Fight For A Starting Job
June 23rd, 2014
Because of limited practice time this spring, it might be a stretch to expect Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins to start opening week.
When the Bucs drafted Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second round last month, it was a bit of a surprise in that the tight end position for the Bucs was already stocked. Tampa Bay already had gone out and signed Brandon Myers and still had talented Tim Wright on the roster.
So suddenly, the Bucs went from being OK at the position to deep. For ESPN blogger Pat Yasinskas, the battle to start should be a good one.
Rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins might be the long-term answer. But he might not get a lot of playing time in the short term. Seferian-Jenkins wasn’t allowed to take part in the offseason program and that could put him behind the competition. Brandon Myers, Tim Wright and Luke Stocker all have more experience.
Yeah, Joe doesn’t think ASJ is going to start right away, for what Yasinskas points out and because he was nursing a sore foot after offseason surgery. For the little time he was with the Bucs in rookie minicamp, he was limited in what he could do. So for those facts alone, Joe believes Bucs fans will have to wait a while to see the full “Dunkaneers.”
As for Luke Stocker, well, Joe is going to quote a local member of the pen and mic club who scoffed about the possibility of Stocker, fan favorite, being retained by Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht, “The only way Luke Stocker makes the team is if the Bucs break out a four-tight end set.”
June 23rd, 2014 at 2:09 pm
“…Stocker, fan favorite…”
Really? Fan favorite? I would have never thought that. And I don’t see how since he is always on IR.
I don’t see ASJ being much of a contributor either, not until late in the season. But Wright and Myers should be adequate. ASJ could be a monster next year and forever after!
June 23rd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I’m confident he’ll be fine. Plus having depth at the position, gives us more fresh legs late in the season.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins UW Pro Day (Talks about injury)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzAuXZVpwYA
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:00 pm
One might be inclined to think that the first area where ASJ might be a reliable contributor would be in the red-zone offense.
Wouldn’t be a stretch to concentrate him there then let him earn more playing time, which he will, barring injury.
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Luke Stocker hurt his back getting out of bed, got a high ankle sprain stepping into the shower, dislocated his shoulder taking out the garbage and broke his wrist turning the key in his car on…. all in the same day. The guy is walking whine-bag and gets injured if someone looks at him the wrong way or if a defender breathes on him. Stocker was a bust, is still a bust and will always be a bust. He is pretty much useless and can’t block either. They would have been better off keeping Eric “Wrong Hole” Lorig than the worthless Stocker.
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:15 pm
it’s called sarcasm….
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Assuming the ‘fan favorite’ thing was a joke. Stocker’s pretty much been a bust from day one and he’s not likely to make the final roster this year.
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Luke who?
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Defintion of a Buc’s “fan favorite” is any player on the roster longer than 3 years.
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Luke Medicare fan favorite Stocker!!!
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Stocker is a “Dominick Favorite”.
The “Rock Star” got no calls for an “encore!”
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:50 pm
in what universe is stocker a fan favorite? I realize it’s the dead season for football , but the joe’s don’t need to make stuff up. utter stupidity!
June 23rd, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Lighten up Francis! Joe was being sarcastic.
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Stocker is getting a little bit of a bad rap from you guys.
He was indeed able to block. The problem was that no one can block forever and a QB that holds onto the ball too long makes the best blockers look bad.
On top of that, the oline was doing poorly as well. They flashed goodness, but it was uncommon.
That said, injury is an issue, but lets be honest. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is starting his career off injured.
We don’t know if it will continue to be an issue, especially when foot injuries are a common issue in Tampa (for whatever reason).
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Maybe Luke can thin down & Myron can bulk up and they can switch positions….
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Lovie is doing it the right way. All our top picks are not expected to be #1’s at their positions. That is why they will develop into better players.
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:34 pm
🙂
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:35 pm
I remember Stocker making a block once but I think he broke his arm on the play.
June 23rd, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Luke has succomed to the Dark Side of the Force after Lord Vader chopped his hand off.
June 23rd, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I think they will play Evans and Vjax with Wright and Myers until one of those four get an injury. Then in will come Jenkins. It will give him a little extra time to heal, take mental reps and learn the offense. Mike Evans and Vjax must be out there week one. If not THEN I could see Jenkins starting. Either way life is good in Tampa Bay!!!
June 23rd, 2014 at 6:33 pm
What does Jenkins have to do with Evans or vjax getting hurt. Smh
June 23rd, 2014 at 6:42 pm
This plays out well. No need to rush the rookie, shoot, Tim Wright is not far removed from being a rookie!! Bucs already able to bring certain players along slowly … Bodes well for the next few years to come. Development time, when was the last time we had that … Never?
June 23rd, 2014 at 6:57 pm
As I see it, with a whole new offense for EVERYONE to learn, ASJ probably isn’t going to get enough snaps for him to be one of the ‘starting’ TEs (IF he’s even good enough to beat Wright and Myers). That means the Bucs will likely bring him in for ‘situational’ plays (i.e., short-yardage/red zone/goal-line/etc). He will be a help as a target AND as a decoy. He’ll also get a chance to slowly get comfortable with the speed/intensity of regular season games. I’m hoping that he’s part of the regular ‘platoon’ by mid-season.
June 23rd, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Stocker is no favorite of this fan, to me he signifies two wasted 4th round picks and honestly, Mason Foster has been the best value we pulled out of that wretched draft with Clayborn playing a close 2nd. I don’t think Stocker makes the team, Wright & Meyers will make it tough and ASJ makes it damn near impossible imo.
June 23rd, 2014 at 9:03 pm
One of our Tight Ends are going to get traded. Chances are we get rid of Tim Wright and get a lineman in exchange. Only reason I say wright is because he lacks prototype size at the position and he probably brings in the most trade value.
June 23rd, 2014 at 9:03 pm
No wonder Tedford drafted ASJ, check out this highlight package of him playing against Cal in 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N-8Ip7cPZg
June 23rd, 2014 at 10:10 pm
We still are the dunkaneers without ASJ. Both Wright and Myers are 6’4. That’s two pretty big targets if you ask me.
June 23rd, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Wright is not going anywhere! He has the flexibility to play WR. He proved he is a fine catching TE and I expect him to start. However, in time ASJ will be a star, and has the speed to beat linebackers down the seam like the TE already on our Ring of Honor, Jimmie Giles, and can block like he could too.
June 23rd, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Luke Skykeeponwalking.
June 24th, 2014 at 7:22 am
The Bucs will have a four tight end set. Of course Mike Evans & Vincent Jackson will be the two tight ends on the outside but it will look like four tight ends at least to the defensive backs covering them.
June 24th, 2014 at 10:13 am
ASJ is a rookie coming off injury and missing early practices (not by choice)…i think he may be eased in, but a good offensive coordinator might be able to get him an opportunity for 4 or 5 TDs and some key first downs in limited situational action even as a rookie….at times it will be as simple as motioning to a mistmatch running 8 yards, turning and boxing a defender out while jumping for a ball thrown 9 feet in the air
June 25th, 2014 at 10:07 am
Keep AJS out of the locker room till he’s 100%. We don’t want him getting MRSA.