“He’s A Very Raw Player”
December 17th, 2014
Bucs fans will want to absorb this breakdown of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins — from his position coach.
Joe’s been a big fan of Seferian-Jenkins, who displays a great attitude and really was a shining talent through so many preseason practices. Fans didn’t see much of that, but Joe sure did.
“ASJ” sprained his ankle on opening day, following a 26-yard receptions from Josh McCown, and he’s battled various ailments since, now landing on injured reserve with a bad back.
Any player must stay healthy, but the rookie managed to make a standout impression on his position coach, veteran NFL man Jon Embree.
Speaking on Total Access on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week, Embree broke down why he likes ASJ.
“I’ve been pleased with a few things out of him. No. 1, his ability to grasp the gameplan and go out there and play. You know, he’s made very few mental errors from an assignment standpoint. The other thing about him is as he was able to get reps in practice, he got better. Whether it was his footwork in the run game, his pad level,” Embree said.
“He’s a very raw player. I think people forget he’s only played three years of college football. He came out early, and then we didn’t get him in OTAs. And so he missed a lot of that time where things like footwork, things like pad level, hat placement in the run game, a lot of things that he had no idea what was required of him or how I wanted it done.
“He got better at. He just had so many limited reps because of practice during the season, you don’t get to do as much as you’d like. To his credit, we’d go out early every practice doing an individual [workout], really pretty much just me and him. And work on those things and the footwork and hitting the sled.
“It was really pleasing from a coaching standpoint to see how much better he was getting and things were happening naturally for him So that when that takes place, he can go out and play fast.”
Joe’s not down on the Bucs’ second-round pick, who turns 23 next September. Joe’s even willing to look past some foolish penalties and the Captain Morgan shtick.
Not every rookie explodes out of the gate. Seferian-Jenkins showed Joe enough to inspire hope.
December 17th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
@Joe
This is one spot where I agree with you 100%. Anybody can clearly see he has the physical tools. We trust you to fill in the attitude part of the equation.
I like our TE’s right now. IF they can stay healthy. I hope ASF doesn’t catch Luke Stocker disease. And speaking of Stocker I think he’s been hugely underrated because he can’t stay on the field. This is his first healthy year and he’s been one of the rare bright spots. Brate could be an undiscovered decent player and Myers is competent. TE is not a worry for me.
As Father Tony Dungy used to say…the greatest ability is availability. That’s the only ability of ASF and Stocker that I question.
December 17th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
I hope you’re right. If the injury issues are really what made him play like he was lumbering around the field then we’ll call this year a wash and reevaluate him out of the gate next year. Hope that’s the case.
December 17th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Patiently awaiting Ray Rice’s comment, lmao in advance.
December 17th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Tight ends typically take a little while to become effective in the NFL. Rarely do you see a rookie shine. As for ASJ, he has spent most of the season injured, which further slowed down his development. The only thing I am worried about is that he appears to be a bit injury prone, but it’s only one year.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Looked fat and out of shape to me also he lumbers around like Luke stocker out there never being open. Well see I have my doubts about the pick tho.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
there’s a game plan?
December 17th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I bitched about this pick after I researched him last spring. The injuries he has are caused by him over working himself, so, as the season goes on he gets worse. The only recourse is resting himself, which makes him heavy and slow. It was a bad pick then and it won’t get any better ever.
December 17th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Jon Embree of the 4-21 career coaching record? He fits in well with the current regime. Is it me of does ASJ look 20 lbs. leaner/lighter in the pic above just prior in his injury ?
December 17th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
hopefully not another d’quan bowers or brian price situation where you have a player with purportedly freakish talent who becomes irrelevent and derails due to endless injuries
December 17th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
ASJ looks to have the tools to be a success at the position. With an injury prone season behind him, ASJ still remains a question mark. Call him ASJ light, because his effectiveness has been just that.
December 17th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Yeah ASJ looked very soft all year bc Washington asked him to bulk up to be a more physical inline blocker to help out with their inexperienced oline, and he battled injuries all year trying to get into NFL shape. He’ll be the first to tell you that he needs to trim down 10lbs to be more effective and have better body control.
My diagnosis is send him to Joe Hadens doctor for an adderall script, that’ll tame his appetite and help him focus on HOW TO BLOCK PROPERLY.
December 17th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Despite an ineffective and injury plagued rookie season – I still like the pick and believe that as long as he can stay healthy moving forward, ASJ will be a valuable contributor on offense.
IMO – He sure passes the eyeball test towards athletic talent for a guy that size. If he’s willing to work hard and has a real desire to be as good as he can be – he has the potential to be one of the best in the league.
Thanks for posting this Joe. Really glad to see his position coach saying good things about him and his ability to learn and improve.
December 17th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
dude is fat and soft….*yawn “potential” should be in the bucs marketing campaign….