Whither The Offense?
October 19th, 2015
Can TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins play in a smashmouth offense?
Soon, maybe as soon as Sunday against the Redskins, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins will return from battling an injured shoulder he suffered in the win over New Orleans.
Joe is wondering how ASJ will fit in?
A gifted pass catcher, ASJ, to be polite, offers something to be desired as a run blocker. If the Bucs are going to continue to play smashmouth football, where does that leave ASJ?
As Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said last week, the win over Jacksonville was the best the offense had played. Yet it did so with mostly blocking tight ends, even using tackle Reid Fragel as a jumbo tight end.
Which brings Joe to ASJ. If the Bucs want to go smashmouth, ASJ is seemingly the odd man out. If he is only to be used as a pass catcher, then inserting him into the lineup is a dead giveaway what is going to happen.
So if the Bucs really want to play smashmouth, will that limit ASJ’s snaps, or can the Bucs play an effective run-oriented offense with a tight end not known for blocking?
October 19th, 2015 at 5:55 am
I remember Doug Martin’s rookie year. The hit on Martin was that he (1) wasn’t good at pass-catching, and (2) couldn’t pass block. He worked hard on improving at both, and it looks to me like he’s excellent at both now.
ASJ’s still a rookie for the most part and only time will tell if he can improve his blocking. Bigger concern right now is these nagging injuries he keeps getting. Can’t improve if you can’t practice and stay on the field. Of course, Luke Stocker had the same problem for several years, and he seems to have turned that corner now.
October 19th, 2015 at 6:59 am
Play him in the slot
October 19th, 2015 at 7:18 am
Dougie is good at blocking when he actually finds someone to block. Too often he’s caught out of place.
K2 couldn’t block and I think he did well for us.
Who is to say ASJ can’t learn? He’s definitely got the size. This is supposed to be a year full of growing pains anyways right? I’m more worried about him acting like a jackhole every chance he gets.
October 19th, 2015 at 7:23 am
Mr Glass might get hurt if he tried to block
October 19th, 2015 at 7:27 am
ASJ is fine…..and, I don’t believe we will trigger an obvious pass when he is in…..after all….we used to run up the middle on every 1st down…and many others.
The key is getting Martin to the outside.
How about some 2 TE sets?
October 19th, 2015 at 7:59 am
Mr. Bust AKA The Charmin Man will need to stop being such a pu$$y and put a hat on somebody. If he doesn’t… then keep his a$$ in the cold tub.
October 19th, 2015 at 9:08 am
ASJ!!!!
Always shelved Jenkins
October 19th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Asj should be limited to passing plays or singleback or shotgun running plays only until he is fully healthy use him for blocking in December when the ball is on the ground a lot in cold weather games. Hes doing a big favor for us by returning early honestly. We dont need him but can use him to expand the passing game.
October 19th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
just watched rob gronkowski do a ton of run blocking last night while the pats killed clock. he’s not exactly a 6th offensive lineman out there either, but he can do enough to stay on the field on running plays – even obvious ones. you don’t have to be a road grader out there, just engage a LB (smaller dude) or CB (way smaller dude) and compete when you lock up with the occasional DE, and the team will get plenty of chances to spring you on playaction and other situations once the run is established
October 20th, 2015 at 2:04 am
I disagree that Seferian-Jenkins can not play “smash mouth” football and I am tired of him not being known for his blocking. Washington used him as a blocker quite often in 2013 and that played a part in his modest receiving year end totals. He made Bishop Sankey. Sankey ran behind him on approx 90% of running plays for positive yards. Wherever ASJ was, Sankey ran. Excellent in-line blocker, and often handled true DEs on pass plays, a Tackle would. Last year ASJ was ranked 14th overall by PFF in run blocking (+3.4) for TE (min. 300 snaps). ASJ plays best when kept active in the offense early. Last year he showed limited elusiveness after the catch plays but this year he has been breaking tackles. ASJ is 7-10 for 139 yards, 2 TD with no dropped passes or fumbles He just needs to focus on the penalties. Just wait and see what he brings to our offense this year. Reid Fragel had 29 snaps last game and was run blocking on 22 of those snaps. I do not think ASJ will lose many snaps.