The O.J. Play
September 5th, 2018
First touchdown highlighted.
Anyone remember that bomb America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, tossed to O.J. Howard who was so wide open he was in his own zip code?
It was a 58-yard pass, Howard’s first NFL touchdown. He was rewarded on a misdirection where receivers cleared out underneath and Jameis faked a handoff and rolled right.
Howard, who lined up on the right side, slipped through traffic and was wide open left.
Below is the play diagrammed. You can also watch it here.
Mark Bullock of the Washington Post broke down each NFL team’s offensive schemes into one play. And for Bullock, the Jameis-to-Howard hook-up was a perfect example of how Bucs coach Dirk Koetter likes the vertical passing game so much.
Coach Dirk Koetter is known for his aggressive vertical passing attack. He likes to take shots down the field for explosive plays, either off play-action or a seven-step drop for the quarterback. The passing game was a success a year ago, but the Bucs struggled to run the ball as Koetter tried a mix of zone and gap schemes. This tight end throwback play is a good example of how Koetter can attack down the field. While the quarterback fakes the handoff and runs the bootleg, a tight end (1) will leak out behind the crossing routes (2 and 3), often completely uncovered, setting up a big gain. O.J. Howard scored three touchdowns off this play last season.
Sure would be nice to see a lot of explosive plays like this starting Sunday.
September 5th, 2018 at 9:12 am
I agree. We need to score points this year. The offense has to carry this team
September 5th, 2018 at 9:26 am
I’m pretty sure I saw this play hanging up on Koetter’s wall in his childhood home.
September 5th, 2018 at 9:29 am
That Giants game was an example of a game where the Bucs had an excellent opportunity to put it away early but had too many meltdowns on offense in Giants territory. Wondering how much of that was having no confidence in their kicking game.
September 5th, 2018 at 9:30 am
He caught that route twice last year….
September 5th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Everything about this team is exciting this year.
The way I see it, winning one of the first three games is a must. Winning two would be a dream come true.
Winston will return against a Bears team that is not prepared for our offense or improved defense.
A win going into the bye week, then a 4 win steak will put us at around 6-2 or 7-1 at the halfway point. The schedule favors us after the first three games.
We run neck and neck with the Falcons each year, and this year our defense will be better. The Panthers are nowhere near as good as the Bucs, Falcons and Saints. If we win our first game, that means we at least split wins with the Saints. I can live with that.
11-5 people. Get used to the idea!
September 5th, 2018 at 10:10 am
Bonzai I hope your correct, we have the weapons for it true enough even without help from our first two draft picks this year the million dollar question is can Mike Smith hold it together on D. Judging from last year it is doubtful but as we know every year is different in the NFL.
September 5th, 2018 at 10:14 am
Joe, is there any restriction upon Jameis attending nfl games his team is not playing in. Can he personally scout future opponents games to see tendancies and formations firsthand?
September 5th, 2018 at 10:33 am
It’s a fact that the Bucs (yeah, the Bucs) have the best tight ends in the league. The wide receivers are up there, too. Barber will have a field day if Monk/DK take advantage of all the receiving threats and mix up the plays. Buc Luck/injuries need to back off the OLine and let these guys jell. We have a kicker now. I have been waiting for this offense to explode. Can’t wait to watch the fireworks, and I hope one hits Sean Payton in the arse! Go Bucs Sunday in the Big Easy!! P.S.: outplay the refs while you’re at it. 🙂
September 5th, 2018 at 10:52 am
I’ve heard several deep-dive, video-junkie analysts say really good things about Koetter’s choreography.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:12 am
Interesting to see how the Bucs execute the play calling this season under Monken. While Koetter likes to employ 2 TE sets, at Southern Miss, Monken used 3-4 WR sets with 2 running backs. He was not big on TEs.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:13 am
After years of watching TE’s eat our lunch…including Graham when he was with the Saints…I’m glad to finally be on the other side of the equation.
Watson is a competent TE for the Saints…but he’s not OJ…he’s not Graham and I’m not sure he’s even Brate. This is an area where we have the advantage.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Louis:
Jameis can’t go to games.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:49 am
With the way the rules are slanted in favor of the wide receivers it only makes sense to take your shots. Even if incomplete you still have a very good chance of a pass interference call.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Keep drawing them up like this one coach K.
We need more creativity with all these weapons available.
Gotta find ways to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers.
Space downfield is hard to come by for very long – but plays like this create it.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
As explosive as we keep hearing this offense is, there’s a history of coming away with only 3 points when deep in opponent’s territory. This has happened time and time again. We’ll need to punch it in the end zone more or it’s going to be a long year.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
September 5th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Everything about this team is exciting this year.
LOL….you said that last year!!!!…lol….oh boy!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
September 5th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
It was a very good play but it’s not ‘The Annexation of Puerto Rico’ from the Little Giants. Hell that play doesn’t even have a name. It’s probably some fake jet sweep, roll, throw back X, yz run.
September 5th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Offense looks like a well oiled machine that’s going to score a ton of TDS.