Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is currently running an offense that has a wide receiver that is on pace for a season total of nearly 1,400 receiving yards. But the wide receiver's name isn't Mike Evans.
There are multiple advantages when you play alongside a wide receiver that has put up the numbers Evans has in his first five seasons in the NFL. For one, Evans, a large portion of the time, will draw the double team from a defense. And he will also be defended by an opponent's number one cornerback. That leaves the other starting wide receiver to be defended one on one by a defense's number two cornerback. And most times, a defense will take its chances defending a number two wide receiver without providing too much special attention. That is until the number two wide receiver has the talent to be as good as a number one wide receiver & that's exactly how wide receiver Chris Godwin has performed so far this season.
Godwin, who recorded 59 receptions last year, had 8 catches in the team's week two win against the Panthers & is currently on pace to catch over 80 balls this year. That total will fall short of the 100 catches head coach Bruce Arians said Godwin was capable of catching before the season started but it would certainly give the team a chance to have two 1,000 yard receivers.
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich met with the media on Thursday & said Godwin's quick start to his season is simply because he's winning his one on one matchups.
Click below to hear the full interview with Leftwich