Stud!
August 25th, 2017
Not just a pass-catcher.
Joe was impressed by who really flashed during the last day of training camp practice.
Joe has already written about Noah Spence going wild late yesterday. And rookie tight end O.J. Howard may have had his best practice yet, and that’s saying a lot.
Even though the group of fans attending was the smallest this summer, they were very loud and enthusiastic. Howard brought them to their feet more than once.
Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter apparently noticed the fan reaction and he thought it was cool. And Koetter said Howard is excelling at things fans don’t often catch.
“O.J. had a really nice day. I mean he was a first-round draft pick for a reason,” Koetter said. “The guy is a really good player and it showed [Thursday]. The fans have a tendency to notice the ‘wow’ plays when he is running downfield, but O.J. does so many little things. O.J. is going to be a major contributor to our run game, he can also protect – there are just not a lot of tight ends who can do it. He’s an all-around player.”
How will Howard help the running game? Here’s an example. The dude can flat out block. Good enough that he can get a running back three extra yards. That’s often enough for a first down and moving the chains.
For those who didn’t go to training camp to see Howard, trust Joe, you are in for a treat. This guy is going to be a monster.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:40 am
Str8 like dat. Lets get it den. I call him the new age John Mackey for a reason. Do y’all homework and see why.
August 25th, 2017 at 8:44 am
Does this mean that you hate Cam Brate now?
August 25th, 2017 at 8:45 am
Lol Nos that’s not what you call him, you call him Mr. Unproductive i thought…
August 25th, 2017 at 8:49 am
Sweezy and Howard are the road to Minnesota in February!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 9:24 am
People tend to love doing what they are good at. I think OJ’s been such a monster blocker for so long that he now gets off on it. It’s not just his talent I think he has the want to.
August 25th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Don’t discount Cam Brate just because we have Howard. Not one bit. OJH doesn’t have to be the TE with the most catches to make an impact. I expect 40 catches from OJH this season which means he may not lead TE position in receptions. CB might still catch 50+ balls.
What you have to think of with OJH is that he is a complete TE who can run block, pass block and catch the ball. Like Artificial Joe said, he can get an RB an extra 3 yards. That is huge because that can easily put us in consistent 3rd and short and give us the option to run or pass on 3rd down.
Plus, how does a team stop the passing game when you have Evans, Jackson, Humphries, Chris Godwin, Brate, OJH, and CSIII? Any three, four or five of these guys on the field at any one time and who are you gonna stop and who are you gonna let beat you?
One player I don’t mind seeing go is Luke Stocker. He gets called for too many holding penalties. Brate, Howards with one of the other guys. Just anyone but Stocker.
August 25th, 2017 at 11:36 am
Generational talent at TE, this one.
Stealing OJ with the 19th pick was a major score for Licht and the Buccaneers.
Jon Robinson is going to be regretting his decision to pass on Howard for at least the next decade as will at least 10 other teams.
August 25th, 2017 at 11:39 am
The Buc Realist just loves watching the pieces fall into place!!!!! Just what was said over a year ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
August 2nd, 2016 at 9:28 am
Fans will say that WR then TE will be the biggest “need” for the 2017 draft!!!
“The Buc Realist” or “The Buc Prophet” !!!!! you be the judge!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
While DS76 had a very rough 2 games. I think that this can be fixed by drafting a very good TE that can both catch and block so he stays on the field thru most snaps!!! If We had such a TE it will help the O-tackles by chip blocking and funneling the speed rushers right to DS76 or DD69!!!! The TE can then still run a pass route or block in the second level!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 11:47 am
I think Brate will have more catches, yards and TD’s than Howard this year while Howard will still be the better and more important player for the Bucs due to his all-around ability … and I love it!
August 25th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
About to whoop some ass…
August 25th, 2017 at 12:41 pm
@Buc1987
So glad to see you released and welcome back!!!!!! And you dammn right!!!!!!!!!! And what is different about this year???? We want the champs!!!!! We want to line up against the cheating patriots!!!!!! To be the MAN, you got to “Beat” the MAN!!!!!!!!
Ssssshhhhhhhhh, we coming!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 25th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
nice to see 87 post…
once they get the tackle position fixed the te’s will be freed up more… the future is bright
August 25th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Madden 18 player ratings for the Bucs should be interesting.
Can’t wait for JW’s poor ratings, again.
Oh, Brother. !!
August 25th, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Realist…ha ha ha good to see we’re still on the same page. I was actually telling my wife the other day. That Pat’s game is where the Bucs are going to give a huge wake up call to the NFL. Where they make their mark. That’s just crazy that you’re thinking about the same game and in a good light too. 🙂
August 25th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
I really like Brate but he can’t block . Howard is a 15 year TE like Jason Witten but with speed.