Evans, Jackson become first Bucs receiving pair to reach 1,000 yards The Tampa Tribune, published 29 December 2014 Mike Evans ended the suspense early. The Bucs’ outstanding rookie receiver entered Sunday’s game only 3 yards short of the 1,000-yard mark. He topped that coveted plateau on the game’s first snap when he caught Josh McCown’s 8-yard pass near the left sideline. On the next play, veteran Vincent Jackson grabbed an 11-yard reception close to the same sideline to top the 1,000-yard plateau for the fourth consecutive season, including the past three in a Tampa Bay uniform. Evans, who finished with five catches for 54 yards, made franchise history early in the second quarter when he capped an 80-yard drive with a 6-yard scoring grab to put the Bucs ahead 10-0. With his 12th touchdown reception of the season, Evans passed the previous Bucs record of 11, set by Mike Williams in 2010. “I’m very proud and it’s something to build on for next year,’’ said Evans, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft. ”Hopefully that number (receiving yards) can keep going up. It was a goal for me and V-Jax to both have it, so that’s pretty special. He worked so hard, he deserves it. He paved the way for me to get it as well.’’ Jackson and Evans became the first Bucs teammates to surpass 1,000 receiving yards each in the same season. Jackson was sidelined by a groin injury and finished with that lone reception, while Evans watched most of the second half from the sideline. Evans said he ran out of energy and coach Lovie Smith said, “Mike wasn’t loose and ready to go. Our plan wasn’t to play Mike an awful lot in the second half.’’ Evans finished second to Michael Clayton in franchise history among Bucs rookies in receptions (68) and receiving yards (1,193). Clayton caught 80 passes for 1,193 yards as a first-round pick in 2004.