Better to give than receive: Mike Evans buys every teammate a scooter
TAMPA ― Even in his ninth season, Mike Evans still has wheels. Lots of them.
The wide receiver surprised every teammate on the Bucs roster with a Christmas gift of a Segway GT scooter, positioned at their locker Thursday.
There was a scooter for Scotty (”Scooter”) Miller and all the receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. Even the big men — offensive and defensive linemen ― received the receiver’s gift.
“Santa Mike,” said right tackle Tristan Wirfs. “I walked in this morning, and it was a big surprise. These things are pretty sick. I’m glad I drove my truck (Thursday), so I can take it home. They’re super cool, and I’m super excited to get home and ride it. Hopefully, my dog will chase me around.”
Evans reached deep into his stocking, er, wallet, to spring for the scooters. The Segway Superscooter GT 1 sells for about $2,500, so the estimated cost was in excess of $150,000.
Evans earns approximately $16.5 million a year.
The Bucs offense needed a little more speed, and this baby tops out at 37.3 miles per hour. The maximum payload is 331 pounds, so defensive tackle Vita Vea (listed at 347 on the team’s roster) will need a modified version.
Offensive spark from Thompkins
Rookie Deven Thompkins has been the Bucs’ primary kick returner the past two weeks. But against the Bengals, he also played 13 snaps on offense. He gained 9 yards on an end-around and caught a pass for 7 yards.
Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said he likes the energy Thompkins brings to the offense.
“He works hard. He comes in, and it seems like he never gets tired,” Leftwich said. “He runs around. ... Just to see that energy for the game, I just love being around that. We all love our game that we participate in, but to see a young guy come in and love the game the way he loves the game and what he’s willing to do to have success, it’s a special thing.”
Wirfs plans to play Sunday
Wirfs was limited in practice again on Thursday as he recovers from an ankle injury that has forced him to miss the past three games.
“I don’t know what anybody has said, but I plan on playing,” Wirfs said of Sunday night’s game against the Cardinals in Arizona.
“I’m just really excited to be back out there. (Wednesday) was my first practice back out there, (and it) was a lot of fun. I was really excited about that, just to be back out there with the guys. I’m really excited to be back out there on Sunday. It sucked watching from the locker room that first week.”
While Wirfs has declared himself healthy, left tackle Donovan Smith is not. In addition to a hyperextended elbow, Smith is now battling a foot injury. Cornerback Jamel Dean (toe), linebacker Carl Nassib (pectoral), Vea (calf), safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Genard Avery (abdomen) did not practice.
Safety Keanu Neal, who missed practice Wednesday with a toe injury, was limited Thursday. Tackle Josh Wells was also limited with a back injury. Evans and quarterback Tom Brady had a veterans’ day off to rest.
Quotable
“I did it at Thanksgiving, but I’ve never experienced this. This one is a little different. It’s too important of a ballgame for us to worry about what day it’s on. Our families and everybody understands that. We’re really locked in and got our minds on something bigger than the day of Christmas. We’ll get back home and enjoy our time with our families when we can.”
— Leftwich on playing the Cardinals on Christmas night
