Todd Bowles: Tight Ends Will Not Be Forgotten
August 8th, 2024
Big piece to offensive puzzle?
With a receiver corps that includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, it’s easy to forget about tight ends.
Don’t do that, said Bucs coach Todd Bowles yesterday.
Maybe Joe is reading this wrong but it sure seemed like Bowles all but predicted Cade Otton is going to blow up this fall.
Bowles was asked about tight ends being forgotten. He said he can foresee Otton getting a bunch of balls thrown his way.
“I think he’ll get quite a bit,” Bowles said of Otton’s potential targets. “When you’ve got Mike and Chris and Trey and Jalen out there, the tight end is going to be singled a lot. Cade has got to get open.”
Toward the end of last season and into the playoffs, Otton did get open. And he made the most of it by getting some really good qualit and key catches and touchdowns.
Otton may be an average blocker — at his peak — but last year he demonstrated an ability to get open when the Bucs needed a play.
Joe doesn’t see Otton receding so long as he stays healthy.
August 8th, 2024 at 12:10 am
Otton was one of my favorite Bucs down the stretch last season, and Rachaad White was on the same wave length.
August 8th, 2024 at 12:27 am
Hey Joe. Do you see Culp working with the jugs machine much? How’s he coming along with his blocking? Unfortunately Otton, Durham, and Kief are slow as molasses, and Culp seems to struggle catching the ball. Yesh!
August 8th, 2024 at 1:46 am
@MYMommaSays
See Zach Kuntz. Highest athletic score in Combine history for a TE. Ran a 4.5. Was on Jets practice squad last year. Probably gets cut this year. Don’t be stupid when it comes to speed only.
August 8th, 2024 at 6:11 am
Cade Otton should improve with less touches. He was in 95% of the offensive plays last year?
August 8th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Haven’t noticed him at the Juggs machine (doesn’t mean he isn’t using it). Culp right now, based on snaps with first team, is your No. 3 tight end.
FYI: Winfield is at the Juggs machine after practice everyday.
August 8th, 2024 at 7:43 am
I remember the drops in the Philly playoff game, I hope Otton and the other droppers improve this year. Maybe Dev is like Teddy Bridgewater and needs gloves?
August 8th, 2024 at 8:44 am
I’m hoping Otton turns into a Cameron Brate type, good hands and very dependable. I think he may be a little more athletic than Brate was, tad taller. Brate was the ultimate overachiever, making the most of his opportunity here. Otton could be our Brate 2.0 … improve his blocking and just get comfortable in the offense… because the skill set is there.
August 8th, 2024 at 8:47 am
“Otton may be an average blocker — at his peak — but last year he demonstrated an ability to get open when the Bucs needed a play.”
That is being kind. He got blown up alot. On one run play he should have been credited with a tackle for loss.
Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Bowles placed JMC in with Mike, Chris, and Trey! That is telling. I think Otton has come out of nowhere at times and has been open. Yes he can get open more, but he seems pretty good. Agree with KABucs too. He reminds me of Brate a lot.