Although the Bucs were flat at times during the joint training camp practices with the Jaguars, the connection between Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans could not be stopped. Saying that Evans is going to be great this year isn’t anything new, but a second season together between the quarterback and receiver tandem may lead to bigger and better accomplishments.
At times this past week, it just appeared as if Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans were playing pitch and catch against the Jaguars.
Mayfield found Evans several times in the end zone during goal-line drills. It didn’t matter who was covering him or how many people were on Evans, if all else failed, Mayfield was looking his way.
Last Thursday’s practice didn’t see as many red zone opportunities but the 11-on-11s at midfield had the same result of Mayfield to Evans. On several plays, Mayfield was looking in another direction, but as soon as he turned his head in the other direction, the ball was coming out and going to Evans because he knew where he was going to be and that he was open.
Baker Mayfield And Mike Evans Are In A “Very Good Spot”
It feels as if this telepathy has been formed between the two after playing a season and a training camp together. Baker Mayfield knows at all times where Mike Evans is and Evans understands when to expect the ball. Defending him one-on-one would be a bad idea since offensive coordinator Liam Coen is scheming up even better ways to get him open. And let’s not forget that Evans was tied for the NFL lead with 13 touchdowns last season.
After the Bucs and Jaguars finished practice on Thursday, we caught up with Mayfield on their growing chemistry and success together this summer.
“For Mike and I, it’s the constant communication,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, he’s going to win on a lot of his routes – that just is who he is. For me, understanding and talking to him about how he’s thinking he’s going to win on different leverages. Obviously, with time and experience and more reps, that continues to grow, but I just think we’re in a very good spot, the two of us right now. It’s the same with Chris [Godwin] as well.
“Chris is feeling better and better about where he’s at physically…Chris is an unbelievable communicator and a pro’s pro. Those two guys, [I’m] constantly talking to them about, ‘Hey, if we get this look, what are you going to do? How are you going to run it?’ Just making sure we’re on the same page. I feel really good about where we’re at.”
Baker Mayfield Impressed By UDFA
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin aren’t the only two that have caught the eye of Mayfield. Rookie undrafted free agent Kameron Johnson out of Barton has been making highlights and electrifying with his plays when he’s been available. His speed and footwork have been impressive so far during camp and the Bucs are going to have a tough decision on their hands about him making the 53-man roster.
Johnson missed over a week of practice due to a rib injury but returned on Monday in Tampa wearing a non-contact jersey and participated against the Jaguars. Johnson had an athletic touchdown reception and continued to pick up where he left off.
Mayfield admittedly wasn’t aware of Johnson or his school coming into training camp, but he’s been very much put on notice.
“Kam Johnson is a stud,” Mayfield said. “I didn’t even know where Barton College was until like a few weeks ago. Whatever they fed him, it worked. He’s a polished receiver. He doesn’t say much, he locks in, and just does everything the right way. For us, it’s a kid that listens. [When] you bring in the physical aspect of it, he’s extremely smooth in his routes, he’s explosive – I think he can do a lot of things for us. He’s another good guy in our room that’s going to push everybody else to continue to raise that standard in the [wide] receiver room.”
