Brate Returns To Form
December 4th, 2017
Talks to Joe about chemistry with America.
Perhaps lost in the fog of yet another vomit-inducing Bucs loss was the reemergence of Bucs tight end Cam Brate.
Yesterday, Brate caught two touchdowns passes from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter had a premonition last week that Brate, who seemed to have gone in hiding recently, would burst out with Jameis returning to play.
And sure enough, Brate showed up, big time with his fifth and sixth TDs of the season.
Joe had a chance to chat with Brate after the game about what worked. In short, the chemistry between Brate and Jameis that Koetter often talks about is real, Brate said.
“Me and Jameis work a ton with each other, going back to the offseason,” Brate said. “I like working with him and he really trusts me to make plays for us in crucial spots and he gave me a couple of spots today and I was able to hold on.”
One of the catches-and-throws was a thread-the-needle kind of moment for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Brate said Jameis spot-threw the ball, in other words, Jameis was throwing to what he believed was an open spot in the zone defense the Packers ran, and he banked on Brate to get it.
“Pretty much I was just trying to get in the end zone and get open,” Brate explained. “I wrapped around the defender and threw him by. Jameis gave me a really good ball and I was able to hold on.”
In the first half, Jameis looked like he threw a reckless pass at Brate who was tied up in what appeared to be in triple coverage. The pass was to the back of the end zone well beyond Brate’s reach. Joe thought perhaps Brate got tangled up in traffic, which he did not deny. But Brate noted Jameis was not throwing into traffic.
The Packers showed “a zone look and [Jameis] threw it in a spot only I could get to,” Brate said. He later added Jameis was very responsible in that the only guy on the field who had a prayer of making that catch was Brate, so it would either be Brate getting his mitts on the ball or it would fall incomplete.
December 4th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
On a happy note…the 1-27 stretch by Cleveland breaks the Bucs 1976-77 record of 2-26 🙂
December 4th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
I think I read somewhere that if the Browns lose out the rest of the season it will be the worst 3 year run of any team in the history of the league.
December 4th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
I’m waiting for DJax to return to form….catching a properly placed ball on the fly….of course we need a QB that can deliver …not quiver…
December 4th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
For some reason, Jameis seems to focus on Brate and Evans.
Then WTF did we draft OJ Howard for, to replace Luke Socker, as a blocker ?
December 4th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
The Browns started play in 1999 after the original Browns moved to Baltimore. The Bucs has stunk since 1976 (except for a few seasons). Thee are not the ORIGINAL Browns. The original Browns are the Baltimore Ravens.
December 4th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
*These*
December 4th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
side note:
did anyone see Bradley mcdougal play pretty well last night?….seahwaks missing a ton of players and production but good coaching will find a way to win a game….GO BUCS!!!!
December 4th, 2017 at 1:03 pm
JW Made America Brate Again for one game. Speaking of America, “America’s QB, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston” has to be the silliest and most meaningless moniker you’ve ever come up with. He was what, the 5th alternate QB chosen for that particular PB? And he’s “America’s QB” how exactly? Enough guys.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
The Brate-OJ combo has a chance to be real special – and no player was helped more this offseason than Brate with the draft and signing D-Jax. Brate isn’t a dominating TE – but he’s really really good at knowing where he should be and catching the ball and guys like that have a ton of value. NE knows how to play with 2 TE’s and use both – the Bucs should emulate their efforts. As for OJ I think he’s having a solid rookie year as rookie TE’s rarely have big numbers and can look lost. Howard hasn’t looked lost – which is huge – but his numbers aren’t great – but that will come in time. Anyways I’m glad Brate got help and made the most of it. Sure his numbers were good last year, but that was based on volume as he was the #2 receiver on the team – this year he contributes a lot more as teams have more to worry about.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Chris@apple
Preach brother! How Koetter can continue to ignore O.J. as a red zone option/threat is beyond me. You got 6’6″ OJ, 6’6″ Evans and 6’6″ Brate yet you throw it the 4’2″ Humphries or Djax. Don’t make no got dam cents. Lol.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
@DD55….Koetter doesn’t throw the ball
“How Koetter can continue to ignore O.J.”
December 4th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Can’t say enough good things about this man, he just holds on in crucial moments. I hope he sticks around Tampa for a long, long time.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
AlteredEgo Says:
December 4th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
@DD55….Koetter doesn’t throw the ball
“How Koetter can continue to ignore O.J.”
no but he calls the plays….has OJ had a fade pass throw to him yet in the red zone?….or what about a quick slant in the red zone?….with barber running so good why doesn’t the play caller run behind d.smith(our best RUN blocking lineman)….C’MON MAN!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 4th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Dummies he’s not even on the fckn field. JC watch some film people.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
@813….every passing plays has multiple options and read adjustments….it seems there are too many options for # 3 to handle..real time…sure in film study and 3/4 speed practice against his own team…talking to his QB -HC/OC….he gets it….his mind turns high speed gerbil cage real time game day…
December 4th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
🤦♂️
December 4th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
I think what happens is a lot of people watch the game on network tv while drinking and think they know but really don’t know a got dam thing.
Watch film in slow-mo. Rewatch plays 4-5 Times each. Look at formations, pass blocking, routes. Don’t just regurgitate what you here from the guy on the 15 sec sports highlight show or worse yet anything you hear from the TB media. Get a clue folks.
Out of all the RZ plays I recall O.J. being on the field for one play where he ran an out but the ball went elsewhere.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
OH, C eh N eh D eh!!!
(Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
DB55- Yea, I keep seeing #80 going off the field and think, “Um, wouldn’t a 2 TE set create more mismatches? Big-body TE on a LB kind of thing?”
But, to steal your phrase, WTFDIK!
December 4th, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Humphries & Sims also looked good receiving yesterday……the offense was pretty sharp except for some pass protection….the Jameis turnover and the untimely penalties.
Jameis continues to take unnecessary gambles with his passes….on that triple covered pass to Brate….I saw an open Djax waving to Jameis in the cornerof the endzone.
I really like OJ Howard and Chris Godwin…..along with Evans & Beckwith….we had a great draft….
If we can get 2 DEs & a CB next year…that will really help.
December 4th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
In general I don’t get why the hell we change personnel so much. There are certain packages where it’s obvious we are going to pass every single time; and then packages in which it’s obvious we’re either going to run it / call play action / or a screen. (i.e. no RB in the backfield 4 WR split out; or 3 TE sets – dictating obvious passes or obvious runs/screens)
It makes our offense easier to predict – especially an obvious run or pass. Our studs are obvious – Evans/Djax/Howard/Brate – those 4 should be in on the vast majority of plays and formations – which would be great for both run / pass; and Godwin should be in over Humphries in all situations except for 3rd and short maybe. Only run the huge heavy packages in obvious run sitatuions and not on 1st down when you’re just tipping your hand.
December 4th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Lc
On def too. McClain should be cut today. Conte should be cut today. And Caleb should be cut for literally knocking the ball out of Jameis hand as he looks around clueless after getting beat. Actually you know who got beat on that play was Sweezy. Stunt thru the A gap, he got there late and allowed the dt to reach jw. Then Caleb like a dummy reaches down and knocks the ball out.
Fired:
McClain, Conte, Caleb and Sweezy.
December 4th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
good points LC….old school smash mouth
December 4th, 2017 at 2:11 pm
“Brate Returns To Form”
Didn’t realize he fell off, silly me I thought it was the coach was to stupid to use him in plays other than the obvious same ol redzone routes he runs. The funny thing is teams still can’t stop it but sure chooses to use more formations that features Adam Humphries.
December 4th, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Stocker a Titan, 2 year contract, probably become Gronk like now lol
December 4th, 2017 at 2:16 pm
back home….I always respected his game going back to UT…solid..sneaky good
December 4th, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Yeah, 813, MacDougald had 12 tackles. Not bad for $1mil. Hes a good player.
December 4th, 2017 at 4:24 pm
@DB55
I’d be fine with that.
I think in general all our resources need to be spent on both lines and primarily the D-line.. Yes we could technically use CB/S/RB but I would be fine with completely ignoring those positions or using short terms signings there if it meant 3 new bad4ss lineman on each side of the ball.
December 4th, 2017 at 5:13 pm
exactly. Like I said in the ps it don’t matter how many weapons you have if you can’t protect your q.b. 7+ sacks should embarrass any oline.
AND JW GOT HURT AGAIN (ankle/leg) FML
December 4th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
@tampabaybucfan … “Humphries & Sims also looked good receiving yesterday.” Glad you mentioned that. Joe is crowing over Cam Brate catching 2 TDs … which is great obviously … but never said a word about Hump (4-for-4) & Sims (2-for-2) constantly keeping drives alive. Brate went 2-for-6 (caught 1 short & 1 deep) while Barber also went 4-for-4. Interesting (to me at least) how Jameis only threw 4 deep passes all afternoon (connected on 2 of them) and still threw for 270 yds. Bucs controlled the ball for over 37 mins in regulation, thanks primarily to better rushing & the short passing game. Hmmm, seems like a number of fans have been screaming for that all season. Had the pass protection been better, have no doubt the offense could’ve put up a LOT more points than they did.
December 4th, 2017 at 7:50 pm
DB55 thank you for being the only one other than me who pointed that out! Even Joe (s) try to blame Fameis for the fumble. These dimwits who’ve never posted before blame him but replay shows him tackled from behind trying to throw and the lineman steps into his arm. Morons keep on saying he’s regressed but where? Where does 22-32 for 270 yards and 2 tds equate to rustiness or regression? He did very well inspite of the constant pressure, blown blocking assignments, 7 sacks and untimely drive killing penalties. The sack/fumble was not his fault nor did it lose the game! The blocked punt that led to a GreenBay td and 80 yards on 5 runs is what lost us this game .
December 4th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
David
Most of these posters watch the game on a radio, they don’t even watch other NFL games and then they come onto Joe Buc’s fan and talk crap