Mike Evans Moves The Chains
June 25th, 2025
First down maker.
The mark of a good offense is one that doesn’t wait for third or fourth downs to get another series of downs. Now Joe doesn’t have the data, but in the recent past, the Bucs have done a very good job of converting on first and second downs.
Former NFL general manager and former coffee fetcher for Bill Belichick, Bill Walsh and Al Davis, Michael Lombardi, always used to say the best offenses play like they are in Canada.
The CFL has no fourth downs. They play with just three. So NFL offenses need to pretend they are in Canada, Lombardi would claim.
Joe knows one thing: Mike Evans plays like that. The future Hall of Famer was one of the top players in the NFL last year at converting first downs. Some 71 percent of Evans’ catches last year ended up moving the chains. That was seventh-best in the NFL last season per The 33rd Team.
What makes this feat impressive to Joe is that last year’s offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, largely played a dink-and-dunk offense.
This is why the man will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.
June 25th, 2025 at 5:12 am
I rewatched the last game of the season where we beat N.O. for the division title, and got Evans his 1000 yard season. We trailed most of the game, but never quit, and made the plays we had to. It showed a lot of grit, and belief they could get it done, and they did. It says a lot about their head coach. Todd kept that group together. What really stood out to me were how many players on defense that day are no longer with the team, and some who are might not be to start this season. Not to mention key players like Winfield, Whitehead, and Dean were out with injuries. There was a real talent issue on the field that day defensivly. I look at the draft, and getting a FA like Reddick to replace the useless JTS should really help. Bucs have made the right moves this offseason to improve their roster. It’s now or never for Todd. I think we’re in for a good season, and Todd will be a big reason why.
June 25th, 2025 at 5:38 am
I’m not sure what that says about Mike. 70 percent is astounding to me either way. We had a great offense. We had a great QB. We have a great third down play caller. All of that plays a factor I think. Someone said (forgot who) last year that we try not to get to third down. Makes sense.
Go Bucs!
June 25th, 2025 at 6:03 am
Mr. Evans doesnt take a day for granted….he works and makes our offense a lot easier. Another contract coming up maybe? We’ll see. Thats Mike’s call.
June 25th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Mike is one of the best! Hopefully on the Bucs for 2 to 3 more years.
June 25th, 2025 at 7:45 am
I look at that list and ask who would I take first for my team. Evans. Also excellent thought process on not waiting for 3rd or 4th down to convert.
June 25th, 2025 at 7:52 am
That’s the percentage. I would like to see the total numbers as well.