How much longer?
Joe has a pretty good guess that a guy who runs a popular football website is going to end up being shamed by the popular Twitter account, @OldTakesExposed.
The account, run by Fred Segal, combs Twitter for old tweets from sports people — takes that are fully outrageous now. It’s a funny follow.
The guy behind WalterFootball.com, Walter Cherepinsky, unloaded on Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for drafting Emeka Egbuka. Cherepinsky was so enraged in the hours after the pick, he began comparing Licht to human punching bag Matt Millen, the former general manager of the Lions.
Joe thought this was a really dumb take by Cherepinsky, especially from a guy who is supposed to know football. Mike Evans is on the wrong side of 30. Chris Godwin is 29. Both guys have been known to get nicked up and miss playing time.
Besides, someone who should know, like Cherepinsky, should be aware that last year when Evans and Godwin missed the same games production from Bucs receivers plummeted.
And that is a big reason why the Bucs selected Egbuka.
So yeah, Joe is waiting for Egbuka to blow up and Segal to out Cherepinsky.
Lost in the controversy of calling out Licht for drafting Egbuka, is the real question about how much longer can Evans and Godwin play above the rim like they usually do.
Aaron Schatz formerly of Football Outsiders (RIP) and current contributor to ESPN tackled this subject.
Nugget to know: How much longer can Mike Evans continue to play at a high level? Evans, who turns 32 on Aug. 21, tied for third in ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics last season. His running mate Chris Godwin, who is now 29, ranked fifth.
Evans may have just had the best training camp of his career. He was that incredible. Oh, but those hammies. Can they hold up all summer and into the regular season. Evans is known for two things: being an elite receiver and battling hamstring issues. Normally, tender hamstrings don’t get better with age.
And then there’s Godwin, who is still not running publicly on his destroyed ankle after two surgeries. It’s now mid-August. Joe doesn’t see how a guy who cannot run (yet) due to a rebuilt ankle is expected to start an NFL game in less than a month.
So, tell Joe again why Licht was so stupid in drafting a wide receiver at No. 19?