In one of the most important storylines of training camp, the Jameis Winston/Mike Evans connection seems to be strengthening much to the pleasure of head coach Dirk Koetter.
In 2015, Jameis Winston was a rookie quarterback and Mike Evans was a receiver battling injury. The connection, the rapport, between the two never truly materialized more than what can only be described as sporadically.
However, that chemistry has been a major focus for not only the players, but the team as well during the offseason. As day two of training camp wrapped up, coach Koetter spoke about the duo and how he felt things were progressing;
"“Better than yesterday. Part of that is luck of the draw on what coverage they draw, but Mike got a lot of balls thrown his way today. You could really see Mike going out of his way to look it in. I think he probably read all you guys’ reports, how he dropped that first ball in warmups yesterday, and he probably had some choice words for y’all because you’re going to be watching every single drop he has. But keep watching, keep watching, he’s got a lot of balls thrown at him every day.Well, no one like to see drops. But we’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re never going to drop any balls. I’ve found in my career that the worst thing you can say to a guy when he drops a ball is, ‘Don’t drop the ball.’ Maybe we should coach him on how to do it better, maybe we should tell him to focus on watching it in, and I thought Mike did a good job of that today.”"
Video: Bucs' Mike Evans makes juggling catch on pass from Jameis Winston at practice. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/aImIcC4kav
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 29, 2016
Winston to Evans - nice grab in traffic #BucsCamp pic.twitter.com/sP4jFEAvIN
— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithFOX13) July 29, 2016
As we’ve said countless times this year, Winston and Evans’ connection is one of the most important things on this team – at least offensively. Without the two of them on the same page, becoming that elite pairing Winston wants them to be, this team will find it difficult to be successful.
Next: Notes And Quotes From Day 2 Of Bucs Camp
We’re only two days into camp but there is plenty for Bucs fans to be excited about. Those fans will have their first opportunity to see the 2016 team in action today as practice is open to the public and will also be the Bucs’ first time in full pads. Practice begins at 8:45 a.m.