“He’s Gotta Build A Trust-Factor With Tom”
December 8th, 2021
O.J. Howard’s coach speaks out.
Newspapers and subscription sports websites remind Joe a lot of Bucs tight end O.J. Howard.
They’re all sort of dying on the vine in their respective worlds.
Howard commanded six snaps against the Falcons on Sunday, plus none on special teams. (Hey, Joe thought third-stringers absolutely had to play special teams.) That Atlanta output was less than the nine offensive snaps Howard was given in Indianapolis the week before.
Buccaneers tight ends coach Rick Christophel talked about Howard on the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday. He acknowledged that Howard is still working back from his Achilles injury, but he also said Howard “is in a good place right now” and just needs to gain more trust from his quarterback.
Chirstophel acknowledged it’s tough for Howard because he’s been a full-time starter and is now stuck behind two guys playing very well: Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate.
Improving “releases and leverage” are a focus for Howard, Christophel said, but it’s also very much about No. 12.
“And it comes back to he’s gotta build a trust factor with Tom, too, and the quarterbacks,” Christophel said of Howard. “And that has a little bit to do with it, too. I think that comes up some, but we got to get him back on the field to do those things.”
And there you have it. There are many factors in Howard’s sinking playing time. And one is the quarterback believing in him, which is interesting considering Tom Brady seemed to have a lot of love for “Juice” in the past.
At this point, Joe’s just wondering who Howard plays for next season.
First-round picks always get healthy second and third chances. There’s always a GM or two that is still in love with a first-rounders talent after scouting him in the draft.
December 8th, 2021 at 10:36 am
who??
December 8th, 2021 at 10:36 am
He will still be here. Gronk will not play forever
December 8th, 2021 at 10:40 am
If Gronk and Brate play for the Bucs in 2022, OJ won’t.
Too bad. He is a freaky talented physical specimen guy derailed by injuries.
December 8th, 2021 at 10:43 am
Bucs, Gronk be gone. You may see more OJ this week if BA does what every team does against Bill’s run the ball. Brady has his binky back and Brate has stepped it up as of late, OJ, dead man walking.
December 8th, 2021 at 10:44 am
$6,000,000.00 off the payroll next season to sign a new guy or re-sign a current player.
December 8th, 2021 at 10:45 am
Probably not happening anytime soon. The other TEs have a ton of reps with Brady. That’s about the size of it for Brady.
December 8th, 2021 at 10:46 am
Don’t forget to get you Omicron booster, that’s three more boosters even if your full boosted!! Don’t worry it’s free and no one is making money anywhere from this
December 8th, 2021 at 10:46 am
No Brady trust? So this is an official no resign statement, right?
December 8th, 2021 at 10:47 am
If OJ will play for peanuts he can stay. We really won’t have the cap space to overpay a third string oft injured TE.
We have about $30 million in cap space and Godwin, Davis and Jenson are going to eat most of that space up then we still need to sign about 20 more free agents plus our draft picks.
I believe we will say bye-bye to OJ…
December 8th, 2021 at 10:50 am
Joe happily (indirectly) paid for his Monday. 🙂
December 8th, 2021 at 10:53 am
Should have traded him for a CB with a body that wasn’t made out of Tiffany Crystal.
December 8th, 2021 at 11:05 am
What a waste! It’s long past time to part ways. His production is EASILY replaced.
Just speaking the truth!
December 8th, 2021 at 11:08 am
I mean………….he sucks he underperforms and will most certainly not be here next year.
December 8th, 2021 at 11:23 am
So Jp09 your saying we need to boost our booster’s booster .
December 8th, 2021 at 11:27 am
Bucs have figured out the best way to keep Howard healthy is to not let him take the field.
December 8th, 2021 at 11:37 am
Tight ends with Howard’s production are a dime a dozen. If he was going to be the next great TE then we would have seen it already. Time to move on.
December 8th, 2021 at 11:54 am
The current jabs are totally ineffective against the latest scariant.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
OJ only has to work on “release and leverage”. Not a big deal, that’s only 80% of what a TE is supposed to do on the field.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:06 pm
@”…So Jp09 your saying we need to boost our booster’s booster …”
————————–
Nah, Pfizer “happy” announced today, that its “booster” works against omicron, BUT in three to four months will have another one developed, that works better🙄
Moderna too, is working very hard.
We got the first case of omicron today in Florida, 🤨 A vaccinated person contracted the virus overseas. (Not related to post)
December 8th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Addition by subtraction…
December 8th, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Oh so it’s Brady’s fault, of course. Howard is a victim and a bust. Get outta here with that crap. Cut that guy loose. Biggest bust ever.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
I hope Howard realizes that his window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller and he needs to really step up, watch tons of films, study techniques, communicate more with Brady, practice like your renewing your contract and play smart and hard. Hoping for the best for OJ. BUCS needs a lot of healthy bodies going to the playoff and SB.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
At this point OJ is insurance . Liability insurance not full coverage.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
bust
December 8th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
OJ is “Street ‘Surance” if you ever watched The Rainmaker. It’s a policy you keep paying for but the insurer never delivers when you’re in a time of need.
December 8th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Six million hole in the wallet. Cant believe he played for Nick Saban.
Girly dude, get gone
Go Bucs
December 8th, 2021 at 1:15 pm
Difficult to gain trust when you don’t get a target.
December 8th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
He doesn’t catch the ball cleanly, nor does he seem to run routes very well. If you’re not reliable, TB won’t throw you the ball.
December 8th, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Agreed Homer!
Sometimes you get these athletic freak shows like Howard who never develop the mentality and skillset needed to be successful in the NFL. Shame really.
December 8th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Gosh, he looks swell in shorts though doesn’t he?
December 8th, 2021 at 2:20 pm
Keep waiting for Howard to come around. He doesn’t look or move the way he did before the injury. He’s not gonna get the ball if he’s not open. He looks heavy and slow to me. GO BUCS!
December 8th, 2021 at 2:23 pm
Get hi out.
December 8th, 2021 at 5:33 pm
Built like Tarzan plays like Jane
December 8th, 2021 at 7:25 pm
Friendly reminder that OJ Howard’s best career catch came at a Rays game in the stands, not a Bucs game on the field.
Huge bust.
December 8th, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Perhaps if Howard could block, catch, and listen to audibles and not commit stupid penalties, he might see more action. Enjoy Houston O.J.
December 8th, 2021 at 8:04 pm
Gronk was out injured for quite a few games and Howard did almost nothing that whole time despite being on the field a good bit….
Why would there be any expectation OJ will “show up” or even get snaps now?
December 8th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
watch him play, catch, and block– cut him!
December 9th, 2021 at 1:42 am
I forgot this guy was in the team. Still waiting to see Da Juice… Come on O.J!
December 9th, 2021 at 4:02 am
He’s that sports car with a blown engine
December 9th, 2021 at 4:43 am
What if TB decides to move on and be a full-time Father
QB needs to be the focus.
Grock will retire. Howard slides back into his slot and had a good mentor Grock.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:27 pm
ON lacks focus when he’s on the field. Leads to bobbled passes and jumping offsides. That’s probably where the lack of trust comes from.