Arians Sees The Trenches Power
August 24th, 2020
Bucco Bruce Arians dropped some expected love on one of his tight ends after practice today but also added a surprise accolade.
Joe asked Arians what he’s seen of Rob Gronkowsk’s blocking now that’s he’s had a real up-close look.
The head coach likes what he sees but then delivered rarely-heard praise of O.J. Howard’s blocking prowess.
“Big, big, man. He can cover you up pretty quick and he knocked the edge back good a couple times today,” Arians said of Gronk’s blocking. “So his size and his length, you put him and O.J. over there, that’s two pretty powerful blockers together. Yeah, it’s something he loves to do so he takes a lot of pride in it, too.
Did Joe hear that right? Howard referred to as a “powerful blocker?” Howard has been the shining star of camp to date among the Bucs’ heralded weapons, and adding official blocking love for Howard really cements that.
Joe can already see the Bucs going with a power/heavy set with Gronk and Howard, simultaneously boosting the comfort level of Tristan Wirfs. Brady loves to move the chains with a handoff, which hasn’t been a frequent sight in Tampa.
August 24th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Geez, could Howard really be turning the corner? I need to see it in a game, but all the hype for this dude is freaking awesome.
August 24th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
how bout jumbo set and vea up the gut, touchdown vita vea, in my best deckerhoff voice
August 24th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
That only gives ya two recievers
August 24th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
^ Yea, two widre receivers, but either Gronk or Howard could sneak out to the flat and decimate the opposing defense.
August 24th, 2020 at 2:57 pm
Gronk and OJ could be even better than Gronk and Hernandez once was.
August 24th, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Two good, fast, big, blocking/catching TEs opens up a lot of options for the offense. Run, Screen, Play Action, or Pass all from the same look. Tough to stop when you have a smart QB that can read defenses and audible.
August 24th, 2020 at 4:02 pm
That’s what OJ was used for primarily at Alabama, blocking. So he’s got the experience fulfilling that role. He wasn’t used as much in the passing game, although he was a beast when he was.
August 24th, 2020 at 5:37 pm
m0j0, OJ and Hernandez mentioned in the same comment, just feels wrong……
August 24th, 2020 at 11:46 pm
Mike – lol! Sick but lol!
Two TEs does leave us only 2 WRs, but those two WRs are BAADD Men! Evans, Godwin, Gronk, and OJ – dammmnnn man!
August 25th, 2020 at 12:02 am
This line along, with Gronk and the threat of Brady throwing… They could run the ball surprisingly well.
If OJ is going to live up to his hype coming out of college as a receiver, let alone blocking,,,,
I am getting really hyped up for this season