“He’s Gotta Prove That He’s Back”
August 21st, 2021
They call O.J. Howard “Juice” around One Buc Palace.
Tonight against the Tennessee Titans, he was more like sour milk.
Howard dropped two passes early from Blaine Gabbert and it had legions of Bucs fans wondering what’s wrong.
Is Howard’s healing Achilles affecting his hands?
Buccaneers legend Rondé Barber told the WFLA-TV audience that Howard’s “gotta prove that he’s back.” And Barber speculated on the air that he doesn’t know how healthy Howard is.
Last week, Barber said on the Bucs’ preseason telecast that Howard was 70 or 75 percent healthy.
Howard played quite a bit tonight despite the Bucs having backup tight ends Tanner Hudson and Greg McElroy available. Cameron Brate and Rob Gronkowski got the night off.
Howard did get his first catch midway through the second quarter, a short throw followed by good fight for extra yards. And he got a second short target, as well. But he appeared to lack explosion on another throw that was high and on target. That was batted away by a Titans safety.
Joe’s not worried about Howard — because Joe expected Howard to struggle for several weeks as he tries to get into game shape and get his Achilles close to 100 percent.
Breathe easy, Bucs fans. The Bucs won a Super Bowl without Howard.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:48 pm
Is Howard back?
When the Hell did he arrive?
Its always disappointment and the excuse about his “potential”
We won a SuperBowl without him.
Hard to win one with him.
For a first round pick, his career numbers are terrible.
August 21st, 2021 at 8:57 pm
105 catches for 1600 yards
In 4 yards
400+, 500+, 400+, 100+
Those numbers suck for a 1st round pick.
Especially for a TE that cant block
His 4 year career numbers are a one and a half year number for Gronk or Brate.
Hes a bust
August 21st, 2021 at 8:58 pm
Fair point, Joe(s). I WAS really starting to doubt OJ, but yeah – it took future HoF Gronk about half a season to return to form after a year off. OJ is bound to have rust from being packed in ice since last season.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:06 pm
Dropped 2 balls. One was difficult and one was easy. He’s been solid since.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:08 pm
The Juice is working on his biceps not his hands.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:14 pm
I remember Howard catching a baseball in the stands at a Rays game. Catching a football seems to be another story.
August 21st, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Bucco Bruce is seeing red re: dropped balls if u heard his halftime radio interview. I’d sit OJ on a swivel stool in front of a juggs machine monday thru friday till he GETS IT. He’s a guy who still doesn’t “get it” into year 5
August 21st, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Is it possible Tampa is hoping he looks good in preseason so some team might try to trade for him? Kinda like how they featured LeGarrette Blount in preseason then traded him to New England.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:08 pm
Tanner Hudson will be worth more to this team.
I’m sorry, but Howard is a stiff. It’s just not working out.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:21 pm
Who?
August 21st, 2021 at 10:33 pm
wish Bucs would trade him. he’s all hype and no performance.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:35 pm
I feel like OJ Howard is the tight end version of Jameis Winston. All potential but really just disappointing.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:40 pm
He looked like a bum.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:45 pm
Stone hands
August 21st, 2021 at 10:52 pm
OJ has never had hands.
August 21st, 2021 at 10:57 pm
i do not care what we do with him but get him gone do not waste anymore passes on this guy so many years of no production for one reason or another
August 21st, 2021 at 11:20 pm
OJ is who we thought he is,OJ Coward.He is mediocre n will only do the bare minimal to make or mess up a play. I’m done with him. I watched a E60 episode of former steelers great Rocky Bleir after being shot in Vietnam n he was about 70% but gave his all to play at 100%. No excuse for OJ Howard. He will not give his all. He’s garbage.
August 21st, 2021 at 11:24 pm
I agree with Capt Tim… in order to be “back,” you have to have “arrived” at some point. OJ Howard never arrived.
Dalvin Cook was the pick. 1000 times + 1 more… Cook was the pick. Cook’s an MVP candidate. Howard is learning to catch.
I said the same thing when the Bucs picked Michael Clayton over Stephen Jackson. The Bucs struggled to run for a decade.
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:11 am
Oh please, Cook has missed more time than Howard.
FSU fans are the biggest homers ever.
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:24 am
^ I would think most rational people would say that Dalvin Cook ended up being a better pick than OJ Howard.
That’s not really a homer statement
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:27 am
Unbelievable
Cook has played in 43 games compared to OJs 42 so your also factually incorrect……but that’s nothing compared to your bad football opinion of shrugging off one of the leagues most dynamic running backs.
August 22nd, 2021 at 6:36 am
looks like tarzan …. plays like jane
August 22nd, 2021 at 6:38 am
trade bait …….maybe get a 5th or 6th rounder for him ??
August 22nd, 2021 at 7:05 am
Hands of stone. Doubt he makes it through the season, Brady won’t put up with this guy. Can’t make contested catches and will end up getting cut.
August 22nd, 2021 at 9:46 am
Trade bait
August 22nd, 2021 at 10:34 am
Bucs can only cut OJ no one will pick up his 6 million a year salary. At this point he needs to come up big in the final preseason to make the team.
August 22nd, 2021 at 12:19 pm
Dear “unbelievable”…
Total Games….
Dalvin Cook: 43
OJ Howard: 42
Next time come heavy, or don’t come at all.
August 22nd, 2021 at 11:35 pm
“He has to prove that he’s back” lol. Back on ir?