Cam Brate Makes A Gronk-Like Touchdown Catch
December 5th, 2021
Physical touchdown.
Joe gets texts and sometimes phone calls from fans who complain that Cam Brate is overrated and shouldn’t be on the team.
Joe calmly tells these people if Brate was as bad as they think, Tom Brady wouldn’t keep throwing to him.
Remember how Brady iced out Justin Watson last year after he helped cause two pick-sixes? Watson’s days with the Bucs are all but over and Joe doesn’t expect to see Watson in a Bucs uniform again. (yes, Watson is on the injured reserve and no, Joe has no update other than originally he was thought to be ready to return after Thanksgiving — and we are two days from Pearl Harbor Day).
Joe also remembers that about two weeks ago, respected NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell broke down tape of why Brate is still valuable. Defenses also still respect him, Cosell demonstrated.
(Notice Brate always gets targets and playing time as opposed to a certain former first-round pick?)
Well, for one play today Joe thought Brate was Gronk the way he outmuscled a defender for a score.
With the Bucs having the ball on the Dixie Chicks-3, Brate lined up tight to Tristan Wirfs on the right side and initially blocked his man, spun to his right, split two defenders and skied over Deion Jones and fought him for the ball for the score.
See how Gronk’s physical style rubs off?
Yes, Brate is still an important cog in this potential juggernaut of an offense. Just because Brate doesn’t blow up dudes at the line doesn’t mean he cannot or does not contribute.
December 5th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Shoot Brate has bin doing it since he was a unrestricted free agent. Doesn’t drop many balls either
December 5th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
When I saw it I thought it was gronk too.
Before gronk came to town brate was our featured te. Mr touchdown! Always knew how to get open,especially for tds. Valuable player!
December 5th, 2021 at 5:13 pm
O”Overated”J is the one who’s overrated. I bought in to the propaganda sold when he was drafted but now seeing Darvin Cook with all his injuries was the better one we have up on. Cam is still a good TE wish he had strengthened up over the years so he could be trusted to block.
December 5th, 2021 at 5:13 pm
You dont even realize if OJ playing or not. Total ghost
December 5th, 2021 at 5:16 pm
Red zone touchdown machine
thought it was Gronk too!
December 5th, 2021 at 5:24 pm
If anything he’s always been very underrated. Finds sorts spots and catches everything. Thoguht earlier in the year his hip injury and age were catching up, but he’s been slowly getting involved again. Maybe just in time for playoff ball
December 5th, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Like everyone else, I thought it was Gronk too and if I hadn’t seen the number i would’ve been convinced it was Gronk after Brate’s Gronk spike.
December 5th, 2021 at 6:12 pm
I agree Cam is an important cog in the wheel. If he was in more he would produce more. I wish Gronk wasn’t in so much even though he’s the best TE ever. The more you play the more your body is hit, bruised and battered. Gotta be smart and use the players you have like chess pieces not checkers. If you get up a ton the valuable pieces should be taken out and preserved to do battle the next game. Good win! Go Bucs!!!
December 5th, 2021 at 6:16 pm
He deserves his spot on the team..valuable depth like Ronald jones
December 5th, 2021 at 6:22 pm
I also thought it was Gronk.
December 5th, 2021 at 6:29 pm
In the game against Washington he stayed in a blocked before going out and catching a touchdown
December 5th, 2021 at 6:51 pm
It says a great deal that a physical freak like O.J. Howard is around two consummate professionals in Gronk and Brate and has apparently learned nothing. Look like Tarzan, play like Jane.
December 5th, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Even fooled Mean Gene…which admittedly isn’t that difficult to do these days unfortunately. Brate…the undrafted Ivy Leaguer…has been pretty darn good over the years. And they nearly lost him to The Taints.
December 5th, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Brate has mostly been awful this season (look at his catch percentage numbers if you don’t believe your eyes), he looks like he’s running and mud, can’t get open, never could block and his hands have become suspect — he’s 30, and he might have aged out. BUT that was a hell of a catch. In part because he can’t get open. But if he can make those catches, then it doesn’t matter if you’re open.
December 5th, 2021 at 8:21 pm
that dude oj blowhard has officially been rendered useless…
we shoulda traded the deadbeat for at least something…
yeah a 6th rounder would have been worth it at this point
December 5th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
oj howard had more success catching balls at rays games than as a buccaneer…
#RealFactoids
December 6th, 2021 at 7:01 am
IMO, the Bucs have chosen to make OJ a blocking tight end, quite possibly to
give Brady more time in the pocket. I will say that its hard to make plays if you are not targeted. Brady has only thrown the ball his way 20 times all year with about a 66% catch rate. Brate has got 39 targets with about a 51 % catch rate.
December 6th, 2021 at 8:26 am
Cam Brate has been a class act both on and off the field since Licht tagged him as an UFA. Not too shabby.