As many NFL fans know, the Pro Bowl is a game where players don’t take risks.The Pro Bowl is the time to entertain fans and also switch up things to see how it works. In this Pro Bowl, the NFC and AFC had offensive players try some defensive plays and vice versa. It worked.
Late in the game, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey scored a touchdown and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans had an interception.
Evans, a two-time Pro Bowler, says it was his first interception in the pros but not his first interception overall.
“2010,” Evans said about his last interception. He then gets into details on how he got those interceptions.
“I caught two that year. I played two games on defense my senior year.”
Back at Ball High School in Galveston Georgia, Evans played more than just football. He played basketball and track. He only played football his senior year. He claims that the interceptions he had in high school wasn’t because of his skills.
“Had two picks. One game, next game I had a pick. It was just bad balls by the quarterback, Just bad throws.”
Evans has more interceptions this season than his teammates Brent Grimes and Carlton Davis III. So we asked if he would consider playing defense even though he’s an offensive threat.
“No, I couldn’t guard a receiver, I don’t think,” Evans said after the Pro Bowl, “it will take some years to like practice.”
The Buccaneers had an interesting season with going back and forth with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston as quarterback. Evans hopes that fixing a few minor things will get the Buccaneers back on track.
“Just be better. More consistent. Be better in the red zone. Score more touchdowns and clean up on the penalties. I think that’s where as an offense, I think that’s where we struggled since I’ve been in Tampa for the past five season.”
It’s been over 10 seasons since the Buccaneers played in the playoffs and haven’t won a Super Bowl since Jon Gruden was their coach. Buccaneers named Bruce Arians as their new head coach.
“I’m excited. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him,” Evans said after Arians was hired.
Their previous coach Dirk Koetter went 19-29 in the last three seasons.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers have the fifth pick and besides needing defensive help, many believe Jameis Winston’s time is running out and that a quarterback should be considered.