Bruce Arians Calls O.J. Howard “Untouchable”
November 1st, 2019
O.J. Howard may be an underused, underwhelming and injured 25-year-old tight end right now, but he is a cornerstone player on our beloved Buccaneers.
That was the word from head coach Bucco Bruce Arians this week to Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian and Zig Fracassi on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
The subject arose because Howard was part of various trade rumors swirling nationally. Apparently, Howard was a hot commodity.
As those rumors flowed, Jason Licht and Bruce Arians never went public to say Howard was not going to be dealt.
“Were you guys in on [trade talks,] Bruce? Or is it just one of those things that O.J. is an untouchable and you’re going to go on with him from there?” Fracassi asked.
“No, he’s an untouchable guy,” Arians replied. “This is an outstanding young tight end. You know, there’s no way unless somebody was going to just blow us out of the water but nobody even came close. So, no, we’ve got high hopes and big plans for him.”
So there you have it. Howard is an “untouchable.”
Joe can’t wait to see the Bucs’ “big plans” for Howard to play out. That didn’t happen earlier this season when Howard was healthy.
Sadly, this is the third consecutive season — 3-for-3 — Howard is battling injuries. He was out against Tennessee with a hamstring injury Sunday and has not practiced since.
November 1st, 2019 at 9:28 am
Arians is an idiot and a blow hard.
November 1st, 2019 at 9:30 am
That is the correct answer. OJ Howard should have been untouchable this entire time. Any Bucs fan thinking the team should trade him is out of their minds.
November 1st, 2019 at 9:33 am
BsA
Says a lot of things
November 1st, 2019 at 9:33 am
Sure would be nice if we can get some actual film of him being a corner stone player. I see alot of hype, but not huge production.
November 1st, 2019 at 9:34 am
High hopes and big plans lmao. Bet he gets less than 3 targets Sunday. Im over this regime already…
November 1st, 2019 at 9:35 am
Man if only we believed in throwing the football to him over scissor hands and a 6th round rookie.
Also I know the fanbase likes to grind their axe about everyone as the reason why we are losing but OJ is an elite tight end.
November 1st, 2019 at 9:35 am
he’ll be traded right before or on draft night…..
GO BUCS!!!!
November 1st, 2019 at 9:39 am
BA needs a QB…
November 1st, 2019 at 9:41 am
Hes injured half the time he will be out of football in a couple of years.
November 1st, 2019 at 10:02 am
Too bad our OC thinks he is untouchable as well from a game plan standpoint.
November 1st, 2019 at 10:05 am
Run him up the middle on 1st downs……might as well.
November 1st, 2019 at 10:13 am
untouchable meaning the won’t throw to him!
November 1st, 2019 at 10:24 am
All of a sudden Howard is untouchable. I haven’t heard BA say that about any Buc player. Of course unless somebody blows us out of the water. That would take a stiff breeze and a garden hose.
November 1st, 2019 at 10:25 am
“Joe can’t wait to see the Bucs’ “big plans” for Howard to play out. That didn’t happen earlier this season when Howard was healthy.”
.
.
I am becoming more and more convinced that we are actually tanking, and it is just not being spoken aloud. This is the only explanation I have for the disuse of our 2 TE receiving threats, the overuse of known liability receivers, and the predictable play calling week after week. The slightly irrational defense of Winston, no matter what happens. He’s being encouraged to help the team replace him.
I’m only half joking.
November 1st, 2019 at 10:39 am
He deserves 1 screen pass per game.
He deserves 1 deep ball per game.
He deserves 5 play calls per game!
At least!
November 1st, 2019 at 10:57 am
We will regret not getting something for him when we could have. In the meantime, use him! This season is definitely in my top 5 of frustrating seasons and as any long time fan knows, there have been an f ton of them. Sad and pitiful season with no hope on the horizon since Licht is still employed. Do the right thing and bounce this guy Glazers.
November 1st, 2019 at 11:05 am
“ARI Leftover said we just need to chill for game flow to occur
Football is a child’s game and not rocket science
there is enough tape of Kittles and Kelces to duplicate their play designs
STUBBORNNESS IS A TERIEBBLE TRAIT TO HAVE
Kobe Fakers returns 3 days 12 hours
and hell is coming with him”
Son of Kobe Faker
November 1st, 2019 at 11:17 am
This is the response for when you shop a player and don’t end up trading him and want to save face in front of that player.
November 1st, 2019 at 11:57 am
Our new OC and QB will get the ball to him!
November 1st, 2019 at 12:07 pm
Gotta love people who do interviews and spoon feed the answers to the guest. And BA’s answer that no offer blew them out of the water meant they were listening to offers instead of just saying not for sale. Really “untouchable” there.
November 1st, 2019 at 12:10 pm
BA means untouchable like not letting him touch the ball. What a bunch of crap. I just want to say about the stupid comments Lefttwitch made. BA taught him well. He can sling the BS with the best of them. He was a half ass QB & now he’s a half ass OC.
November 1st, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Teacherman, he would have to be on the field to get any of those things you sat he deserves. I would argue his paycheck is more than he deserves. He is a very talented man made oh glass
November 1st, 2019 at 12:39 pm
you are who your record says you ARE!!!
time to clean house 5 years of jw was enough …… time for LICKED to go as well …. leftwich doesnt have a clue……
November 1st, 2019 at 12:57 pm
yes he is untouchable…lol…
let him sit on the sidelines like a piece of porcelain china…
#PleaseDontTouchTheMerchandise
November 1st, 2019 at 2:53 pm
More double-speak IMO. OJ Howard is untouchable UNLESS someone makes an offer that we like. Someone please get BA a dictionary so he can look up the meaning of UNTOUCHABLE.
November 2nd, 2019 at 8:16 am
In the words of Bill Parcells: Your best ability is availability.
So far, we haven’t seen that from Howard.
ASJ was more available and he’s a definite bust.
Draw your own conclusions.
Peace, out