The O.J. Howard Potential Impact
June 14th, 2021
Bucs TE O.J. Howard.
While Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians said often during underwear football season that tight end O.J. Howard was “close” to returning to the practice field, on the last day of Bucs minicamp Howard was seen working with a trainer on a side field performing running drills.
So provided Howard can return to the Bucs at full strength by the season opener against the Cowboys, what can we expect this season in a contract year from Howard?
Adam Schefter of ESPN believes it could be big. Schefter recently went over all the talking points Bucs fans are familiar with about the 2021 team defending its Super Bowl title. Then he spoke about Howard.
“Can you imagine [an] impact a player like O.J. Howard can have on this offense in addition to everyone else that will be there?” Schefter said. “Yes, Tom [Brady] should be healthier this year. O.J. Howard should be back.”
Remember, Howard blew out his Achilles in the fourth game of the season against the Chargers. The injury came after he had a spectacular 28-yard touchdown catch from Brady.
If you look at Howard’s average-per-game numbers, he was on pace for possibly his second-best season. This surprised Joe a little bit.
Yes, if you factor in Brady being healthier, knowing the playbook (Brady confessed he didn’t know the playbook when Howard played his last game of the season), Howard could have a major impact, if for no other reason than to draw defenders away from Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown.
June 14th, 2021 at 9:02 am
OJ Howard -potential impact-
New ice machine
Extra doctor
Elongated team bench
Fan depression
June 14th, 2021 at 9:03 am
If he can stay healthy, OJ can learn a great deal from Gronk.
June 14th, 2021 at 9:10 am
IR Howard can’t take much impact.
June 14th, 2021 at 9:17 am
OJ will be on I.R. by week 4 w/ a sprained gizzard
June 14th, 2021 at 9:32 am
It’s a contract year and he will be motivated to perform. I hope his health isn’t an issue and he will have a great year for our Bucs!
June 14th, 2021 at 9:59 am
Thank Goodness we still have Brate. OJ will be lucky to make it through 4 games this season. Did the guy ever make through an entire season? I don’t think so?
June 14th, 2021 at 10:01 am
If he can stay healthy…IF!
June 14th, 2021 at 10:21 am
This is his last chance, hope he does well
June 14th, 2021 at 10:25 am
Damn, it’s get down on OJ Monday morning! Has the big guy had more than his share of injuries? Yes, but he’s also a play maker. I’m willing to give him a chance to show he can maintain his health for an entire season. If he’s out for more than a couple of games this year, then I’ll join the choir to cut the cord.
June 14th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Can’t type Howard’s name without typing “potential.” Too bad you can’t put a graphic in the comments. I’d like to make a JBF Bingo Card with all the OJ Howard catch phrases we use in every story.
“Potential”
“Flashes of brilliance.”
“If he stays healthy.”
“If he comes back strong.”
“First round pick.”
“Another weapon.”
“Talented”
“Hope”
“Was going good before he got injured”
“Can you imagine…”
“Could have a [adjective] impact”
“If he played a full season…”
“He’s motivated THIS TIME”
June 14th, 2021 at 10:32 am
YAWN, another year, more amazing OJ hype and expectations !
Will wait for the games .
June 14th, 2021 at 10:43 am
TBBF is in the top 2 percentile of optimistic Buc fans….however, I don’t have a great deal of confidence that Howard can stay healthy…..
If he does….he will definitely make a big impact.
June 14th, 2021 at 10:57 am
I’m there with ya TBBF!
June 14th, 2021 at 11:12 am
I’ve had my eyes on OJ from afar for years. I get the disappointment. Between the injuries and inconsistent blocking, OJ came across as less than a promise, more like a promise seldom kept. The so-so production might not have been completely on him, but rather on a scheme that emphasized a vertical attack.
For what it’s worth, it looked like OJ was poised to have a very productive season with Brady. As Joe mentioned, if you project from the four games (yeah small sample size) OJ looked like he was on the verge of his second best season. The entire two TE formation became popularized in the NFL due to Brady slicing and dicing defenses with Gronk and Hernandez (I said slice and dice, not murder).
I don’t know what to expect out of OJ. It’s a contract year and he’s coming off of a serious Achilles injury. If he wants a prominent role, he’s going to have to apply himself as a blocker and be more of a complete TE.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:12 am
I’ve had my eyes on OJ from afar for years. I get the disappointment. Between the injuries and inconsistent blocking, OJ came across as less than a promise, more like a promise seldom kept. The so-so production might not have been completely on him, but rather on a scheme that emphasized a vertical attack.
For what it’s worth, it looked like OJ was poised to have a very productive season with Brady. As Joe mentioned, if you project from the four games (yeah small sample size) OJ looked like he was on the verge of his second best season. The entire two TE formation became popularized in the NFL due to Brady slicing and dicing defenses with Gronk and Hernandez (I said slice and dice, not murder).
I don’t know what to expect out of OJ. It’s a contract year and he’s coming off of a serious Achilles injury. If he wants a prominent role, he’s going to have to apply himself as a blocker and be more of a complete TE.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:25 am
IN OJ I TRUST!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2021 at 11:40 am
This is OJ’s contract year. He has a lot to prove. Go get it!
June 14th, 2021 at 11:46 am
Maybe Tebow will be a available when/if Howard goes down……
June 14th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Tebow. .overrated athlete that will be creeping and gasping his way down the field. Had his chance a decade ago…. but just had to prove to everyone, including himself, what most Pro GM’s and Coaches already knew or learned the hard way. He just doesn’t have the talent to be an NFL QB. Now he wants to play Tight End….get ready to be blasted by some DE’s/Outside linebacker types, old man. And yes.. you haven ‘t played in forever….old man.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:57 am
Man to stay healthy he’s gonna have to wrap up both ankles, braces on both knees, bullet proof vest and maybe a personal force field generator . Then this year if the line blocks like it did last year Brady can break the td record and Evans, Godwin and Brown can have 1000 yards each.
June 14th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
I don’t know about some of you, but I want O J Howard on my team. This guy has game. Hope he has a breakout year. GO BUCS!
June 14th, 2021 at 1:28 pm
@“The O.J. Howard Potential Impact”
—————-
the only impact he can make, is if we trade him….
June 14th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
I am 100% with you Eddie Marz !!!
June 14th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
I am waiting for the
The O.J. Howard Kinetic Impact
June 14th, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Anyone that understands the recovery period of an Achilles Injury & professional athletes post-injury performance decline, should make one worry about OJ ever being able to recapture his previous potential. (especially < a yr after surgery)
At this point…I'm not betting on OJ being a factor in 2021.
I see him as an availability yet TBD – depth piece…(#4 TE).
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.
June 14th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
I wish him well, but I just can’t get excited about OJ yet. I want to. I hope to, but he has to stay on the field.
June 14th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
Bigger first round bust than Jameis.
June 14th, 2021 at 3:32 pm
^^^^ bust pick yes, but nothing can top JW. Lovie S….. wow….
June 14th, 2021 at 5:08 pm
Gronk is Gronk and I think Cam Brate and Tom will go off this year. This krew there’s going to be a receiver open somewhere. Brady is one arm. I have no clue who will do what this year.
June 14th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Howard is brittle and nearly a bust. I hope that he turns it around this year, but I have zero faith that he will do so.
June 14th, 2021 at 8:41 pm
There’s a reason that Brate was on ice early last season. OJ, when healthy, is just a huge mismatch and can make defenses pay.
June 14th, 2021 at 11:05 pm
Bubble wrap him and put him in,,damn he’s got nothing left to break,tear,,,he’s all out of body parts