The recent hype about second-year Wide Receiver Chris Godwin seems to be for real. Not only has the former Penn State University product received tons of praise from the coaching staff, he has also received the status of a starting receiver by Rick Stroud, staff writer for the Tampa Bay Times, who interviewed Godwin after practice recently. See article HERE.
“Last year I was a little bit under the radar, and I’m finde with that… It allowed me to prepare as if I’m a starter, so you saw when I got my opportunities, I was able to take advantage.” – via Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
He certainly was. Godwin’s best play of his young career came on the very last play of the season, when he hauled in a deep pass from Jameis Winston for the game-winning Touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Ending the season on a very high note was important for the team and for Godwin individually, as well, as he has performed nothing short of impressively so far in camp. Dirk Koetter has put him in the same category as Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson lately when he said,
“Chris is playing really well right now. We look at it as if we have four starting receivers. All four of those guys, the only guy that really hasn’t been a starter is Chris. The other three have been, and we believe Chris is every bit in that same category.” – via Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
Rick Stroud is of the opinion that Godwin will for sure start opposite Mike Evans. DeSean Jackson did not have the first year with Tampa Bay that he and Bucs fans expected him to have. Therefore, Stroud certainly has a point and Godwin might be as close to taking Jackson’s job as he has ever been. Additionally, the coaches might consider using Jackson more in the slot, where the speedy receiver might be even more dangerous, as he has proven many times before in his career.
Whether or not Stroud is right about Godwin remains to be seen. Only time will tell, as the coaches will certainly not reveal their real plans for the season in early August. If Stroud’s prediction is correct, the Buccaneers might even consider using DeSean Jackson as trade bait. Things are starting to get very interesting, Bucs fans!
