from NFL owners about being a head coach.

Aside from his success with quarterback reclamation projects (Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, among others), Canales is an excellent receivers coach. Canalas was a long-time receivers coach in Seattle with good production there, despite rarely having first-round draft picks (notice Joe did not type “none”).

Now, look at this year. There was no doubt that Mike Evans is damn good. But this year? He’s tearing @sses up. At 30 years old, Evans one could argue is the best receiver in the game.

That’s unheard of. That’s Jerry Rice kind of stuff. Consider that Evans leads the NFL in touchdowns, is two touchdowns from a career-high and is 159 yards away from having his second-best season in receiving yards.

At 30.

Joe credits Canales. Evans has often said Canales has used him in routes he had never seen. In fact, Evans is running fewer go-routes (his specialty) than he has in his career, yet he’s blowing up.

At 30.

Consider what the PFF tribe dug up: Mike Evans is absolutely abusing corners who dare to cover him with single coverage. Evans has an NFL best 809 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns (best in NFL) and 23 explosive plays (best in NFL) all against single-coverage.

At 30.

Does Joe think Canales might need another year or more of seasoning before he is head coaching material? Yes, but Joe is not an NFL owner. All it takes is one.

36 Responses to “Mike Evans Destroys Corners In Single Coverage”

  1. HC Grover Says:

    Super Bowl first. Then all this other wheeling and dealing for me. I really think we has a chance this year now.

  2. Proudbucsfan Says:

    And Joe just imagine if he had Brady or Baker his whole career, I know he’d be up there in yards and receptions along with his touchdowns.

  3. Rod Munch Says:

    That’s the one, and only area, where I wish Brady had more Winston in him — throwing to Evans, regardless of coverage, in one-on-one situations. Just throw the ball in his general direction, and except Evans to match the catch, or knock it down. Obviously I’m not going to argue with Brady for not doing it, he’s the GOAT, and excelled at getting other guys involved and finding the open guy. But what makes Evans a future HOF’er, is that in one-on-one, he’s always open, regardless of coverage. Also that is the case even when the corners are getting help, as we saw vs the Jags on the TD catch, where the corner and safety were there and he caught it anyways.

  4. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Mike Evans is the NFL version of Godzilla….

  5. Dave Pear Says:

    Mikey is a Buc for life. Make it happen Jason.

  6. Buc4evr Says:

    Hope Evan’s has a monster day against Lattimore. However, I have a feeling this will be an extra nasty game and Baker is going to need to go to his other receivers as I expect extra dirty play from Lattimore. And of course the refs won’t call it….

  7. orlbucfan Says:

    Can we finally talk about the Bucs without any Methuselah12 crap? You can bet if he’s out from older the SC noose, Licht is in contact with fungus known as player agents. What a lot of clickbait hot air. Bucs have 2 more games in the REGULAR season. Let it finish.

  8. orlbucfan Says:

    *under*

  9. orlbucfan Says:

    Guess my comment got swallowed done the stupid algorithm hole.

  10. Joe in Michigan Says:

    HC Grover Says:
    December 30th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
    Super Bowl first. Then all this other wheeling and dealing for me. I really think we has a chance this year now.
    ^^^^^^^
    “We has a chance”? Wow.

  11. Ufcguy32 Says:

    I don’t get it. Why do you always assume we have one mediocre season and our oc is a head coach

  12. Crickett Baker Says:

    I guess some of you forgot Lattimore is not playing in tomorrow’s game. As for Canales being a HC..GEEZE! He is just beginning to learn how to be an OC, a position he has always wanted. Sometimes you guys are just nuts..:)

  13. Gofortheface30 Says:

    lol FSU getting pumped as we speak. Exactly why the committee told you to SCRAM. Now I can stop hearing and reading about how unfair life is from FSU fan. Benefit of the doubt is earned.

  14. unbelievable Says:

    @Buc4evr – Lattimore is out tomorrow. Evans should feast.

  15. Tony Marks Says:

    Ufcguy32 Says:
    December 30th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
    I don’t get it. Why do you always assume we have one mediocre season and our oc is a head coach

    ———-

    Because Fowler at ESPN says its possible and bloggers need to write something to get views.

  16. #99 the big fella Says:

    Gofortheface30 Says:
    December 30th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
    lol FSU getting pumped as we speak. Exactly why the committee told you to SCRAM. Now I can stop hearing and reading about how unfair life is from FSU fan. Benefit of the doubt is earned.

    Fl state playing without starting quarterback, wide receivers, running back, defensive ends .. stupid comment for sure

  17. unbelievable Says:

    Remember all the idiots saying we should have cut or traded Evans?

    Idiots like Boss, doosh, Marine Buc, etc…

  18. J Says:

    Retaining Canales should be one of our top priorities this off-season. Bucs brass HAS to know they have a good one in DC. Do not let this guy slip away JL!

  19. PewterStiffArm Says:

    Sometimes first year coordinators that have just gotten comfortable in their new digs and oh by the way moved completely across the country don’t want a new gig. He has mentioned his wife’s support but if this team surprises everyone, look out, he might be our next coach.

  20. Carolina K Says:

    Mike Evans GOAT

  21. BUCS4LIFE Says:

    Quit putting that out in the universe JOE! I’d like to keep the guy for another season if you please sir. Hehe

  22. Dave Pear Says:

    ME13 is an inspiration.

  23. SlyPirate Says:

    THIS IS TOTALLY NORMAL
    Do your research Joe. Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald and probably more WR all had their best years between 30-33.

    30 isn’t old. It’s prime. For some reason I thought this was common knowledge.

  24. BucsFanSince1996 Says:

    While I agree an owner MIGHT see Canales as a HC candidate I fail to see how picking him as a HC at this time would be based upon ANY logic whatsoever. The skills required to be a great position coach or coordinator are not the same that are required to be a good HC.

    Promoting someone into the HC position too soon can hurt their career. I believe that that is exactly what happened to Raheem Morris. He was highly regarded as a position coach, promoted to a defensive coordinator position, but then switched the promotion to being a HC. The Bucs were concerned he’d leave Tampa for another team which I believe is why they did that. But he wasn’t ready back then. With all the experience he’s had since then on both sides of the ball I would consider him for a head coaching position if I were an owner.

  25. Woodenman Says:

    Cmon buc4ever keep up Lattimore is on IR NOT PLAYING!

  26. Dave Pear Says:

    The way Georgia is absolutely sodomizing FSU, the committee must be relieved that they’re not going to be embarrassed by an even worse FSU showing in the semi-finals. Yes injuries for FSU, etc. A very important additional reason why they’re not playing on Monday. They’re not competitive. Maybe with Alcorn State or someone like that.

    I wonder how those lawsuits will be viewed now? LOL.

  27. Since76 Says:

    Canales was fixated on Evans most of the season (and running left guard -tackle over and over) not realizing that we had other talent on the offense. After a woman I won’t name helped him and bowels out by letting them know. The offense is spreading the ball around and it has looked really good. No I don’t think he’s ready.

  28. Buccos Says:

    The man has definitely paid his dues up until this point. The only surprise to me is that it took him so long to become an OC.

  29. Itzok Says:

    Yea running backs age out at 30 not WR’s. wideouts are good until 33-34. Give evans a 3 year deal minimum. Maybe 5 you can get out of after 3. Evans should retire a buc.

  30. Gofortheface30 Says:

    #99 the big fella. Time to cry victim has long since passed guy. Take your fat L like a MAN. Literally nothing changed since you barely got by Louisville chief. Spare me the excuses, you wanted your chance in the final 4 after the Louisville game and today is EXACTLY why the committee told you to SCRAM. 63-3. Jesus Christ, pathetic. A beat down of all beatdowns. Your defense was supposed to be elite? Where’s your excuses there? You see, if you went just by record – then there would be no reason to have a committee. The point is to have the 4 BEST teams

  31. Bojim Says:

    I was excited about Canales at first but admittantlly I was thinking he was over his head. But it is coming together like he said it would. Just in time. He’s good but not a HC next year. Looks good for him though. And Mike, he’s special. First ballot. Yep.

  32. Bojim Says:

    I guess that was what Niners fans thought about Jerey Rice. Gasp!!!

  33. unbelievable Says:

    @proudbucsfan – that’s the thing, Evans is essentially QB proof.

    He had scrubs and Jameis throwing to him for 60-70% of his career. Playing with a QB like Brady the GOAT, or Mayfield, you can only imagine how gaudy his stats would have been. Though to be fair, Jameis did also air it out to him a ton. Unfortunately half of those ended in intersections lol.

  34. unbelievable Says:

    *interceptions

  35. Joe Says:

    Sly:

    Do your research Joe. Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald and probably more WR all had their best years between 30-33

    Those guys weren’t “normal.”

    (Joe typed “that’s Jerry Rice kind of stuff” in the post. But thank you for reading.)

  36. garro Says:

    I wish Joe and the PFF Statgeeks had kept that tidbit to themselves!

    At least till after the game…

    Geez!

    Go Bucs