Lots Of “Ifs”
May 22nd, 2020
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
So Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com put his quarantine time to good use with series of stories looking at the projected starting offensive lineups for each team. No real surprises for the Bucs.
The only surprise is that Rosenthal believes Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians will be adventurous.
Rosenthal noted Arians hasn’t been a fan of two tight end-sets. But given the Bucs personnel, Rosenthal believes it’s better to get Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard on the field at the same time than playing Scotty Miller or Justin Watson.
Of course, the guy many folks think was a draft steal, receiver Tyler Johnson, could change that way of thinking. Still, with all the star power, the offense still has loads of “ifs” up and down the roster, Rosenthal typed.
The running game and the offensive line have potential, but they come with a lot of ifs. The same is true for the tight end combination of Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard. Anything close to peak Gronk paired with Howard would be incredibly hard to defend, but it’s anyone’s guess how close Gronk will get to his previous form.
There is also the “if” of Howard playing with a degree of consistency. He has world class talent in the passing game. Consistency could make him one of the best tight ends in the game.
And that’s a fair point about Gronk. Who knows if he can find the state’s famous fountain of youth.
May 22nd, 2020 at 9:43 am
That means Brate rides the bench? I like Brate and Gronk more than OJ honestly… it’s hard to choose one of them to the the 3rd stringer but I don’t think it should be Brate..
May 22nd, 2020 at 9:50 am
hopefully howard can learn how to properly catch and hold onto the ball.
May 22nd, 2020 at 9:52 am
They could put 1 of 3 beast tight ends on the outside matched up against small DBs from time to time. Really, they could do anything, possibilities are endless with 3 great TEs.
OJ has great speed, let him lose 15 lbs and put him on outside, he is a 4.5 guy anyway, that is just as fast as most corners.
May 22nd, 2020 at 10:34 am
Double TE, Heavy set with ME on the outside and Gronk out wide on opposite side of the field in a goal-to-go situation. Rojo out back….
Same group but have inline TEs in two point stances stacked with ME in a trips formation and Brady in shotgun….
Oh the possibilities….. at least in Madden!!
Go Bucs!
May 22nd, 2020 at 10:41 am
The benefit is the depth at TE & WR……lots of injuries occur at those positions…..now we have 3 top TEs. and the addition of Tyler Johnson at WR helps that group.
May 22nd, 2020 at 11:35 am
Play Brate for if you want some first down as well as TDs.
May 22nd, 2020 at 11:36 am
For if? Sounds like the prez.
May 22nd, 2020 at 11:38 am
It’s been that way for the last 12+ years:
If they wouldn’t have fired Gruden…
If they hired someone more qualified than Morris….
If they would have picked someone better than Leftwich….
Drafted someone better than Freeman…
Hired someone better than Schiano…
Drafted better than Glennon…
Hired better than Lovie….
Drafted better than Winston…
Well it appears they may now finally have the HC and the QB for a consistently winning team…
Now they must push true these odd times and get the team prepared for what is hopefully a winning season!
May 22nd, 2020 at 1:10 pm
your 5 wide look is Evans & Godwin – and all 3 TE’s – good luck matching up with that NFL…Brate might be the surprise winner b/c D’s fear him the least of the 5
they will also put OJ and Gronk wide and Evans and Godwin in each slot with a RB in the backfield – talk about mismatches and moving safeties out of the middle of the field -Evans and Godwin can run block damn near as well as the TE’s –
So excited to get this thing rolling!!!
May 22nd, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Of this group, Howard is the biggest ‘if’ to me and has the most to prove. Regardless, Gronk is a huge upgrade in both the passing game and run-game. I think our run-game is about to be a surprise success with all the additions.
May 22nd, 2020 at 6:14 pm
The biggest if is if Arians will actually scheme to utilize the best tight end group in the league.
May 23rd, 2020 at 3:15 pm
They should run more 12 personnel. Our Oline was graded #7 last year, so should improve with Tristan. If he can get up to speed fast, and be less penalized than Dot. We will be in good shape.
May 24th, 2020 at 1:21 am
Why on earth is Brate being slept on. He’s been so dependable ever since he’s stepped onto One Bucs Place. I love the combination of Brate and Gronk together. If Brate has an opportunity to receive from Brady. Then world will find out how much Brady likes Brate.