FLOWERY BRANCH -- Tampa Bay rookie wide receiver Mike Evans caught seven passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a breakout game against Cleveland last week.
Evans, a first-round pick from Texas A&M, is the first player since running back Reggie Bush in 2006 to catch at least four passes in each of his first seven NFL games.
Evans, who'll face the Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on a conference call on Wednesday. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What was working for your against the Browns last week?
A: Cleveland left us one-on-one a lot. I was just making plays. (Quarterback) Mike (Glennon) was throwing the ball and I was making plays.
Q: How has the rookie season been going for you overall?
A: It's going good. It could be better. Obviously, our record (is 1-7.) We still have a shot to compete in this division.
Q: What do the Bucs need to do to turn things around?
A: We have to start fast and finish faster. We have to start fast so that we don't get ourselves in a hole like we did against Atlanta and Baltimore. We'll always have a chance at the end if we start fast.
Q: How are you dealing with the quarterback situation being in a state of flux?
A: I have a good relationship with both of those guys. I've played with both of them. I have chemistry with both of them. It's a coaches decision on whoever plays quarterback. My job is to just catch the ball.
Q: What are some of the other things that the Bucs can do to post some wins?
A: Everybody has to be accountable for their mistakes. The receivers and the running backs have to make plays. The linemen have to block. Everybody has to do their job.
Q: Has it been helpful playing alongside a veteran wide receiver like Vincent Jackson?
A: Absolutely. He's a great player. He gets us going. He's one of the captains. For me, he's been great to be around. He's been a great mentor so far. I can't thank him enough.
Q: How do you assess the Falcons’ secondary?
A: They have real good corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. Alford is real physical. Trufant is real crafty and real smart. They gave us fits the first game so we are looking to bounce back and have a good game against them this Sunday.
Q: Is there a revenge factor in this game after the 56-14 win by the Falcons on Sept. 18?
A: I don't think so. They whipped us pretty bad. We are just going to go out there and try and get the win. We have to put ourselves in a better position to win our division.
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