Mike Evans Owns Practice; Won’t Play Saturday Night
August 14th, 2025
Still drinking Jalen Ramsey’s Gatorade.
So Joe is at the recently completed Steelers-Bucs practice in Pittsburgh and is bewildered.
The Bucs were so damn good today in full pads against Mike Tomlin’s machine. But there’s only one problem. The Steelers have some odd rules that mostly prohibit Joe talking about specific plays.
So Joe is figuring out how to write that Mike Evans owned practice. Well, Joe will note that before practice Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin noted Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey would cover Evans all day. And Tomlin is no liar — and Evans had several touchdowns.
Evans played so darn well, Joe asked Todd Bowles after practice if he was tempted to shut down Evans for the rest of the summer. Bowles didn’t go that far, but he acknowledged Evans is looking great and he will not play Saturday against Steelers starters in the Week 2 preseason game.
Joe will say this. A certain cornerback barked an ugly expletive at Cade Otton after an end zone break up early in practice’s red zone work. Two plays later, Mr. Evans shut that guys mouth.
To end the Bucs’ offensive display today, Evans caught a touchdown with a cornerback trailing him, a guy who also collided with his help as Evans caught the ball.
What a day for Mike Evans.
August 14th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Music to my ears! Mike Evan’s greatest Buc of all time!
August 14th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
See ya week 1 Mike
GO BUCS
August 14th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Yes, Ramsey at the end of his career, likely no match. According to your blog, that appears so. Yes bubble wrap Mike and let him chill . Appears he is above ready.
August 14th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
Come Atlanta, it will be time to DOMINATE!!! 2025 ain’t 2024.
August 14th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
I’m good without seeing any starters this preseason. Matter of fact hold the rest of our practices in the Glazer shed. First two games indoors, no need grinding in this heat anymore.
August 14th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
I wonder if “” that certain cornerback “” is Joey Porter Jr
August 14th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Good lets bubblewrap Evans as well
August 14th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Someone lit a fire under him
August 14th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
Just say Mike cooked Jalen Ramsey nobody would be shocked
August 14th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Loving Evans! Go Bucs!
August 14th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Let me guess the Steelers rule #1. Joe can’t list the rules. Evans…how much more practice does he need?
August 14th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
Hard to argue with the notion that Mike Evans is the greatest Buc ever. The numbers, longevity, still dominant in his 30’s whereas Derrick Brooks slipped really really bad towards the backend of his career. Plus his presence in the community. The statue thing is grossly over done and a huge eyeroll across all sports nowadays – but if anyone deserves that kind of honor in front of Ray Jay it’s that guy. Unstoppable force when 100%. Damn shame our defense couldn’t get off the damn field in the playoffs either, because he was TOYING with Lattimore
August 14th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
I’d love to see a contract extension before the season starts
August 14th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
First ballot HoFer
August 14th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
The best thing about this whole thing is we ain’t seen nothing yet. And I ain’t Whistling Dixie!
August 14th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
Gofortheface30 Says:
“Derrick Brooks slipped really really bad towards the backend of his career”
Thats a bunch of bullcrap. You obviously didn’t see Derrick Brooks career or you wouldn’t say something that idiotic. I saw every game Brooks ever played in the NFL. 55 did have a REALLY bad ankle injury halfway through his final year – and it did effect his abilities somewhat – but Derrick never missed a game and still played well enough to add an 11th Pro Bowl to his 14 year resume in that final season (2008)…. at the age of 35…..
Love ME13! and he is easily the greatest OFFENSIVE player the Buccaneers have ever fielded (Brady as a short term rental doesn’t count) – but you better slow your role in proclaiming Evans ‘the greatest Buc ever’ after just his 11th season – when Brooks, Sapp, Selmon and Ronde Barber are the other choices.
August 14th, 2025 at 7:41 pm
Pickering – you alright dude? Does your employer have EAP? Employer assistance program so you can talk it out with someone about your feelings being hurt. I hope your wife hid all knives and scissors? Get a grip. You’re like one of those Jersey wearing fat dudes that’s sloppily fighting in the parking lot post game. Derrick Brooks lost quite a bit of speed in his final 2-3 years. Spin it however you want. He was getting beat to the edge. Jesus Christ it happens, the guy got old, that’s why he retired. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE CLOWN. Take a lap, you’d think I called him a bum or something
August 14th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
It sounds like a good decision not to have Mike play this week.
By all accounts he’s having an outstanding training camp and is in tip top shape.
It’s not worth the risk.
August 14th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Clown? You’re the one who is apparently all butt-hurt about being called out for saying something that’s not true. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have responded in such a personal way…..
Brooks did not “slip really, really bad” at any point in his career. As I mentioned, 55 did have that nasty ankle injury in 2008 – that he played through – and was visibly slowed for a # of games – but he still played well enough to be voted to the Pro Bowl. Other than when he was injured that final season, nobody was ‘beating him to the edge’. That’s revisionist history dude…..
Just like LD54 – Brooks lost MAYBE 1/2 a step in his mid-30s – but made up for it with knowledge and anticipation – and was still one of the best LBers in the game his final few seasons – evidenced by earning Pro Bowl and 1st team All Pro honors in 2006 and a Pro Bowl in his final season (2008).