Breakout
July 18th, 2019
Creating mismatches.
This is just a delicious idea. But Joe isn’t sure if it will become a reality.
Much of the NFL nowadays is about mismatches. Creating mismatches. Finding mismatches. The days of an offensive weapon just playing one position all the time is over. Move him to an area where he can exploit a weakness. A mismatch.
Adam Rank of NFL.com floats the idea of having tight end O.J. Howard play in the slot at times.
2019 breakout star: O.J. Howard, tight end. Coach Arians has said in the past that his tight ends are primarily used to block, and his receivers will catch the ball. Which is great, until you have a tight end like Howard, and then your attitude is certainly going to change. It’s like how you think fanny packs look ridiculous. And then you use one, and you’re like, “This might be the greatest invention of my generation. Why did I besmirch these things for so long?” And remember, Larry Fitzgerald had his greatest success with Arians when he was kicked into the slot. Howard has a lot of similarities, and if Howard is used in the slot, he could be on the verge of a breakout. So keep an eye on this development as we head into training camp during the summer.
Joe can just imagine Howard going up against a linebacker or perhaps a safety. Talk about an M&Mer, ba-BEE! (Insert Dick Vitale hollering.)
Of course, the Bucs have all sorts of guys who could play slot and create mismatches. Mike Evans, when he played slot in past years, was lethal. Cam Brate could play slot. And of course, Arians is looking at Chris Godwin there.
There are all sorts of possibilities for Mr. Biscuit to cook up. Let’s see if the old-timer still has it in his noggin.
July 18th, 2019 at 8:29 am
Slow news day……but still appreciate all the hard work.
News at this time of year for a NFL fan is usually bad news…..some sort of injury or…..a “hassle”…..no news now is good news.
July 18th, 2019 at 8:36 am
I think Brate should be playing in the slot, better route runner and better hands.
July 18th, 2019 at 8:54 am
“Yes Kobe Faker is tired of the JBF regurgitation like everyone here however
The key to the success (playoffs) of the season is
16 games of OJ and how BA utilizes his skillset
BA must have OJ be the focus and major weapon of the offense
BA must make OJ the Kelce/ Ertz of the gameplan ”
Kobe Faker
July 18th, 2019 at 9:10 am
There’s no revelation here. BA is known to put TE’s in the slot. BA likes tall receivers or TE’s in the slot. This is why I believe we might see a lot of WR Justin Watson in the slot.
July 18th, 2019 at 10:26 am
“delicious idea”
wtf?
July 18th, 2019 at 10:54 am
im expecting everyone to “break-out” with better coaching!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 18th, 2019 at 11:55 am
ugh. Another “breakout year for OJ” article again. WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU TRAINING CAMP?!!!
July 18th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
OJ is the man and Jameis loves throwing to tight ends more than any other position, so if Arians FEATURES OJ as in makes him the #1 option, he could put up numbers never before seen and make even prime Gronk look unathletic! The kid is that big a superstar talent in my view.
July 18th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
OJ ran a faster 40 than Mike Evans – he can play anywhere on the field really.
July 18th, 2019 at 6:35 pm
Can he rush the passer haha