FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots

• Here is one more nugget from Antonor Winston, Jameis Winston’s father, about Mike Evans, and perhaps a subtle dig at head coach and playcaller Dirk Koetter.

“The best route for Mike Evans is the back shoulder throw and we never run it,” Winston said. “I don’t know why. He’s 6-foot-5 and he has the longest arms. No one can stop a back shoulder throw. It’s either out of bounds or Mike catches it. If you want Jameis to throw the ball out of bounds more [rather than throw interceptions] that’s a good way to do it. Throw a back shoulder ball to Mike, but we never seem to do it.”

• It’s early, but rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin looks like a real find. The third-round draft pick has had an amazing start to his rookie season in Tampa Bay, shining in the last two weeks of OTAs. Godwin reminds me of a slightly bigger, slightly faster Keenan McCardell.

Godwin is a sure-handed receiver that knows how to get open and get yards after the catch, too. He’s running his routes with confidence, which shows that he has digested a good deal Dirk Koetter’s vast playbook. And Godwin is quickly gaining the trust of quarterback Jameis Winston, too. Expect this rookie to see the field early and often during his first year in the NFL.

• How confident are the Buccaneers heading into the 2017 season? So much so that the team is definitely thinking playoffs (and beyond) this offseason. I asked Bucs general manager Jason Licht if he thought Tampa Bay was ready to contend for the NFC South title this year.

“We are certainly going to do everything we can to do it,” Licht said. “It’s really early right now, but we do think we’re very talented right now. Dirk [Koetter] would tell you the same thing. You can have a lot of talent and there are a lot of variables – a lot of things can go one way or the other. We need to come together as a team – not that we’re not – but now is the time to do this. Now is the time to get rolling.

“On paper you can have great talent and things can go in a different direction – not because of poor coaching or injuries or anything like that. I’ll put it this way. We don’t sit here and say, ‘Our goal this year is to win nine games, okay?’ The goal every year is to win the NFC, and we feel pretty good right now. Better than we did last year.”

• Tampa Bay signed former New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick at the right time. Not just because the team had a need for an experienced backup QB with the departure of Mike Glennon in free agency, but also because of his experience playing in the AFC East, which is one of the divisions on Tampa Bay’s schedule this year.

When Fitzpatrick was the quarterback of the New York Jets over the past two seasons he produced a 2-2 record against Buffalo and Miami, and was 1-3 vs. New England. Fitzpatrick’s experience playing against AFC East personnel could really benefit quarterback Jameis Winston in the QB film room this season as Winston studies opponents from Fitzpatrick’s old division.

• While the Bucs’ Thursday Night Football game on October 5 against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will likely be the team’s Color Rush game this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs don their throwback jerseys for their Monday Night Football game against Atlanta on December 18 when Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden is inducted in the Bucs Ring of Honor.

I’m not talking about the Bucco Bruce creamsicle orange throwback jerseys. Tampa Bay can no longer wear those uniforms due to NFL rules that permit the players from wearing only one helmet during the season due to concussion safety protocols. I’m talking about the red and pewter jerseys and old logo that the team had from 1997-2013.

Those were the uniforms that the Bucs wore in Super Bowl XXXVII and it would be fitting for the prior logo to be worn on the helmet and the old red jerseys and pewter pants dusted off one more time in honor of Gruden. Make it happen, Glazers.

• Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18 and the place to shop for your dad or granddad is International Diamond Center. Shop early this Saturday, June 3 at the International Diamond Center location at 10330 N. Dale Mabry Highway Suite 110 in Tampa and meet Tampa Bay tight end Cameron Brate, who will be signing FREE autographs from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The Tampa IDC store is located just 10 minutes north of Raymond James Stadium on N. Dale Mabry.

In addition to shopping IDC’s collection of Frederique Constant’s mens watches or TAGHeuer for Father’s Day, get dad a FREE autograph from Brate for the occasion (limit 2 per person). No purchase is necessary.

nternational Diamond Center has flexible financing options including interest free payments from 24-60 months that makes shopping easy.

If you are planning a summer engagement, International Diamond Center is the place to shop. Before you ask her, ask IDC. International Diamond Center carries the best selection of engagement rings, including Forever Mark and Tacori, and wedding bands for men and women.

If you have an upcoming anniversary or birthday to celebrate, International Diamond Center has a wide selection of women’s bracelets, earrings, watches and fashion rings to choose from. With two Tampa Bay area locations and the ability to shop online at ShopIDC.com, International Diamond Center is the place to turn for all of your fine jewelry needs.

International Diamond Center – Cameron Brate signing – June 3, 12-1pm
10330 N. Dale Mabry Highway Suite 110
Tampa, FL 33618

International Diamond Center
3696 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL 33762

For more locations throughout the state of Florida and in Savannah, Georgia, please visit ShopIDC.com