Unleash The Tight Ends!
September 27th, 2019
Offers advice for offense.
NFL folks from near and far scolded former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter for what they perceived as underutilizing tight end O.J. Howard.
Three weeks into the 2019 season, one could argue that both Howard and fellow tight end Cam Brate are both being less utilized than they ever were with Koetter.
One such person is Brian Baldinger. The former offensive lineman for the Colts, Cowboys and Eagles who now works for NFL Network and FOX Sports, Baldinger wrote that for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, to take the next step, and for the Bucs to turn it up a notch and save their season, Bucco Bruce Arians has to take the bubble wrap off his tight ends.
I believe the Bucs’ two tight ends can help elevate not only Winston’s game but the Bucs as a team. What QB wouldn’t want to throw to a couple of 6-foot-5-plus targets that have good hands, run well and are dependable? Add in Evans and an emerging star in Chris Godwin, and the Bucs can play a bunch of “tall ball.” Howard and Brate present matchup problems but are sorely underused. Against the Giants, Howard dominated when matched up against cornerback Deandre Baker and safety Jabrill Peppers, as neither player came close to staying with him. My guess is, by targeting his tight ends, Winston could improve his accuracy, an area in which he struggles, because of their catch radius and natural size. It’s time Arians incorporates both Howard and Brate more into his offense.
Something weird is going on with the Bucs tight ends. Howard has only flashed in one game this year and we all know he is a better player than what he has shown.
And with Brate, aside from catching a short pass last Sunday, he’s been so invisible the past two weeks, there was an all-points bulletin out for him.
If you ask Joe why the offense has sputtered, aside from the first half against New York, look no further than Howard and Brate being dispatched to the shadows of the passing game.
September 27th, 2019 at 8:10 am
Not impressed with these coaches, short of Bowles. Arians is retired on the job, passing stuff off to young Byron, because as Arians said, he doesn’t need the stress. Bucs fans should be thrilled that Arians is getting enriched, and enriching others less fortunate than he who just need a chance…at Bucs fans expense. I mean, Bucs fans must be proud at just the thought of a female coaches, all minoirty coordinators, head case kickers, and third-chance QB team captains. If all of the above amounted to wins, it would be fine…who cares about gender and color when whoever it is wins? Not a factor. But no. This is about the Arians legacy. “Thanks to all of us, it works. The Arians Way.”
September 27th, 2019 at 8:16 am
Have plenty of EXCELLENT pass catchers….that is not the PROBLEM….the problem is the ham handed ,stumbling bumbling QB….tick…tock…tick..tock…tick..tock
September 27th, 2019 at 8:17 am
If OJ stinks it up again………………Tanner Hudson!
September 27th, 2019 at 9:00 am
I suspect they are blocking along with Godwin…..we do have an improved running game and that is the price.
We sure aren’t getting much from our $7mil TE…..or our #1 pick….
September 27th, 2019 at 9:01 am
I don’t know if it was a lack of confidence on JW, but it was clear to me that if we keep on throwing the ball all afternoon to Evans an OJ you would have win the game easily, their was an obvious difference on our favour, we should capitaliced it more…….Maybe Coach Arians knows something we do not……Time to move on form that game and focus on sundays……
September 27th, 2019 at 9:28 am
Not impressed with Leftwich as a play caller. Seems whenever he gets the run game going he doesn’t play off it. He just runs until they stop it, which all defenses do eventually. He runs play action either too late or too early. After Rojo gutted the Giants for the sixth or seventh consecutive play he could’ve easily played off that for a touchdown pass as the Giants were stacking the box. Settling for a six point lead late by running nine consecutive run plays deep inside Giants territory was lame; furthermore it set the Giants up to win the game with a touchdown. Crazy as it sounds, a three point lead may have actually been better as the Giants wouldn’t have gone for it on fourth down instead settling for an equalizing field goal.
September 27th, 2019 at 9:35 am
I know the running game looks totally different than the last couple years. I’m not sure what’s going on, if it’s the pass patterns and nobody is open, or if Jameis is only keying in on one receiver the whole game, but something seems bad wrong with this offense. The first two games it was all Godwin. Last game Godwin disappeared and all Evans. I keep thinking why isn’t everyone involved. Any thoughts?
September 27th, 2019 at 9:45 am
This is a tough dilemma. Do we lose throwing to TEs or do we lose not throwing to TEs?
September 27th, 2019 at 9:51 am
It’s a new system. We have Godwin, Rojo, Barber, OJ, Evans, Brate, and Perriman. It’s been 3 weeks. Isn’t it obvious they are rolling these guys out separately each week? Keeps the defense on their toes. They don’t know what to expect.
Why do people expect all of our boys to break out by week 3? LOL OJ is gonna have his week and it may be on sunday.
September 27th, 2019 at 9:55 am
I’m starting to think O.J. Howard sucks.
September 27th, 2019 at 10:10 am
I think most of the problem is with the QB, now I don’t dislike JW but he doesn’t seem to know how to throw receivers open, he throws to where they are instead of where they are going. So he won’t throw until a person seems wide open and then his throw is a bit inaccurate. In the NFL 4-6″ of leverage is open when you put the ball on the mark, to where the receiver will be. But in his defense when you have longer pass patterns it gives the DB an opportunity to recover from a good release by the receiver. This is why I believe we need to have more quick hitters allowing the receiver to run with the ball, then the double move works for the long ball. Let your playmakers make plays with the ball in their hands not running to get open.
September 27th, 2019 at 10:52 am
Who can really disagree with Baldy’s observation?
The slits on my wrist are finally starting to heal. I’ve backed off the bridge in an attempt to revert to my normal positive self.
In “fairness”….it is an entirely NEW coaching staff with plenty of new players as well all adjusting to new systems on O and D
D.R. has done a good job of bringing me back down off the ledge. His analysis of what Bowles has to work with at this moment…not necessarily going forward…but right now in his defensive backfield with an injury and suspension and his kiddie corps back there explains a lot.
I’ve always believed it’s not necessarily where you are at any moment but the direction you’re heading. This team still has plenty of time to improve and grow. It’s all new still and people are learning…both players and coaches…our TRUE strengths and weaknesses.
I need at least 8-8 this year and signs of improvement as the season progresses.
So returning to my optimistic ways…5 of our last 8 games after we get through this tough stretch are at home(is that good or bad) against beatable teams. The exact situation we had this past Sunday….sorry I said I would forget that game. LMAO
September 27th, 2019 at 11:32 am
New: coaches,system,players.
Existing: talent is there, improved play by some skill positions
It will take time! I’m of the kind to see where the team ends up at the halfway point and at years end.
September 27th, 2019 at 11:52 am
Hope in one hand and sh!t in the other…you can figure out which one fills up first.
September 27th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Marine Buc….are you serious??????
September 27th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
I’ve always believed a better formula for success with Winston was an offense that emphasized the two TE and Godwin….Trade Evans, as crazy as that sounds, for building a solid o-line and running game. Winston is better suited for a quick read/strike style of offense that plays on mismatches. Great receivers bounce around the league for a reason….Great LT don’t. The game is won upfront first. We have the same combo of talent that the Pats had with Gronk/Hernandez.
September 27th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Brate did have the really nice TD play that was called back because of a penalty of Dotsaon….
OJ got utilized more in the last game…
We shall get there. Plenty of talent to get the job done – but this offense is still getting its sea legs.
The first half of the Giants game was a good building block for this team offensively.
We’re on to Los Angeles…
September 27th, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Howard was never a dominate pass catching TE in college, only 2 to 3 cathches a game. Only had 3 TD his senior year I believe. Maybe he did not fall to us 18 other teams just passed on him?