Read-Option: Should Godwin Start?

The short answer to that question is: Yes.

The long answer to that question is still: Yes, but with some details.

Ever since Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken came out and said that he sees Godwin as a starting wide receiver, the talk has been whether or not he should replace DeSean Jackson. If you ask me, that’s looking at things the wrong way.

The Bucs can have the best of both worlds, if you ask me, by making Jackson the primary slot receiver (or you can call him the inside receiver if slot sounds insulting) and Godwin as the primary outside receiver. Now, that’s not to say that they can’t and won’t switch things up, bringing each of those players inside and out, but it just seems so obvious that that’s the way to go.

What does Godwin do well? He catches in traffic, he goes up and gets the ball through contact, he runs inside routes over the middle and he blocks well.

What does Jackson do well? He eats up space, he’s nearly impossible to stop on momentum routes like slants and mesh concepts, he has very quick feet and can burn people down the field.

If you were to put one of these players on the outside at the sideline and one of them in a position to have more free space, which would you choose?

I think the Bucs can get plenty creative on where they line each of their receivers up, but why not start with Godwin and Evans on the outside and Jackson in the middle moving around? To me, that just seems sort of obvious, right? The team likes to play most of their passing sets with at least three wide receivers anyways. Plus, lowering Jackson’s snap count a tad might make sure you’re getting his full speed every time he’s running a route instead of risking tiring him out.

Those are my thoughts, now let’s hear yours.

What did you think of Godwin’s first year? Is he ready to start, and if so, where would you start him?