“He’s Athletic Enough To Get Away With Using Bad Technique”
May 29th, 2018
So where is O.J. Howard in his development?
That’s a great question for the man who might have the most knowledge on the subject, Bucs tight ends coach Ben Steele.
Along with other assistant coaches, Steele took questions from local media recently and explained that Howard has the tools but not yet the technique.
“He’s a guy super humble and he knows the stuff that he needs to get done. Now it’s those details of everything,” Steele said.
“He’s athletic enough to get away with using bad technique, but at the end of the day that stuff’s going to catch him. So, you know, he’s got to fine tune his details and he’s got to get more efficient with his footwork, his hands, crisper routes. That’s the stuff we’re working on now and I’m excited to see where he’s going to go with that.”
The “bad technique” line made Joe take pause. Did Howard come in with bad technique, or is he just inconsistent? Or is he just on an understandable learning curve with everything being thrown at him? Probably a little bit of everything.
Regardless, Joe was pleased to hear no sign of Steele coddling Howard in any way.
May 29th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
well, if he had bad technique last year, he’ll be scary good once he gets his technique right…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 29th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Not sure why joe took a pause. All rookies have poor technique when they get to the league because 99% got by in college by being superior athletes. Well in the nfl, every player is a superior athlete and that is why its all about the technique/details which causes the player to succeed. Come on joe, you know that. Ali marpet is on record saying his first year he was trying to make sure he knew the plays in order to block the right person. His second year he said it was about concentrating on his technique because he already knew the plays.
May 29th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I’m with you Joe, I thought he was one of the better blocking TE’s coming out because he was more of a blocking TE at Alabama. I do understand his route crispness could improve.
May 29th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Oh…I thought this was about Jameis’s mechanics
May 29th, 2018 at 2:24 pm
No different than any rookie, but probably a little further behind as a WR due to playing TE at Alabama. I too am glad to hear his coaches comments as that is what he needs most, to have someone working with him to hone his craft as a pro and not spoon feeding or coddling him. Nothing is given in the NFL, no matter how talented you are. You have to work for it if you want to be best.
May 29th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
No mystery here. No college player comes out a finished product. Of course he has to work on technique, like every other young player. Duh.
May 29th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
His route running leaves something to be desired, if we want to pick nits. Hopefully he can keep refining that.
May 29th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Anyone else of the thought that Nama coach prob know more than buc coaches? Bc seriously who have they coached up?
May 29th, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Going to continue to get better at every technique continuously and that’s exciting. He was a great rookie pass rush TE last year and that’s what I’m most excited to see prevail. Just resigned the route running/good hands Brate who’s not the greatest blocking TE.
May 29th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
These defensive coaches cannot coach up young corners
Joe has long maintained Hargreaves is a victim of a coaching staff
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Interestingly enough in the next two articles joe questions the Bucs ability to coach young talent
May 29th, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Hey DB….have another one. I knows I am about to have one for you. Cheers! 🙂
May 29th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
This kid will turn into a monster over the next few years.
STUD.
May 29th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
There are plenty of reasons….I think Dewey has the strongest.
As Dewey pointed out it wasn’t like Saban was running a Steve Spurrier offense!!!
No Fun n Gun but a powerful running game…usually at least ONE GREAT WR…TE was a blocking position at Bama. And when Saban had to have OJ in the title game he cashed in but overall he totally underutilized OJ’s talent. Not saying he’s a bad coach…saying his offense was loaded and OJ simply didn’t get the touches on a team that was National Championship calibre and deep….DEEP.
Our offense will be improved for many reasons…not the least of which will be experience!!! Two of our most important weapons…OJ and Godwin were rookies last year…this year they’ll have a lot more of the NFL game already figured out.
I’ll claim the title…JBF Blog Homer but I believe both OJ and Godwin are Pro Bowl material. Time will tell.
May 29th, 2018 at 6:53 pm
OJ’s ability to put up better numbers also depends on our coaching staff using him more often besides sneaking him out from blocking and across the field against the grain.
May 30th, 2018 at 12:07 am
Sounds concerning he isn’t q rookie anymore and it sounds like he still has bad technique. Maybe tight end is a position like cornerbacks for the bucs and development
May 30th, 2018 at 12:49 am
even coming from the SEC, you’re not blocking guys like you see on Sundays every down. However good he was (and he was better than most guys he faced at Bama from what i can tell), he’s probably had to cheat a little more when it comes to technique because there are not easy downs
May 30th, 2018 at 7:03 am
Utilize his speed for gosh sake’s