O.J. + Bucs = Perfection
May 3rd, 2017
Gift-wrapped.
A man who covers the SEC for a living seems to think the Bucs couldn’t have had a better first-round draft pick last week.
When analyzing the 10 Alabama players drafted and their new teams, former FOX Sports Florida Bucs beat guy Andrew Astleford, a current staffer at SECNation.com, says the Bucs didn’t just hit a home run selecting ‘Bama tight end O.J. Howard. Astleford believes Howard and winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter are made for each other.
Yet Howard, in particular, was fortunate to be placed in a healthy situation with a rising star at quarterback who’s starving to reach the playoffs. Howard will benefit from the environment he now enjoys.
Alabama gave the NFL so much in this most recent draft.
Watch for Howard to rise to the top.
Now for those grumbling why the Bucs didn’t draft a running back earlier — Joe hears you loud and clear.
A bit later today, Joe will share something from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, that may shed light into the offensive attack plans this fall.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:04 am
I think this guy adds a whole lot more than what’s on the surface. At least I hope he does. Adding weapons like him and DJax will open up the run-game. If he’s the blocker they say he is, well, that’s even better.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:05 am
Imagine if they had traded up for cook…
Wow
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:07 am
People seem to think Brate will lose touches n TDs. I say BS… Winston will throw for 40 TDs this year with his new weapons.
Who dares to disagree? Really I don’t care 😛
Joe, this IS OUR TIME!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:09 am
Destinjohnny Says:
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:05 am
Imagine if they had traded up for cook…
Wow
Damn let it go!!!
Imagine BUCS’ fans UNITED behind our players
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:10 am
Someone will always be open.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:11 am
I love the first round pick. OJ will help our offense a in passing and in the run game. I can’t wait to see how explosive our team will be. I get the feeling coaches are happy with our running back situation. I hope they are correct.The run game should get some help with an awesome pass game.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:12 am
Traded up for Cook? We wouldn’t have Evans, Godwin, or Beckwith. Sorry, we can’t trade 2-3 Starters for a RB when we have RB’s. We now have depth at 3 areas we were lacking before the draft.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:17 am
So much for Boogers 99% comment about Cook from his “sources” ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:27 am
This guy is a beast for sure.
I was looking at our new safety Evans highlights v Bama, and Mr. Howard owned him more than once on some downfield blocks.
The only slight reservation is why the greatest college coach of all time did not use him more. Seems odd.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:27 am
@Tampa Tony –
I don’t think Booger predicted that OJ would be there though. That is a game changer.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:30 am
Impressive array of pass catchers – and they can block, too! Should be an exciting season.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:38 am
I know that I need to move on from this, but the ASJ saga created the need for a TE when there shouldn’t have been. @Joe(s): If ASJ had been a good citizen/player, would the Bucs have drafted Howard? We are lucky to have him, but I can’t help but think that there were so many other positions that could have been filled with that pick.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:38 am
Will OJ Howard become a threat for the Buccaneers?
Will the Joes ever follow through on teasing an article?
Find out on the next episode of JoeBucsFan!
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:43 am
Said it from the begining that O.J. was the best possible option for Dirk and Jameis if he were available.
Completely lost hope of him being available when he destroyed the seniorbowl & combine, thank god 16 teams passed on him.
We are blessed.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:48 am
Still getting goosebumps thinking about an offense that features all this talent. I really hope the Oline doesn’t let them down.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:52 am
If we drafted or traded up for Cook everyone would be complaining we didn’t draft A WR high enough or a Safety…. Can only draft 1 player and 1 position at a time. DM will be here until his suspension ends. No reason to cut him before then. If we get the injury bug in camp then DM will be fresh and hopefully ready to roll.
May 3rd, 2017 at 9:54 am
I still can’t believe the Titans passed on OJ. Corey Davis and OJ Howard in the first round?!! Delane Walker is no sloutch, either is Adoree Jackson, but come on. They will regret this for years.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:03 am
Howard should help keep drives alive. Too many 3 & out last year. Best way to improve the D is to keep them on the bench.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:08 am
Do we remember the way Koetter used Gonzalez while at Atlanta? OJ will be used the same way. Glad we drafted him.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:10 am
@Dewey Selmon. That is exactly what went thru my head during the draft. I just knew the Titans were going to take Howard right front under our nose. They will regret this. Their offense could have been unstoppable.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:10 am
I loved the pick, but I would have loved to have traded our 2nd and 4th to move up and get Dalvin Cook early in the 2nd if it was possible.
We have great receiving weapons for Jameis, but we probably have the worst group of running backs in the NFL.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:14 am
I was all in to Dalvin
But
I had no thought that Howard would be available at 19.
I’m very happy with the draft!
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:17 am
Guess who’s Back!!!!!!!!!
Oh yea!!! The draft went The Buc Realist’s way!!!! Yes I missed out on the excitement of the NFL Draft!!! But by simple extrapolation, for the 3 weeks I was on vacation, I missed 62 dalvin cook articles, and over 800 post of Nos-Bos!!!!!!!! And before you ask BigHogHaynes, I take a lot of vacation because I get a lot of vacation!!!!!!!
Besides, I told everyone Last training camp how the draft would go!!!!!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/08/vincent-jackson-is-banged-up/
Jameis Winston: Mr Realist, why do you always wear your sunglasses?
The Buc Realist says: Because its always sunny in Coolville!!!!!!!!!!
Jameis Winston: Right on Mr. Realist! Right on!
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:20 am
Guess who’s back, back again
Realist’s back, tell a friend
Guess who’s back,
guess who’s back,
guess who’s back,
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:23 am
Plan of attack what could it be???Let me see…….hhhmmmmmm….. What could that be???? Could it be attack downfield? Fameis is a downfield looker always looking to get the ball downfield. A bonafide gunslinger. Thats what ME13, DJax, Godwin and Howard are for. He will be in the top 5 in passing this season.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:32 am
It did work out well for the Bucs that teams were jumping up to reach on QB’s. I’m excited that we have a TE that is heralded for his blocking as well as dynamic play. Usually we seem to get one or the other. I still think even despite all the weapons added for Jameis this will be a team that wants to establish the run game early. With the Buc’s OL (sorry I’m still not sold on the group outside Marpet) having a good blocking TE that can also split coverages in the passing game could be huge.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:34 am
WHY do I still hear the name of a Vikings player on here.
Are you kidding me….Pick Cook over Howard….HAHA…
Howard not only gives us another weapon he is a great blocker ..Something the Bucs need and do not have..
SO Howard fills two needs…
STOP TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER GUY…
BUCSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:34 am
A talent like OJ Howard creates all kinds of opportunities for the Bucs offense.
No more tipping the defending team off regarding run or pass just by glancing at the TE. Seriously. How many passes did Luke Stocker haul in last year? How many good blocks did Cam Brate make inline? Having either one in allowed opposing defenses to predict run or pass on the upcoming play with about 95% accuracy just by identifying 84 or 88 in the huddle. Its a bigger deal than most realize.
Having a good blocker like OJ Howard available to help the Tackles chip the defensive ends or pick up outside blitzers on “passing downs” will give Winston more time to find an open target.
Having a big, athletic, pass catching target that runs as fast as our fastest running backs will create mis-matches vs LBers, Safties and nickle CBs every time Howard runs downfield.
Running 2 TE sets with both TEs being excellent blockers and/or both TEs being very capable receivers as we will regularly start doing is going to open up the playbook in ways we can’t even yet imagine. A creative offensive mind as good as coach K is will thrive with such a luxury that very few teams have or can prepare against.
Thank you Jon Robinson for going Defense with pick #18. That was quite the gift. I don’t know how Licht knew he would – but he knew….
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:35 am
I am still in shock because I can’t believe OJ Howard was still there at 19.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would drop so far in this draft.
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:36 am
While Joe and others have been endlessly arguing about whether it was RB’s or O-line was the problem with the run game, They missed that fact that the front office just showed you what the issue was from last year!!! The Offense was to easy to double ME13 and Stop the run!!!!!! The other teams defenses were not scared of the possession receiver’s of AH11 and CB84!!!!!!
Now we have weapons and formations to open the running game and underneath and short passes!!!!! We can now dictate to other teams defense formations!!!!!! now we will see more space for the new speed on this team!!!!! We told the sheep this awhile ago and they still don’t understand!!!!!
Information is power and I just handed out some!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 10:56 am
Can we once and for all get over who the Bucs didn’t pick?
And the ASJ saga?
And the Bennett fiasco?
Mistakes will always be made when drafting. Nobody hits on all of their picks.
Let’s concentrate on who we do have, not who the Vikings have and not what might have been.
This is a team to get excited about, finally!
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:06 am
This season is really going to be special, just mark my words. Jameis absolutely LOVES using his tight ends.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:08 am
AMEN!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:14 am
I hate to admit it, but after reading your posts above, I actually missed The Realist!!!!!
Btw, ONLY 69 Cook articles?!! It seemed like more!
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:33 am
Welcome back Realist, although you never left.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:33 am
I would still sign TE Gary Barnidge (31) to mentor the kid.
Vincent Jackson did an amazing job – bringing Mike Evans up to speed.
Barnidge could do the same for Howard.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:44 am
Yeah, please stop with the ASJ stuff. Howard is a much better TE than ASJ even if ASJ was not a head case. Howard is going to be a perennial pro bowl/ All-Pro TE and with his skill sets along with his character and maturity, I think he is going to be a fan favorite. He possibly may even find himself as a hall of fame selection in his post career lifetime especially if the Bucs win a few more Super Bowls. Also , after hearing how well he articulates his thoughts as well as appearing comfortable in front of the camera, I think when he retires that he could become a broadcaster or a member of NFL Network’s panel. That is years down the road, but I can picture it.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:45 am
OJ Howard changes EVERYTHING. Amazing pick. No one expected he’d be there. JW loves to throw down the middle and this guy will split the defense many times this year. He’ll also move the chains and keep the D fresh. PLUS the man can really block. Such a perfect fit.
As for Dalvin Cook in the second, it would’ve cost next year’s number 1 to jump to pick 33 and at least a 2nd a handful of spots below. Two premium picks for a RB that will play for 3-5 years. No thanks.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:47 am
Sign a true Y-Tightend to mentor O.J. Howard
*Y – Tight End | <- Gary Barnidge (2015-2016)
• (2016) REC: 55 | YDS: 612 | AVG: 11.1 | TD: 2
• (2015) REC: 79 | YDS: 1,043 | AVG: 13.2 | TD: 9
Not only will he be a strong mentor for Howard.
Barnidge could help completely transform our tighend unit moving forward.
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:47 am
#test
May 3rd, 2017 at 11:47 am
And ASJ couldn’t hold OJ’s jock as a TE, head case or not. OJ runs a freaking 4.5 and can block. Watching OJ take bubble screens and outrun the defense 70 yards is crazy to watch. ASJ couldn’t do that in his dreams.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:28 pm
I hope Koetter talks to Fat Andy and get ideas to use OJ like Travis Kelce
Oj Has similar skiillset to run routes and separate like kelce
*OJ can block, but he is a RAC playmaker that can make explosive plays from a little dump pass
Agreed with a earlier post. Koetter had to many failed 3rd and short…this putting tremendous pressure on our defense. Koetter needs 5 or more quick short highly probable/profient routes jameis can complete to Godwin and OJ to move the chains
our offense will have to dominate games for us to get into and win in the playoffs this year
**We only need an experienced cornerback,defensive end and Rashad Greene to make the 2017 NFC championship game
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Kobe Liar is still here?????? can someone take out the trash please!!!!!!!
The day kobe faker became kobe liar!!!!!!!!!!
“Kobe Faker Says:
November 20th, 2016 at 10:42 am
Yes, i will sacrifice myself in behalf the the tampa bay bucs.
If tampa wins i will not post here ever again”
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/11/gameday-tampa-bay-156/
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
TBR
how do you get the archive to work?
im trying to recover past posts by entering Kobe Faker and nothing shows up?
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:43 pm
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE SHUT THE F*CK UP ABOUT DALVIN COOK!!!!!!!!!!!!! We didn’t need a first round RB and TE set is Koetter’s favorite. We got the steal of the draft with the amazing O.J. Let it go people.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:51 pm
TBR, Kobe’s alright. We’re “family” here. Welcome back.
May 3rd, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Interesting that OJ took Kellen (Air Coryell) Winslow’s #80 jersey number.
Clearly, Stocker has #88, but there were other jersey #’s in the 80’s available.
While #88 may be available after camp cuts, I hope OJ keeps #80.
May be trivia on my part, but I like it’s potential as a forewarning to the NFL.
More Trivia: The Bucs Starting WR’s jersey #’s are now in numerical order.
ME: #13
CG: #12
DJ: #11
Hump: #10
Hmmmm……
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:06 pm
@gilhealy
all he has to do is change the name!!!! even kobe faker 2.0 will work, once that happens, I will lay off!!!! And if we are all family here, is not that even more of a reason to help each other live up to their word!!!!!!!!
@kobe
change the name and I will tell you exactly how to comb the archives of JBF!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Realist…lol I was on here the other day saying the o-line and the running game just got better with the addition of these weapons.
They don’t listen….the sheep.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:13 pm
lol Kobe.
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:18 pm
On a side note, I want to congratulate Mr BigHogHaynes!!!!! I have offered to help educate him in football or any other question he has had. And he has worked very hard on his post this off-season, but every post he make a point!!! He thinks the line needs to be address and has clearly made that point in each post!!!!! He is still the most racist guys I know, but he is getting better!!!!! For exampe, Before I left we were eating some ribs together and told a joke, Oh yea, it was this ” why are their no puerto rican’s on Star Trek”, “Cause they are not working in the future either!” Don’t worry I yelled at the guy!!!!! “I told him its not right!!!” But he has come a long ways!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Realist that Puerto Rican joke made me shoot water out of my nose
Thanks
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:42 pm
To think Jameis, Evans, OJ and Godwin could literally play the next 10+ years together is just an amazing thought … what an unbelievable foursome and if they can all stay healthy, the numbers, records and WINS they put up could be legendary!
May 3rd, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Realist lol you need meds.
May 3rd, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Mike Evans = Matchup Nightmare!
Desean Kackson = Matchup Nightmare!
OJ Howard = Matchup Nightmare!
All 3 of these guys on the field at the same time = Scary good offense!