Koetter Takes O.J. Howard Out Of Storage

November 19th, 2017

Touchdown No. 4 today for rookie O.J. Howard. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Last Tuesday, Joe was kicking and screaming because the Bucs only had thrown to rookie beast tight end O.J. Howard just four times in the past three games.

It was unthinkable that the No. 19 overall pick in the draft would be buried by the playcaller — in an offense that was struggling mightily.

Yeah, Howard was playing a lot, but there was just no excuse to pass on using his vast talent.

Things changed today in the win against Miami. The Bucs came out early going to Howard. He finished with three catches for 52 yards, including a truly gorgeous, great-hands touchdown grab.

Bravo to Dirk Koetter for pulling birthday-boy Howard out of storage, though it’s worth nothing that his good day was complemented by Cameron Brate only having one reception.

As Joe wrote on draft night, it’s quite a luxury to have two very capable tight ends. It would be wonderful to see the Bucs find ways to use both guys more.

13 Responses to “Koetter Takes O.J. Howard Out Of Storage”

  1. Bucamania Says:

    The TE screen he took for a TD (called back) was beautiful too! He is a weapon.

  2. Bird Says:

    YAH. He is a rookie but we are far enough into season

    Use the big fella.

    To fast for bigger linebackers

    To big for dbs

  3. Wesley Says:

    Then forgets him in the second half.

  4. feelthepewterpower Says:

    He is darn near uncoverable…….he’s the best TE coming out since Rob Gronkowski. SEVERELY underutilized in Alabama…unleash the Bama Beast!

  5. unbelievable Says:

    100% Bucamania.

    Wouldn’t mind seeing that play a few more times.

  6. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    YEAH! HE TOOK HIM OUT OF STORAGE!! WOO!

    One. O.J. should have never been in storage. Two. He put him right back into storage the 2nd half of the game.

    See you again in 4 weeks O.J……..

  7. Architek Says:

    Can you imagine what a coach like Sean Payton would do with these skill players in Tampa?

  8. Rrsrq Says:

    We don’t take advantage of all the weapons, running game not working, so use the short pass to set up the run, you have Djax on the sideline the two previous series before the winning FG, you don’t use the tight ends or Evans height

  9. orlbucfan Says:

    Architek Says:
    November 19th, 2017 at 4:51 pm
    Can you imagine what a coach like Sean Payton would do with these skill players in Tampa?
    ——————————————-
    Leave that cheating piece of crap in NOLA. Payton is garbage. I’ll stick with Koetter. I just hope that he’s beginning to see how good his offense is. This next game against the Falcons will be interesting in that regard.

  10. Destinjohnny Says:

    80 is always open.
    He can block then come off the line.
    He is uncoverable.

  11. DavidBigBucsfan99 Says:

    Koetter has no imagination or heart. He calls games not to lose but sticks with plays that don’t work. Fitz is no more accurate than Fameis but you see the same plays work for both. Once OJ and Godwin had their big games neither should have been put in the closet. We’ve all seen the different offensive players make big time plays for Fameis and Fitz so this offense should be doing so much more. The common denominator is our line is the biggest reason the offense struggles and Koetters play calling. He needs to stop being so predictable.

  12. uckinator Says:

    Trade Godwin for a 2nd rounder. Amazing i’m saying this, but we have too many good receivers. Can’t make everyone happy with Winston trying to force throws. What a turnaround from last year.

  13. MadMax Says:

    ^ wrong player bro…..trade ME13….keep Godwin!