Why The Cam Brate Hate?

February 18th, 2017

Unwanted by some fans.

For reasons that escape Joe, there is a groundswell of support from Stick Carriers (Justin Pawlowski’s term for Bucs fans) to draft this O.J. Howard, Alabama tight end, with the No. 19 pick.

Stick Carriers seem at times to be like large mouth bass; they are drawn to shiny objects such as Howard. Thing is, tight end isn’t remotely a need for the Bucs.

Just in case folks are forgetting incumbent tight end Cam Brate led the NFL in touchdowns for tight ends.

Let Joe repeat that: Led the NFL in touchdowns for tight ends.

Why are folks hellbent on running him off?

If a Bucs running back led the NFL in touchdowns, would these same folks be pining to draft a running back at No. 19?

If the Bucs had a linebacker who led the NFL in tackles, would these same Stick Carriers be begging the Bucs to draft his replacement at No. 19? If the Bucs had a corner who led the NFL in picks, would those same Stick Carriers be hollering at the Bucs to draft his successor at No. 19?

Of course not. So why is Brate any different? Brate just finished his third season in the NFL and already he led the NFL in touchdowns at his position. And folks want him gone? Good grief!

Look, this Howard is talented, no question, but he hasn’t caught a pass in the NFL yet. You know who else was a talented tight end? ASJackwagon.

Even if Howard split snaps with Brate, you don’t draft a part-time player at No. 19.

This team is screaming for a wide receiver and is in dire need of a No. 1 running back.  And some fans, instead of filling those huge needs, want to try and replace or neuter a guy who led the NFL in scores at his position? That is beyond Joe’s comprehension.

127 Responses to “Why The Cam Brate Hate?”

  1. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Joe. Please man. What a ridiculous lapse in logic. Fans want O.J Howard because he would be a phenomenal receiving threat. And another Legit target Over the middle of the field that would take defensive attention away from both Mike Evans and Cameron Brate.

    In addition to being able to flat out block the pants off of top tier defensive end/ outside linebacker prospects. Its all there on the film Joe. Watch it yourself and tell me different.

    Asj NEVER developed into the level of blocker that O.J. Is. In college or otherwise. And Asj had injury issues in college, O.J. played 4 years with no significant injury history.

    And its honestly a little ridiculous to compare the Tight end position to the Running back position. I mean come on dude, Belichick went out and got 2 top 10 tight ends to lead his offense. That says something about the importance of the position. The tight end position is becoming increasingly more important year after year.

    So please. Retire this Straw man argument of yours, that just because fans want O.J. Howard, it means that they don’t want Cam Brate. Because not one of them feels that way.

  2. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Bucs won’t ignore Howard just because they have Brate. If OJ is the top-rated guy (besides QB or special teams) when their pick comes around then he’ll be wearing pewter and red with digital clock numbers.

    On many NFL teams Brate would be a super #2 TE, not the #1 guy. Howard has Jimmy Graham athleticism and can block, too. Those guys don’t come around very often. Brate is good with short to middle yardages and in the red zone, but he’ll NEVER be a deep threat like Howard and he’ll never have great YAC stats because of a lack of speed.

    If Corey Davis, Mike Williams, Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette are off the board when the Bucs pick you can bet the next best #WeaponsForWinston will be either OJ Howard or Christian McCaffrey. The end.

    P.S. John Ross’ injury history makes him unworthy of the #19 pick.

  3. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Also your never taking an NFL snap applies to every single draft prospect in history.

    So it’s basically a non-statement.

  4. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    @FLBoyInDallas

    I don’t necessarily agree that Cam isn’t a #1/ Every down Tight end, because I think he is.

    I just think that O.J. has the traits to do everything that Cam does, and them some.

    It’s evident and clear that O.J. is much faster than Cam, and would provide a YAC threat, that is a fluid strider, and has the potential to make a living as a seem buster. Especially in Dirk Koetters 4 verts attack, in which many a talented Tight end has thrived in a 2 tight end formation.

    Throw in the fact that he is an extremely developed blocker, that showcases powerful hands and technical skill in every single game tape, and you have an extremely special talent.

    We should consider ourselves lucky and blessed if we come away with him as our 1st round pick.

  5. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    *and then some*

  6. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Half the articles on JBF wouldn’t exist if Joe gave up his journalistic game of setting up straw men and then trying (often unsuccessfully) to knock them down. He claims these are the positions of “Bucs fans” simply because he gets a tweet or two. Joe should try harder to upgrade the content on this site by hiring better writers and/or taking a few courses himself at a local university in the area of English composition and journalistic writing techniques. Might help keep those of us who aren’t so simple-minded more interested.

  7. SCBucsFan Says:

    I’ve seen Howard mocked to the Pats. Do they have Gronk?

  8. SCBucsFan Says:

    *hate Gronk

  9. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    What do you, I disagreed with Joe and now I’m in moderation.

    What a coincidence.

  10. bucs_365 Says:

    This is dumb. Nobody wants to run Brate… Duuhhh… If we draft Howard or Njoku it will be because the WR options in the first round have dried up. Drafting Howard opens up the passing game. Of course, we still need receivers, but the objective is still served. #WeaponsForWinston

  11. Andrew Says:

    Wow…this is a bad article. Who the heck wants to run off Brate. Ask the Patriots how much they like two tight end sets. Howard or Njoku is probably going to be the best and most explosive offensive player left on the board at #19.

  12. Joe Says:

    If you want O.J. Howard, that tells Joe you want to take snaps away from Cam Brate if not replace. Just do not understand why someone wouldn’t want Brate to get more snaps. You know, he led the league in touchdowns for a tight end.

    ***Led the league in touchdowns for a tight end.***

  13. Judge Smails Says:

    The NFL is ALL about matchups. When you can run a 2 tight end formation and force NFL defenses to cover those tight ends with linebackers – especially tight ends with the talent of Brate and Howard – you take that all day, every day as an offensive coordinator. Belichek kinda knows what he is doing.

  14. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    “Why are folks hellbent on running him off?”

    “Unwanted by some fans.”

    Not one person has expressed either sentiment.

    And Joe, you’re really telling me that you think 2 Tight ends that are both legit targets & Blockers can’t be on the field at the same time?

    And explain to me why you think having 2 top flight Tight ends that would add a ton of versatility to Dirks offense could possibly be a bad thing.

    Picture this. Mike Evens on one side of the field, Desean Jackson on lined up opposite him. With Cam Brate and O.J. Howard aligned aside either tackle, With Quizz and young buck RB prospect ( Foreman, Perine, Kareem Hunt etc… ), And tell me. Tell me with a straight face that a unit like that wouldn’t be dynamic and explosive.

    Go ahead. Do it.

  15. Buc4Lyfe79 Says:

    @Joe
    Last time I checked, our Bucs were in dire need of receiving threats, PERIOD. You made the point that no pass catcher coming out of the draft has caught an nfl pass yet, that goes for ALL soon to be pro pass catchers, designated WR’s and TE’s alike. If we drafted a designated WR, would he not be “splitting snaps” with guys already familiar w/ Captain Koetter’s system, atleast initially? Doesn’t Captain Koetter LOVE 2 TE sets? We need the best avail receiving threat prospect period at #19 I think, and if the Bucs brass feel that’s OJ Howard, then that’s just fine with me. Before ASJ finished sticking his foot up his own rear end here, were we not all salivating at the combined potential of both he and brate in a full season? Don’t you think D coordinators know Brate led the league in TD’s last year and are preparing for him this season if the Bucs are on their schedule? If we have another viable receiving threat on the field at the same time as Brate and Evans, regardless of his designated position, does that NOT help Brate and Evans out? Wth Joe? Your logic’s flawed on this one. Probably best not to go opining past midnight on a friday night 😉 Although I agree about the stick carriers.

  16. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Evans* jeez I got typo fever tonight.

  17. Turbo Says:

    People want Howard, despite having Brate, for the same reasons that you want a receiver in the first, despite having Evans.

    We need weapons for Winston. Adding the best one available feels like the right move and gives us a lot of flexibility with formations. Think of how difficult it would be to gameplan against our offence if we could run over you or shred you through the air out of 2TE formations.

  18. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t a GM’s job to continually improve the talent on his roster? Standing pat just because a position is “good enough” is a losing strategy, and I don’t see Licht being content at any position except QB any time in the near future. If Howard is the best skill position player available when the Bucs pick, and they consider him worthy of a #19 selection, then I’m all aboard. We need #WeaponsForWinston, not #PrettyGoodPlayersForWinston.

  19. Joeypoppems Says:

    I feel like I mention this everytime this topic is brought up, but when I look at the “TE in round 1” idea I don’t see it as “replacing” Cam Brate. I see it as comolementing him.

    If getting a #2 WR opens up space for Mike Evans, can’t that same logic be used on the TE position? Now I know Brate isn’t getting the double teams the Evans is getting. Lets face it tho. Luke Stocker isnt exactly a weapon lol.

    Personally, I am off of the OJ Howard bandwagon for the same reason I am off the RB round 1 bandwagon. Its a deep class at both those positions and we can fill those roles with a later pick.

    In terms of VALUE, I would rather take Kareem Hunt in round 3 than Cook in round 1. I would rather take Jake Butt coming off his ACL (which is a little risky) in round 4 than OJ Howard in round 1. Obviously the two 1st round picks are more talented, but we fill the same roles with later picks which frees up our 1st round pick to fill another position. That is how I look at it.

  20. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    All solid points. But I stray from you on 2 of them. I think O.J. is a special prospect that would absolutely warrant the use the 19th over all pick were he to be available.

    And I’m not to keen on Drafting another TE coming off of a major injury. Luke Stocker and Asj have soured me on TE’s susceptible to being frail. Were we to forgo O.J. or he wasn’t there for the taking, I’d rather us draft a guy like Leggit ig we’re gonna go the value route.

  21. Tbbucs3 Says:

    We have production at the TE position already. There’s plently of other needs to adress such as a competent #2 receiver and an impact player in the secondary, not to mention our need of another franchise linebacker.

    The WR is priority, we can not enter next season with a crappy bullpen of #2 wide receivers. Humpries and Sheppard can handle the 3 and 4 spots just fine.

  22. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Tbbucs3. The point that myself and others are trying to make, is that if WR is our Number 1 priority, and all the top level guys are gone, then getting a Top flight TE is the next best thing.

    We Need #WeaponsForWinston and Modern day TE’s certainly have the propensity to be weapons.

    That’s without even mentioning the Versatile run/pass options out of dominant 2 TE set.

    Can you imagine our No huddle with ME13, DJax, Cam, O.J. and either Quizz or a talented young RB ( of which there are many to be had on day 2 of the draft )?

    I can. And it would be scary good.

  23. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Every good offense in the NFL have a #1 and #2 WR that produce

    NFL defenses can handle an offense with just 1 good/great wide receiver.

    Give Jameis a 1, 2 punch like Carr has with Cooper/Crabtree, we currently have Evans/TBA

  24. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    If Davis and Williams are gone, there’s no “1, 2 punch” to be had in the first round any longer after that at the WR position. Licht can’t reach for a #2 WR by drafting a guy at #19 who’s not AT LEAST the 19th best player in the draft. The Bucs can’t control who falls to them at their pick. All they can do is draft BPA at a position of need and make sure that player is good value at that slot. Reaching for positions of need is how losing organizations draft.

  25. gotbbucs Says:

    It has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to run off Cam Brate. It’s called value, and adding weapons for Winston. Look at it this way, if Koetter and Winston can make Brate the league leader in TD’s, imagine what they could do with two guys like that.

    Mike Evans had a whole bunch of TD’s, we better not upgrade the other side of the field from him or it will take targets away from him. Are you seeing how ridiculous your logic is here?

    It seems fairly obvious to me that Licht and Koetter like collecting and using multiple TE’s. Stocker is a walking injury, Brandon Meyers is a bottom tier guy. They will have to upgrade the position whether you like it or not. This post legitimately pissed me off to read, sorry Joe, but you’re way off base here.

  26. KingBuc17 Says:

    I don’t think there is any Brate hate I think with our 2TE set OJ Howards adds another dimension/complete weapon for Jamies and our RB’s. I love the pick and think it’s great value.
    I am surprised there isn’t more discussion on salsa cruz? I know Ira touched based on him, but he has speed and is a savvy vet. I think he would be better than Jackson.

  27. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Blake

    Yea I pointed out that Jake Butt could be a risky pick, he was just the example I picked because he has top 50 talent but will fall because of the injury. This is the main point I want to make about the daft.

    We don’t NEED specifically Dalvin Cool
    We don’t NEED specifically Mike Williams
    We don’t NEED specifically Corey Davis
    We don’t NEED specifically Leonard Fournette
    We don’t NEED specifically OJ Howard

    What we NEED is to draft the BPA. If one of those guys happens to be there, great. If not then we can get other guys that can fill the roles these players can fill in other rounds. Which is why I don’t see the NEED to trade up for any of these guys. I know you werent suggesting trading up for Howard. Im just including him into the examples.

    If I am Jason Licht, meaning the players are ranked in the order I personally have them, if I had to choose between giving up picks to get my #1 RB/WR or staying where I am and getting my #3 or #4 RB/WR in round 2, I’m going round 2 all day and keeping my picks.

  28. Defense Rules Says:

    Great comments y’all, and I’m on-board with OJ in the 1st rnd if he’s the BPA. But I’m wondering if maybe that isn’t what Joe was also getting at in his last paragraph: “When this team is screaming for a wide receiver and is in dire need of a No. 1 running back, and instead of filling those huge needs trying to replace or neuter a guy who led the NFL in scores at his position is beyond Joe’s comprehension.”

    Again it comes down to ‘what are our priorities’. If Cook or Fournette or Williams or Davis were still on the board when we pick at #19, would Licht grab one of them instead of Howard? That’s how I interpreted Joe’s last para (WR & RB higher priorities than TE when it comes to BPA).

    Admittedly Joe did go overboard with his earlier question “Why are folks hellbent on running him (Brate) off?” But hey, it was the middle of the night, and bad things can happen in the middle of the night. Joe might’ve been dreaming, who knows?

  29. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    I love Brate, but let’s not act like he’s a game breaker. I’d like to have them both on the field for a lot of snaps. OJ is a really good blocker. Imagine our play action game and our running game when, instead of going with a 6th O lineman, we have OJ in instead. Teams won’t be tipped off and the fake will kill them. We know Jameis love the TE (lol), and we saw what happened when Brate went down. That being said, there are a lot of players I’d like to have at 19. I want them all!

  30. Bird Says:

    The patriots seem to have done well with two tight end sets. There is no other tight end worth a damn on team. And brate had bad low back to finish year which is never a good thing. I thought it was weapons for Jameis. Well Howard is a receiver that you need in a tight end body Joe please enlighten us on which receiver or running back won’t be a reach at 19 cause all the main guys will be gone by then. And the next level guys are many picks later. I love brate. But what is wrong with another potential stud who can catch and block. Again BLOCK. When he is in game, are bucs gonna throw or run?

  31. Tut Says:

    OJ is in the top-5 of offensive weapons worthy of a 1st round pick. If he is there at 19 and the other 4 have already been picked you take him! 2 TE sets open the offense up just ask N.E. about that… Is it a power run formation? Are they setting up a screen? Are they going to run routes and try to isolate ME 1-on-1???

  32. tdtb2015 Says:

    30 responses before 7 am!

    Whoa!!!!!

    You are good Joe- The Master Blogger!

    Joe— What is the latest on Brate’s injury?

  33. Lunchbox Says:

    C’mon Joe. Trying to run Brate off by drafting Howard? Child, please. To me that byline is as accurate as stating that Bucs fans get all moist in their delicates at the thought of broken down Adrian Peterson coming to town. Full disclosure: I never go on social media, so if that’s where you’re getting this from, then fine, but I’ve never heard anyone make the above statements, in the way you’re trying to imply.

  34. JMicSoundsNice Says:

    This is a classic case of the inmate who’s running the asylum cleverly planting the seeds to incite a riot among the other inmates while he plots his escape. Joes knows perfectly well that if Aaron Hernandez hadn’t been a real life version of Chris Partlow (look him up), the Patriots would’ve have won every Super Bowl subsequent to his arrest, thereby ushering in an era in which having two mega-productive tight ends would’ve been chic.

    I’m not saying we should draft OJ Howard, but as long as his past isn’t as checkered as his namesake’s – AND he’s the best available player at the time – why wouldn’t we?

  35. Kevinthepainter Says:

    I love brate man. Hes got the heart of a warrior just like humphries….but he is not a matchup nightmare for defenses. They need to add weapons not necessarily at T.E buy it would hurt to run more two t.e sets.

  36. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    @Joe….THANKS!!! I’ve been screaming this for the past month.

    @Blake Dude I like your posts but I have to go all NOSBOS on you here.

    AGAIN..of course Howard is a good player…but I could say Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer are good QB’s who are considered very accurate and hey why don’t we draft a QB because they are incredibly accurate.

    You’re missing Joe’s entire point!!! We’re not looking for a QB!!! So why even talk about them. We do not NEED a TE…would Howard be a good TE..of course but it’s a position…one of the few on this team..where there is NO glaring need.
    Blocking TE’s are a dime a dozen…can you say Luke Stocker so I don’t give a crap about Howard’s blocking ability.

    Meanwhile here is where I really do not get you guys at all!!!

    A top NFL running back averages 15+ carries a game!!! The very good ones like Zeke and LeVeon average 20+ per game.

    Top WR’s average around 6 catches per game…JJ had 5.9 ODB 6.3…TE’s a little less…Jason Witten 5 per game…Greg Olson 5 per game…Kelce 5.3…Brate 3.8

    AGAIN…NFL teams on average run the ball 40% pass it 60%.

    Why are you guys obsessing on a position that gets less than ONE THIRD THE TOUCHES of the running back.

    We HAVE the leading TE in terms of TD catches..at RB…we have Quizz Rodgers who turned in decent numbers for ONE year after bouncing around practice squads for several years…does anybody here really consider Quizz elite or an impact player. Then there’s the Muscle Turtle who suckked out loud for three of his five seasons with us and who will miss the first three games. Of course Peyton Barber may be the real deal? Is this what we want to count on to touch the ball 15 freaking times a game…participate in 40% of our offensive plays?

    By all accounts Raekwon McMillan and Anthony Walker are great inside LBers.
    Why do we not talk about them? Because we don’t freaking need to replace Kwon!!!

    And yes Joe is absolutely correct when he asks why do you want to dump Brate?
    If we spend a 19th draft pick on a TE then that automatically cuts into Brate’s already meager 3.8 catches per game. You HAVE to play a 19th pick…and you’ll get 5-6 catches out of him IF he turns out to be a stud like Kelce or Witten or Olsen. Draft an RB and he touches the ball 15-20 times.

    My dad was a bookie. I tend to look at things in terms of odds and mathematics.

    Given our present needs draft Howard just makes no sense!!! I’d rather trade down for more picks if it gets to that. We are NOT going to simply take the BPA at 19 our team is not yet that good. We still have specific needs…that’s why nobody is talking about a QB or LB if they happen to be the BPA at 19 and why we shouldn’t be talking TE either.

    Who will impact our offense more and provide more for #3…a guy who touches the ball 5 X or one who touches it 20X?

  37. notonline4 Says:

    All you who wish to waste #19 on a Tight End with so many REAL needs remaining your all Idiots!!!!

  38. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Stpete

    “We are NOT going to simply take the BPA at 19 our team is not yet that good.”

    A couple things. First, it’s funny you say that but then you expect a super bowl appearance this year lol.

    Second and most imortantly, we are set at a couple positions, QB and ILB like you mentioned are a couple of them. A lot of positions need to be or can be upgraded. WR, RB, DE, DT, TE, Safety, C, OT, LG. Because we need so many upgrades and as you said our team is not that good is the exact reason to take BPA.

    The way you and Nosbos keep pushing RB makes me think that no matter what you want a RB round 1. Lets say hypothetically, Cook goes 4th, Fournette goes 8th, McCaffrey goes to the Colts at either 14 or 15. Would you still reach on a RB who isnt worth a 1st round pick? If the answer to that is yes then there is no point in this conversation.

  39. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    BTW

    Would anyone here be surprised if Kizer or Trubiskey was on the board when NE picked and see Belicheat go for one of them if he believed they were the real deal? Even though he has arguably the greatest QB ever…pause while I suck that bit of puke in my mouth back down my throat…sometimes the truth hurts. LMAO

    Of course not. The Pats are one of the few teams who TRULY can draft BPA in any round on the board.

    If the BPA at 19 is a QB…ILB…we will NOT draft them…NE could because their organization is that deep. We are not…..YET!!! GO BUCS!

  40. Kalind Says:

    Blake is winning this one, Joe. The drafting of Howard is separate and apart from Brate. Koetter himself said (on this site I believe!) that he loves using 2 te sets. If Williams, Davis and Cook are gone it’ll be Howard or McCaffrey.

    I think Bucs fans LOVE Brate, they don’t hate him. But we want the best players. John Ross is a rd2 talent. Don’t reach.

  41. gbobucsfan Says:

    Dirk has always stated that he loves 2 TE sets. That’s why we would draft OJ Howard AND still keep Brate.

  42. Joeypoppems Says:

    And I just want my opinion on our TE situation perfectly clear. Cam Brate is NOT an every down TE because he struggles with his blocking. Luke Stocker is NOT an every down TE because of his struggles as a receiver. This is why I understand the OJ Howard in the 1st round idea because he has the potential to be something we dont have. TE is a bigger issue than people think it is.

  43. Tackleblockwin Says:

    Let’s see how free agency goes first. Our needs today will change before the draft.

  44. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Stpete

    In case you are unaware (which it seems like you might be) BPA really means take the guy the highest ranked guy on your board.

    Teams set their own boards and rank players in their own way based on their situations. Since we are set at QB and ILB like you said, we wont have the top players at those positions ranked high or might not have them ranked at all.

  45. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    Joey

    I think we can get to the SB this year if we can find some team speed. I’ve repeatedly asked here if any JBF poster can point to another NFL team with slower skill positions and not heard any responses. We are SLOW!!! If we get some team speed I think we could make a real run provided we augment other weaknesses like Campbell or another beast on the DL.

    As for what happens if Dalvin and Fournette and McCaffery and the impact WR’s are all gone by 19…no I would not wish to reach for ANY position even one of need. If there are no impact RB’s or WR’s at 19 I wouldn’t mind giving into the guys who want a DE if there is one who is an impact player. Otherwise I’d love for Licht to work his magic and trade down for more picks…admittedly very tough when your stuck in the middle of a round. Again the actuarial results of draft busts and success vary widely from the top of a round to the bottom and we’re stuck in the middle.

    I’m with NOSBOS in clearly wanting Dalvin…but I’m flexible. I would add a 3rd rounder to our first if that would move us up enough to get him but I doubt it would. Unlike NOSBOS I’m not as optimistic about our actual chances to get him.

    A combination of Foreman from Texas…Eddie Lacy type with great blocking skills…he consistently rushed for 100 yards per game…didn’t run up his totals with big games against poor opponents…more protection for #3…and Curtis Samuels..perhaps the most all around and explosive player in the draft would please me.

    If we signed DeSean Jackson and got Samuels we instantly become fast!!
    Sign Campbell and the DL quickly improves. Foreman is a solid RB who could be complimented by Quizz and maybe some touches for Samuel.

    I get your question Joey and it’s a valid one. IF the BPA is not an impact position for our needs I’d rather go Bobby Beathard and start acquiring more picks to give us better odds.

    And of course as I’ve already done I could bat that BPA question back with another question…if the BPA is a QB would you take them? How about a middle LB?

  46. LargoBuc Says:

    Well considering how OJ can block and catch and get seperation, his skill set likely warrants the #1 spot. And sureBrate led the position with td’s but that dosent mean OJ isnt an upgrade in talent, especially his blocking. Besides they would both be on the field on third down.

  47. Joeypoppems Says:

    If Im Jason Licht and I am ranking the players there is no way a QB or ILB would be the BPA on my board at #19. So no, I wouldnt.

  48. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    And I just want my opinion on our TE situation perfectly clear. Cam Brate is NOT an every down TE because he struggles with his blocking.

    Joey

    Do not disagree with your observation of Brate’s weakness. He’s freaking skinny! 6-5 235. But he’s Harvard smart! He only has two real seasons under his belt and is still learning technique. In addition he and #3 already have that mysterious connection that can exist between a QB and his targets. #3 obviously feels very comfortable with ME13 and Brate…and perhaps to a lesser degree with Hump.

    There is a real possibility that working with the best sports nutritionists and physical trainers available he puts on 10-15 lbs which would leave him at 6-5 250. There is a real possibility that he works with TE gurus and polishes his blocking skills. IE…IMHO the verdict is still out on Brate. We’ve seen what he has already accomplished…what we haven’t seen is what he could accomplish in the future.

  49. BoJim Says:

    Cam catches everything that comes his way so we might as well replace him. smh

  50. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I suspect the reason why Brate led the league for TDs with TEs is because we didn’t have a strong #2 WR.
    But, I think another TE would be a luxury 1st round pick. I do think we need more weapons for Jameis and I would be happy with the pick…..if a top WR is not on the board.
    Howard wouldn’t be replacing Brate….he would be replacing Stocker…..who took a great deal of snaps.
    And, I don’t think you can classify this as hate.

  51. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Kalind says blake is winning this argument. Really. Pete killed all y’all with his 7:33 post. Joe just happen to start things off by puttin y’all in y’all feelings. 😂Ishh funny.

  52. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Bojim no worries. Cam ain’t going no where ain’t no one replacing him and ain’t no one about to take snaps away from a burgeoning star in this league. Undrafted free agent wit h3lla chemistry with Fameis.

  53. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    When broke down the percentages of touches by position during an average game he could’ve “drop the mic” right there. Noe when you add in he would coming here to share time wit Cam how big of impact would expect this young man to truly have??? Dalvin at a minimum 1500 combined yards next season(I assure you that number will be higher but I’ll be modest for now) 1200 rushing 300 receiving. Can you even guarantee Howard would have 300 receiving..

  54. Ndog Says:

    All I will say is this. This kind of thinking is what leads teams to taking need over talent which results in crappy pics. If all the elite talents are gone at WR and RB and the best TE in the draft is there then you take the best TE in the draft. What you don’t do is take a right tackle if he is a lower ranked player because we need one more. See Gaines Adams over AP, Cadillac Williams over Aaron Rodgers, etc…….

  55. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I meant when Pete broke down.

  56. Defense Rules Says:

    StPete, great posts this AM but it opened up one question for me: Are you considering McCaffrey to be a 1st rnd pick? (Your question …. “what happens if Dalvin and Fournette and McCaffery and the impact WR’s are all gone by 19?”). Cook, Fournette, Williams, even Davis & Ross are likely 1st rnd picks from what I’ve read. But McCaffrey? Maybe late 1st rnd (NE?) but I can think of a lot of other players at a lot of other positions who I’d pick before McCaffrey. And by the way, I too like Foreman from Texas. Folks too often poo-poo the big backs, but look at what some of the guys like that have done to the Bucs over the years. The big thing I believe is to use them as a complement to 1 or 2 other RBs (like Alstott complemented Dunn, and vice-versa).

  57. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    They tell me everyday my guy will be taken by this team or by that team. So let stress my belief that this young man is so a Raven it ridiculous. Ion care how many TEs on they’re roster. Many were banged up this season. Pita came back and played okay. Ozzie was a bama TE this kid will be a Raven.

  58. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Stpete

    I agree we were slow on offense, everywhere. I agree we should be looking to add speed, everywhere. I dont get why you exclude the TE position from that tho, unless Brate and his almost 4.8 speed is fast enough.

    We say a speed receiver is a nice compliment to Mike Evans. Wouldnt a fast TE be a nice compliment to Brate?

  59. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Defense Rules

    Stpete was responding to a scenario I gave him. In that scenario I had McCaffrey going to the Colts in the 1st round.

  60. Trubucfan22 Says:

    I’m surprised joe is this naive. Koetter loves to run out of 2 TE sets. OJ is a heck of blocker, while Brate is a liability. Brate would remain on the field on passing downs and have a solid work load. But OJ is a complete TE he is a blocking machine, and he is a huge #weaponforwinston.
    Koetter “loves” two TE sets because he lacks the talent to go three- and four-wide like he did in Atlanta often. He also had no real fullback this year, even though the goal was — and still is — to have one. –Joe

    This is in no way a shot at Brate, as far as I know most fans love Brate. Just like most fans love Mike Evans. But you still hear people (including Joe) to draft another WR. How could that be! Oh right, because you can have more than 1 WR or TE on the field at the same time. Duh joe!

    You can’t keep saying #weaponsforwinston, and then discredit one of the great weapons that Winston could have. There are not many of these type of TEs in the NFL, OJ would be an excellent addition to the offense. Fill the WR holes in FA and in the second or third round.

  61. Defense Rules Says:

    @NosBos … “Can you even guarantee Howard would have 300 receiving.” Looks to me like you’re over-playing Cook (1200 run/300 pass) and under-playing Howard (300 total). For Cook, 1200 yds rushing behind our present OLine would be an outstanding rookie year, especially considering that we’ll still most likely have Rodgers, Sims & Barber on the roster. And a great TE who can stay on the field (like Howard shows promise of being) can easily get well over 300 yds. Again look at some of the better TEs in the league.

  62. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Nosbos

    He could be gone before #19. Actually it wouldnt surprise me if he was. When I brought up that the Ravens had 6 TEs on their team last season which you refered to. If they cut some of them then maybe they will draft him. If they keep all 6 I dont think they will draft a 7th with a 1st round pick. Thats just me tho.

  63. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    D.R.

    Joey is correct I was responding to his scenario but to answer your question I gotta say I’m on the fence about McCaffery’s value. Worth a 19th pick? I’m not sure but if we take him I gotta believe Licht knew what he was doing.

    I also gotta be gutbusting honest here…I’m guilty of reverse racism. Dalvin is black therefore he “looks” faster. White men can’t jump and all of that.

    White RB’s are just so incredibly rare that it’s hard to imagine one. Yeah bust me over the head for this….there is NO excuse for my racism…but for whatever reason I gotta come clean. If McCaffery was black I probably would view him with less suspicion.

  64. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Joe

    “Koetter loves two TE sets because he can’t go three- and four-wide like he did in Atlanta often.”–Joe

    That is a great point. And honestly it clears the air on your opinion of “replacing Cam Brate”. If we do add WRs and that does end up dropping the use of 2 TE sets then yes, a TE in round 1 is not worth it. Idk if that will happen or not, but either way thanks for pointing that nugget out.

  65. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Stpete. You make a couple points. But you also fail to see the vision. Tight ends do far more for your offense than simply get touches. The ones that are phenomenal blockers, Like O.J. Howard, Play well over half the snaps for your team.

    And As I’ve mentioned several times now, WR is priority #1 for us in the first round. Where Running back is firmly our # 2 need. And if you want to talk about snap percentages and the like, Lets talk about the fact that over 25 percent of all starting snaps taken by running backs in a season are made by Undrafted players. Hell, James White Just recently made an enormous impact in the super as a 5th round pick.

    That’s why I firmly believe that if all top tier WR prospects are off the board, and O.J. is still there, we would be stupid not to take him.

  66. Trubucfan22 Says:

    I have to disagree Joe. When koetter dials up a run formation he is bringing in an extra o lineman a lot of the time because our TEs can’t block. He is showing his hand to the defense and losing all unpredictability. If we added a guy like OJ that can block and catch, it makes our formation less predictable. run plays will be more effective without the defense knowing what we are doing, and it also improves our play action having 2 TEs that can run the seams. A 2 TE system works. There is no reason we can’t run our offense that way. And when we go into a pass formation OJ can play split out or in a slot position the way jimmy graham did so much for the Saints. The guy is a weapon. I’m shocked you don’t see it that way.

  67. Trubucfan22 Says:

    I should also say that OJ Howard is not my first choice for our #19 spot. But if the top flight WRs and RBs are gone, then he would make an excellent addition to the team. It is very hard to predict who will be available all the way back at 19. If OJ is still there, and the bucs take him, I would not be in the least bit disappointed.

  68. Bucfan 2k1 Says:

    This is a pretty thin article… By taking a TE no one is saying we don’t want Brate. We are suggesting we take the best overall talent at 19 and not reach for a position of need. If OJ is the best value then we take him and pair him with Brate for a great 1-2 combo and run more 2 TE sets.

  69. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    And NosBos. You know we’ve become far more chill with each other these past few days. So don’t get too bent out of shape when I say this.

    But it’s absolutely ludicrous of you to assume that Dalvins minimum amount production starts at 1500 total yards.

    Nothing guarantee’d in the draft. He could be injured early for one. And there’s absolutely no way to tell right now whether his touted speed will hold up against the hyper athletic Safeties and Linebackers who are just as fast as he is.

    Saying that Dalvins floor is 1500 yards is honestly just silly.

  70. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    This is my thinking the Ravens made statement saying they are looking for a BIG name RB. That’s “Gamesmanship” why would they be showing they’re hands about they’re draft night intentions in February.. That’s silly to me they are looking in a totally different direction for a totally diffrent position. I was just watching bspn yesterday and it showed them having a young RB that rushed for over 800 yards this season thusly allowing them to part ways with Forset. To be honest the same can be said for Rivera making a public statement about needing a RB. You don’t show your true hand months before the draft.

  71. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Nawl Blake we cool bro. We can continue to differ in our opinions on things tho. I think with his talent that 1500 combined yards is not going overboard tho.

  72. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    But yea you right an injury could change all that.

  73. BUC55 Says:

    OJ might be the BEST receiving threat in the entire draft. Many good NFL offenses in recent history have demonstrated that a talented tight end can be just as dangerous as almost any wide receiver. The guy is a beast. Don’t know if he has the attitude/intangibles to go with the physical talent…..if he does then I would be happy with him in the 1st.

    As for Brate….he’s a nice player who had a big TD year. I will wager that it will prove to be a one hit wonder year of TDs. He’s an excellent #2 or 3 (receiving only) tight end. I’m glad we have him…..also glad the Bucs won’t be dumb enough to pencil him in as the clear #1 te going forward (as Joe and some others would).

  74. Joeypoppems Says:

    A Big name RB doesnt mean in the draft only. They could be looking at someone like Latavius Murray, Eddie Lacy, or any other FA. Same can be said about Carolina.

  75. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Ok, so judging by your projection of O.J. Howard, you think he’s some Talentless bum. Even though he has always had huge performances in the biggest games.

    No bigger and brighter stage than the NFL.

    I’m telling you guys, D-Coordinators would be left scratching their heads think of solutions to stop a two tight end set featuring Brate, Howard, Evans, and DJax.

    We could pound the rock down teams throats, easily sell play action, and just flat out shred teams through the air one 16-25 yard chunk at a time.

  76. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Do y’all consider Howard a better prospect entering the NFL than Eric Ebron??? If so you might wanna compare they’re college numbers. I know I know but what else do we have to go by. Ebron been okay so far in the D.

  77. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Defense I’m not buying my o line is terrible. I watched DM rush for 1500 behind that same cast. I also watched Quizz average over 4 yards a carry behind that same cast. Now I saw a mock have us taking C Dan Feeney. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. But I’m not buying my o line being bad. No one was screaming build the wall after 2015.

  78. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Dan Feeney is highest rated C in the draft. An has also played guard.

  79. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Blake the rookie rusher in Chiraq rushed for I believe 1300 yards bro. The 1000 yard mark isn’t as daunting of a task as it use to be.

  80. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    When you look at O.J.’s college stats, just throw them out the window bro. It’s all about the traits. And those traits are what will be his bread and butter in the NFL.
    6’5&1/2 249, Bruising blocker, Sharp routes, Fluid stride, Natural hands, catches everything away from his body, Gigantic catch radius, and a powerful runner in the open field. And he can do it all, and would be ANOTHER every down player for us that would add a butt load of versatility to our offensive attack.

    Ebron coming out of college from a small school, where he was the focus of the offense, and he just flat out cannot block.

  81. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    I believe that same Rookie rusher was taken in the 5th round of the draft as well NosBos.

  82. Guzzie Says:

    It’s really a moot point when it comes to OJ Howard if he runs in the 4.5 range he won’t make it to 19 anyways, BPA includes the best available OT, one thing Licht has done in the draft is select promising lineman, Dotson looks like he’s going to follow VJax of the cliff, getting the best available tackle would greatly improve our line not only this year but the next 5 years, Dotson is 31, hes hut his ceiling, and it’s low, building a #wallforwinston is just as important

  83. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Come on Joe! Seriously? I love Cam Brate…..but ever heard of this thing called “2-TE Sets”? Do you realize that running from the aforementioned “2-TE Set” can give you an advantage? While Cam is an amazing weapon, and he should be tied down with a contract extension, we have NOTHING else behind him! If he got hurt long term, we would be screwed.

    Let me ask you this Joe, if you could go back in time and select a rookie Tony Gonzalez, or Jason Witten right now, would you say “No thanks….we already got a good TE in Cameron Brate” if anything, adding a guy like Howard might allow Brate to even take it to the next level. Cuz then opposing defenses would have an interesting choice, wouldn’t they?

    In conclusion, no one who is advocating for Howard “hates” Cam Brate! That’s just a ridiculous statement. We can disagree….and those of us who regularly post here….often do, about Draft needs, but don’t try to stir the pot up by putts no words in our mouths.

  84. StPeteBucsfan Says:

    NOSBOS

    Agree 100% about our OL. An OL is a unit. We were bad last year because we were playing with just four OL…our RT was invisible..I mean literally at times with Gosder in there. That’s unfair to the other four!!!

    I will concede we’re also weak at center with Hawley…love the dude’s heart but if Sweezy ever returned to form I can see Marpet at C and Benenoch or draft pick/FA at RT.

  85. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    And Blake I guess that you assume I feel Howard some bum. No bro, you won’t find a single post of me saying the kid doesn’t look like a fine prospect. I just feel like we have a fine player there already. Joe’s point about Koetter being limited in sets is accurate at least from a eye ball standpoint. I recall a few 5 wided in 2015 don’t recall seeing a single one last season.

  86. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    You caught up on round selection Blake that’s not the point bro. I’m sure with very little research you could more than one impactful TE in the history of the NFL that was drafted in the 3rd or beyond bro.

  87. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    I’m simply judging by your post where you question whether or not he could get 300 yards receiving.

  88. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    The point I’m trying to make Blake is Dalvin is a known dual threat his numbers support that statement. 1200 rushing please that’s nothing. Another 300 from dump offs out the backfield. Easy bro.

  89. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I posed that question not based off a lackbof talent from Howard but moreso because he would be sharing time. And remember ME ranked at the top of the league in targets this year. My bad for not clarifying.

  90. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    You’re right, their are success stories of late rounders at every position. But it’s far more statistically likely that you find a successful late round RB, than you will any other position. 2 top ten Rushers last year, Howard and Ajayi both round 5 picks.

    Without a doubt there’s more Late round value at running back than there is at any other position.

  91. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Jeagan I don’t recall Gonzalez sharing time with anyone at any point during his career bro. Show us the stats.

  92. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Okay bro.

  93. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    He would not have to share time, there is no logjam at TE. We have Brate, a legit target. And room full of bums at tight end behind him. We could have both on the field at the same time.

    And the addition of another legit over the middle/ deep threat would only be a benefit for Mike. Because it would take some attention away from him on the outside, and give him 1 on 1 opportunities far more often.

  94. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Also Nos, you may want to drop your argument against Rb’s coming out of spread offenses. Because now that I think about it OU runs a scheme loaded with spread concepts. And that same offense produced the leagues leading rookie rusher that had the everyone going bonkers.

  95. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    And Nos! Kinfolk! You have got to check out Kareem Hunt. Small school guy outta Toledo, But he is raw. 6’0 225 and runs with elusiveness, power!, vision, patience, and speed. His running style reminds me a lot of Frank Gore, with a little bit of Marshawn Lynch in him too.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9JdwwEgYAw

    Best part about him? We could get him in the 3rd or 4th round.

  96. CruelBuc Says:

    @Blake_bucsfan

    spelled it out perfectly

  97. Pa Privateer Says:

    I haven’t had a ton of time to read all the comments yet, and I will, but those of us who want OJ Howard are very big supporters of Brate. He is just as fast as most of our receivers, he can block, and he has enormous size. He is a huge mismatch for safeties and LBs. He can be on the field for any play and can contribute on any one of those plays. Running 2 tight end sets with TEs that can slide out to the slot is a huge advantage. Having 2 TEs would also give Winston the larger safety net of a short passing game when the OL is struggling. I want OJ howard. His mismatch will give our WRs more opportunities for 1:1 and keep LBs closer to the line causing holes to open behind the LBs and in front of the safeties.

  98. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Aight I’ll check’em out Blake.

  99. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Blake if you were forced to choose between Hunt and Kamara who you taking???

  100. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    But Hunt does look good btw..

  101. Jeagan1999 Says:

    @Nole on Saturday Buc on Sunday….

    Couldn’t find any specific stats on Gonzalez, however I thought this article summed it up pretty well.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/1624948-breaking-down-why-the-two-tight-end-offense-is-the-best-in-the-nfl.amp.html?client=safari

  102. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    Jeagan1999 coming up clutch with the analysis.

  103. USFBUC Says:

    Hunt looks like a solid RB but he worries me a little because he seems to lack breakaway speed when playing in the MAC. That could be bad for his ability to hit holes and take it to the house in the NFL.

  104. USFBUC Says:

    Agreed, Jeagan you provided a very nice article to support this thread.

  105. webster Says:

    The joes are hillarious. I have never heard such a crazy take…..because you have a descent weapon in Brate, you should not draft a TE? Ever heard of injuries? Did you see how the offense look when Brate got hurt? But lets just roll out stocker and myers because we have the future hall of famer Cameron Brate on the roster. You are hillarious joe!!!

  106. USFBUC Says:

    Lots of great responses to this article. I think most of us here agree that if Cook, and Davis are gone that the Bucs could go with Howard at 19. He seems like one of the few prospects that comes without many questions about him. No off the field issues or injuries that I have heard of and he has been a key player in big games for Bama.

  107. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    @UsfBuc I see Kareem Hunt as a Frank Gore type. Some one that is gonna get his 4.5-5.0 yards per carry. He’ll get 4 yards here, and 6 yards there. Then as the game goes on, he’ll bash into a defensive back or smallish linebacker and get a chunk of 15- 20. But mostly be a back that gets consistent, hard fought yards.

    Plus he shows some ability as a catcher in the back field, and just great patience as a runner. And would have some big play potential in the redzone.

  108. tnew Says:

    no one here is saying to run off Brate, but several of us want better than Luke, I’m always hurt but I can sure block, Stocker, Alex Cross or Brandon Meyers. I love Brate but he won’t ever be confused as a surefire blocker. I don’t love the Howard pick but wouldn’t scoff at it either. I personally would look at Jeremy Sprinkle in the fifth. Hes a poor man’s Howard but he does a lot of things comparably. He would instantly be the 2nd TE on the team and he could be had out of the fifth round.

  109. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Last I checked, we need more than one tight end.

    I’m not for or against the guy.

    The comparisons to Jimmy Graham almost made me choke though…because the same was said of ASJ.

  110. Tbbucs3 Says:

    I’d be on board with drafting Howard if we can find a competent WR in free agency or the draft. Our offense will rise to a whole new level with 2 TE sets, a WR and a bruiser at fullback.

    It was a mistake thinking we could survive with no fullback last year, we had no power. We were like a spread offense in the NFL. Even the offenses that are good at spreading the defense out like the saints and Falcons both have quality fullbacks. A quick threat up the middle adds to what the defense has to worry about.

    And for late round WR options I’m fully on board with drafting Isaiah Ford. He’s got great ball skills and his 6’2 frame makes him a good fit for a #2 WR, also a sub 4.5 40 time.

  111. bucstradamus Says:

    Cameron Brate isn’t going anywhere. The front office and coaching staff are really high on him. He’s been extremely productive and has excellent chemistry with Jameis Winston.

    Look for Brate to sign a multi-year extension in the upcoming weeks that’ll make him one of the top 8-12 tight ends in the league based on salary.

    Even with the extension for Brate, the team will look to add another tight end through the draft. Just don’t expect it to be OJ Howard.

  112. WhatdaBUCisthis Says:

    JOE put yourself in moderation with that sh!t. NO ONE has said anything bad about Brate. Damn yo. Don’t do it like that. We gonna give you clicks… But don’t insult us fans like this. YOU would have Brate thinking he’s not wanted here. C’mon homie…
    Tmax
    DB55
    Tampa Tony
    JOE
    NegativeNellys

  113. WhatdaBUCisthis Says:

    I KNEW you would put me in moderation. I’m not being malicious JOE. Love you guys. But don’t bash us!!!!. Fool we wanna win

  114. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    @Bonzai, the only comparisons that should be made between Jimmy and O.J. are their size, and receiving ability.

    Graham is sissy boy when it comes to blocking.

    O.J. Howard is all man.

  115. Jeagan1999 Says:

    First of all, let me reiterate….I Love Cam Brate! Sign him to a 5 year extension as soon as possible!

    That being said….and hopefully understood….IF OJ Howard WAS there at 19….GRAB HIM IMMEDIATELY.

    While I don’t put much stock into “training stunts” that don’t specifically involve actual football moves…. this game Hynix out. Pretty impressive.

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C44yI8MVcAEBsmY.jpg

  116. Jeagan1999 Says:

    SORRY, link is here…..

    https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/o-j-howard-alabama-te-athleticism-nfl-draft

  117. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    A weapon is a weapon is a weapon.

  118. Couch Fan Says:

    Joes logic is flawed like usual. If you believe we shouldnt need a TE because we already have Brate then its also true that we dont need a WR because we have Evans… A 2nd TE is every bit of a weapon that a 2nd WR would be. Why are you assuming that a 1st round pick at TE will replace Brate but a 1st round WR wont be replacing Evans? C’mon now. Last year we drafted a CB in the 1st and he’s not our #1 starting CB either.

  119. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    There are a lot of positions we could go. Let’s not forget we have more than just our first round pick. If we got a #2 WR in FA, OJ in the first, Kupp in the second and Hunt in the third, I’d be on my 2nd 12 pack by round 4! Draft O and D Line to develop from there and we’d be set. I’d be happy with Cook in the first, Kupp in the second and Hall in the third.

  120. Cover Deuce Says:

    If the team thinks he’s the BPA, then why not? This team needs more weapons. Period. I don’t think you have to hate Brate to love Howard, and I think they could coexist in the same offense.

  121. road warrior Says:

    If people think this is hate foe Brate it shouldn’t be where did licht come from two TE sets with very good skills i can’t wait. bring it.

  122. Cash Says:

    Click bait article… which makes me the dummy for even responding. If there is a problem with having two talented tight ends, why draft a WR at 19 when you have a Pro Bowl reciever already on the other side? Would drafting Cory Davis mean we want to run off or neuter Mike Evans?

  123. Dave Says:

    Joe, give me a break. Liking Howard is no knock on Brate.
    Pats used 2 receiving tight ends very successfully.
    They used tight ends in place of wide outs.

  124. Capt.Tim Says:

    (Sigh)
    Its all about Jameis
    He loved 2 TE sets in College.
    Brate is a fantastic Recieving TE
    Stocker/Evans/ etc have not been a good 2nd.

    Brate is great at streching the middle of the field
    Need a big beast who can block, and be a recieving threat in the first 15 yards,and End zone.

    Jameis loves TEs. This offense would be perfect for him

  125. Rrsrq Says:

    Late to the game, Joe your argument is not valid, Howard would be another #weaponforWinston. Vic Beasley led the league in sacks, guess what the Falcons want, another pass rusher. Howard, this of course if the top receiver and RB is off the board, would be the best player available for the offense, pass catcher, solid blocker and yac, something we don’t have in Cam, yes we still would need/want Cam. The other thing about a part time player at #19, who cares if he makes the offense more productive where he is drafted.

  126. mesh Says:

    wow…..post deleted. That’s craaaazy.

  127. Capt.Tim Says:

    Jameis likes to run a 2 TE set, then we will run a 2 TE set, all about 3