We hear a lot from New Orleans Saints fans, players, and coaches about the team’s strong homefield advantage — but it’s awful cathartic to hear it from the opposing sideline. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is set to make his latest trip to the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, and he shared a unique perspective on the matchup during his Wednesday media availability session after practice.
“It’s always a fun time when we get to play the Saints. When you go into that stadium, you know what you’re getting into,” Godwin began. “Those fans, they have that stadium rocking. There’s no windows in there. It’s like they go in and they lock the doors behind you, and it’s just you and your guys going to battle. Let’s figure it out.”
Godwin has played six games in New Orleans during his seven-year career, winning just twice (he was also inactive for their Week 2 victory last season due to an injury), including the playoffs. He knows exactly how loud that stadium can be and how many challenges the crowd noise creates for communication on offense.
And there’s a note of appreciation in his voice when talking about it. Godwin played for Penn State in college, where more than 100,000 fans crowd Beaver Stadium each week. That’s not an environment he’s been able to enjoy with the Buccaneers, whose fair-weather fanbase didn’t show up for games until Tom Brady came to town. Tampa Bay ranked 30th in home attendance during each of Godwin’s first two years in the NFL. Maybe he should consider switching sides once he’s free from his contract with the Bucs?
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