Not Quite A Full-Timer
November 8th, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)
Cameron Brate’s strong 2016 stats, including four touchdown catches, may be earning him respect across the NFL, but he’s still a developmental project at One Buc Palace.
Bucs tight end coach Jon Embree, a former NFL tight end himself, explained on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night.
“Cam has done a good job of improving. There’s a lot of things that I’ve tried to get him to improve on and get better at, and one of it is run after the catch,” Embree said. “He’s getting better as a route runner. He’s getting better at his releases. He’s improving in the run game. I think Cam has had a good year up to this point as far as his progression to becoming an every down tight end. And I look forward to this process as we finish this next eight or so games and seeing him improve and keep taking that next step.”
No shame in Brate still learning to block and earning snaps. The Harvard man in his third season was just a pass catcher in college.
Plus, it will take a while for him to be as valuable as Luke Stocker in the running game. Stocker has about 40 pounds, one inch and three seasons on Stocker.
Brate is getting plenty of action, with 53 snaps against the Falcons versus 23 for Stocker.
November 8th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
I’m rooting for the guy
November 8th, 2016 at 8:22 pm
The success of Brate helps ease the pain of ASJ…….I think we did well with Brate & Humphries as they didn’t cost us a draft pick.
November 8th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
prime example of the problem with this team. He does not have “strong” stats and this is part of the reason people think this team is going anywhere. He’s average at best and only 2 of his catches went for more than 20 yards. 3rd year learning to block really? Yes if cam brate goes down pack it in the season is over lol
Slot receiver and tight end positions all need competition. He’s good but if you were upgrading the offense you don’t say we’re good because we got brate
November 8th, 2016 at 10:13 pm
He is a full timer on my Fantasy team I tell ya. TE’s are the sketchiest draft position. I usually just pick em up off the wire when needed. Brate has done me good when I started him. Think I will be starting him more prolly due to lack of RB and WR2
November 8th, 2016 at 10:14 pm
Smart (Harvard Smart) Tough, and Athletic than grip the pigskin. I will take that combo any day. I’m rooting for you kid.
November 8th, 2016 at 10:15 pm
*’that grips’
November 9th, 2016 at 12:01 am
Brate has worked hard and deserves to start. ASJ was being gifted a spot because of his draft status. The right TE was jettisoned.
November 9th, 2016 at 12:39 am
He’s got to be a bigger focus like the first game after we cut ASJ. Game plan for crying out loud
November 9th, 2016 at 8:03 am
You crack me up Joe. Our record says, with the exception of maybe 3 or 4 players, all of our players are developmental players. There, I fixed it for yas!
You are, what your record says you are.