Writing about the Buccaneers, I get to do a lot of fun things. One of them, is sharpen my draft teeth every off-season.
It starts with a bowl binge as I look for future Buccaneers who show up when it counts the most. When trophies are on the line.
Don’t get me wrong, I pay attention as much as I can before bowl season. But this is when I really get my draft adrenaline going.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
In 2017, my favorite game was easily the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California. Not only was it one of the best games in one of the most storied bowls in NCAA Football history, but it featured a guy I was already eyeing for the Bucs: Chris Godwin.
If you haven’t watched the game, watch it. It’s on YouTube, you can find it.
Saquon Barkley ripped of 194-rushing yards and two touchdowns in the game. Many Bucs fans are calling for him to be the team’s first-round selection in 2018 if things keep going down the road they are.
Godwin though, the guy who would be available this season, brought in nine catches for 187-yards and two scores himself.
When the Bucs took Godwin in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, I was elated. Honestly, the word doesn’t even seem to fit the emotion I felt. More than O.J. Howard, Godwin was the guy I was looking forward to seeing in pewter this year.
This isn’t a slight to Howard. It’s just how excited I was for the Bucs to get Godwin.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet. Up to this point, the rookie has just eight catches for 83-yards and has yet to find the end zone.
Football is a next man up business, and with Mike Evans being suspended for Week 10 following his extracurricular hit on Saints rookie Marshon Lattimore, Godwin will get his chance.
Sure, it’s only for one game, and it’s with the back-up quarterback. This may not be a bad thing though.
Second-string wide receiver means he runs with back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick just as much, if not more, than he does with Winston.
So, there’s familiarity there. Plus, Godwin is a different type of receiver than Evans is. He isn’t as long or tall as Evans. On the surface this may be a disadvantage. In reality though, it means the Jets have no choice but to cover him honestly. No tape to get a read on him, and it only plays into the receiver’s advantage.
I’m not promising 100-yards and two scores here. I’m just excited to see him get some opportunities. There haven’t been a whole lot of silver linings this season for the Buccaneers.
Discovering they landed a steal in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, might become one this week in Raymond James Stadium.
Good luck, young man.
"NSFW: The latest episode of the PewterCast call in show!"
Comment, find me on Facebook, Twitter, or email me at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com to discuss this or anything Buccaneers related.