Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t have much to be proud of over the offseason after an absolutely embarrassing 2-14 campaign. However, if there was any silver lining to come out of such a dreaded season other than it cementing them the No. 1 overall pick, it was the fact that WR Mike Evans had an amazing rookie showing, and appears to be on his way to a spectacular career.
Tampa Bay took Evans at No. 13 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, but in the beginning of the season, the Buccaneers struggled mightily in getting Evans involved. Over his first six games, Evans only accumulated two TDs, and hadn’t reached 100 yards receiving in any game. However, from Week 9 on, Evans scored nine TDs and racked up 715 yards — which is far more indicative of the talent he possesses.
Evans carries a ton of intrigue heading into training camp, as do the Buccaneers in general now that former Florida State QB Jameis Winston is in town. With Winston at QB, added to WR Vincent Jackson, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins and RB Charles Sims, it appears as if Tampa Bay could have the makings of a top NFL offense.
The NFC South has been a hilarious joke in recent years, and is hardly laden with impregnable defensive competition to be concerned with. The New Orleans Saints are an organization that’s sending mixed signals on whether they think they’ll be competing in 2015.
The Atlanta Falcons still lack defense, and the Carolina Panthers were able to win the division title going 7-8-1 last season — yet haven’t made a ton of improvements. Thus, Tampa Bay has every reason to believe it can compete.
Buccaneers training camp is one you’ll want to keep an eye on this summer, as any time a team is featuring a rookie QB who was the No. 1 overall pick, there’s a ton of interesting factors to follow while he begins his development and attempts to get acclimated in a new league, with new teammates. The talent is in place, and it’s entirely possible Winston and Evans blossom into one of the most lethal QB-WR combinations in the league.
Being that Winston has so many amazingly talented players at the skill positions, led by Evans, it’s fair to assume this Buccaneers offense could be looking like a potential juggernaut even prior to taking the field in a preseason game.
Timothy Downs is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him Twitter @Tidow1212.
