TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff gushed this spring over the rare talent they had in O.J. Howard. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said, “Man, I’ve never seen guys like that.” Quarterback Jameis Winston said the sky wasn’t even the limit for the tight end; it was the moon.
Yet 12 weeks into the 2019 season and in coach Bruce Arians’ new offense, Howard’s targets are down, and he looks lost. His 14.8% drop rate is among the highest of any player at any position this season.
Even after what looked to be a breakout game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 (he caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown), on Sunday, Howard inexplicably juggled a pass behind his body, and it bounced into the hands of the Saints' Demario Davis for a pick.