Still underrated?
Bucs respect is growing among national media. Too bad the NFL has nearly destroyed what once was an excellent vehicle to celebrate the joys of football.
Joe is referring to NFL Network. It’s signature weekday morning show, “Good Morning Football,” which was once the gold standard for morning TV, not just sports, is nearly unwatchable now, save for Kyle Brandt.
When Brandt is not on there, it’s painful to watch. And that’s saying something coming from a footballholic like Joe.
(Most of the people in the revolving door of working the breakfast table to replace Kay Adams, Peter Schrager and Jason McCourty, Joe has no idea who they are. Former co-host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila [who?] swore he never heard of bratwurst before. Of course, he never had one, either. The next day a chef brings in two types for this guy to sample: real and vegan. This fool chose vegan. That’s an outrage! There is no such thing as a vegan brat!!! WTF???)
Well this week host Jamie Erdahl asked the other three co-hosts to name the most underrated player in the game. Manti Te’o — yeah, Mr. Fake Girlfriend is now a co-host — suggested Mike Evans. Former NFL linebacker Jason Cabinda selected Lavonte David.
“He does it all,” Cabinda said of David.
Joe sides with Cabinda.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has noted a few times before that in recent years, Evans has received the run he deserved while most folks scowled if they had to talk about the Bucs.
Why? Because Evans’ consistent production demanded attention. When you put up numbers better than Randy Moss and tie Jerry friggin’ Rice, that type of play cannot be ignored.
Now, Evans is widely believed a lock someday for Canton.
If the Bucs have the most underrated player in the NFL, it is David. The guy puts up better numbers than some of his peers, including some believed to be headed to Canton as well. Yet David cannot buy a Pro Bowl berth.
That’s just so effed up.
And, like Evans, David is beginning to approach numbers that are hard for folks to ignore, try though they may.
If the Bucs make a playoff run, and David is still balling out at 35, maybe then David will get the run he deserves. Maybe.
"I expect to be your teammate again… Canton, Ohio." 🫡
Hall of Famer @DBrooks55 & @MikeEvans13_ discuss the pursuit of greatness and what an honor it is to be a Buccaneer. pic.twitter.com/WREXJDQJaD
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 15, 2025