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About the Author: Matt Matera

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As talented as the Bucs’ skill players are, it’s an enigma to figure out which one is going to lead in terms of production for each game. In the team’s 31-29 win over Dallas, it was clearly Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski that led the way. This made some worry about the role of wide receiver Mike Evans.

Evans recorded three receptions for 24 yards in Tampa Bay’s season opener, which was significantly less than the three aforementioned pass catchers, who also scored touchdowns in the game. While Bucs fans might be concerned, those that have Evans on their fantasy football team could be seen on social media freaking out as well.

Bucs Wr Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Is this is a sign of things to come? Or is this just what you’ll occasionally get with an offense that’s boasting multiple Hall of Fame-caliber pass catchers? It looks to be more of the latter rather than the former.

“We’ll continue to try to get the ball to everybody,” offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said. “Week-in and week-out somebody is going to be the guy that didn’t get it. It is what it is. We’re trying to win football games. We’ll get the football to our play-makers the best way we can. I don’t really view it like that or see it like that, I just view it as getting the play-makers the ball and doing what you got to do to win the game.”

Evans went through a similar outing to begin the season last year. In Week 1, he made just one catch for two yards and a touchdown, albeit drawing multiple penalties. The following week he bounced back with seven catches for 104 yards and a score against Carolina

In Week 3 Evans caught two passes for two yards with both going for touchdowns. Then in Week 4, he rallied again for seven receptions, 122 yards and another touchdown catch.

Leftwich isn’t concerned at all about what Evans will be able to do this season from a production standpoint.

“They’re freaking out? Wow.” Leftwich said about some fans’ reactions to Evans’ paltry numbers in Week 1. “I’ll put it like this, I think he left this game with more catches than he did a year ago. Am I right? So it’s improved. I don’t view it that way. Mike doesn’t see singles (single coverage), there’s no one guy following him around. I haven’t seen that really in a while versus anybody. There’s never really one guy following you around.

“We hope we get that at some point, but Mike knows more about the team and all Mike can do his get himself into position. We’ll move him around, get him in position to allow him to make plays. I wouldn’t freak out after one game, (for) anybody.”

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