CBS: O.J. Rumors Nothing New
April 17th, 2020
More trade chatter.
This just gets juicier by the day.
In a video from CBS Sports HQ, Brandon Baylor (remember him?) and heavy metal headbanging Jason La Canfora discussed the trade rumors of Bucs tight end O.J. Howard.
Of course, former NFL suit Michael Lombardi lit the fuse on these rumors this week when he said on his “GM Shuffle” podcast that he was told by an NFL source the Bucs are shopping Howard.
In the video below, you’ll see La Canfora, the veteran NFL columnist, wince and shrug his shoulders and to indicate this is old news. Real old news.
As in Howard was on the trade block in 2018!
“I mean, O.J. Howard has been the subject of trade talks for… since two trade deadlines ago,” La Canfora said. “So, certainly all the way back to this last trade deadline there was a lot of talk about O.J. Howard with other teams.
“The Patriots and others at this time a year ago and prior to that, midseason 2018, where he was kind of falling out of favor and not living up to his reputation and the Bucs were seeing if they could get some assets to help them on the defensive side of the ball at that point.
“Nothing has materialized yet. I get the sense they just don’t want to give the player away. I think they are intrigued by some of the two-tight end sets they can have with him and Cam Brate.”
La Canfora almost seemed bored talking about Howard, as if to say, “Wake me up when he is traded.”
On the surface, Joe is suspicious that the Bucs were shopping Howard way back in 2018. The team (in particular Bucs coach Dirk Koetter) was desperate to get wins (remember that’s why malcontent DeSean Jackson wasn’t traded?). And Howard’s biggest booster on the Bucs was Koetter, who strongly lobbied for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft him.
At the trade deadline in 2018, there were no loud rumblings Koetter was going to get launched two months later, although that is exactly what happened.
But let’s say La Canfora’s information is rock solid — and Joe has no real reason to believe La Canfora is just hatching this out of thin air. Every person working at One Buc Palace was dancing in the parking lots the night Howard was drafted, thinking they got an absolute steal to land a guy with Howard’s skillset at No. 19.
If Howard was being shopped as early as October 2018, barely two months into Howard’s second season, could it be that maybe there was a reason Howard slipped down to the Bucs at No. 19 in the first place?
And if Howard has been on the trade block since (at least) October 2018 and no one has pulled the lever on him, could there be a reason why he’s still with the Bucs aside from Licht’s asking price?
You can watch La Canfora’s full remarks in the CBS HQ video below.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:19 am
#1 Problem with OJ Howard: – HE’S SOFT
#2 Problem with OJ Howard: – HE CAN’T BLOCK
#3 Problem with OJ Howard: – HE HAS HAND OF STONE
…………bottomline is that he’s been a 100% complete disappointment for where he was drafted at.
At this point in his career, he reminds me of Benjamin Watson……….hugely talented but never played up to his abilities……..same as Jameis Winston
April 17th, 2020 at 8:22 am
I don’t remember who said it, but they called O.J. Howard an athlete trying to play football, as opposed to a football player who’s a great athlete. Kinda like the Olympic sprinter trying to play wide out.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:45 am
Wowser.
Thanks, Joe!
The ticker on the right side of the embedded video suggests the Bucs will draft OT Josh Jones @ 14. I’d be heated if we take the 5th OT off the board before the 15tu pick. In this scenario, Chaisson goes two picks later. I’d take the pass rusher before the fifth best OT prospect at the 14th pick. FFS, this would set me off.
If you want Jones, trade back a few slots and take him. Don’t overpay and reach.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Tight Ends historically have never done well in Arians offense.
They are merely glorified blockers, in his scheme.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:49 am
The Bucs were not trying to trade him in 2018. Prior to this report that has never been mentioned anywhere. I really hope there in nothing to Lombardi’s report. If memory serves he was well off the mark not long ago with some other report about the Bucs. All this soft hands of stone stuff is bs. I remember when Joe spent an entire year referring to Mike Evans as K-Y hands. So many fans jump to conclusions. In his rookie year OJ was very good. He is going to prove you wrong this year especially with Brady now in town.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:50 am
Trade down to minnesota get #22 and #58.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:51 am
Trade OJ to the Patriots for pick #100 and the rights to Gronk.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:52 am
2 picks in the second, third and fourth.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:57 am
His poor play is what has mad this guy expendable. It doesn’t matter what he did as a rookie. Top draft picks are supposed to improve their skills, regardless of the offense.
This wouldn’t even be a conversation if he had played well.
April 17th, 2020 at 8:59 am
Yikes, it would have been disastrous if they traded OJ Howard for defensive players to play in Mike Smith’s system.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:01 am
Does anyone really think he would bring any more than a low 4th round pick?
April 17th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Dang! Von Miller has corona V. Just heard on nfl network.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:14 am
I think they should use him BUT
I think he’s gone because Arians Didn’t even use him last year when I was receivers were down
April 17th, 2020 at 9:15 am
Joe says: “If Howard was being shopped as early as October 2018, barely two months into Howard’s second season, could it be that maybe there was a reason Howard slipped down to the Bucs at No. 19 in the first place?”
Did Joe finally read my previous post?
LOL.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:19 am
Where theres smoke theres fire?
April 17th, 2020 at 9:20 am
1- He is not soft
2- He is an incosistent blocker
3- He has excelent hands
4- He can blow with TB12 if he is used correctly, he is NOT a blocker, he is a kind of WR TE, he can play open and even a slot……
DONT trade him, you will regret!!!!
April 17th, 2020 at 9:24 am
Dirk Koetter didnt seem to have any problems using him for big plays.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Outside of the Few “Big Plays” OJ had……….can anyone else remember anything else he has done?????
I certainly can’t
April 17th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Trade him to the jets for jamal adams; get a stud that played in bowles system and can secure the backend & be a leader and him & d white run the defense
April 17th, 2020 at 9:38 am
trade howard and a third round, for jets safety jamal adams, draft your tackle, get your RB, BPA there on out
April 17th, 2020 at 9:47 am
I think we’re getting ahead of our skis here. I’m curious to see how O.J. performs with Brady before we trade him away.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Perhaps a draft day trade can be worked out. Trade OJ Howard in order to move up in the draft. Instead of using our second round pick. Draft the best OT available and move on.
April 17th, 2020 at 9:57 am
DO NOT TRADE HIM! Dude will become a beast!
April 17th, 2020 at 10:10 am
He is probably the most athletic TE in the NFL….unfortunately he stinks.
April 17th, 2020 at 10:11 am
Obviously he’s not needed in Arians O.
April 17th, 2020 at 10:44 am
Am I the only one that when OJ is speaking… it just doesn’t really seem like his head is in the game. I can’t put my finger on it. He just doesn’t really seem too engaged. I wonder if that is where the issues begin.
April 17th, 2020 at 10:57 am
Trade to NE for Edelman & 4th rd pick
April 17th, 2020 at 11:17 am
Bottom line is this…
We all believe the Bucs are gonna add a RB to help in the passing game with an early pick (gross). So you will have Evans, Godwin, a new RB and maybe even a new WR3 from the draft. No matter how talented OJ is he will most likely be 4th or 5th in the pecking order.
If you can turn the 4th or 5th option into depth at a more pressing area (DL, OL, WR, Safety), they should absolutely do it.
Plus we still have Brate. Its not like trading Howard creates a huge need.
April 17th, 2020 at 11:31 am
“Michael Lombardi
Is the ultimate HACK
TMZ of Football reporting
This skirtwearing Gossiper thinks he is a somebody because of the famous last name’
Kobe Lombardi
April 17th, 2020 at 11:36 am
I say trade OJ and a 3rd to Washington for Trent Williams , then trade down in the draft for extra picks in 2nd- 3rd. would be our best option.
April 17th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Maybe Team glazer should start asking what they could get for ole stale biscuit and licht bulb in a trade!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
TheBucsanthem
Agree except Ben Watson has had a good career when compared to OJ..
He was always wide open at Alabama because of bad D which was result of teams keying on the real offensive weapons. Never contested catches etc… There was a reason he fell to us… and it was a luxury pick.
ASJ was also well documented w issues in college but Lichtbulb took him at top of the second round anyway. Guess he thought he could rehab him w all the strip clubs….. only Licht
If we can get a 3rd for OJ they should take it..
April 17th, 2020 at 12:24 pm
“Realisto,
Dont worry
When Sh!t hits the fan, TB12 likes to bypass the HC and GM and go straight to the owners
The acquisition of Tom Brady by the Glazer boyband is the same move their father Malcolm did with Jon Gruden
April 17th, 2020 at 12:56 pm
I don’t think there’s a bad reason OJ slipped to the Bucs if Belichick wants him. Watching that special where Belichick and Saban sat down and talked to each other on camera, Belichick always listens to his buddy Saban when it comes to his players. Saban said Belichick was one of the few people who ever reaches out to get the truth on Alabama players. Maybe OJ would be a better fit in NE plan but I really don’t think there’s an issue with OJ, he just needs some confidence.
April 17th, 2020 at 1:10 pm
C’mon guys, anyone ever heard of the Softmore slump? Sheesh.
Was used in Max protect alot, especially when Cappa got hurt. That right side with Dotson was bad.
Didn’t make use of his opportunities when he got them.
New system with a limited role.
Relax people.
April 17th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Well here is one for ya.
OJs worst game of the year hands down was against the Texans. A week later he was riding the pine.
His next worse get was vs the 9ers. Next game not a single target.
And y’all wanna say he’s a stud and was not used right?
He was playing like crap and getting benched. What does that tell ya? Stud my ass!!
April 17th, 2020 at 2:29 pm
OJ’s biggest catches have come when he was wide open and on play action passes with little attention from the defense. When the ball is in traffic, I haven’t seen him get it done. Still holding out hope, but he may be a bust.
April 17th, 2020 at 2:53 pm
@zzbucs He’s not soft? Please watch some film on this guy. I remember him more than once, running out of bounds to avoid dbs half his size. The dude is soft as they come. The definition of looks like tarzan, plays like Jane. There’s a reason he fell in that years draft.
April 17th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Oj started off good your 2. I think he got a bit timid after his injury against the Giants.
April 17th, 2020 at 5:28 pm
We kept waiting for Jay Miss to develop – it never happened, other than he threw even more interceptions and pic 6’s. I am beginning to feel the same way about OJ. It’s been said here many times, “look like Tarzan, play like Jane.” He has been a disappointment to this point and he regressed last year. I’m willing to give him 1 more year with Brady. If that doesn’t do it, nothing will. However, I won’t be upset if we can parlay OJ into some strong draft picks.
April 17th, 2020 at 5:43 pm
Itz on BA to utilize OJ and not make him a blocker. OJ has too much talent to not be running down the seam for Brady to target
April 17th, 2020 at 6:29 pm
#OjCatchesBallsAtRaysGames
#ThatsAllThatMatters
🙂
April 17th, 2020 at 6:30 pm
gotta give oj a shot in this offense with brady…
could be a whole new rebirth for him…
he’s going nowhere yet
April 17th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Our current scheme sort of dooms a tight end.
So, unless Brady can radically change the offense, a tight end in Tampa is basically a glorified blocker.
OJ is not the best blocking tight end, and is unable to showcase his talent as a pass receiver, because of our scheme.
We should trade him, and take our lumps.
We will be lucky to get a third round pick for him.
Another wasted first round pick.
April 18th, 2020 at 7:11 am
Brate is a much better TE. OJ doesn’t know how to get open. Brady will have more success with Brate. I just don’t know how much we can get for OJ.