ASJ Declares Himself Healthy
February 6th, 2015
Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins claims he is now fully healthy.
One paradox of the godawful 2014 season was rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The second round pick showed rare physical tools and, at times, appeared to be a dominant target.
That was, when he could get on the field.
ASJ was nagged by injuries from the moment he stepped foot on the practice fields on One Buc Palace. First, it was his nagging, surgically-repaired foot in the spring. Then it was ankle on opening day, then his back. Not a good combo for a rookie.
As a result, ASJ appeared in just nine games and was shelved the final three games because of his sore back. Appearing at a charity event in St. Petersburg, as the Buccaneers donated sports equipment to youngsters at the Lealman Sports Complex, ASJ proclaimed to Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune that he is now fully healthy.
“The back feels great,’’ Seferian-Jenkins declared. “It’s feeling awesome — so much better since the end of the season. By being put on (injured reserve) I got a chance to rest, so it’s feeling great again.
“I really just needed to let my body rest. Going back to last year, what with the (college) season and the combine training I had to do and all that, I never really got that little break that you need.”
Joe likes ASJ’s attitude (not to be confused with “‘tude”). The guy really strives to be the best he can be, maybe too much, which could be why he was always injured — you know, trying to come back to quickly.
There is no question ASJ has the talent and the drive. Now he has to stay out of the tub. No matter how talented a player is, no matter how skillful, no matter how strong of a drive he possesses, if he can’t stay healthy, it doesn’t matter.
Staying on the field and out of the tub should be ASJ’s primary goal this year.
February 6th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
Good…now commit yourself to excellence….you need a professional football conditioning coach this offseason and shake that soft flab !!!!
February 6th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
I give him chit but truthfully I like the kid I hope he has a very successful career. #nosarcasm #thekevinwillbeproud
February 6th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
A rookie skill player with injury & weight issues? Move over Sabby The Goat, Brian Price, mini Dexter Jackson and Regus Benn-Dover. Make room for another 2nd round flop.
February 6th, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Jonbuc
Thought you were heading for Bowers on that one.
February 6th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
He has some Keyshawn-like personality traits.
Now go be like Keyshawn on the field.
Damn sissies.
February 6th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
ALL TALK!
wah wah wah I had to go from college, then train, then go in the NFL
you’re a professional athlete. that’s your job. as gordon gecko says, lunch is for sissies.
I’ll believe he was a good pick when I see it. till then all the bs about just needed a break is just that. BS.
they have trainers 24/7 and he can’t stay healthy and even on the field he wasn’t that great.
February 6th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Is it just me or do TE’s around the league always have nagging injuries?
February 6th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
ASJ…..you’ll win us over once the first question a reporter asks you ISN’T about your health.
February 6th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
O how I hope Koetter is the answer to all the bucs offensive dreams since 76. Turn this kid into Tony Gonzalez 2.0
February 6th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Yea I thought this guy was overrated from the get go. He pulled a Donald Penn and got fatter as the season progressed.
Dude was Luke stocker slow out there and could get no seperation from anyone and his hands were iffy at best. I don’t really see it with him but hopefully asj makes me eat my words.
February 6th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Enough with this repetitive “he has a great attitude, he’s a great kid” crap. Until he can get his ass on the field, catch touchdowns, long passes, and help us win games, he’s another flop.
How many of these “they have so much potential” players have we had in Tampa over our history that have never worked out? A lot. I want to see RESULTS.
February 6th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
ASJ has potential. That means nothing. He had better put it on tape this year. We need a top notch TE as a weapon.
February 6th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
Patrick, you want results? Careful, we might think you want 26-1 Winston! Lol!
February 6th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Ya at this point going to have to agree with the masses on this one and disagree with just about every word of analysis above Joe… All I saw this guy from ASJ was dropped passes that would have gotten a 7th rounder cut by Monday morning.
February 6th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
I hope asj realizes we play at least 16 games every year… please get in shape. Would have been pretty easy to use his pick and trade up a few spots for carr or bridgewater.
February 6th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
I bet JoeJoe is 50 pounds overweight and gets winded walking to the fridge to retrieve a cold one.
February 6th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Err. Wasn’t he a rookie last year? ASJ will have a good year as will Sims.
February 7th, 2015 at 11:00 am
ASJ had injury issues coming out of college. They simply seemed to accumulate.
I’ve never read about a weight problem! Is there any truth to that accusaation.
I’d like to see some documentation on that charge.
Bottom line though is still Father Tony Dungy’s identification of the greastest ability of all. AVAILability!
February 7th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
We will trade him to the pats for a 7th round pick and he will catch a TD catch from Brady in the next SB
February 7th, 2015 at 5:01 pm
ASJ talks a gig game but plays lame. Not impressed. Looks like another bonehead draft pick.
February 7th, 2015 at 11:55 pm
Gaines Adams declared himself “healthy” once too.