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Chris Godwin on SiriusXM: Bucs have confidence in backup QBs

Bucs receiver says Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Griffin are smart QBs who can step in during Jameis Winston's suspension.
 
Published June 22, 2018

Bucs receiver Chris Godwin, who has had as good an offseason as any Tampa Bay player, was on SiriusXM NFL radio for a scheduled interview on Thursday night, talking about a range of subjects, including the news of Jameis Winston's suspension to start the upcoming season.

"On our team, we have a next-man-up mentality," Godwin said, noting that he had just heard about the suspension and didn't know all the detail. "We have a ton of faith in Fitz (Ryan Fitzpatrick) and Ryan Griffin and all of our quarterbacks that, whoever is in there, they're going to be able to go in and utilize our playmakers and really get the ball moving.

"Obviously, you don't wish that on anybody, but we're looking forward to the opportunity that we have ahead, of building through training camp and putting a great product on the field."

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Other notes from the Godwin interview:

On how the Bucs are better: "I think our team chemistry is better this year. It feels like guys are having a lot more fun in practice. We're clicking on a lot more cylinders than we were last year. Not much has changed as far as our talent level. We had a ton of talent last year and we have a ton of talent this year with a few additions. The biggest thing for us is having that team chemistry and belief in each other."

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On Winston's personality off the field: "What you guys see in the media, that's how he is. He's a very charismatic guy, a natural-born leader. Those are the things he exemplifies on the field. Any Buc, whether we're up or down, he's coming with the same mentality that we're trying to score. He's picking  guys up if mistakes are made, patting guys on the back when they do things right. He's the ultimate leader, and I think you guys see that all the time from the media and the outsider's perspective."

On the backup QBs: "I think both of those guys, you get really smart guys with high football IQs. A guy like Fitz, he's been around for a while, knows the tricks of the trade and where the ball's supposed to go. He has really good timing and anticipation. Same thing with Griff. He's been in the league for a while, a very smart guy who knows where to go with the ball. Those are the things that make us have the confidence that those guys can step in and make plays for the team."

On Bucs cornerback Vernon Hargreaves: "I think just this offseason, Vern's been looking really good. He looks like he's having a lot of fun now. He's not really worried about anything people are saying about him outside. He's locked in and made a lot of plays during OTAs. He's a very quick guy. He's not the biggest guy, but he's very smart. He understands leverage and where he needs to be as far as defensive coverages, how to affect different receivers. I think Vern has a big season ahead of him, just like everyone else is expecting. The better he does, the better we do."