Getting The TEs Involved
October 15th, 2019
Let best players play.
Yes, we all know folks just love to pound on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. It is a lifestyle for some.
(Column Intermission: Take a guess who leads the NFL in interceptions since the start of the 2018 season? Hint: It ain’t Jameis. Turn on national sports radio or any of the hollering morning shows and who is getting raked over the coals for picks? Jameis. So why is Baker Mayfield getting such a pass? Joe has a hunch why and it has nothing to do with football.)
Now the next in line of top b!tch subjects is a toss-up. Offensive line kvetching is a long tradition for fans, valid or not. Joe has stated many times over the years Joe is totally numb to this. It literally is the Bucs’ version of the “Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
However, right up there with the foot-stomping over the Bucs’ offensive line is the hollering for Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to start using in the passing game the known weapons at tight end, Cam Brate and O.J. Howard.
This subject came up again at Arians’ day-after presser Monday and it seems as if the right folks are hearing the fans’ pleas.
“They’re out there together a bunch,” Arians said of Brate and Howard. “This was one of those where – again, they were double-teaming outside a lot so the middle of the field was open. Cam made a nice play on the touchdown and the other over route. O.J. had more opportunities – he dropped a couple – but I think they were targeted eight times and they were a big part of the game plan.”
This is good to know that (finally) the Bucs are starting to work in their tight ends into the passing game.
Joe understands Howard has been held back in order to block more. Given the right side of the Bucs’ offensive line, until Alex Cappa and Demar Dotson are back, is a total sieve, this makes all the sense in the world.
What stumps Joe is why Leftwich doesn’t use Brate or Howard as a slot receiver and move Godwin out wide more to stop with the nonsense of forcing balls to Scotty Miller and Bobo Wilson.
Isn’t the name of the game on offense is to create mismatches? Brate and Howard are absolute mismatches. Miller and Wilson are only mismatches when they face the Bucs’ secondary in practice.
People used to give Chucky hell for not getting Antonio Bryant and Joey Galloway on the field at the same time, and rightly so. And Chucky had/has a much better resume than Leftwich. So in Joe’s eyes, this critique of Leftwich is absolutely justified.
Get your best players on the field, not dudes just lucky to collect an NFL check each week.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:07 pm
lol J0e you’re the only one who thinks the o-line ISN’T a problem.
Yes, they played 2 good games this year… out of 6. That’s the standard around here I guess?
October 15th, 2019 at 12:07 pm
Yes, we all know folks just love to pound on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. It is a lifestyle for some.
___________
Except for ndog, DB55 and Rod Munch, who much prefer to be pounded by Jamies.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
The current makeup (sans Dotson and Cappa) sure is.
If you want bad offensive line play, please go to NFL Game Pass and watch the offensive line in 2014. Joe’s seen what bad offensive line play is.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
LOL, just because it was even worse a few years back, doesn’t make it suddenly good now… Different levels of bad, are still bad at the end of the day.
It did look like they were making some progress in weeks 2 – 4, but that all went out the window in New Orleans (and that was before the guys got injured). Even the run-blocking, which looked much improved the first few weeks, seems to have regressed.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
None of this really matters cause America’s Quarterback has had two god awful performances this year. Yeah Baker has had a rough year but Baker is also in his second year. He isn’t a 5 year Vet that cannot go 4 games without having an absolutely godawful game. But for some reason this isn’t on him.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
OR, could it be the TEs are being deployed plenty and the QB isn’t seeing them? Doesn’t trust them?
OJ Howard has been less than impressive as of late. He’s dropping passes, fumbling, and we have never seen him complete a season. I think we need to stop acting like he’s Gronk 2.0. He’s NOT!
October 15th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
LOL- Bad offensive line play is what we are seeing most Sundays for 4 years. Baker Mayfield lost the number 1 rated guard in the NFL. He is running for his life almost as much as Jameis. Everyone who was anointing him the next great thing, are the same people that are ripping him up and down now. Almost like they feel he is personally trying to destroy their credibility. Instead, this game is difficult and only a select few make it look easy. Carson Wentz sucks right now, Jared Goff Sucks right now. This game is a TEAM game not an individual game. These guys need help from both teammates and coaches. These guys along with JW3 are not getting that help. JMO
October 15th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Bucssfanman I agree Howard just looks off this year, but they’ve also been sending him out WAY LESS often (because the o-line needs extra help blocking).
Brate barely even sees the field…
But lets keep targeting tiny Miller and Bonehead Bobo instead…
October 15th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
@jjbucfan – spot on. It’s almost like there aren’t any QBs who look good when their o-line is getting pushed around like rag dolls and they’re running for their lives.
Even Rodgers and Mahomes struggle in those situations, and they’re both fast, shifty runners with some the quickest releases in the league.
I will say this though- if and when we draft or sign another QB, please please please make sure he has a damn quick release for a change!
October 15th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
2 TEs splitting 8 targets when your QB passes 50+ times isnt “big part of the gameplan”.
Im curious what the trade market for OJ Howard is. Dont see how you dont take an early round pick for him if thats his value.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Mike Glennon on the line…..
My friend followed JoeBuc back when I was at the helm, we weren’t blaming the weak talent around me during my time. The blame was solely placed on my shoulders and my “lack of talent” , because I wasn’t a “franchise QB”.
Now? This All-Star cast around QB#3 is getting all the blame for his failure. Must be nice to be crowned a “franchise QB” before taking a snap. Enjoyed my time in Tampa and wish you well.
P.S. Fix the OL and it doesn’t matter who plays QB for your franchise. If you started in 2011 you wouldn’t have needed QB#3 in 2015. #Truth
October 15th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Start drafting real offensive line talent and you don’t have to sign guys looking for the easy money at One Buc when free agency begins. Tampa became the running joke for FA’s to finish their career just collecting checks. Do what other teams do, draft early round studs and replace if they look for that easy Tampa money later. New England gets it.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
We don’t have a #3 WR. (why is Justin Watson not being used?) So we have 4 weapons. ME,CG, and use OJ at #3 and Brate at TE or vice versa. Thats is a pretty good arsenal.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
When has Joe written it is good?
October 15th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Bryon Leftwhichs offense has 0 rythem. It feels like we’re running a josen Rosen Cardinals offense just with better players.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:50 pm
And we don’t have a #3RB, everytime #44 is in the game you know it’s a pass play he he is going to get run over. Barber would be a better choice to have in there then Dare.
October 15th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
mh- while I am not a big Glennon guy, I didn’t hate him either. If we don’t fix this line IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO WE DRAFT TO PLAY QB!! Daniel Jones is starting to get exposed because his O-line is not very good and without Saquon. If Licht doesn’t trade for at least 2 O-lineman in the next 2 weeks he can go suck it. He better draft OT 1 and Guard 2 next year and give JW3 a nice little franchise tag.
BTW- OJ Howard sucks this year-Cam Brate is way better period!! If we are keeping TEs in to block- why isn’t it Auclair? He is our GD blocking TE!!!
Next- Mike Evans effort is killing JW3- you wonder why Godwin is getting all the throws? It is because he is a true professional and will sacrifice himself for his QB and and team. Evans doesn’t come back to the ball- boom INT. Last play of the game- Jameis throws him the same ball that he has thrown him for 4 years and he doesn’t even jump for it? Garbage!!
October 15th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
JW has gotten Mike Evans destroyed too many times to count…have to think that’s ingrained in his psyche at this point too….
Godwin hasn’t had that happen as much.
October 15th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Get Tanner Hudson on the field!
October 15th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
You know our first overall pick seems to be excused of quite a bit around here. Why is that? why does he get excused of being a bad quarterback? it’s not like he has a bad supporting cast around him. but for some reason any real criticism of him the JWDF comes down your throat for talking bad about the QB that brought a stacked team from top to bottom a national title.
October 15th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
no one is pounding baker because he’s in his second year….2018 marks JWs 4th year…..lol….
the TEs wont stop JW from throwing into double coverage….
and TEs wont stop him from making inaccurate passes…..
JW is a bust….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 15th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Throw the ball tp Brate more. He actually catches the ball and even scores!!
October 15th, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Would also like to see OJ split out wide more often, especially in the red zone like the Pats would do with Gronk.
October 15th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Doesnt matter who we get involved JW is still throwing him bad balls and i want him the hell out of Tampa
October 15th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
It really doesn’t matter anymore; this team is circling the drain. The final “flush” for me will be getting beat in Tennessee by Tannihill/ Mariota.
October 15th, 2019 at 3:11 pm
Unfortunately, these coaches along with Winston are the main problem with this team. We have 2 good tight ends who are not being used properly. They don’t know how to call plays like quick passes to offset bad offensive line, screen passes , draw plays. how to utilize Jones more in the offense and on and on and on. They never taught Winston thru practice how to look off receivers and not stare down his target to let the defense know where he is throwing the ball.
October 15th, 2019 at 3:13 pm
For the last two years Brate has been Jameis favorite target in the red zone and OJ Howard was successful many times with the bubble screen if not short passes that turned into longer gains. Many times these passes were Jameis last read or safety valve option. Its understandable Howard is staying in with the banged up O Line but that hasnt been the case all year instead Leftwich has ignored the tight ends for no apparent reason. I like this offense but I think its narrowminded to not include succesful plays Jameis has done well with and chemistry he has with his players like Brate. Hopefully we will start to use ALL of our weapons going forward. God knows Jameis needs help with an injured line i pray they keep using the tight ends because with two great receivers they cant possibly cover the tight ends effectively.
October 15th, 2019 at 3:56 pm
Leftwhich is getting no production out of the slot. For him not to put a TE in there is complete stupidity.
October 15th, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Oh yes I remember that 2014 o-line it’s was horrible way worse than what we have now. I forgot his name joe I think Anthony Collins. We got him from FA but he played for the bengals an paid him a lot of money to destroy our QBs lol
October 15th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Bucs are getting out coached weekly. Becoming too predictable and slow making adjustments.
October 15th, 2019 at 6:36 pm
By the way the only reason JW doesn’t lead in INTs since 2018 is because he was benched / suspended… Rest assured if he started all games he would be at the top of the list.
October 15th, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Its looking like this OC is a mistake…..let him go to the redskins and lets get an OC that knows the position!
October 15th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
And by all means, please draft a new QB….franchise jw to ease him in
I want jacob Eason….kid has skills.
October 15th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
Brate in the slot. At least he will catch the ball.
October 16th, 2019 at 2:12 pm
If baffles me we haven’t thrown Brate in the slot and force feed Scotty miller
October 18th, 2019 at 8:06 am
Baker getting a pass? Do you even watch national shows? Cowherd has been talking non stop crap about Baker since week 1 this year literally 6 days per week…. Just pick any random show (they are all on podcast) and you will find a 10 minute segment somewhere in there where he bashes Baker pretty hard… like pretty nasty stuff.
October 18th, 2019 at 8:58 am
That fool has been after Mayfield since he was at Oklahoma.