Cameron Brate Chemistry Praise From Tom Brady
January 16th, 2021
When the Bucs flip-flopped quarterbacks during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, once because of injury and once because the NFL tabbed Jameis Winston as a league sex offender, the subject of chemistry between a QB and his pass catchers was a hot topic.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great feel for some Bucs pass catchers and not others, and vice versa for Jameis.
One guy Jameis always had magic with was Cameron Brate. Former head coach/playcaller Dirk Koetter used to say “you can’t always explain that,” but Jameis and Brate had it.
Late Thursday, Tom Brady was talking about how he can read Rob Gronkowski’s mind and body on the field, and then Brady dropped something that caught Joe’s ear.
“Cam [Brate] is a pretty easy guy to get up to speed with, too,” Brady said.
Brate renegotiated his 2020 contract and he’s on the books (not guaranteed) for next season at $6.5 million.
The O.J. Howard injury (Achilles) in early October brought forth Brate from the shadows of the bench and now he’s coming off his biggest performance of the season, four catches for 80 yards against Washington.
Is Brady’s comment a clue that he wants Brate back next season? It’s all very complicated. Will Howard and his hefty 2021 salary return healthy? Does Gronk want to play more football?
A big game by Brate on Sunday will make things very interesting. No way all three of those tight ends return next season.
January 16th, 2021 at 8:59 am
Brate is nearly as old as Gronk, but otoh OJ may not even be ready when the season starts, if ever
January 16th, 2021 at 9:05 am
Brady loves to spread the ball around and if Gronk has to assist in the blocking scheme then Brate is one more sure handed option. He like Godwin dropped one in the end zone last week ( I know many of you may say it was a poorly thrown pass) go back and look at it, it was perfect where no defender could get to it. Anyway, Brate can chip block off the line then release. He is a good route runner to. It’s all about the D Sunday, Brady has more than enough pieces to score points as long as he doesn’t have to throw from his back.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:11 am
You wanna talk chemistry ?
Picture ndogs face and jameis’s crotch
January 16th, 2021 at 9:26 am
“No way all three of those tight ends return next season.”
OJ Howard gets a $2.5M raise next year as the Bucs committed to the 5th year option for $6M. Pretty much a no-brainer for the talent level involved even if OJ has yet to live up to his vast potential thus far….
Brate made $4.25M this year – and earned every penny of it last week alone with 4 clutch catches for 80 yards that were a key contribution to Tampa Bay’s first playoff win in 18 years…… He also has 26 TD catches in the last 5 years.
Cam is due $6.5M in 2021 but I could see him renegotiating down again to about 2/3 of that – similar to this year’s cap hit # in order to stay with Brady and the team that brought him into the league and signed him to a big extension.
I could also see Gronk taking a $2-3M paycut off the $10M he made this year in order to play another year with Brady.
Those figures would roughly match what the Bucs paid their stellar TEs this season.
Never say never Joe.
I actually kind of expect to see all three members of the leagues best TE group reunited as Buccaneers in 2021.
Screw the 2021 talk though – THIS team still has business to attend to. (God it feels amazing to say that in mid January!) Three more wins to be specific.
Get-R Done BUCS – shut down Brees’ career like we shut down the Vet in Philly 18 years ago.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:33 am
I believe Gronk comes back….he looks like he’s having fun out there, he likes playing with Brady and he’s Brady’s guy. If Brady wants him…..Glazers will make sure it happens. Brown is probably the one that will seek another pay day elsewhere. I believe Gronk might even play on a discount…..time will tell.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Off topic – Sorry Joe.
I’ve been reading this forum since the beginning of this season, and I kinda feel I know some of you now. Is anyone here from, or remember, the old St. Pete Times Buc Forum? Is there a Jason de la Torre, SFBuc, Greg (from Canada), etc?
Love reading the Joe’s. Keep it up. Go Bucs!
January 16th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Can’t deny OJs upside and talent. The dude is a beast. He’s not even fully developed yet part is cause he can’t stay on the field. If OJ was as durable as Brate then I’d pick OJ all day but he can’t seem to stay healthy. Brate tho is a starter on any other team glad we got him and hope he stays.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:38 am
The OLine is the key to this game. Bucs offense is clicking and if Brady has time, Bucs will score at will. Just don’t beat yourself with dumb penalties and turnovers.
And Succup needs to come through.
With White back, and Barrett and Davis playing, D will be ok- just contain Kamara and limit big plays and pressure Brees. Hopefully, Hill won’t be a factor.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Alan
Is that all?😂😂
January 16th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Off topic – Sorry Joe.
I’ve been reading this forum since the beginning of this season, and I kinda feel I know some of you now.
Love reading the Joe’s. Keep it up. Go Bucs!
January 16th, 2021 at 9:51 am
Hate to say it but we can’t bank on OJ… I’d offer groin a reduced salary and let OJ walk if we have to.
January 16th, 2021 at 9:52 am
Offer gronk* got to love autocorrect!
January 16th, 2021 at 9:52 am
Not at 6.5 million.
January 16th, 2021 at 10:06 am
Speaking of injuries. did Cappas injury happen so late in the season that there is a chance he won’t be ready for opening day 2021?
January 16th, 2021 at 10:07 am
When we signed Brady I knew he would like Brate. They’re both cerebral players. A guy like Brate is intelligent enough to get on the same page with Brady faster than most. That’s why the offense in general is clicking now. Brady is a teacher on the field and it’s easier to buy in to leadership when said leader clearly knows what he’s doing and does it with humility. Brady to Brate just makes sense.
January 16th, 2021 at 10:23 am
As much potential as OJ has, seems that Brate consistently out performs him, and certainly sustains fewer injuries. If Brady returns next season, I’d keep both Gronk and Brate and jettison OJ. The Bucs can probably get a good draft pick in a trade, although that too is suspect given OJ’s injury history.
January 16th, 2021 at 10:45 am
I don’t think AB has anything to prove this late in his career.
Dude loves and respects Brady, so I actually expect AB to be back.
Now if they win the Super Bowl then MAYBE he seeks money, but the dude hates to lose.
Can you see AB signing with Cincy, just to make 10 Million again?
No Way.
All I know is Brady will be back, and FAs will be knocking down Lichts door to play for the Bucs.
Another solid draft class and this team wins ot all next year, unless Jesus returns maybe.
January 16th, 2021 at 11:01 am
Jmarcbuc- “It will be done!” lol
January 16th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Get rid of oj the dude has been a hurt whiny primadonna his whole “career” …. Pick up a TE in the 3rd round that can block more than anything, try to find a pass catching one in free agency and keep brate!!! Get rid of that other guy too who has dropped every chance he’s had!!
January 16th, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Probably depends on if Gronk comes back. If he does, OJ is probably gone because of salary cap.
January 16th, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Not complicated
Brate is a great tight end.
Howard, despite his physical gifts, is not!
Its a matter of passion, desire, and effort you put in the game.
Brady said he was wanting Brate in the game- before Howard got hurt.
Gronk, Brate, Auclair, and Hudson are a great, talented unit.
They are playing great right now!
If a TE has to go, it should be Howard.
Potential is a smile on a dog. It looks like something, but its not.
January 16th, 2021 at 6:12 pm
Brate can’t block, his main limitation in the 12 scheme
January 16th, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Tomorrow- 1st play from scrimmage
Running play up the middle for no gain
Bet on it.
January 17th, 2021 at 5:48 am
Grate led the league in TE TDS I believe it was three years ago. OJ really hasn’t done much of anything. Hopefully he catches fire and stays healthy next season. Gronkowski should be even better. Grate deserves to finish his career as a Buccaneer. He’s the most dependable pass catching TE on the team. He moves the chains.
January 17th, 2021 at 10:08 am
Gronk took off last season. The season before( all banged up ), Gronk made the crucial game changing catch against Kansas City (AFC championship game ) and also against the Rams in the Super Bowl. He is not banged up now. Gronk still has big time clutch in him.
January 17th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Just wondering if anyone in Florida realizes they have the whole northeast rooting for them..thank you tom Brady we love you and will root for you wherever you play..thanks for the great memories..and a new team to root for..bucs will always be my number 1 B…good luck bucs..from Pat’s nation lip