Are we rolling with Sample as the starting TE?

[*ochocincos*]

(03-15-2022, 10:33 AM)Bengalpool Wrote: This makes sense. Appreciate the breakdown, I was wondering what happened to Howard. Highlights show him having some big play ability, speed and explosiveness. Not many TE's with his assets. And for the price, I wouldn't mind taking a shot. Do you know how his blocking is? 

His blocking was behind his receiving, but he did block decently in college.
Back in the month or so before the 2017 draft, NFL.com published an article saying Howard was the most complete TE prospect of the past decade.


https://www.nfl.com/news/book-on-o-j-howard-most-complete-te-prospect-in-10-years-0ap3000000793010

Quote:As a blocker, Howard shows strength and power at the point of attack. He locks onto his assigned defender and runs his feet until the whistle blows. Although his ability to move defenders off the ball is a little inconsistent, Howard's effort and relentlessness is enough to allow runners to turn the corner on outside runs. As a move blocker, Howard's athleticism enables him to climb to the next level. At Alabama, he frequently aligned as an H-back or "sniffer" off the ball before pulling around to lead running backs through the hole on counters and powers. He quickly works through traffic to cut off his target and delivers solid blows on most of his blocks.
Now, he needs to continue to work on finishing his blocks, but he is pretty advanced as a blocker for a college tight end.

Howard's best PFF run blocking grade of his NFL career was 62.8, which was considered solid. That's about what Uzomah's was this past year (60.0).
Not sure about Howard's pass blocking though.