Breakout!
June 17th, 2018
Big prediction.
Which player with the Bucs could blow up this year?
Could it be Vernon Hargreaves? How about Chris Godwin? Maybe Donovan Smith will finally get the respect from Bucs fans he has earned?
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report takes a pass on those three. Instead, he is of the mind that tight end O.J. Howard will light up opposing defenses this fall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard needed some time to get acclimated to the NFL as a rookie in 2017. The first-round pick out of Alabama topped 20 receiving yards in just two of his first nine games, but then he started to make an impact. Howard registered 12 of his 26 catches and 205 of his 432 receiving yards in his final five games before a mid-December ankle injury ended his rookie season prematurely. During that stretch, he caught 70.6 percent of the passes thrown his way while averaging 17.1 yards per reception.
That made him the only player in the NFL with at least 10 receptions, a catch percentage of 70 or higher and a yards-per-catch average of 17 or higher during that late-season stretch (a total of 139 other players had at least 10 receptions during that period).
The 23-year-old also scored three of his six touchdowns in that five-game run. The man just makes plays, and he’s healthy again. It all bodes well for a big sophomore campaign.
As Joe has written, Howard had one of the best rookie seasons for a tight end in recent years. History suggests Howard is on the cusp of being a very special tight end.
June 17th, 2018 at 10:04 am
Let’s use him a lot Dirk and Todd.
June 17th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Lol
Sheep drinking the Klueless Koolaid
Klueless going to have OJ on the line blocking
OJ will have the same little amount of targets as last year
Kobe Faker
June 17th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Kobe Faker
The only thing I might ever agreed with you on.
He’ll get more passes thrown his way but he still needs to be #2 OT on the field. Especially on the right side.
June 17th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Some may disagree…..but my money would be on Justin Evans to blow up…..we saw glimpses of it last year…..with a solid Dline…..look for great things from Evans….
June 17th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Offense- Peyton Barber
Defense- Justin Evans
June 17th, 2018 at 10:53 am
OJ came into the league as an excellent blocker for a TE – one of the best in recent memory coming out in fact.
He’s a legit two way TE – a rare breed who excels at both blocking and making plays down field.
OJ will get a ton of snaps in 2018 – and many will be utilizing his blocking abilities. That’s a good thing.
But I don’t think Howard is going to get a ton of targets in the passing game this year. So thus – no “breakout”. Just good steady, solid play in year two from last years 1st rd selection.
Winston has many other (more experienced) passing targets to throw to. They will let Howard’s hopeful future roll as a premier pass catcher develop slowly and naturally I believe – all the while heavily utilizing his high end blocking capabilities.
June 17th, 2018 at 11:04 am
Justin Evans is gonna be all over the field this year.
June 17th, 2018 at 11:13 am
OJ is absolutely a beast in-the-making. A TD who can take it to the house from 60 and block. Brate will still make the tough 3rd down catches and get his red zone targets but OJ will become a huge weapon this season.
June 17th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Happy Fathers Day fellas!
June 17th, 2018 at 11:59 am
So far we’ve got OJ, Justin Evans and Barber. While I think all three will have excellent years, I’m voting for Jameis to have a truly breakout year. If you look at the 3 years he’s been the Bucs’ QB, our W-L records have been unspectacular (6-10, 9-7 & 5-11 for a 20-28 W-L overall). We’ve averaged total 344 pts scored per season (21.5 PPG). But every season there’s been ‘something’ that’s limited our offensive production, be it lack of a running game, kicking game, turnovers, etc. Could probably add the Bucs own inexperience to that list also (Key young starters like Donovan, Ali, OJ … and yes, Jameis).
This year somehow feels different. Those particular key young starters now have good experience, we’ve (hopefully) improved our running game, and Jameis has a LOT of weapons to work with. He’s a tough competitor & knows exactly what needs to be ‘fixed’ (like reducing turnovers?). I’m really expecting that the Bucs’ defense will be MUCH better, and that the Bucs’ offense & STs will respond in-kind. The key right now is Jameis, and I’m convinced that he’ll have a truly breakout year.
June 17th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
I think Jordan Whitehead is gonna have a fantastic rookie campaign, and our rookie CB’s will contribute big time also. On offense I think our running game will be resurrected with Barber, Jones, and Simms. In the passing game Godwin, and Howard will be monsters as well. Like Koetter has said recently to Jenna Laine, “there’s only one ball to go around”, so it all hinges on Winston and his passing progression. He has a tendency to focus on one receiver per snap, and not go through his progressions, and his favorites are Evans, and Humphries. So Godwin, and Howards totals are dependent solely on Jameis, and the o-line.
June 17th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo wishes himself a “Dia Del Padre”…..as you know, Pablo has many, many, many Children’s……Sunday is Pablo’s day of rest from hot Pasco County roofs by day and hotter table dancing by night…..Pablo’s day of rest, that is, except for working on making more Childrens”
June 17th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
add Brate to Winston’s favorite targets
June 17th, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Defense Rules
Agree about Jameis as he continues to grow. If RoJo can bring his USC game, maybe Jameis can finally bring his FSU game.
Everyone’s been s-ing Jordan Whitehead’s D only after Donnie Abraham said he has potential. Barely practiced the entire mini camp. Waiting with hope to see.
June 17th, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Here’s an interesting concept…maybe more than one player per team could have a breakout season!
We better hope at least 4 do if we want a successful season.
June 17th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Rojo mojo with good blocking will open up the play action recipe and chef Jamies has all the ingredients he needs TO EAT SOME W’S
June 17th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Heres my Dark Horse
Ryan Smith
He was a rookie last year, and still took VH3s job. He got plenty of experience.
With a pass rush- the kid may shine
Big tall fast
Good stats for a CB
June 17th, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Capt.Tim I like how Ryan Smith breaks up a lot of passes from his college tape I like players that can do that and get the interceptions from what little I’ve seen he tackles pretty good as well
June 17th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Capt Tim, I like the way you think. Ryan Smith may very well surprise everyone this year. Got kind of a dirty deal his rookie year (safety experiment) and again last year (baptism by fire) but as they say ‘What doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger’. Hopefully that’s true in his case.
June 17th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
I think Evans is a good cover guy but is skeptical in his tackling. Tandy will be your surprise this year to blow up.
June 17th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Although I like J. Evans. He is a great cover guy but is very suspect in his tackling efficiency. Tandy will be your Blow up guy this year. The year he excelled was not a fluke. His is so profiecent because of his experience, his preparation and knowledge of the game! Watch him to have his best year as a Buc yet!!! Go Bucs!!!!!