Showcase Game For O.J. Howard
October 1st, 2021
Coming up on his 27th birthday in his fifth NFL season, O.J. Howard’s NFL career is ready for a fair assessment.
Howard has done little since his ugly ankle injury against the Giants midway through the 2018 season. (See the JoeBucsFan photo above.)
Trouble adjusting to the Bucco Bruce Arians offense and blocking woes hit him 2019, and then a major Achilles injury struck early in 2020, just when the Bucs’ 2017 first-round pick was looking like he might have a breakthrough season.
Howard is about one-year into his recovery from surgery and Arians said 10 days ago that the plan is to play Howard more.
Well, now that Rob Gronkowski officially is “doubtful” with busted up ribs for Sunday night, Joe is seeing a massive opportunity for Howard on a national stage.
Howard played 14 snaps (20 percent) against the Rams on Sunday, up from 11 against the Falcons the prior week.
Can he get up to 30 snaps at full speed?
Howard is in the final year of his conract and is earning about $6 million. He’s nearly annually been the subject of trade speculation, often to the Belicheats, Sunday’s opponent. Joe doesn’t think that’s a coincidence.
Sunday could prove to be a crossroads game for Howard in more ways than one.
Watch the Bucs Sunday night with Ira! @IKaufman76 @BigStormBrewing Clearwater.
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October 1st, 2021 at 5:02 pm
For some reason we can’t count on Howard.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:05 pm
^^^
No
October 1st, 2021 at 5:06 pm
I’m gonna say no.
Howard hasn’t shown us Jack squat. And anyone who says he has is lying to themselves.
Look for Brate to be Diet Gronk (as he’s always been throughout his career) and Oj will be lucky to get 2 targets.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:21 pm
He is talented but made of glass @ Casual Observer
October 1st, 2021 at 5:25 pm
If ever the time was right for Howard to ball out, this is the game!
Gronk is out, and Belichik is a potential employer, down the road.
I was watching the draft where we took Howard, and most people there were not happy that we took him, including me.
He sure has not lived up to expectations, so far.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I’ve said multiple times that the film don’t lie. I’ve seen enough bad plays from Howard over the past 5 yrs to deem him a bust/practice squad player. Reason being… Reluctant to block; Running outta bounds to evade 180 lb corner; Fumbles; Dropped passes; And no sense of urgency to make a play during critical downs other than catching wide open passes with no pressure in close proximity as he did at Bama. OJ Howard is more interested in having a nice physique and and paycheck. Activate Deon Yelder to see what he can do. We’ve wasted too much useless time on OJ Howard.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:33 pm
OJ has looked solid so far in very limited action. I am interested to see if he can rise up, stay healthy and actually become the TE we all have hoped he would become.
It’s now or never OJ!!!
October 1st, 2021 at 5:34 pm
Howard was on pace last year for 44 catches, 584 yards and 8 TDs when he got hurt – as the #2 TE. That’s not nothing.
Hopefully he’s healthy, that’s always been the concern with him. His preseason wasn’t not good, but he hasn’t stood out since then — which isn’t a bad thing considering all the dopes here that are actively rooting for him to fail — they’ve been fairly quiet about him. Well, until this article, when these idiots will be demanding that he’s cut before the game.
It should be a nice game for Brate, since OJ is the better blocker of the two, he’ll be playing that role while Brate gets to rack up some stats. So if Brate is super cheap in daily fantasy, I’d likely bet on him if I needed to super cheap option.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Howards PPY…price per yard…is astronomical.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:37 pm
BA should call Dirks delay, slip from R to L just passed the LOS scrum cluster, OJ ran that with great success!
Now back to Sunday, hell yes give him and Brate to majority of targets.
Rib pads on Gronk! Last thing he needs is more shots on his ribs and back .
This is the game to establish a running game, a power running game needs to get on tape Sunday!
October 1st, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Listening to Boston sports talk, and one of the guys said the way the Bucs would destroy the Patriots is to just come out, in shotgun, 5 WRs, no huddle and just let Brady pick the defense apart since they’d be completely unable to cover anyone and Brady could get rid of the ball before any pressure got there.
I’d love that since if the Bucs did that it would completely trigger all the people demanding the Bucs run the ball like it’s 1956. Meanwhile we’d probably score 45 points in a blowout… but you CAN’T WIN if you don’t run up the middle on every first down for 1.2 yards.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Howard will get his 1-3 targets.
AB will explode this game.
AB’s history vs Pats is 36 catches, 450 yds, 4 td’s in 6 games- and that’s without Evans, Godwin or Brate on the field.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Im a big of a O.J. hater as any but if anybody is going to get this guy to hit his potential its Tom.
Dont care how much he boiled my blood in the past this is a new year. The fact that we could of moved on from Howard and used that money elsewhere tells me all I need to know. They belive in this guy and his number may of just got called up. He can pretty much wipe the slate clean with a bug game as far as Im concerned.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Don’t look for Howard to step up, like he always does.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:50 pm
SB~LV Says:
October 1st, 2021 at 5:37 pm
BA should call Dirks delay, slip from R to L just passed the LOS scrum cluster, OJ ran that with great success!
———
I agree, he had great success on that, a simple drag route that let him use his speed to get past the LBs, then if he could run over a corner or safety, he’s got a huge play. But if they use him like Gronk, run him down the middle with a super tight window, he’s going to knock one of those passes in the air for an easy INT, so I hope they kill that play from the playbook. I’d say maybe use Brate on those plays, but last year Brady constantly overthrew Brate on that route for whatever reason — so just kill it all together.
October 1st, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Alanbucsfan – I’m with you, I think this is AB’s week to have a huge game. For some reason he’s not really being talked about, which I don’t get, since this just seems like a game where he’ll go nuts.
October 1st, 2021 at 6:01 pm
The tight end for the Bengals last night, I forget his name, had a great game. Also coming off an Achilles from last year. Harbinger of things to come with Howard? Doubtful, but you never know.
October 1st, 2021 at 6:06 pm
Howard is an athlete trying to play football. Looking at you Jeff Demps.
October 1st, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Kids going to ball out or bawl out when cut.
It’s that simple.
October 1st, 2021 at 6:29 pm
Here’s an idea….if Gronk doesn’t play, let OJ wear #87…..in NE….that should do it.
October 1st, 2021 at 7:01 pm
Brate has always been better than oj.
October 1st, 2021 at 7:18 pm
Make it or break it game for OJ, better show some juice Sir!
October 1st, 2021 at 7:21 pm
I wish OJ the best, as I do all Bucs players. On a side note, for the “The Bucs should’ve taken Dalvin Cook, OJ’s always hurt” crowd…Cook missed last week’s game, so they both have the same games played (45) and the same games missed (22) in their regular season careers.
October 1st, 2021 at 7:23 pm
One word…LAZY. Doesn’t study to learn the offense. Another word…BUST. There is no other way to describe a 1st round pick with nearly no production. Final word. Goodbye and good riddance!!
October 1st, 2021 at 7:33 pm
Obviously I want him to succeed, but so far, OJ has been a massive disappointment. He has the speed, strength, and size to dominate, but thus far he has decided to play soft in most his appearances. I need to see him string together at least 10 quality games and remain injury free before I even think about resigning him. Like I said, I’m rooting for him, but not counting on him to suddenly start avoiding injuries and playing at a first round level.
October 1st, 2021 at 7:36 pm
When it comes to DK or FD daily fantasy I will be playing Cam Brate over OJ Howard.
October 1st, 2021 at 8:02 pm
Trade.
October 1st, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Injuries with players is unpredictable. He’s a freak of nature athlete. Just sucks he’s made of glass. If you can’t stay on the field then it doesn’t matter how talented or good you are.
October 1st, 2021 at 8:15 pm
Hmmm, Gronk will be gone soon, need a big body back there, lets try and see…
October 1st, 2021 at 8:33 pm
Trade, as in a 6th or 7th Rounder? OJ has as much value as Rojo, which isn’t much. Just gotta hope the habitual screwups stop screwing up. If they don’t, bye. 👋🏿
October 1st, 2021 at 9:22 pm
Howard was a wasted draft pick and very nearly a bust. 2017 had a lot of so so players and busts drafted in the first round too.
October 1st, 2021 at 9:59 pm
I think Brate and OJ will get looks in this game. Maybe some 12 personnel to make the interior defense have to defend 2 pass catching TEs.
I expect the Bucs to sprinkle in different offensive plays, since BB is so confident we run a Patriots offense.
But, honestly, how does Gronk miss this game? I just can’t believe he would not do whatever it took to get some play time. He’s the best blocking TE in the game where the Belicheats would have to worry about him coming off of blocks to catch. I hope he plays.
October 1st, 2021 at 10:04 pm
Agree with tony. Brate has always been better. Unfortunately not sure how many good years he has left . Would be nice to have a younger guy start to show potential
October 1st, 2021 at 10:13 pm
Will this be OJ’s last chance or will he have his coming of age party? Sadly, it is getting to be like a serial “soap opera”.
“It’s now or never … Come hold me tight” 🎶 🤷♀️ 💕 🏈
October 1st, 2021 at 11:08 pm
Up till now OJ Howard has been the classic underachiever
October 1st, 2021 at 11:11 pm
Hmmm what did others know about Howard that Licht did not? Why did he fall to the Bucs at 19?
October 2nd, 2021 at 5:33 am
I don’t expect to see OJ block much. He will be good for a few passes then leave with an injury in the second half. Three receptions for 30 yards will be a great day for OJ…😆
October 2nd, 2021 at 1:19 pm
(Yawn)
Five years of talking about potential, with no results.
Alot of Buccaneer fans sure like to suffer, and be disappointed
Gronk and Brate are a great pair of TEs.
Howard is a conversation piece.
Same as always.
And all the hoping and wishing gets us nowhere
October 2nd, 2021 at 1:45 pm
I seriously don’t think about this guy until there’s a story or he makes a rare play.
October 2nd, 2021 at 8:21 pm
Who the he..are you to be calling the Patriots Belicheats? You’re a nobody
October 2nd, 2021 at 8:34 pm
OJ WAS LOOKING LIKE THE BEST TIGHT END IN THE NFL LAST YEAR BEFORE HE GOT HURT. HIM AND BRADY WERE ON A ROLL. HOPEFULLY THEY ON A ROLL AGAINST PATRIOTS BUCS WIN 52-17AND DEFENSE WILL BE ON FIRE!!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2021 at 8:36 pm
LAST CHANCE FOR OJ THAN TRADE TIME PLUS CONTACT YEAR HE SHOULD BE PLAYING THE BEST FOOTBALL OF HIS CAREER THIS YEAR….