Will Terrell Owens hurt Lee Evans?
After doing last week's Collateral Damage article, I wrote that I was taking a wait-and-see approach on how the loss of Terrell Owens would affect Tony Romo. The same is true for Owens' impact on new teammate Lee Evans.
In theory, Evans will see less double coverage. This was a huge problem, especially in division games. New England always doubles Evans and the Jets and Dolphins have followed suit. Evans averaged only 48 yards-per-game and 11.5 yards-per-catch in the AFC East.
The concern is that Owens will steal Evans' targets and there are only so many yards to go around. That has merit, but it's interesting to note Evans' targets have declined rapidly the last two years anyway. He was only 34th in targets last year. Coverage has dictated fewer chances for Evans.
My gut feeling is that Owens' presence will be a net push for Evans, but it won't hurt. Evans has already displayed his ability to produce solid numbers without a lot of targets. Owens could help put Evans in position to maximize the targets he gets.
What say you blockers, does Owens help or hurt Evans?
Comments
I think it should help slightly: Less double coverage on Evans, as you have mentioned, in addition to more time on the field as the offense will (hopefully) be better able to sustain drives. So even if his target percentage per play goes down, he should have more plays to make up the difference.
Posted by: Jesse | March 23, 2009 02:34 PM
Evans best ability is after the catch, if he's not doubled on every play he should be able to stretch the field quite a bit. If this team gets a TE, and Schobel can regain his health, this team will be one to watch out for in my opinion.
Posted by: MikeD | March 23, 2009 02:52 PM
With no slight to an aging Rice or Roy Williams last year. Evans is gonna be the best guy Owens has played with IMO. He has made a lot with not a lot from the QB position. Teams want to focus on Owens, Evans is going to kill them. Good luck covering Owens with just 1 guy. Edwards puts the ball on the money so I think both guys should benefit.
If Buffalo was to jump into the Cutler bidding war. Things could get really interesting.
Posted by: Jamie | March 23, 2009 02:58 PM
who cARES BILLS WILL STILL STINK GO PATS
Posted by: Anonymous | March 23, 2009 03:12 PM
I personally see it resulting in an increase in yards and touchdowns for Evans. Teams will have to pick who they want to double and my money is on T.O. most weeks. That leaves Evans open, for the first time in years, to do his thing. The biggest question mark in this offense at this point is the quarterback. I'm not sold on Trent Edwards and he might hold both receivers back. If I see good things from him early, I would say that both T.O. and Evans will have better numbers than last season.
Posted by: DJOmaha | March 23, 2009 03:16 PM
Did you SEE Lee Evans and that Buffalo offense the second half of last season? How can his numbers get worse? TO can only help.
Posted by: R | March 23, 2009 03:44 PM
I think it can only help.
Teams won't want to let Marshawn Lynch run all over them... after the first couple games anyway, and both Evans and Owens can cause problems, so something is going to have to give.
On one hand Owens will steal targets-- on the other, I think the Bills will sustain drives much better and Evans will be in position to make more big plays.
Posted by: Fredex | March 23, 2009 03:50 PM