Bucs' Evans: Lack of 'chemistry' with Winston contributed to 2015 slump
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans had a spectacular rookie campaign in 2014, despite working with two sub-par quarterbacks in Josh McCown and Mike Glennon.
When the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston first overall in 2015, expectations sky-rocketed for Evans' second season because he'd finally be working with a competent quarterback.
However, Evans' season was widely regarded as a sophomore slump - despite improving on nearly every statistical category - and the 22-year-old admitted that part of the reason was he and Winston failed to develop a rapport on the field.
"We've been hanging out more. I agree with Dirk (Koetter)," Evans said in a press conference Monday. "Our chemistry was a little off last year."
Evans had six more catches (68 to 74) and 155 more receiving yards (1,051 to 1,206) in his second year compared to his rookie season. However, there were several key indicators that highlighted his lack of progress.
The former Texas A&M standout required 23 more targets to produce those six extra grabs, and his touchdowns dropped from 12 to three. His season was also dominated by drops, with Evans leading the league with 11 dropped passes, according to Sporting Charts.
"People will say I had a sophomore slump last year. I guess that's fair. ... I've got to get back to my fundamentals," said Evans, adding: "I had some decent games last year but it was a disappointment."
Evans was a teammate of troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel in college. The former Cleveland Browns quarterback recently attended Evans' offseason wedding, and Evans expressed optimism that Manziel will turn his life around.
"I just hope he can get it together and I think he will," Evans said. "That's all I'm worried about."