Bucs Receivers Get An “A” With An Asterisk
June 4th, 2022
Won’t be missed.
Boy oh boy, former Bucs tight end O.J. Howard sure built an image as a dangerous, lethal, field-stretching tight end who will burn defenses that pay too much attention to Playoff Lenny.
What this rep has been built on, Joe has no clue. But man, the hype.
Take J.P. Acosta of Football Outsiders, for example. In grading the Bucs receivers group (which Football Outsiders includes tight ends), he believes the Bucs will feel pain from losing Howard to the Bills, especially if foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski retires.
Overall, the Football Outsiders crew gave the Bucs receivers/tight ends an “A” grade.
Aaron Schatz: I think if Gronk doesn’t come back they are “B.”
J.P. Acosta: I can see that argument. I think, again, they are lacking depth. I think they addressed that a little bit with Russell Gage being wide receiver-three. But you get behind there and it is Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, who hasn’t seemed to get out of the Brady doghouse. O.J. Howard leaving and going to Buffalo in free agency really hurt the tight end room especially if Gronk doesn’t come back.
Acosta is missing a few things there. Scotty Miller had a bum turf toe. Let’s see if he can recapture his magic of 2020 now that he has added 15 pounds of muscle and apparently has a healthy foot.
Tyler Johnson? Joe doesn’t think he was in Tom Brady’s doghouse, he was in former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians’ doghouse.
Acosta seemed to fully overlook Breshad Perriman and Cyril Grayson. Both demonstrated they are helpful off the bench.
(No, Joe won’t mention Jaelon Darden because he doesn’t want to rile people up on an otherwise peaceful June Saturday morning.)
Back to Howard. The last time Howard impacted a game was in October of 2020, the win over the Chargers in which Howard blew out his Achilles. Howard played in 59 games for the Bucs since he was drafted in the first round in 2017. Can you name five games where he had a major positive impact on the outcome? His poorly-imitated Magic Johnson behind-the-back dribble-turned-interception stunt at the Bucs-16 in a 34-17 loss to the slimy Saints doesn’t count as a positive impact.
Howard last season was a total non-factor. Joe is willing to bet the Bucs don’t miss Howard at all. Did they miss him when they won the Super Bowl in 2020?
OJ Howard. What in the world.
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/hhLeYHeGAS
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 17, 2019
June 4th, 2022 at 10:07 am
Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane.
June 4th, 2022 at 10:09 am
We won’t miss Howard…..and, I agree……especially with Perriman…..he’s a pretty good 4th or 5th WR……….& Tyler Johnson is a pretty good 6th…..
But…an A is a good grade….
June 4th, 2022 at 10:18 am
With all the doom and gloom from JBF expecting a mid season return for Godwin I thought there’d be a story on the positive news Grayson broke Thursday. Godwin is ahead of schedule on his recovery already running 19 mph. Looks to be ready for training camp.
June 4th, 2022 at 10:23 am
Stanglassman:
Joe is dubious of that claim, mainly because Joe wouldn’t expect a teammate to say anything different in June. On the record that is.
June 4th, 2022 at 10:32 am
Howard had all the tools to be successful but he just doesn’t have it. Gl dude
June 4th, 2022 at 10:40 am
O J name should have been NO J.
June 4th, 2022 at 10:56 am
Hes fine when open ans has time to get the legs going. These guys in the pros though are unfortunately so athletically gifted. He is always a step behind. Hes trying to do too much before the balls even in his hands. Clearly trying to move without the ball too soon. If he cant maje this basic 8-10 yard out route wide open then there’s no reason for him to continue to be playing in the NFL. 🤷♂️
June 4th, 2022 at 11:23 am
Joe is dubious of that claim, mainly because Joe wouldn’t expect a teammate to say anything different in June. On the record that is.
The conversation was about OTA players. The question was ‘who’s going to surprise you the most’ Grayson said Godwin’s going to ‘be back sooner than a lot of people expect.’ Than went on to say a little birds saw him run 19mph the other day. He brought this info up he wasn’t being asked about Godwin’s status at all. I get what you’re saying but this seems genuine.
June 4th, 2022 at 11:25 am
Only thing I remember about O.J is his poor Captain Morgan impression, which in fact is his most memorable play to me. Sad, really for a “total athletic specimen.”
June 4th, 2022 at 11:41 am
The biggest play O J made while playing for the Bucs was catching a foul ball with one hand at a Rays game. It’s been all down hill since then.
June 4th, 2022 at 11:57 am
OMG this guy is writing something just to do it–not even close to understanding that OJ Howard was nothing more than a big man on the field generating interceptions and penalties. He was good for nothing for us and that is why he never was traded for anything because he was AWFUL!
June 4th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
I think he got a 15 yard penalty for that Captain Morgan stunt IIRC.
June 4th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
only thing I remember about OJ was he was injured alot.
June 4th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
You might be thinking about Austin Seferian-Jackwagon.
June 4th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
OJ Coward literally played scared. He knew he didn’t have what it take to play competitive in the nfl. He has not contributed to the team in the past several years. He can’t catch, is passive at blocking, at his size will run outta bounds to evade a 190 pound would be tackler, n has a history of juggling simple passes when throw his way. I was elated when we let him walk. What has he done for us lately? Com on people!
June 4th, 2022 at 2:51 pm
The Tyler Johnson hate is ridiculous and it should be a battle between him and Grayson. Everyone said “He’s the next Godwin!” his rookie year in 2020, had a slump year his second year which is not crazy for rookies that played with a lot of potential. Apparently he has returned fit. Scotty is a no go in the slot. He has returned looking fit from what I’ve heard.
June 4th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
The receivers no one mentions (Grayson, Perriman) will have a big start to the season. They are under the radar and will blow the top off the defense.
Our two new TEs will be, at least, six times more impactful than OJ would have been.
I’d give the Bucs an A- on recievers. They are not going to be a detriment to some serious offensive fireworks.
June 4th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
OJ Howard had “No Heart”
Football is a game that requires HEART and PASSION and OJ exhibited none of it.
June 4th, 2022 at 4:39 pm
As an aside, I don’t fully believe it can be happening, but Darden is getting rave reviews from the team as he shows up in practice. All of them say he is much improved. I hope so, as it will be needed–not to mention amazing and unexpected.
June 4th, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Best thing Howard did for the Bucs, was freeing up a roster spot by leaving.
He had talent. So does alot of guys.
Cant teach Heart.
June 4th, 2022 at 11:21 pm
OJ Showered is a good name for him because that was the extent of his contribution to most Bucs games. Atleast he smelled good I hope.
June 5th, 2022 at 12:57 am
The so called experts who claim they’ll miss OJ do no research and are still going by his draft hype.
Johnson, Perriman, Grayson, Miller.. I would argue it’s the best group in football vying for the 4th and 5th WR spots.
June 5th, 2022 at 7:50 am
Ingram (nyg), Njoku (cle), Josh Allen & yes, Dalvin Cook were available when the Bucs selected OJ. Even though OJ was selected first, he ended up being the 3rd (or 4th) best TE selected in the 1st round that year!? Waiting for Jamies to grow-up screwed us out of even considering Allen. Yay!
June 5th, 2022 at 9:48 am
Didn’t Josh Allen-Q.B.get drafted the following year?(the Vita trade)…anyway, matters not…as the great Weeb Eubanks said…hindsight’s is always 20/20…
June 5th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
I woukd grade our reciver core as An A!! We have a good bit of depth and my god we need to be healthy this year!!! We have alot of talent and big playmakers!! We do need another TE..gronk will be back though, UNFINISHED BUISSNESS LFGO
June 5th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
O.J. Who?!
June 6th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Objective position grades have not won a game in the history of the league.