ASJ Finally Has A Coach
August 3rd, 2014
Bucs rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins said this is the first year he’s been coached up like a tight end should be
Joe is starting to understand why Bucs fans are giddier than Joe when there is free beer when they hear the name of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Joe’s getting it.
Today, Joe saw the rookie tight end just toy with defenders at training camp. Yeah, it’s preseason, but frankly, rookies should not be doing that to veteran players. A rookie who missed virtually all of spring workouts due to ankle surgery and school commitments should not be shaming first-team defenders in practice.
But ASJ is, slowly but surely.
The University of Washington product is listed at 6-5, 262 pounds, but damn, on the field he looks bigger than that and he plays even bigger, especially against cornerbacks who dream of being six-feet tall.
What is really scary is that ASJ claims he finally has a football coach in Bucs tight ends coach Jon Embree, who played the position for the Rams in 1987 and 1988.
“I’ve learned everything,” ASJ said. “This is my first coach that has actually played tight end. He has really helped me out with my routes, my run-blocking, my footwork, hand-placement, my eyes. He has really helped me take my game to the next level and I really appreciate Coach Embree because he’s done it before.
“He’s not a guy that’s going to come yell at you; he’s just trying to help you out and get you better every single day. So it is really nice to have a coach that’s there that wants to see you get better and have you succeed and push you to that next level. Sometimes, you can’t see for yourself, but he sees it in you.”
This simply boggles Joe’s mind. ASJ is a monster on the field. He is a complete and total mismatch for virtually any cornerback. And he is just now learning the position because he didn’t have good coaching before?
Man, this might not be fair for defensive backs in the NFC South.
Joe can see why Jason Licht shelved his plans and drafted a tight end when ASJ was still on the board in the second round.
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Think Gronk, but better
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:27 pm
True Story!
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Should be exciting in the red zone to see him, Jackson, and Evans lining up…… Talk about mismatches.
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Love to hear the talk of ASJ’s physical and talented presence. Now that’s more to get pumped up about.
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I kept waiting for the “but” in the article. You know, something like, “ASJ plays bigger than that…but he’s slow as molasses”. Happily that but never came and this guy along with the coaching, Mike Evans, McCown (I believe he’s the right guy this year although I’m gaining confidence in Glennon), and our revamped defense has me pumped again for Bucs football.
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:40 pm
I was happier when ASJ was selected than when we picked Mike Evans. I know Eric Ebron was supposed to be the best TE in the draft and got selected before ASJ, but I knew ASJ was a stud and going to turn some heads. I could easily see him having a bigger year than Mike Evans. Both should be good though.
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:54 pm
Awesome! I also love to hear about these coaches. Great reading. Thanks Joe!
Pineapple McCown is going to have a field day. The red zone will be renamed to the Pineapple Zone!
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Imagine a 4-wide set with 1 TE consisting of Vjax, Evans, Streeter, ASJ, & Herron/Sims/Demps…. Omg, we should be unstoppable when we need to be. I don’t see how anyone is going to prevent us from winning it all this year.
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Told you guys, watching him play in college was like watching a basketball player play football. It’s like he took what he learned in basketball and just applied it on the football field lol. Apparently nobody bothered teaching him the intricacies of the game, for some odd reason. Makes you wonder just how much he can really accomplish now the he’s being taught by pros.
August 3rd, 2014 at 11:10 pm
And its was the same thing with William Gholston. Remember reading how he didn’t know one single pass rush move when he first got here! I know college coaches are limited in the amount of time they can spend with their players, but something’s got to be done about that because they are doing these players a huge disservice.
August 3rd, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Awesome, awesome draft pick. I’m inclined to predict that he makes a bigger impact this season than Evans.
August 3rd, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Buc the Haters Says:
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Imagine a 4-wide set with 1 TE consisting of Vjax, Evans, Streeter, ASJ, & Herron/Sims/Demps…. Omg, we should be unstoppable when we need to be. I don’t see how anyone is going to prevent us from winning it all this year.
No… Imagine that with VJax, Evans, Streeter, ASJ, and Wright kicked out wide.
I don’t really want to get over anxious but this team has three rookies that could produce some very meaningful stats. Don’t just assume Mike Evans will be our most valuable rookie this year.
August 4th, 2014 at 6:52 am
I’m very excited about this kid. But it bugs me to hear kids take slaps at their college coachs. Without them they wouldn’t be here. Not saying he’s not telling the truth. But I’m sure his coach tried to teach him some thing’s. I think by seasons end we could have 3 rookies in our starting line up. Not including o line. Sims, evans, ASJ.
August 4th, 2014 at 7:13 am
@Buc the Haters
I am with you man!
Go Bucs!!!
I was born in 83.
My fitst teams were with Dungy in 95.
I miss the good ol days.
Warrick Dunn, Alstott, Brooks, Barber, Chidi Ahanatu, Booger, Brad Culpepper.
Back in the day, we were a great team because we had great MEN on our team.
Kellen Winslow was the beginning of the END.
I want my OLD BUCS BACK!!!
August 4th, 2014 at 7:21 am
Jackson, Evans, Streeter, ASJ Wright, Martin, Simms, Demps. We have one of the most intriguing offenses in the league now. I also think we have the right coaching to put the pawns in the right places…WHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2014 at 9:31 am
I hate to be the downer of the group but it all starts upfront, we need better play inside this season to take advantage of all these weapons effectively.
August 4th, 2014 at 10:40 am
I don’t think ASJ took a jab at his college coaches. He just simply said that this is the first time he has ever been coached by a guy who actually played tight end. I am sure there is a perspective this coach brings to the table that his college coach did not. It does not mean the college TE coach was horrible either. Its kind of how the bucs had a QB coach who never played QB. A qb coach that actually played QB would more than likely have a different perspective.
In any case, I was at the night practice on Friday on the 50 yrd line about 10 rows up and ASJ is built like a defensive end. He is so wide. I could not believe how big he was. The bucs have to be drooling with all the possibilities of how to use this guy. I believe this guy could play guard if the bucs were ever in a pinch. Did I mention that he was huge?