Report: Rumors Swirl About Howard
October 13th, 2019
NFL scuttlebutt.
Apparently, in NFL scouting circles, there is a lot of chatter going on behind the scenes about one of the Bucs’ tight ends.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, in a notebook column posted Friday, claims the hot rumor making the rounds in the NFL scouting community is that the Bucs could move third-year man O.J. Howard.
Could O.J. Howard and A.J. Green be on the move? In conversations with scouts this week, that’s been the hottest rumor, with a few scouts even asking what we’ve heard. Howard hasn’t been used by Bruce Arians in Tampa Bay and could help the Bucs fetch much-needed draft picks.
Yes, one could argue this may be a step above a sports radio host claiming he heard rumors about Howard. Joe doesn’t know Miller well and, of course, with Miller being outspoken, he turns a lot of folks off. But from Joe’s limited dealings with Miller, Joe found Miller to be an absolute grinder and an honest guy. And he is plugged in within NFL circles. So Joe doesn’t think Miller is manufacturing nonsense.
That doesn’t mean NFL scouts know the foremost inner workings of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht (unless one or more of these scouts are Bucs employees), but it is interesting to Joe that it isn’t only Bucs fans who think Howard is being underutilized, so do others who work in the league.
Jet-flyin’, kiss–stealin‘, data-analyzin’, Bucs-film-studyin’, limousine-ridin’ Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times noted Howard’s plays running pass routes are down roughly 40 percent from last year under then Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
Bassinger’s findings came up yesterday when Joe was talking Bucs with a good friend who is a helluva smart Bucs fan. Joe’s friend put two-and-two together and said that tells him Bucco Bruce Arians isn’t all that trusting of the Bucs’ offensive line, thus Arians has Howard blocking more to help keep heat off America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
And this does make sense. It’s not like Arians has never used a tight end before. When Arians was in Pittsburgh, tight end Heath Miller was a key member of the Steelers’ passing game. And frankly, Howard is a more talented guy than Miller, so Howard’s lack of targets is puzzling.
But if Howard is being used more as a blocker, then this would make all the sense in the world why Howard’s targets have dropped.
And if this is the case, Joe would suppose Cam Brate, not a good blocker, would be moved before Howard (Joe hopes that doesn’t happen). Besides, Howard is still on his rookie contract and Brate is fetching more salary than Howard.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:12 am
Its criminal that they are scheming OJ open. We need to stay in 13 personnel (think that’s what it’s called) with auclair off the RT and OJ off the LT and let OJ be the third option with Evan’s and Godwin. I dont want to see any other wr’s on the field except for special teams. OJ needs to be the third option with Jones as the rb.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:16 am
Whew this is incredible honestly. Imagine trading one of the best people on your team because he doesn’t fit the scheme well enough. Byron may be a bum that doesn’t know what he is doing. I guess this was what El buco realist was saying about the answers the real fans already know about.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:20 am
https://twitter.com/CarmieV/status/1182341463696433153
Looks like Leftwich alluded to what was going to happen with Howard.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:30 am
Patrick Peterson for OJ Howard.
I would pull that trade today!
The Cardinals would LOVE OJ Howard.
Every rookie QB needs a TE.
October 13th, 2019 at 2:57 am
Unfortunately, he plays scared. Arians will not out you with that Sheot
October 13th, 2019 at 3:08 am
He is open on every play
October 13th, 2019 at 3:25 am
If this happens I’m off the Bruce Arians train complete and funding the “Fire Licht” billboards.
October 13th, 2019 at 3:33 am
Bet Brady would love either Brate or Howard. Imagine either in Pats offense?
October 13th, 2019 at 4:46 am
Jean Lafitte … Even better, brainchild Jason Lichtweight trades OJ to the Pats for Caleb Benenoch and only has to give up one 4th round pick to consummate the trade. Belicheck loves Bama players … and unlike Byron Leftwich, he knows how to use them.
October 13th, 2019 at 5:03 am
Leftwhich doesn’t know what the hell hes doing
October 13th, 2019 at 5:45 am
Brate and Howard not being used tells me it’s a terrible offensive scheme.
Completely idiotic. Leftwich is in over his head and I’m starting to believe BA is another “I’m gonna run my scheme no matter who’s on the team” instead of modifying your scheme to fit your best weapons.
This will not end well.
October 13th, 2019 at 6:01 am
I’m not saying they’re not but, how do we know? These guys could be running free all over the field but if the QB doesn’t throw there, well….
Point is, Leftwich doesn’t make the throws.
I’m begging you Byron, begging for quick passing plays/screens/slants/crosses. PLESASE!
October 13th, 2019 at 6:21 am
I like OJ but if could be used to bring in a J Ramsey or P Peterson, I’d pull that trigger
October 13th, 2019 at 6:23 am
I think that Miller is a sketchy dude but that doesn’t mean he can’t be on to something. If someone offered up a top 15 corner under 28 I would make a deal.
October 13th, 2019 at 6:45 am
Sorry, not buying the trade thing. Showcase him then trade him. That hasn’t happened.
October 13th, 2019 at 6:48 am
good job joe…time to talk about this…
see my post a few days ago about how we are carrying 4 tight ends and use none…
so one has to go for sure…
hello peterson
October 13th, 2019 at 7:04 am
BA does not have a history unitizing TEs in his offense. If this is the case and we can get a first round draft pick or a caliber player, sure – let’s trade him. I know this sound insane, but we need players that work in our system. This is why Full Backs are rare in the NFL. There’s just not enough scheme that use them.
October 13th, 2019 at 7:30 am
You low standard bucfan cant let mediocrity go…. neither brate or oj fumbles are great… remember greatness is earned by actual on field results not just adorable little bucfan thinks you might be great… oj and brate are nothing special just beloved by an uneducated fanbase that falls in love with mediocrity every time and cant get over it …
October 13th, 2019 at 7:33 am
Jalen Ramsey for OJ. Do it!!
October 13th, 2019 at 7:33 am
…..or with so many players driving their own destiny could Howard be asking to be traded?….Just saying…
October 13th, 2019 at 7:51 am
@Petty Officer we already have a page on FB started…. profile name is “TRASH LICHT” future Anti-Jason events and protests will be posted there
October 13th, 2019 at 7:53 am
Destinjohnny Says:
October 13th, 2019 at 3:08 am
He is open on every play
Anyone who actually watched tape knows the about is 1000% not true.
October 13th, 2019 at 8:02 am
I’ve been thinking for a week or so that they may look to move Howard since they can’t figure out how to use him. A Howard for Ramsey trade is intriguing but I’m not sure I’d do an even swap for Petersen. Petersen is 29 or 30 and thinking about his recent suspension for PED’s his skills/body may be on the decline.
October 13th, 2019 at 8:07 am
Howard for Ramsey lol howard and 1st rd pick maybe…. howard straight up might get you the jaguars ball boy…
October 13th, 2019 at 8:32 am
It would be a very Bucs like thing to do to draft a TE in the 1st round and then use him as an inline blocker.
Either way, they’re definitely not getting any value out of that pic for what it was meant for.
It still doesnt explain why they cant insert Brate into the passing game. He cant block, yet they still cant figure out how to throw him the ball.
October 13th, 2019 at 8:53 am
I dont understand….the tight end position was the key playmaker in preseason and now its almost obsolete.What changed from preseason to regular season?
Oh yeah, Arians was calling plays during the preseason and then weak link took over. Lefrwich is not qualified I hope today is his last day calling plays.
October 13th, 2019 at 8:55 am
The rumor isn’t even true, so this is much ado about nothing.
October 13th, 2019 at 9:03 am
If bonzi says it isn’t true my guess is oj fumbles is already traded
October 13th, 2019 at 9:12 am
Screw trading away either O.J. or Brate. Weakening one position to strengthen another makes no sense. Look to the draft and free agency. Too many holes to fix in one off season. Build on the foundation of talent we already have.
October 13th, 2019 at 9:14 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
October 13th, 2019 at 8:55 am
The rumor isn’t even true, so this is much ado about nothing.
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Whew!! Thank gawd!
October 13th, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Brate > OJ
October 13th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Welcome to New England OJ, first thing we need is your ring size.