O.J. Howard’s Impact
August 21st, 2017
Making mark in run game.
If you listen to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, the key reason why the Bucs were so ga-ga over tight end O.J. Howard wasn’t so much because he can catch the ball — and he can — was his blocking skills set him apart.
Licht often says tight ends coming out of college are little more than big receivers who can’t block, and finding a tight end with great pass-catching skills who is equally good at blocking is rare. Hence, why the Bucs coveted Howard.
In training camp, Howard is wowing fans with his pass-catching abilities. He hasn’t shows that skill that much in two preseason games but, alas, that talent Licht raves about from Howard was on display in Jacksonville last week and former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger caught it.
Baldinger, now an analyst for NFL Network, demonstrated why Howard is such a good blocker, video style!
.@TBBuccaneers rookie TE OJ Howard is a true “Y”, and shows you why backside blocks are as important as front side blocks. Bucs got a good Y pic.twitter.com/HyFYpJbK6I
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 18, 2017
That block that Howard had in that play? It allowed Doug Martin to get an extra three yards. In real games, three yards could mean the difference between moving the chains and punting. That’s critical.
So Howard may not yet be showing up in the passing game — he will, trust Joe — but he certainly is making his mark already.
August 21st, 2017 at 8:58 am
Cue evil laughter and rubbing of hands…
August 21st, 2017 at 9:23 am
The key with Howard is being able to consistently have 2 tight ends on the filed opening up numerous play possibilities…
August 21st, 2017 at 9:33 am
THE first-round steal of 2017!!!
August 21st, 2017 at 9:37 am
2 catches 28 yards both for first downs in a half of play. Will take that because of what he opens for everyone else.
August 21st, 2017 at 9:38 am
howard will be a beast but let’s not forget it looks like Brate improved his blocking during offseason. could be scary if both are rolling
August 21st, 2017 at 9:45 am
That’s my boy
August 21st, 2017 at 9:54 am
So that was fowler being walked like a dog on a leash. OJ. Howard the new age John Mackey. Dirty work,I love it. Young man has wheels also, on that delayed route near they’re end zone his burst after making the catch was quite evident.
August 21st, 2017 at 10:00 am
What I also appreciate about that play in particular was Fameis motioning O.J to come towards him making the pass attempt shorter and easier. IQ I tell you, one-day some of you will come realize my QB has a high one. Regardless of playful antics and southern drawl.
August 21st, 2017 at 10:13 am
Why should we trust Joe on this????? Because The Buc Realist told you this almost a year ago!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG….Its the “Realist Repost”!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
September 26th, 2016 at 5:44 pm
If we had a true #2 WR and a true threat at TE that could also block!!! the offense will really be humming!!!!! AH11 would be a real threat as the #4 option!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 21st, 2017 at 10:52 am
Realist
Love you man but you also thought glennon was the real deal
August 21st, 2017 at 11:19 am
That kid is going to open up some massive holes for Martin. I give it about a 90% chance haha.
August 21st, 2017 at 11:29 am
@Tmaxcon
Maybe not the “real deal” but a “Brad Johnson-esque” type career which took years to get of the ground. Not great, but with some parts can play in the league. But he is not making the most of his chance to play to say in the least!!!!
And let me say that when Tmaxcon and I differ, I go back and check my work!!!!! I can give no higher compliment than that!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!
August 21st, 2017 at 11:42 am
With the obvious improvement Jameis appears to be showing and the significant skill talent the Bucs have brought in for this years team it is hard to not picture this team on a much higher level than just playoff contender.
August 21st, 2017 at 11:43 am
Smashed the second dude by plowing the first guy into him. This guy is going to help create some major holes.
August 21st, 2017 at 11:48 am
High Impact
OJ is a cornerstone of our offense along with Evans and Winston.
August 21st, 2017 at 12:04 pm
My sentiment exactly Wausa. Excuse the vernacular but we fena be a problem.
August 21st, 2017 at 12:44 pm
NOSBOS, I love your confidence in our team bruh bcus I feel the same way. What!!!!
August 21st, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Wow, reading that post from Realist was like watching Spongebob and Patrick having a conversation. 160 IQ…between the two of them.
August 21st, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Anyone who bothered to watch O.J’s tape on draftbreakdown.com predraft saw him doing stuff like this regularly.
Stuff like what O.J. is doing on this clip is precisely what makes him so special. He was hands down the best blocking tight end in the 2017 draft class (which is really saying something due to how ridiculously talented so many prospects were this year…) while at the same time is a freak of nature athletically, and a more than competent pass catcher.
He is a stud, and will only continue to become more and more dominant as he inches ever closer to his physical prime.
Apart from the major blunder of trading up for OhNoNo Aguayo, Jason Licht is doing/ has done a phenomenal job of rebuilding this roster, and has added numerous game-breaking level talents.
Forget about the eclipse, but bust out them shades, because we are gonna shine this year. And for many years to come.
August 21st, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Kid was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy underutilzed in Alabama. I hope we start throwing this kid seam routes, etc…and let him utilize his speed and size.
August 21st, 2017 at 4:07 pm
My only thought is…maybe they don’t want to show too much of him in preseason passing-game wise…let teams sleep on him early in the season.
August 21st, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Was almost good that nick had him learn blocking fundamentals.
I never understood why kiffin didn’t use him
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:48 am
How can he show his catching ability when he has to play with non-QB Fitzpatrick.