Evans And Brate Mean Playoffs
June 17th, 2018
Reason for playoff dreams?
After posting a terribly deflating 5-11 season and playing in a division with teams led by quarterbacks who all have won MVPs and been to the Super Bowl, the thought of a Bucs playoff berth this year seems awfully lofty.
But Adam Rank of NFL.com believes it is a very real goal.
And one reasons he gives is the fact America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, has Mike Evans and Cam Brate to throw to.
Before we start with what’s new, we need to at least address the moves the Bucs made to lock up Evans and Brate. Evans signed a five-year, $82.5 million extension on March 9; three days later, Brate inked a six-year, $41 million pact. The duo received 44.5 percent of the Bucs’ red-zone targets in 2017 and combined for 11 touchdowns. So keeping both of these guys in-house was a huge step.
The Evans decision was a no-brainer. Like you get offered a free upgrade to sweet potato fries, you make that move. But it was refreshing to see the Bucs throw that money at Brate. Many might have assumed the team would probably start to focus on O.J. Howard, who was gifted to them in last year’s draft. And Howard has a lot of potential. But you see more and more teams putting value into having a pair of quality tight ends. That’s a smart move.
Well, it has been said publicly by no less an authority than Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht that Dirk Koetter loves tight ends.
Well, so too does Jameis.
When Jameis was in college, one of his favorite targets was Nick O’Leary, who has been a hanger-on in the NFL. Nothing special, though he was very special when Jameis was throwing him the rock.
When Jameis came to the Bucs, Brate was just a guy (JAG), someone on the fringe of a roster. With Jameis, Brate has turned into one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
And last year Howard was among the most productive rookie tight ends in recent years.
So on face value, sure, one could argue Howard was a luxury pick or that Brate was expendable with Howard on the roster. But when you have a quarterback who helps tight ends become dominant, you keep your tight ends even if you only need one.
June 17th, 2018 at 8:16 am
FAR fewer turnovers and better defensive play MAY mean playoffs!
June 17th, 2018 at 8:24 am
Bucs have tremendous offensive weapons. With players like OJ, Brate, ME13, DJax, Godwin, Jones & a host of others, there’s no excuse for this team not ranking at the top of the scoring foodchain with Jameis orchestrating the show on the field. #NOEXCUSES2018
June 17th, 2018 at 8:34 am
Like I’ve said…..a decent running game and even an average defense & Jameis can get us to a championship.
Think….we had the worst defense and no running game.
If you add limiting turnovers, especially fumbles….we are in business.
June 17th, 2018 at 8:39 am
RoJo is the answer to the Bucs scoring TDs and making the playoffs.
June 17th, 2018 at 8:44 am
I love the ability to trot out two TE sets. So are we going to run the ball? Or look for one of those two talented targets. The possibilities are pretty frightening to the DC’s in the league. And OJ has shown in the college playoff games the ability to get behind the defense.
We are starting to see the next big step required of a playoff team….depth.
June 17th, 2018 at 8:59 am
This offense has to many weapons not to score 20-30 pts a game. You don’t even need a coach with all these proven receivers and 2 filthy tight ends and hopefully a much improved running game ( no Doug Martin )
This offense has the most weapons in history of Buccaneers
June 17th, 2018 at 9:45 am
If the OLine isn’t “fixed” – then we will see the Offense continue to struggle.
It all starts up front!
Regarding Brate’s deal – it was a smart move. Averaging $6.8M per over 6 years with no guarantees beyond 2018 – the deal is less than what Brate’s production could/should have demanded. If Cam continues to be the player he has been the last 2 years – then his contract makes trading him pretty easy if/when the appropriate time for that comes (in 3 years when OJ has to get paid or if Auclair or some other young TE turns into a good player)
June 17th, 2018 at 10:01 am
Kobe Faker was the originator and only member of the #FreeOJStocker movement
OJ doesnt get enough targets and Koetter will have him blocking 95%of the time
“The key to our 2018 season is we need Brate and Hump to get injured for the season and have the offense run thru OJ and Godwin”
“Less is More”
Kobe Faker
June 17th, 2018 at 10:19 am
I’m with Tampabaybucsfan
Just give Jamie’s an average defense, average kicking game and an average running game and the Bucs will be in contention to win a championship.
June 17th, 2018 at 11:14 am
“If you add limiting turnovers, especially fumbles….we are in business“
Showing my stupidity, I suppose, but I’m just not that worried about this. Given that the QB is charged with a fumble, even when the center ‘dribbles’ the ball back on the ground, or out of the QBs reach & over his head. Same sorta thing with interceptions when the ball bounces off a receiver’s hands. Just sayin that it ain’t always the QBs fault. Established guys like Brady, Ryan, & Brees get a pass, in the fan’s minds, even if they’re charged on the stat sheet. If we win games, no one will be bitchin about turnovers. Barring that select few who just have to find something to complain about.
June 17th, 2018 at 11:19 am
Not saying I love turnovers, just don’t think they’re the end of football life, as we know it. Just look at the pass Favre got. ‘He’s just a gunslinger’..ad infinitum. If you win, all is forgiven. Bottom line is the whole team has let us down, NOT just McCoy or Winston.
June 17th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
O’Leary’s way more than a hanger-on. He’s been a solid number two and played almost as many snaps as number 1, Charles Clay. The Bills, particularly during Rex Ryan’s time, have been shocked at how well he blocks. And he never gets hurt. He’s had some highlight reel catches, but his quarterback the last few years isn’t a read the field, go through the progressions and find the open guy QB. He’s a primary option covered->check-down or bail guy. So, O’Leary’s receiving production is not going to blow you away.
Buscaglia has him as a lock to make the Bills roster.
June 17th, 2018 at 12:57 pm
All the pieces are here. The only question mark on offense is the right side of the o-line, besides that Jameis has a plethora of weapons to choose from. This season comes down to Jameis Winston and his ability to produce scoring opportunities. There should not be anymore one point games at the end of the game. We should be able to produce more than 3 TD’s per game.
June 17th, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Well said pickgrin, I completely agree.
We needed to address the trenches. The defensive line has been, we’ll see how these FAs turn out. The offensive line scares me though. I have no idea who is lining up to the right side of Jensen at this point.
I’d love for Benenoch and/or Wester to step up, or Kappa to be great as a rookie like Marpet was. But those things seem extremely doubtful right now.
If the o-line plays poorly, that could mean the end of Jason, Dirk, and possibly even Jameis (doubtful, but who knows what a new regime will think).