TAMPA. Fla. – When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the field for the season opener on Sept. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, they will likely have the deepest wide receiver position in the league.
The potential of former North Texas star Jaelon Darden at wideout is a scenario that can make this position even deeper. Darden, who has 4,4 speed, left the Denton, Tex. campus with 230 career receptions for 2,782 receiving yards with 38 receiving touchdowns.
“He’s improved and he’s just learning routes versus man (coverage),” said Bucs head coach Bruce Arians. “We specifically put him in one-on-ones because he’s been struggling. He’s beating everybody clean and he keeps breaking back rather than going for touchdowns.”
Darden has felt a comfort level coming into the Buccaneers’ camp as he is learning his lessons from wide receiver coach Kevin Garver.
“He is kind of slowing the process down for me,” said Darden. “I feel like I’m doing a good job coming out here, making plays and helping my teammates as best as possible.”
Darden admits he was nervous as he came into the NFL. He was a fourth round pick, who would be given the opportunity to stick from day one. He says the mental aspect has been his biggest focus.
“I’ve had to change that, not anything with my routes more; so just being where I need to be and knowing where I need to be and knowing how to read coverages and things of that nature.”
Evans readying for big season: Mike Evans had his best season a year ago as he caught 109 balls for 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season, then had 22 for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs.
“I’m having a blast trying to help these young guys get their foot in this game and try to teach them some things that will help them in their careers,” commented Evans.
Darden is one of the youngsters that Evans is discussing.
“He’s a really good, young player,” said Evans. “He’s going to be big for us this year. He might be a return man, but I don’t know yet. He’s looking real good. He has a lot of juice.”
Tampa Bay converted 64.5 percent in the red zone last season, which was 11th in the NFL, but one objective going into training camp is to focus on touchdowns instead of field goals when inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
“If you get touchdowns, it puts you in position to win the game,” noted Evans. “That’s what we want to because we want to win. It comes with practice and everybody being on the same page.”