Why Some Expect O.J. To Excel
July 22nd, 2019
Numbers point up.
Joe sees a lot of folks believing O.J. Howard will become the dominant tight end everyone believed he would be when the Bucs drafted him in the spring of 2017.
But why is that? Well, to quote Warren Sharp from his 2019 Football Preview, last season Howard was “criminally underutilized.”
Howard’s name isn’t listed in the top 100 players targeted from last year. In that same group, there are 14 tight ends and none of them played for the Bucs.
Now part of the reason Howard wasn’t targeted much (48 times) was that there is only one football to go around. The Bucs were loaded with quality receivers last year. Also, Howard share targets with arguably the most underrated tight end in the NFL, Cam Brate.
Then there is the ugly little nuisance of how Howard has yet to complete a full season.
If Howard can stay healthy, and with both Adam Humphries and malcontent DeSean Jackson gone, it stands to reason that Howard’s targets should increase this fall.
July 22nd, 2019 at 12:41 am
I think offensive scheme had more to do with him getting less targets. Koetter would keep the TE in to block, and when they were included in pass routes the veteran Brate, with his familiarity with Winston, would receive the most targets. If OJ can be featured in the slot more this season his targets should go up, but he would be vying for slot time with Godwin, Watson, or Miller. Right now until OJ can put Brate to bed as the bonafide starter, I see more of a platoon for now.
July 22nd, 2019 at 12:47 am
I’m still giddy that we have the ‘so many weapons, only one.football’ thing happening. For what seemed like forever, we couldn’t draft or rent more than one solid weapon to catch the ball. Especially during the Alvin Harper, Reidell Anthony, Jacques Green era, those were rough times.
In BA I Trust!
July 22nd, 2019 at 1:29 am
As much as I love Evans and Godwin and even think Perriman can be a dynamic deep threat and know Brate is an excellent red zone threat, I really believe OJ should be the #1 option.
As talented as Evans is, OJ presents an even bigger mismatch in the passing game, especially as he won’t have a #1 corner covering him the way Evans will … if he becomes the #1 target the way George Kittle is for the 49’ers, he could have every defensive coordinator in the NFL shaking in their sneaks throughout every game.
July 22nd, 2019 at 5:48 am
Since the Trent dilfer days wen I started watching the Bucs I’ve n bet seen a offense like this. I’m a defensive guy but it sure is a lot of fun watching this offense let’s go Bucs #endthedrought
July 22nd, 2019 at 5:54 am
“Who will be the hot reciever?
Who will JW3 throw to when the blitzer breaks the oringianal play
Hump was that player when the ball had to be out immediately
OJ should be that player but BA doesnt use TEs to be the focal point of the offense
BA has said Godwin will get 100 receptions. Kobe doesnt like Godwins quickness and getoff at the LOS. He cant use his long strides in the slot. He needs to separate in less than 5 yards compared to 15 yards
BRATE and his hips is FINISHED
BRATE IS A WASTE TO BE ON THE FIELD AT THIS POINT OF HIS CAREER
BRATE SHOULD RETIRE FOR THE BUCS SAKE”
Kobe Faker
July 22nd, 2019 at 6:02 am
As much as it pains me to say it. KFaker laid out a plausible scenario, but it will only be answered on the field. If you are right, you might see him busted down to the JV field and one of the other TE’s move to the varsity field. Should be fun to watch those types of moves in training camp.
In BA I Trust!
July 22nd, 2019 at 6:48 am
They do have to many receiving and tight end options as they did last year. The best the Bucs have ever had.
Arians will have a better game plan and focus on getting the ball to best mismatch and get the ball to mike Evans who he is in love with. (Godwin too )
Jameis has a good chance of throwing for 5,000 yards
July 22nd, 2019 at 7:09 am
IMO , OJ would be best utilized like Vernon Davis was. He can be a beat defenders downfield with his straight line speed for TD’s.
One reason shorter ,sneaky fast receivers excel in the slot is their ability to
change directions in traffic quickly. This is a tougher task with a big TE like
OJ because his longer strides. But if you can get a bigger receiver that can work the middle with a larger catch radius and fights for the ball you got a winner.. Another key to a slot receiver , is their ability to adjust in the air to the ball. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best I have ever seen with this ability,
and one reason BA moved him to slot successfully.
I believe that is the reason BA wants to put Godwin in the slot.
July 22nd, 2019 at 7:15 am
Part of this is Koetters obsession with keeping the diva DJax happy. Why he catered to a malcontent instead of a great teammate/player is anyones guess.
July 22nd, 2019 at 7:32 am
One concern I have for our slot receiver is the high probability of concussions. It will be up to BA to design plays to prevent that and Jameis to throw the ball in such a way to prevent injury. Sometimes it better to not throw a ball in a tight window to prevent a valuable player from getting injured.
July 22nd, 2019 at 7:45 am
“Kobe Faker has stated repeatedly, 2019 we will observe the emergence of JW3 “signature throw”
That will be the 20+ yard crossing pattern. receiver catching the ball in YAC position away from the pass defender
When posters see this JW3 play 5 times per game, Remember the words of Kobe faker”
Kobe Faker
July 22nd, 2019 at 8:13 am
Kobe
I would say that 80 passes over 20 yards is a bit over the top. I would be happy with him breaking 60 . That would be about a 50% increase over his last two years.
Another point Godwin was faster in both 20 yard shuttle and 40 yard dash at the
combine than OJ. OJ ran the 3 cone drill faster than Godwin.
July 22nd, 2019 at 8:43 am
“Bob
Godwin doesnt get enough credit for catching in traffic and with defenders hanging on
I think we are in good hands with Godwin and OJ but it will take time to learn and adjust
the importance of the new receiver coach is as important to the team than any other position coach
*Godwin is the real deal. What showed me last year was how he got out of the bad 3-4 games where he “Lost it”. he lost his confidence and started dropping balls. the will and perseverance to self-correct and fight thru to end the season playing well is a testament how good he is going to be”
Kobe Faker
July 22nd, 2019 at 8:51 am
Kobe
Agree,his determination is one of his strengths along with having the quickness of a WR.
July 22nd, 2019 at 9:02 am
So, like I said in 2017, we drafted a player that we didn’t need and skipped Dalvin Cook who Jameis was familiar with and on the board. And now, two years later, we’re still lamenting that Jameis doesn’t have a running game. Well, there’s the reason why.
July 22nd, 2019 at 10:29 am
everyones game will improve now that incompetent dirk is no longer running the team into the ground….
GO BUCS!!!!
July 22nd, 2019 at 11:15 am
Pugs
Dalvin Cook has only played in 15 games in two years That was somewhat predictable since he also had injuries at FSU also.