Category: Latest Team News

Chris Godwin needs 313 more receiving yards to grab this Bucs record

See what franchise record Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin could nab before the season is over.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into Detroit Sunday to take on the Lions without their best receiver. Pro Bowler Mike Evans, who earlier this season became the only other receiver besides Hall of Famer Randy Moss to start his career with six-straight 1,000-yard seasons, injured his hamstring in Week 14’s win over the Colts and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

It’s certainly a big loss, but fortunately, the Bucs have receiver Chris Godwin waiting in the wings to be the new No. 1 receiver. Godwin, the third-year receiver out of Penn State, has exploded onto the scene this season, already setting career highs across the board with receptions (81), yards (1,212) and touchdowns (9).

And, with just three games left to play, Godwin finds himself just 313 receiving yards shy of Mike Evans’ single-season record of 1,524 yards, set just last year. That means, Godwin needs to average just over 104.3 yards per game over the last three weeks.

While the Bucs may not be making a trip to the postseason this year, several players have a shot at making history, including Godwin.

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Mike Evans nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has been named a nominee for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their star wide receiver Mike Evans for the rest of the year due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 14’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Fortunately, Evans hasn’t just been making a difference on the field this season. He’s been doing great work off it, too, which is why he is the Bucs’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

See the list of full nominees above. The award will be presented at the annual NFL Honors on the eve of Super Bowl LIV in Miami.

For what it’s worth, Evans appreciated the love his fellow teammate Shaq Barrett showed him on Twitter.

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Devin White makes NFL.com’s 2019 Defensive All-Rookie Team

See why NFL writer Chris Wesseling selected Bucs rookie linebacker Devin White for his 2019 Defensive All-Rookie Team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White had perhaps one of the worst starts to a regular season in recent memory for a rookie. The fifth overall pick in April’s NFL draft dealt with tonsillitis in the days leading up to Week 1, causing him to lose nearly 10 pounds. Then, early in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, White went down with a sprained knee, which sidelined him for several games.

But, over the past month, White has been showing the Bucs and the rest of the league why he was considered the prize linebacker in the 2019 draft class. While White likely saw his chances of winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors slip away due to his knee injury, he still found a spot on NFL.com’s 2019 Defensive All-Rookie Team. White joined Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush and Washington Redskins linebacker Cole Holcomb on the list.

Here’s what NFL writer Chris Wesseling had to say about White’s selection:

“After an early-season disappearing act, White began to play with confidence and impressive closing speed as a sideline-to-sideline, seek-and-destroy menace versus the Cardinals in Week 10. He went on to capture NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for November, following a five-game stretch that featured 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.”

White and the streaking Buccaneers head to Detroit in Week 15 to take on the Lions. Tampa Bay will be looking for their fourth-straight win, while Detroit is looking to halt a six-game skid.

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One NFL expert predicts Jameis Winston plays for another Florida team in 2020

Find out where one NFL expert believes Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston will land in 2020.

The 2019 season has had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fans on Winston Watch.

The former number one overall pick, who is playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, has put up big passing numbers this season and is on pace to surpass 5,000 yards. But, he’s also thrown a league-leading 23 interceptions, further adding to the argument that Winston can’t protect the football.

While some fans may want the team to start over at the position and let Bruce Arians pick a new quarterback to groom, many experts are beginning to feel that a return to Tampa Bay is the most likely scenario for Winston. However, there’s one NFL expert who believes that while Winston will play in Florida next year, it won’t be for the Bucs.

Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN: Where will Jameis Winston be playing in 2020?

“Miami, to compete for the starting job. I understand the investment the Buccaneers have made in Winston and the benefits of his aggressive downfield nature. But I don’t believe that Bruce Arians, or any coach who wants to win, can tolerate a player who is leading the NFL in turnovers (28) in his fifth season. It’s an ongoing issue that is only getting worse. The Dolphins are the kind of team that might choose him for the short term rather than start a rookie.”

That’s a hard scenario to envision, but stranger things have happened in the NFL. Who could’ve predicted at this time last year that Odell Beckham Jr. would be a Cleveland Brown?

Still, the safe money seems to be on Winston under center for Tampa Bay in 2020, for better or worse.

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A stat correction from Week 14 is great news for Shaq Barrett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett was awarded a full sack from Week 14’s win over the Colts, bringing his season total to 15.5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett has been a defensive monster all season long.

Heading into last Sunday’s Week 14 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Barrett had a league-leading 14.5 sacks, and was credited with half a sack in the Bucs’ 38-35 win over Indy to put his season (and league-leading) total  at 15.0.

That meant Barrett was closing in on Warren Sapp’s franchise record of 16.5 sacks set back in 2000. Well, turns out Barrett got closer to Sapp’s record on Sunday than originally thought.

Take a look.

The good news for Barrett is that the final two quarterbacks he’ll face this season — Deshaun Watson (HOU) and Matt Ryan (ATL) — currently rank 6th and 5th in sacks taken.

The Bucs could see a new single-season sack record by the end of the year and also see their quarterback throw for over 5,000 yards. What a first year for Bruce Arians in Tampa.

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Jameis Winston is on pace to join this elite class of quarterbacks

After a career day in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston is on pace to eclipse 5,000 yards.

Say what you want about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and his habit of throwing interceptions, but there’s no denying the guy can put up yards and points.

In last Sunday’s Week 14 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Winston threw for a career-high 456 yards to go along with four touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown. But, Winston also threw three interceptions, two of which led to eventual Colts touchdowns, including one pick-six. On the year, the Bucs signal caller has a league-high 23 interceptions, and is on pace to finish the year with a jaw-dropping 28 picks.

But, he’s also on pace to do something historic; something that would propel him into a class of elite quarterbacks. With his monster passing game on Sunday, Winston now has 4,115 yards on the year, already a new career-high. He’s also now on pace to finish the season with 5,065 passing yards, which would make him just the eighth quarterback in NFL history to accomplish that feat, joining Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino and Matthew Stafford. Not even Aaron Rodgers has achieved that mark.

Whether or not this season will be deemed a success by the Bucs remains to be seen, especially when you consider they still have to figure out what to do with Winston beyond this year. But, having your quarterback eclipse 5,000 yards in his first season playing for a new coach might be reason enough to overlook the interceptions and roll the dice one more time.

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Buccaneers vs. Lions: Time, TV and how to watch online

Find out how you can watch and listen to all of Week 15’s action between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play a meaningful game in the month of December, and this year won’t be any different as the Bucs were officially eliminated from the playoffs last Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions.

But, even though Tampa Bay won’t be making a trip to the postseason for the 12th-straight year, they are riding a three-game winning-streak as they head to Detroit to face the same Lions team who ruined their playoff hopes.

The Bucs had perhaps the league’s toughest schedule in the first half of the season, playing five-straight games away from home, including one in London. But, since returning to Raymond James Stadium in Week 10, they’ve gone 4-1, with their lone loss being to the New Orleans Saints, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Tampa Bay will unfortunately be without wide receiver Mike Evans for the rest of the year due to a hamstring injury, and quarterback Jameis Winston is dealing with a fractured thumb. Still, the red-hot Bucs are favored over the Lions on the road.

Find out how you can watch and listen to all Week 15’s action.

Game information:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions

Kickoff: Sunday, December 15, at 1:00 p.m. E.T.

Venue: Ford Field

How to Listen:

98ROCK (97.9 – Tampa)

The Boot (103.9 FM – Brooksville)

ESPN SW Florida (99.3 FM – Ft. Myers/Naples/Punta Gorda)

Citrus (95.3 FM – Homosassa)

WLKF (96.7 FM and 1430 AM – Lakeland)

WYGM (740 AM/ 96.9 FM – Orlando and Melbourne)

ESPN Tallahassee (97.9 FM – Tallahassee)

En Español

WTMP-FM 96.1, 101.9 and WMGG-AM 1470 (Tampa)

WIXC – AM 1060 (Melbourne/Orlando)

Satellite Radio

Sirius/XM Channel 88

Stream

You can stream the game live on Fubo TV. (Start your free trial).

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Shaq Barrett is on verge of becoming Bucs’ single-season sack leader

With three games left to go in the season, Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett has a shot at becoming the franchise’s single-season sack leader.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free agent linebacker Shaq Barrett to a one-year deal in the offseason, even they couldn’t have envisioned the type of season he’d have in 2019.

Through 14 weeks, Barrett leads the NFL with 15.0 sacks, throwing himself into the mix for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Even though he’s only signed through 2019, it’s clear that both Barrett and the Bucs would love to have him return next year and beyond to help anchor this defense along with rookie superstar Devin White.

Not only has Barrett exceeded expectations (and his contract), but he needs just two sacks in the final three games to surpass Hall of Famer and former Buccaneer Warren Sapp’s single-season record of 16.5 sacks, set back in 2000.

The good news for Barrett, and the Bucs defense, is that the final two quarterbacks they face this season — Deshaun Watson (HOU) and Matt Ryan (ATL) — currently rank 6th and 5th in sacks taken, so Barrett will get plenty of chances to get the record.

It’s been a baptism by fire for this young Buccaneers defense this season, but Barrett has been a consistent force throughout. And, with just three games left, he has a chance to leave a permanent mark on this franchise by capturing the title of single-season sack leader.

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Field Yates says the Bucs are the best fit for Jameis Winston in 2020

See why ESPN’s Field Yates believes the Buccaneers will ultimately bring quarterback Jameis Winston back for at least one more year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding a three-game winning-streak after Sunday’s comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay has averaged 33.7 points per game in those wins, but, as usual, things aren’t always as they appear. Despite the big win over the Colts, the Bucs had to play catch-up most of the game thanks to early interceptions by Jameis Winston, who had his first pass attempt of the game picked off and then another taken back 80 yards for a pick-six before halftime.

Winston finished the game with four passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and three interceptions, bringing his league-leading total to 23. Fans have been wondering all season long whether the Bucs would bring the former number one pick back after this season. Some will say enough is enough and it’s time to move on, while others feel Winston is still the best option for a Bucs team looking to win now.

And, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, when it comes to the best team fits for 2020 free agents, Tampa Bay still remains the best place for Winston.

Here’s what Yates had to say:

“My own evaluation of Winston is that he is not a starting quarterback whom I’d feel comfortable relying upon for a full 16-game season because of his carelessness with the football. But after evaluating the Buccaneers’ ability to acquire a new signal-caller, seeing their recent comments on Winston and understanding their overall commitment to him over the past five seasons, I’d expect he will be back — with the franchise tag in play.”

It’s no secret that the Bucs brought in head coach and quarterback whisperer Bruce Arians to try and save Winston’s career. It’s certainly been an up-and-down season for the Winston as he adjusts to Arians’ offense. But, as former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer proved, things get better after Year 1 under Arians.

Tampa Bay is hoping the same will be true for Winston, should he return.

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This Aaron Rodgers stat puts Jameis Winston’s interceptions into perspective

A look at the career interceptions of both Aaron Rodgers and Jameis Winston will make your head spin.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came back to win at home yesterday against the struggling Indianapolis Colts, 38-35, courtesy of a career day by quarterback Jameis Winston, who finished with a career-high 456 yards to go along with four touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown.

But, as has been the case with Winston throughout his career, with the good comes the bad. The Bucs quarterback also threw three interceptions, which ultimately resulted in 14 points off turnovers for the Colts. It seems that more often than not, the Bucs are playing catch-up or trying to atone for Winston’s mistakes. He currently leads the NFL with 23 interceptions (career-high), and while some people will say he deserves to come back to the team next season, others will point out the staggering number of turnovers he’s had since coming into the league as reason not to.

And, to give you an idea of just how big Winston’s interception problem is, you need look no further than Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2005 and sat for three seasons behind Brett Favre, has played in 178 games during his NFL career, starting 171. In that time, he’s thrown a mind-boggling 361 touchdowns to just 82 interceptions. Winston, meanwhile, has played in 69 career games, starting 67, and thrown 114 touchdowns to 81 interceptions, meaning he is just one interception away from tying Rodgers in career picks. Keep in mind, too, Winston was drafted 10 years after Rodgers in the 2015 NFL Draft and has played in 100 fewer games.

Winston could very well end up back in Tampa Bay next season if the Bucs decide to roll the dice once more on their former top pick. But, when you look at his interceptions, especially compared to other high-level quarterbacks out there, it definitely gives you cause for concern.

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