Shedding light on how injuries held Chris Godwin back
5 September 2024
Interesting stuff today at One Buc Palace about a guy who had 1,000 yards for the third year in a row last year.
A dirty hit from a slimy Saints player ruined Chris Godwin’s knee late in the 2021 season. It was a crushing blow to the Bucs’ Super Bowl aspirations. Godwin returned in 2022 and physically looked nothing like his former Pro Bowl self, but he still caught 104 balls for 1,023 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Last year, Godwin talked in preseason about how much better he felt 20 months after the injury, and then he got on the field for a 17-game season. Godwin caught 83 balls for 1,024 yards and 2 touchdowns. And he was more effective toward the end of the year after the Bucs had him play more as a slot receiver.
So everything was fine with Godwin. Right?
Not even close. That was today’s message from Liam Coen, the Bucs’ new quarterback.
He said Godwin was much healthier and explained it. This really struck Joe, as Coen had not seen Godwin live in recent years, only on film.
“I think he’s feeling better. You can see he’s more balanced. He doesn’t feel like he has to cut a leg off,” Coen said. “… I think his physical ability and skill will come through and I expect him to have a good year.”
Of course, some of what Coen says is certainly a parroting of Godwin’s story that he now cuts off both legs and feels more fluid.
Joe can say that Godwin looked faster and more determined from day two of training camp. He’s at his best at 28, healthy and with a quarterback he knows.
If Godwin can’t have a great year now – say 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns – he probably won’t do it again.
