Eyebrow-raising exchange today at One Buc Palace.
So Chris Godwin was moved to outside receiver last season, a departure from his primary work in the slot where there’s more blocking and typically more hits absorbed.
Longtime TampaBay.com Bucs writer Rick Stroud wrote in May that Godwin was “moved outside in hopes of extending his career.” It’s a very similar line that just last week was used by connected ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes when she explained on ESPN BET that Godwin was made an outside receiver in 2023 to protect his body.
“They were trying to limit his contact,” Kimes said.
So Joe was flummoxed today when Stroud himself asked Bowles, “What was the thinking behind moving Chris outside away from the slot [last year]? Was it to keep him maybe healthier?”
Wait a minute. Was that Stroud asking a question he already answered in print eight weeks ago?
Interestingly, Bowles replied saying, “I think it was more philosophy and scheme. I don’t really think it was for any reason to move him out there, obviously. But different offensive coordinators come in and they have a different scheme and different philosophy. So having him back inside [is] Liam [Coen’s] philosophy, so he comes back inside now where he excelled previously.”
Clearly, mixed messages are floating around as to why Godwin was moved to slot receiver, a move that became controversial when his wife had a public outburst about Godwin’s usage late last season.
Joe could share at least a couple of conspiracy theories as to what happened but will leave that speculation to rabid fans in the comments section.
