O.J., Gronk And Bucs Tight Ends
July 22nd, 2020
National TV sitdown
Bucs tight end O.J. Howard may be the most gifted of athletes playing tight end in the NFL. His production hasn’t been quite to that level.
Howard occasionally makes plays that make every Bucs fan drool with anticipation for more. And that’s the problem. Whether he is underutilized or misused, Howard doesn’t take over games.
Last year Howard virtually disappeared in Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense. Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich tried to turn Howard into more of a blocking tight end, and let’s just say Howard will never make old-time Bucs fans forget Jimmie Giles’ bone-crunching blocks.
Howard is entering his fourth season and whether the Bucs actually execute his fifth-year option for 2021 — a $6 million price tag — is unclear. Many speculate the salary cap will drop next year, so that projected salary seems to be a target. (FYI, per Spotrac.com, Cam Brate is due $6.5 million in 2021).
So one would think Howard would want as many snaps as he could to prove he belongs. But what happened in the offseason? The Bucs traded for Hall of Fame tight end foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski. So much for Howard getting most of the snaps this fall.
With all that cash on the table, Howard might be a little frustrated with the Bucs adding a supreme talent like Gronk to the roster. Right?
Well, if Howard is peeved, you really can’t tell.
He appeared on “Good Morning Football” yesterday, seen on NFL Network, and was asked by former NFL fullback Michael Robinson about Gronk.
Howard seemed eager to play with Gronk.
Michael Robinson: You were already part of a big duo with Cameron Brate. Some had you guys as the top tight end duos in the National Football League. Now you have Gronk, OK? Tell us your plan to pick his brain. What do you plan on learning from a guy like Gronkowski?
O.J. Howard: There is so much you can take from Gronk. Just the way he plays physical and down the field at the second level of his routes. His run-after-catch ability, his YAC. I mean there is so much you can take from him. You can even take his personality, man. He is such a cool guy. I’ve met him a couple of times already. There is going to be so much fun in our room. We’ve got so much talent. I am just hopeful and thankful to play with those guys.
Maybe that is all Howard needs to live up to his talent, just a little emotional nudge from Gronk? Gronk has an infectious personality and maybe that will rub off.
As for 2021, Gronk will be a free agent. He retired after the 2018 season because he was beat to hell physically. Can his body withstand another year, and would Gronk want to stay with the Bucs (and would the Bucs want him)?
If Howard can ball out like everyone expected when the Bucs drafted him out of Alabama, then it’s hard to imagine the Bucs waving goodbye to Howard after this season.
You may enjoy the full interview of Howard in the NFL Network video below.
“Time will tell how good we are, but when you put us on paper we’re one of the best in the league, if not the best. I’m excited to get going.”@TheRealOjHoward joined @gmfb to talk about raised expectations in Tampa 👇 pic.twitter.com/yU761yYMoV
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 21, 2020
July 22nd, 2020 at 12:21 am
Howard will be the man at T End because Gronk will be a shell of himself!!
July 22nd, 2020 at 2:20 am
Let’s just wait and see how the season starts out. Other than the waffling and indecisive Donovan Smith, the top of the Bucs roster is SET. The tight end group is fine, and remember all four have missed time to injury over the past few years
July 22nd, 2020 at 5:40 am
BigHog- No offense but, what have you seen from Howard that makes you think he’s a fraction of the player that Gronk is? In 4 years, we have seen what, a handful of games where OJ was a factor? Whereas Gronk DOMINATES when he is in the game at EVERYTHING he does.
No comparison.
Gronk playing benefits OJ because Gronk will COMMAND coverage. That sir, is a FACT!
I’m hopeful for the TEAM’s sake that OJ can finally turn a corner.
July 22nd, 2020 at 6:24 am
OJ looked like stiff last year. And why does he catch the ball with his body? That’s what children do when the ball Is thrown to them. This is supposed to be one of the best in the world and he’s catching it with his body?
WTF?
Use your long arms and hands to high point the damn ball.
$6M for a stiff, body catcher?
Put some damn work in. You can start by asking ME, CG and Gronk how to catch the ball. Then go to the film room and watch how they do it.
I’m expecting a lot more from our first rounder. Maybe, he was ‘underused’ because he can’t be trusted. BA said last year there were a few guys out there JW trusted that he didn’t. I’m betting OJ was one of them.
In BA I Trust!
July 22nd, 2020 at 7:29 am
Neither Howard or Brate were used last year…..and now we have Gronk….interesting to see what will happen with them this year.
I suspect Gronk will get his receptions….and…
I would trade Howard or Brate for a CB, S, DT, RB, LB, Oline…Backup QB, LS, K, P, DE
July 22nd, 2020 at 8:33 am
Trade OJ before the trade deadline and get picks. You’ll need them since you will have to trade both #1 picks in 2021 and 2022 to get a QB. Unless you sign Aaron Rodgers after Brady leaves.
July 22nd, 2020 at 9:05 am
You don’t need 3 starting tight ends.
July 22nd, 2020 at 9:39 am
They say OJ is a good blocker, how bout we get him to add 40 lbs and play Tackle? Sounds Donovan Smith might opt out, we’ll another body.
July 22nd, 2020 at 9:50 am
Even if Gronk is missing a few things, he is still the thing that will make the Bucs look dominate through three games.
After that Brady will understand some other receivers, like Godwin and Evans. That will keep the Bucs at a high level. When a couple of under the radar receivers find the right page, the Bucs will be dominate, too many receivers to cover.
Brate will remain a thinking man’s TE. He knows how to get open in the end zone, and have soft hands, that is all he needs
July 22nd, 2020 at 11:01 am
Big pig:
That’s a bold statement. Not sure about that. Now if you said gronk is a really expensive instructor for Howard to learn from, then you’d have some traction with me.
Fact is, Howard has shown flashes but just can’t seem to get it together on a constant basis. Blame him. Blame the qb. I don’t care.
Gronk on the other hand has shown that when on the field (injuries ugh) he is dominating. A year off from football shouldn’t slow him down any. He should still be able to produce at a high level (when not injured) even at the age of 31.
July 22nd, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Michael Robinson: You were already part of a big duo with Cameron Brate.
HELLO? IS ANYBODY ACTUALLY ❗️❗️WATCHING❗️❗️ THIS TEAM PLAY?
July 22nd, 2020 at 7:35 pm
Very Stiff and appears to getting stiffer and that rarely has a soft set of hands …………. Guy should cut the workouts in half and take yoga and light mma and replace 5 to 10 lbs of muscle with a lil water and a lil fat . Ask Beckles or Gronk !!
July 23rd, 2020 at 10:26 am
TB12 will distribute the ball to ALL WR & TE! Gronk was a selfless blocker & could make the big play despite consistent double teams! This group will be a coverage nightmare & running game will improve with the attention drawn by receivers! I am so eager for the season! The Wuhan flu is no reason to stop fans from attending games! I am paying for season tickets in tough times! I am so excited as I have watched Tom Brady since Michigan! Saddle up Tampa Bay because you are going to be treated to the best football in years!! NO Wuhan restrictions for home games! I will wear my mask, take my temperature before games, & I will sign a waiver! Let’s goooooooooo!!!