TAMPA, Fla. – Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin doesn’t like being pegged as just an inside slot receiver. He says he’s best when he can play inside and outside, and this new offense fits him just right.
“I feel like I have a lot of versatility inside and outside,” Godwin said. “That flexibility inside allows me to be more creative. It allows me to be a little more involved in the run game. It allows other guys to move around a bunch as well. Allowing guys to be more versatile.”
Godwin is referring to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Coen takes over from the departed Dave Canales, now Carolina’s head coach. In Canales’ offense, Godwin was moved to being more of an outside wide receiver after playing his entire career as a slot receiver.
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Godwin says he’s more involved in the offense as a whole in Coen’s system.
“It allows me to be involved in more ways than just catching the ball,” Godwin said.”It’s a lotta fun. It’s a mental strain as well, having to know so much more. Having to know more gets me really locked in.”
Godwin has had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and is thrilled to have Baker Mayfield back at quarterback. Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract.
There’s a chance this could be Godwin’s last season in Tampa Bay since fellow Mike Evans just got a new deal. It’s hard to play two wide receivers with top-end money, but Godwin believes in putting in the work and being productive on the field, and everything will work out like it’s supposed to.
Head Coach Todd Bowles, who’s recovering from knee replacement surgery but says he’ll be fine for the start of training camp, believes this could be Godwin’s best season yet.
“He (Godwin) was coming off the injury last year, so I don’t know if he was full tilt inside or outside, but he looks a lot quicker, a lot lighter and he’s healthier now,” Bowles said. “He’s eager to learn and get the offense down, so we’re just excited to have him out on the field.”
Inside, outside, or anywhere, Bowles is happy to have Godwin back stronger than ever.
“He’s ( Godwin) an inside guy by nature. He can play outside, but he can make a living doing a bunch of things for us,” Bowles said. “We plan to let him do a lot of things that he does best.”
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Evans has been at the facility at times this offseason, but wasn’t present at the start of OTA’s. Godwin knows Evans will come in, in great shape when mandatory workouts start and is happy to have his wide receiver partner back.
“Me and Mike are the ultimate pros,” Godwin said. “We come and handle our business. We’re both guys that enjoy what we do. We enjoy the people that we work with.”
Mandatory minicamp starts June 11. All players are required to be there then.
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