🏈 TE Coach.....

[TiderNAL]

I genuinely believe that OJ Howard is the main reason OJ Howard doesn't get more targets. He doesn't get open enough to be targeted, and in the SECCG late in the 4th on 3rd and short, Coker hit him right in the hands on a simple out rout and he dropped it. That's why.

It also doesn't help when our QB's the last 2 years almost always lock in on the primary receiver for the called play. You just look at our past TE's that were good, got open, and consistently caught the football(Michael Williams, Colin Peek). They had plenty of touches.

 

[UAgrad93]

I genuinely believe that OJ Howard is the main reason OJ Howard doesn't get more targets. He doesn't get open enough to be targeted, and in the SECCG late in the 4th on 3rd and short, Coker hit him right in the hands on a simple out rout and he dropped it. That's why.

It also doesn't help when our QB's the last 2 years almost always lock in on the primary receiver for the called play. You just look at our past TE's that were good, got open, and consistently caught the football(Michael Williams, Colin Peek). They had plenty of touches.

Hard habit to break when that primary target is Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley! It happens at all levels though. I had a 6'4" WR my jr year in HS. I slung it in his direction more times than not! He had 65-70 catches that year. I followed it up the next year with a WR that ran precise routes and he was my go to guy. Even though a QB has a progression to go through, they will go to the guy that they have the most confidence in when it comes to catching it. They often force it into coverage even though another guy is out to practice early on his route.

 

[Tidestalker]

I think it's a little bit of everything... Scheme, he's not a dominant receiver, QB play isn't special, etc.

It seems like he's becoming a better blocker though. At least for me, I haven't noticed many blatant misses like in years past.

Whats the chances of him leaving this year? I could see it on "potential" and "measurables", but he may be one of those kids who really wants to prove himself. I hope he is. Another year could be the difference for him, you never know.

 

[Che Boludo]

... I followed it up the next year with a WR that ran precise routes and he was my go to guy. ....

This is the other knock that scouting reports have on OJ, though I've never noticed.

 

[UAgrad93]

This is the other knock that scouting reports have on OJ, though I've never noticed.

Often times, that is the reason he isn't getting open. He may round off his routes instead of cutting them. It allows the defender to recover from what separation he initially gained.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

This is the other knock that scouting reports have on OJ, though I've never noticed.

He seems to drift around on longer routes

 

[psychojoe]

I think one of the posters above hit the nail on the head. While O.J. is extremely gifted physically and has an ideal TE body. He does not have the ideal TE disposition though. Rather than going after throws as if every ball thrown in his direction should be his to catch, he seems reluctant to snatch the ball in traffic. He is more like Ferdinand the bull in the old Disney cartoons, just wanting to smell the flowers. He is a very nice kid, almost too nice.