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Little for Bucs to feel good about on this day
You’d think Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Mike Evans would have every reason to feel good about himself after Sunday’s game. And you’d be wrong. “That’s my worst game of the season,’’ Evans said after accounting for both Tampa Bay touchdowns with scoring catches of 5 and 26 yards in a 34-17 loss to the Lions. “I didn’t block well, I lost my head on the sidelines and I hurt my team. It was a terrible game.’’
It was also difficult for Evans to appreciate his ninth and 10th touchdowns of the season because of a situation that unfolded Friday at team headquarters. A friend of Drew Newsome, a Bucs fan afflicted with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, came by to pick up a No. 13 jersey signed by Evans.
Newsome is under hospice care while fighting a rare inherited disorder that is characterized by the formation of tumors. “I don’t know if he passed yet or not,’’ Evans said after the game. “But one of his wishes was to die with a Bucs jersey — and it was my jersey. I caught that first touchdown for him and I’m just blessed to be in this position.’’
The second Evans touchdown, in the left corner over safety James Ihedigbo from 26 yards out, was caught in the crook of his arm as the Bucs pulled within 27-17 early in the fourth quarter. In the second quarter, with the Lions ahead 7-3, Josh McCown’s pass intended for Evans on the left sideline was deflected into the hand of safety Glover Quin, who made a spectacular grab for his fifth interception. Evans argued vigorously that the turnover should have been nullified.
“I thought I was interfered with and I was trying to get the call,’’ said Evans, whose first touchdown was a 5-yard catch that came with five seconds remaining in the half. “I threw the ball exactly to where I wanted to throw it,’’ McCown said, referring to Quin’s pick. “Obviously, Mike was upset. The guys on the sideline said his arm got grabbed, so that’s frustrating.’’
Quin assumed the NFC lead in interceptions and his theft at the Bucs 34-yard line led to a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Joique Bell that extended Detroit’s lead to 14-3. “They got some receivers, some big guys, and the quarterback a couple of times just threw it up and those guys made a couple of plays,’’ Quin said. “But for the most part, we played pretty good.’’
While Evans was somber about his effort and the dire circumstances surrounding Newsome, his teammates continue to applaud his rookie exploits. “I can’t say enough about Mike,’’ defensive tackle Akeem Spence said. “He’s made big play after big play for this football team and you can see him growing each week. We’re watching a special player.’’
Evans, a first-round pick out of Texas A&M, needs two touchdown catches in the final three games to top the franchise single-season mark of 11 scoring receptions set by Mike Williams in 2010. “Mike’s awesome,’’ defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “He’s close to the record and I hope he gets it. He’s going to be great.’’
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