O.J. Howard The Receiver
July 29th, 2019
Changing role
By ZACHARY SEIFTER
JoeBucsFan.com intern
Head coach Bucco Bruce Arians is keeping his word.
When Devin White took the podium last week to kick off Buccaneers training camp, he made himself very clear: “O.J. Howard is not a tight end.”
Howard, as White stated, is too fast for the position. White said Howard is more like a big receiver.
And Arians agrees.
Back in March, coach Arians said that Howard and Cameron Brate would be lined up at wide receiver in practices to gauge their abilities there.
So, when Howard stood at the podium today fielding questions from local reporters, update was needed on how often he’s being used as a receiver.
Howard replied to JoeBucsFan.com that it’s happened quite a bit.
“You want to count OTA’s to now, I’m not sure how many, but I have taken a lot of good reps and I’ve seen a lot of good looks you know, just because our defense runs different coverages and will continue to do the same,” Howard said. “So, I think just the more I go out there and split out wide, the more comfortable I’ll become when the season comes.”
Howard is a matchup nightmare for every corner that stands across from him. Standing 6-6 and nearly 260 pounds, all while running with 4.5 speed, utilizing his skill at receiver should be one of Arians’ go-to options this upcoming season.
So, it’s no surprise to hear that he’s been splitting out wide often through the spring and summer.
What else is Arians supposed to do?
July 29th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Its.going.to be fun seeing howard, evans, watson, brate/godwin/miller/perriman on the field.all.aynthe same.time..
Predictability.is.GONE!!!!!
July 29th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
OJ Howard lined up wide. Evans, Howard on the outside and Godwin in the slot. Brat at TE.
Uh Oh!
July 29th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
We need OJ at TE because he’s the best blocker on the right side of our oline. Split him out to the slot on some plays and opposing defenses will go ape sh!t trying to audible.
July 29th, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Any good coach would always have a few tricks like that up his sleeve, Sometimes you have to create the advantages within the game.
I would line up Howard, Evans, Brate, and Goodwin on the other side.
Then, Watch the defense to have fun trying to stop it.
July 29th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Does is matter who is at receiver when lying Winston is the guy throwing the ball. Hell, he does not even know the playbook after having it for three months. Can’t blame him though, not very well lit in those strip bars.
July 29th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I wanna see BP and ME out wide with Godwin in slot, Cam at TE and Howard in backfield @ H back….. goes in motion… defense Sh*ts pants
Go Bucs!!!
July 29th, 2019 at 1:42 pm
don’t get too excited fan boys this dude can’t stay on the field so getting excited and slobbering over a guy who is at BEST a PART TIME player is so buc like. bucs have 2 mediocre te’s that can’t stay healthy. brate is done… Dr Kobe Faker has had some good intel on hips…. his hips won’t hold up and this dude OJ will be in the tub for at least 5 games this year… no one slobbers over part time gambles like low standard bucfan…
July 29th, 2019 at 1:51 pm
There are 31 other teams you can get behind Tmax.
I’ve suggested the Patriots so you can live a worry free stress free life. Your lady will appreciate your new optimism. If you have one.
July 29th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Wow. That comment went to moderation.
Is “Tmax” a prohibited word?
July 29th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
Tmaxipad, get lost already troll. You’re either a fan or not. Since you prove time and time again that you are not you should kick rocks and go back to your mom’s basement already.
July 29th, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Well said TMax as you’ve set the low standard for commentors on this board.
July 29th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Stay healthy OJ and the sky’s the limit.
July 29th, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Buc1987 Says:
July 29th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
OJ Howard lined up wide. Evans, Howard on the outside and Godwin in the slot. Brat at TE.
Uh Oh!
—————–
Dotson at RT, Caleb or Cappa at RG. UH NO!!!! Run Jameis Run!!!!
Sack!!! The weapons don’t matter if there no time to throw.
July 29th, 2019 at 2:33 pm
You ladies get so butt hurt over reality…. is the truth that scary
July 29th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Ran a faster 40 than Evans.
Not a knock on Evans, who obviously has been ultra productive, but just what a weapon OJ is. If they plan on using OJ as more of a pure WR at times, then it makes even more sense on why they kept Brate instead of Hump this offseason.
July 29th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
Tmax truth = mindless drivel.
July 29th, 2019 at 5:23 pm
Tmax. Don’t you have someplace to go? Please?
July 29th, 2019 at 6:37 pm
OJ Howard will be a nightmare for other teams to cover, if we use him properly.
We are just loaded at talent to catch the ball.
The big question is – will our O Line give Jameis the time to find our open receivers.
July 29th, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Injuries are a art of the game …how deep dose it effect your team is what matters ..Mike split out to the right OJ split out to the left..S Miller in the slot…Leggett at Tight End (if we are going down field with the football Anthony at TE if we are going to dump it off to Godwin out the backfield (has ROJO learned how to catch a pass yet) THIS IS A NEW DAY FOR BUC BALL!!! BUCS WIN BUCS WIN BUCS WINK!!! I am approve this message!!
July 29th, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Anyone that thinks
July 29th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Instead of reading tmaxs insults and arguing with a troll, just go look at the national coverage of the OJ Howard to know how excited we should be. Evans godwinhoward will crush the league this year. Be ready to lose 35-37 all the time!!
July 29th, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Awesome talent, but he hasn’t finished a season. If he can’t finish out 2019 then it’s safe to call this dude injury prone.