Bucs Crush Patriots Fans' Dreams and Now Appear Likely to Keep OJ Howard

For NFL fans who remember the dual tight end system employed by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, they know how dynamic and dominant it was. From 2010-2012 the Patriots used their two uber-talented tight ends in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to create a virtually unstoppable offense.

Now that Tom Brady and Gronk are reunited in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers get the opportunity to use that same double-TE look, this time with OJ Howard. While not as talented as Hernandez was, Howard still gives the Bucs the ability to use two pass-catching tight ends on the same play and generate serious matchup problems.

And much to the chagrin of teams like Brady's former Patriots, who need legitimate help at tight end, Howard isn't leaving town any time soon.

Howard, heading into his fourth season in the league, has shown glimpses of his special ability but has not had the breakout year fans have been looking for. He may not get as many targets as he would elsewhere, but the opportunity to play with Tom Brady should entice him. After all, Brady has won six rings; Howard has never played in a playoff game.

There's nowhere to go but up.

Brady, who lacked an abundance of weapons in New England last season, now has plenty of them in his first season in Tampa Bay. Patriots fans can only wonder why their front office failed to provide him with an adequate receiving corps, and now, Patriots fans and the rest of the NFL are nervously waiting to see just how impressive the Bucs offense will be.