Bruce Arians And Tight Ends
August 11th, 2019
Tight end man. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
When Bucco Bruce Arians was hired by the Bucs, some suggested that was the end of Cam Brate as a Bucs tight end. Hogwash!
These same people claimed Arians wasn’t a tight end kind of a guy, perhaps mistaking him for Mike Martz (hey, both have gray hair, are white and wear glasses — easy to confuse).
Joe made the case that when Arians ran the Steelers offense, he used underrated tight end Heath Miller often.
Well, jet-flyin’, kiss–stealin‘, data-analyzin’, Bucs-film-studyin’, limousine-ridin’ Thomas Bassinger, writing in Football Outsider’s 2019 Almanac, used data highlighting that Arians not using tight ends is simply a wive’s tale.
Arians’ last four offenses ranked between 10th and 16th in two-tight end sets, so we should expect to see more of O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate on the field together.
And quick, name a Cardinals tight end! Unless one is an avowed fantasy football addict, you likely cannot.
The sign of a good coach is utilizing the talent he has, not throwing them overboard like a former Bucs coach now stuck in the middle of the Illinois cornfields would.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:05 am
Probably the best TE coach BA had in AZ would Gresham. But still hes probably not even as good as a healthy Cam Brate with #3 throwing him the ball. And OJ Howard is on a completely different level provided he can stay on the field for 16+ games this season.
BA is one of the best offensive minds of the last decade+ and is nobodies fool. He and Byron Leftwich are going to take full advantage of the weapons we have in that TE room.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:15 am
Anyone get a chance to see #76 Donovan Smith bulldozed by Devin Bush the other night? Not a good look for the guy to be getting put on his rear by an off ball Linebacker he outweighs by 60+ pounds…
I know hes recovering from an Achilles injury but damn… kinda makes me wish we could package him in a trade with a 2nd round pick in an effort to acquire Trent Williams. Dude say he flat out does not want to play for Washington anymore. No 2 ways about it he’s still an elite left tackle in this league where Donovan Smith well, he just isnt.
Dominant left tackles can have just as much impact on an offense and a team as a dominant Quarterback, Pass rusher, shut down Corner and so on. AD Adrian Peterson said on the NFL top 100 players of 2019 that hes never run behind someone as good as William’s on his entire career. I think we could honestly have the best and most balanced offensive attack in the league this year if we managed to swap Donovan Smith for Trent Williams.
Maybe I’m crazy…
August 11th, 2019 at 8:26 am
You can add Tanner Hudson to the TE room……the guy can catch the football…..I believe we will carry 4.
Arians stated he needs to avoid ST penalties….
A case could be made for Ryan Griffin as the backup……I am still opposed to 3 roster positions for QB…..we should have 2 with the third on the PS.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:27 am
I was impressed with Tanner Hudson. At the very least Hudson and Schnell either on the final 53 or the practice squad.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:28 am
Off topic, but did anyone else see DARREL HENDERSON shred the vaunted Oakland defense with an impressive 2.2 YDS/C, 6 carries for 13 yards. How did we pass on this guy….
August 11th, 2019 at 8:41 am
The Bucs clearly do have some great TEs and I liked the depth shown the other night. Very good point on building to O to player strengths, not chucking them away. Passing game related, we didn’t see Gabbert a whole lot…he did okay while in, and clearly the more practice Griffin gets, the better. Hoping the Bucs carry three QBs this year. Otherwise, is it a done deal that Gabbert has the #2 job over Griffin? Pretty sure Joe will hit that topic more.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:48 am
JP_09
Lmao brother I was waited for Ghost to show up and I was gonna slap him around for that.
It’s almost like playing for a small conference school with no good defenses and the NFL are 2 completely different things.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:51 am
Great coaches scheme to get the most out of the talent that they have. IF they have enough talent on their team, they win more than they lose. IF not … well, scour the Bucs coaching staffs for the last decade for the answer.
BA will gleefully use OJ, Brate, Auclair & very likely a 4th TE this season. What coach wouldn’t? OJ & Cam are established weapons, and Auclair is coming along really nicely.
TBBF … I agree with you about Griffin, although I thought that Gabbert did reasonably well when he was running the show. Personally think that BA will keep 3 QBs on the roster because of the way that he practices. Still think we’ll keep 25 offense, 25 defense & 3 S/Ts, although there’s still an outside possibility that we might keep Santos for the first 4 games (while Ryan Smith is on suspension) IF Gay struggles with the short kicks (like he’s done in several practices?). If our Secondary is all healthy to start the season, we could get away with doing that for 4 games.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:56 am
firethecannons Says:
August 11th, 2019 at 8:27 am
I was impressed with Tanner Hudson. At the very least Hudson and Schnell either on the final 53 or the practice squad.
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Yes !…wonder who is the best special team player
August 11th, 2019 at 8:56 am
Don’t worry AhShbucs,
BA is working on changing the culture of softies in Bucland. He started off by bringing in Nasty Violent football playing Suh n good riddance of “My bad Ben” Gerald McCoy. Donavan Smith is a big teddy bear always laughing after being bulldozed by DE. He’s on the chopping block next. Friday wasn’t the first time he was beast mode, look at his tapes over the past several years. Once BA notice DSmith causing indirect or potential injury to Winston, unlike timid LSmith n Koetter, we’ll all hear about DSmith being on the hot seat. BA called out rookie corner #26 who gave on on a play Friday night. There were a few others Buc players who assumed the play was over n the receiver gained an abundance of yards off of our players lack of effort. We have got to get rid of players that have a softie flag football mentality. I would love to have Trent Williams n any secondary player from the bears. Unlike several of our players, the Bears secondary don’t give up on plays,n they bring the hammer. We finally have the right coach to change the culture in Buccaneer country.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:59 am
Awshbuc….Interesting, but I have a lot of skins fans that won’t be too sad to see Williams depart. He’s often injured and they think he’s going to get the fat contract and shut it down ala Albert Hainesworth.
Henderson to the practice squad. Dont need to take up a roster spot right now. Let him learn more and call him up if needed secondary to an injury
August 11th, 2019 at 9:00 am
Moderation is awesome !
August 11th, 2019 at 9:01 am
Figuring out who to cut/keep at TE cos of all the talent is a rare problem for the Bucs. Good and hope it keeps Buc Luck in check. Griffin is a keeper. He just needs to play more. Gabbert stinks even on the practice field. Go Bucs!!
August 11th, 2019 at 9:02 am
Buh bye
August 11th, 2019 at 9:06 am
Catanzaro just retired. Anyway the Bucs trade Santos for even a 6 or 7? Clears up some more cap space and at least we get something. Not sure if anyone would trade for a kicker, but when the Bucs release him (and they will), he’ll have a new team that afternoon. He’s been solid in camp, and he hits XP’s
August 11th, 2019 at 9:08 am
Lmao about Henderson. Ghost said we should all be keyed in to watch how the greatest RB of all time would play in his first preseason game. Damn if he didn’t produce. He was like a combination of Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders all rolled into one. Imagine how great the Bucs offensive would be if they had him and that 2.2 yards per carry average.
August 11th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Anyone who judges a rookie’s first preseason performance and declares him a bust or an all-pro is suffering from some serious stupid.
August 11th, 2019 at 9:35 am
Montgomery was the guy I wanted us to get. He looked good in his first action with the Bears. My picks would of been Ed Oliver N Aderlie D Montgomery jamal dean mack willsion
August 11th, 2019 at 9:43 am
Not at all surprised Henderson averaged 2.2 yards a carry. He is a small back from a small school and I have tried to warn Ghost that Henderson will be a backup back so he wouldn’t embarrass himself touting Henderson as a Super Back!!!
August 11th, 2019 at 9:48 am
Was lovie the general manager or the coach…past all that lame ass bull..get and stick with what is !!
August 11th, 2019 at 9:57 am
TBBF, Our back up quarterbacks are ineligible for the practice squad as they are both over age 25.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:02 am
I agree that Hudson and Schnell looked good. If they can continue to be strong contributors the next few games, they should make cutting them very tough. I am nor sure either would be safe on the practice squad.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:11 am
What is with all this Henderson love on this site man??? He’ll be just another guy in this league for a few years and be gone. No wiggle,I don’t see many tackles broken and he ain’t the fastest indy car in the race. Just a str8 line runner that will appear average in a league filled grown men who have just much and many times more ability.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:14 am
And I like Hudson but Schnell is a str8 up football Jesse.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:49 am
BridleOaks
You answered your own question
August 11th, 2019 at 11:17 am
Hudson looked like a keeper. He reminded me of Rookie Cam Brate.
Frankly, he may be a threat to Brate.
Think about it: if you can get nearly the performance from Hudson this season as Brate, if you can develop Hudson, then it makes Brate’s big contract expendable, especially coming off an injury.
I don’t see Brate as tradeable because of his hefty cap number.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:18 am
The Bucs will carry 4 TE’s.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Bucs will keep Brate this year and develop Hudson more….
If Bucsseason in bad shape come the trade deadline, they may trade him to playoff team for good draft pic (at least a 3rd)
I think Hudson will move up the depth chart from there or next season.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
You guys are nuts if you think the Bucs will carry 4 TEs….To carry 4 TEs means the Bucs will carry one less receiver or running back…..Hudson’s performance only highlighted what our top two TEs, Howard/Brate will accomplish….Remember Hudson was up against 2nd and 3rd stringers…..
August 11th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
As much as I like Brate, I agree his job may be in jeopardy. (Salary)
August 11th, 2019 at 4:35 pm
While I appreciate taking well deserved shots at lovie. Insults for Dirk seem to be lacking. It’s ok not to be afraid he is with a division rival after and he sucked equally because he had more talent. I guess this is the journalist side of you hoping to get some good quotes twice a year. If he was out of the division you’d be ripping him because he was trash