The Future Of O.J. Howard
November 22nd, 2018
Becoming dominant.
Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching coach Dirk Koetter once said America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, would be with the Bucs a whole lot longer than he would be.
The way Koetter talked about second-year tight end O.J. Howard yesterday in his daily presser, the same could be said for Howard.
Earlier this week, Howard was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He suffered a nasty ankle injury while being tackled, the second straight season his season ended prematurely with an ankle injury.
Last season, he showed flashes of being a dominant tight end and Howard displayed more of that this year. Koetter believes Howard can even be much better.
“I think still the sky’s the limit for O.J.,” Koetter said. “One of the most explosive tight ends in the league. Numbers-wise his average is – including wideouts – I think it’s something like the fifth highest in the league. He had three explosives going in on the [Giants] game and just the way he got tackled on the last one – just poor luck. That’s two years in a row, a low tackle – legal tackle, but a low tackle nonetheless – is going to cost him games at the end of the year.
“I think O.J. improved a ton this year, but I still don’t think he’s scratched the surface of how good of a player he can be. Target-wise, because he’s on a team with very talented wide receivers, you look at say [George] Kittle – we play this week from San Francisco – gets more targets because he’s more their feature guy. That’s just luck of the draw. It doesn’t affect how good of a player O.J. is.”
That stinks for Howard but it is sort of exciting how good Howard can be. Depending who stays and who goes in the offseason, it will be interesting to see how Howard will be used next year.
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:26 am
With OJ, Evans and Godwin in the fold and Jameis slinging the rock our passing game should be set for quite some time. Now about that pesky thing called defense…
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:29 am
He still hasn’t scratched the surface as a player because you suck as a coach Dirk I mean you’re terrible and have no business running any team. The nfl world will rebalance itself once your back in place where you belong. Coordinator is the our ceiling
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:33 am
OJ is a great potential, but has been injured both years. This could be a troubling pattern.
Jameis slinging the rock?…many time it looks like he is throwing rocks. Often to other jerseys.
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:35 am
OJ a beast dawg
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:50 am
Ndog Says:
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:26 am
With OJ, Evans and Godwin in the fold and Jameis slinging the rock our passing game should be set for quite some time. Now about that pesky thing called defense…
You absolutely have to include Humphries in that group going forward….and he didn’t even cost us a draft pick.
He’s not flashy….but he has good hands, gets open and gets YAC…..Hump is part of our future also.
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:51 am
Roll tide
Nick make it 6 out of 10
November 22nd, 2018 at 9:16 am
Pete I Says:
“OJ is a great potential, but has been injured both years. This could be a troubling pattern.”
Probably should just get rid of him right now then huh Pete?
Troubling injuries patterns.
You mean to tell me he isn’t staying injury free through entire seasons? Wow this guy will never make it. No one ever gets hurt in the NFL.
November 22nd, 2018 at 9:27 am
I like DJAX but he seems to be the odd guy out. Our receiving/TE corps is great and has depth even without DJAX.
We’re already going to have a problem with just ONE football. Godwin is developing into a premier receiver and has earned his touches…same for OJ and Brate…Hump has been money and of course our number one receiver ME13. We are loaded.
Keep JW…he may end up being mediocre but if we build a good defense with all these play makers our offense is going to be good. JW does not have to be a star for us to win he can even be the 4th best QB in our division and we can still win.
November 22nd, 2018 at 10:19 am
” That’s two years in a row, a low tackle – legal tackle, but a low tackle nonetheless – is going to cost him games at the end of the year.”
Most of us knew this would be happening more often with the RULES changes.
Defenders going low means more ACL’s and Ankle injuries.
November 22nd, 2018 at 10:41 am
New coach, new system, new priorities…🤞
November 22nd, 2018 at 11:09 am
Buc87 is a dope. This too is a troubling trend!
November 22nd, 2018 at 11:20 am
TB Buc Fan, couldn’t agree more. Humphries is our Mr. Dependable. Always there when we need a first down. Always adds a spark, and rarely drops anything he can get his hands on.
November 22nd, 2018 at 11:24 am
Pete ,troubling injuries? It was two low tackles and some bad luck. Most of your posts are pretty dumb, but this one is special.
November 22nd, 2018 at 11:49 am
Any news as to the extent of his injury?
November 22nd, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Who doesn’t get injured on this poorly coached team. There’s definitely a disturbing trend of injuries particularly on defense.
November 22nd, 2018 at 8:25 pm
If Jason Licht weren’t an Idiot he would have correctly chosen Kareem Hunt in 2017. And this offense would actually be insanely good.
November 22nd, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Uh Coach, other teams have figured out how to feature multiple players and ensure their gamplans routinely feature their talented TEs. The only thing holding O.J. back is YOU, coach. YOU!
November 23rd, 2018 at 2:40 pm
He got put on IR last year for the final game. It was hardly a season ending injury. Just the timing of it made it pointless to carry him for one more week when he couldn’t be ready in less than two. Hardly reason for concern.