TAMPA, Fla. -- If it wasn't for tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard, rain might have put a real damper on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day in pads Monday.
A constant, steady drizzle made for a wet ball and contributed to multiple drops from receivers. Brate, however, was sure-handed and Howard looked very physical as a blocker.
During one-on-ones, Howard held his own against weakside linebacker Lavonte David, one of quickest defensive players on the team.
"Oh man ... in one-on-ones, he was beasting everybody," running back Jacquizz Rodgers said of Howard, who delivered an excellent block against Noah Spence that gave Rodgers a big hole to run through.