Reviews In On Cameron Brate’s Blocking
August 22nd, 2017
Reviewed
Cameron Brate used to be the textbook, 21st-century tight end with good hands coming out of college.
And that meant he couldn’t block.
It’s Year 4 now for Brate and, despite his serious troubles gaining weight and focus on eating, Brate looks better as a blocker.
Joe asked winning head coach Dirk Koetter to assess Brate’s blocking after training camp practice today.
“Improving all the time, he’s doing much better,” Koetter said, citing steady year-over-year growth.
Joe also hit up tight ends coach Ben Steele for a chat about Brate’s blocking.
“He’s obviously one of the undersized tight ends weight-wise, but he’s using his hands well, his feet are moving, so I’m definitely impressed with how he’s transitioned and improved blocking over the offseason and summer,” Steele told Joe.
Joe also asked Steele to compare the blocking of rookie O.J. Howard to Brate’s for the typical fan. And Steele said it’s not a fair comparison since, Howard has “longer arms, a bigger frame and a bigger body.”
They have “different ability,” Steele said, adding that Brate has been excellent in certain types of blocking situations.
Joe’s just glad to hear Brate is on the rise with his blocking. The better he can get there, but the less predictable the Bucs offense becomes.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Brates hands doesnt get enough credit. its 1 of the best in the league. there is no such thing as tight coverage because Jameis has the confidence to throw into slim openings and Brate will snag it everytime…just amazing to see
**I think he doesnt get the cred is because he is such a goofy looking guy. kobe demands to his college papers. No way in hell does that face belong/came from Harvard
“Theres 3-4 rednecks that look exactly like Brate in my trailer park”
Kobe Faker
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:35 pm
And Oj went to ( in my forest gump voice ) Alabama
So that means fundamentals have been taught
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Brate will be a cap casualty in the next few years. Time is really flying by and resources will be going towards locking down our talent on both sides of the ball. If D.Smith doesn’t show consistency then we’ll let him walk too.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Go back and watch Martin’s to run. If I was realist….. I’d be doing a repost from just this week, at any case. He throws the best block I’ve seen him throw on that play. He engages, turns the DE, then seals that edge. Cross got a lot of love on that but I will promise Braze was the hero in the film room.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Brate not braze… obviously
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:51 pm
No reason Brate will be a cap casualty. TE’s rarely are. Also, Donovan Smith has been very solid since about week 9 of last season. LT wasn’t the issue that RT and C were.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:08 pm
“Different ability” aka OJ is a blue chip prospect and Brate is working with what he’s got.. which is a Harvard brain and an excellent pair of hands.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:23 pm
@tnew…I agree….brate will get locked up….he’s one of our “young core players'” that have produced…..GO BUCS!!!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Oj “I Got The Juice” Howard Says:
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Brate will be a cap casualty in the next few years
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How do you figure? He’s still playing on his rookie contract. Either he re-signs with Tampa or he signs elsewhere. If I’m not mistaken, he will probably be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, if this is season #3 for him… unless it’s season 4 then he is unrestricted.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Again I think of that great movie with Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes.
Brate and Hump are underappreciated because of their lack of size, blazing speed and quite honestly…the way they LOOK.
They are both heady players who know how to get open and they both have excellent hands. They are not, nor will ever be superstars like OJ or ME13…but they are solid team players. Can’t have superstars at every position on both the 1st and 2nd teams.
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Excellent hands! I think he’s going to have a big year since the Evans & DJax will draw so much attention. The national media never mentions him when they talk about all the weapons the Bucs have. I love our TE’s!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Yeah I cannot imagine that we are in any danger of losing Cameron in free agency. He will be rewarded with a life changing contract, and deservedly so, he has become a truly excellent player over these past few seasons, and by all accounts continues to improve exponentially.
For those of you worried about future salary cap, don’t be, the salary cap is projected to increase quite a bit, especially after the current NFL/ NFLPA contract expires.
August 22nd, 2017 at 3:10 pm
I agree with Joe. Being able to block will help make the offense less predictable. Defenses are automatically going to assume that OJ’s the dominant blocker. A little shimmy to the flats and up the seam…….FIRE THE CANNONS!!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 3:57 pm
At least we don’t have to worry about one of our 2 excellent TEs going all Aaron Hernandez.
Not only do we have the most talented pair of TEs in the league now – both have impeccable character and strong work ethics.
This young Buccaneer dynamic duo at TE will just get better and better.
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Wasn’t he the player that sealed the edge on Doug’s touchdown run in Jax?