Three episodes into the season of HBO’s yearly docu-series, Hard Knocks, and Tampa Bay’s first-round rookie was hardly anywhere to be seen. Episode four aired on Tuesday, and O.J. Howard took the stage front and center early on. Literally.
The Buccaneers were putting on their yearly rookie talent show, and the former Alabama star tight end appeared to be the host.
“My name is O.J. y’all, everybody call me the Juice” Howard said, holding a microphone and strutting across the stage. “I want to welcome y’all to the 2017 rookie show.”
He turned around and waved his hand, breaking up the applause from the vets in the room.
“Hold up, hold up,” he said mockingly. “I’m wasting time, I’m wasting time. Y’all wanna be ready, I’m wasting my time. I bet some of y’all feel good.”
Howard’s comments were referencing the pre-game speech aired on HBO the week before. Jameis Winston, the Bucs’ star quarterback, was pumping up his team by saying he knew they were ready to compete and that he was just wasting his time talking to them. They pan over to the crowd and viewers can see Winston laughing as he realizes it is an impersonation of him.
While not a particularly important moment, it shows the chemistry forming between the two. O.J. Howard has had a good showing so far this preseason as a receiver and as a blocker. After not being targeted in week one, he has made four catches for 43 yards over his last two games. With a gunslinger like Jameis Winston behind center, there will be plenty of opportunities for Howard to flourish in his rookie season.
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Jake Weaver is a lead writer for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via phone at 205-612-5060 or on Twitter @JWeaver_TDALMag
