O.J. Howard Is Back!
November 13th, 2019
O.J. Howard talk and video
Joe was geeked that Bucs fans could celebrate O.J. Howard’s return on Sunday.
The tight end had been virtually out of sight for the Bucs since he was primarily used as a blocking tight end in the first few games this season.
Joe doesn’t know whether that’s an admission that Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich didn’t know how to use him or that the Bucs needed Howard’s blocking that badly.
Either way, Joe thought it was bad.
Then along came Sunday and Howard rebounded and was targeted on long passes from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, the way we all were used to and expected.
How bad had it gotten? Enter Brian Baldinger of NFL Network. Baldinger, a former NFL offensive lineman, likes to break down tape and then Twitter out his findings and observations.
Baldinger didn’t mention any Bucs coaches by name, but in showing Howard’s highlights from the win over the Cardinals, Baldinger was basically waving his crooked finger at Leftwich, throwing shade in disbelief of Howard’s rare use in the passing game until Sunday.
“I have been clamoring and waiting for O.J. Howard to show up,” Baldinger said. “I don’t pretend to understand how Tampa’s offense is designed. But how this man is not a bigger part of the offense, I have no idea.”
Let’s hope the results Howard had against the Cardinals are just a taste of what to expect the rest of the season.
You can see and hear Baldinger’s full breakdown of Howard below.
.@Buccaneers @TheRealOjHoward it’s only taken 10 weeks for an #OJHoward sighting. Not pretending to know any issues but it shouldn’t take 10 weeks for this talent to find the EZ. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/WuIAvx6JFq
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 12, 2019
November 13th, 2019 at 9:12 am
I love how on the touchdown catch, OJs momentum doesn’t change after he gets hit by that little boy
November 13th, 2019 at 9:19 am
We will need Howard this Sunday! Go Bucs!
November 13th, 2019 at 9:22 am
The dude would be an absolute BOSS on another team.
November 13th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Bucs need to pull up some tape from McDaniels and Andy Reid and see how Gronk and Kelce were/are utilized to maximize their big play potential on the field. Throw in some Shanahan with Kittle as well.
There is no reason why OJ should have any less than seven targets every game (he had seven vs. the Cards and caught four).
– Twenty targets between Evans and Godwin
– At least seven to OJ
– Five to RBs (look at how those SCREENS, as Joe pointed out, moved the chains!)
That’s 32 pass attempts that can be game planned and be effective, IMO.
November 13th, 2019 at 9:53 am
I don’t believe Howard is the missing piece like Baldy. I would say RoJo is a much more important piece that has been missing. Dual threat RB’s command a lot of attention which opens up everything else for the other receiving options.
November 13th, 2019 at 10:50 am
How is he back when he was never here in the first place?
November 13th, 2019 at 10:55 am
Neither do we.
But hey let’s be happy that we FINALLY involved him, and we also threw some screens to our running backs!
Now maybe, just maybe Leftwich will figure out how to continue to be versatile, and mix things up each game with short passes, screens, slants, and deep balls… Maybe.
November 13th, 2019 at 11:04 am
In the first part of the video, Joes, who was the receiver who was wide open on the right side? ME13?
November 13th, 2019 at 11:07 am
oj will be hurt again in two weeks. nothing special… all hype no stamina….
November 13th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Jaymiss Winsnot’s market value is 8-10 million a year … any thing more than that dooms us to salary cap hell …. and he proved that’s what he is worth …we are not going to the promised land with him!!
November 13th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
orlbucfan,
The WR was not wide open, the defender saw the ball going to Howard and he came in to close. The DB was watching the QB as he was back pedaling.
November 13th, 2019 at 12:08 pm
@Bucdan
Exactly!
“If you wanna be the best, learn from the best.”
November 13th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
5-7 targets seems right. He’s not the #1 or # 2. Can you flip the offense and make the 1 or 2 yes. But then the 20m to Evans and talent go to waste. It’s up to Howard to earn more catches. He’s fumble he’s dropped passes. He needs to have a control of the middle.
It doesn’t take much for me to watch the game and see it. He doesn’t box out smaller defenders. Heck a 5’10 dB is right next to him to knock is route away and ball out.
November 13th, 2019 at 8:50 pm
@BucDan
Like teacherman I agree with your post.
Seems like the right amount of targets. My only qualifier might be that you take what the opposing defense gives you and clearly they will double either ME or Godwin…depending on that coverage I can see OJ getting a few more targets.