Best Ability? Availability
March 28th, 2016
Primary goal for ASJ: Get on the field.
The man who seemingly has taken over the top spot of Bucs fans’ least favorite may be tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Bucs fans always need a player to hate and ASJ may be that new man.
Some of it has to do with his inability to get on the field due to injuries, an unfortunate trait of ASJ. A lot is related to his antics when he does get on the field.
Last week, per the fingers of Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter stuck up for ASJ and his injuries.
“He tried to come back and play with [his injured shoulder] multiple times. But when you watch a player on film you can tell when he’s not naturally right, because your body will naturally try to protect (the injury).
“And with him, he could not hit or be hit on that shoulder. He tried to come back and was just not playing at full capacity there. So it was frustrating for everyone, but trust me, no one was more frustrated than him.”
Per NFL.com, of the 32 possible games ASJ could have played in during his two-year career, he’s missed exactly half due to injuries to his ankle, back and shoulder.
Mind you, ASJ only missed one game in college at Washington, and that was due to a suspension, not an injury. In college, he always answered the bell.
This fall is huge for ASJ, a 2014 second round pick. If he continues to be nagged by injuries and miss games, then he may never get his starting job back. Currently, the Bucs seem to be ready to roll with Luke Stocker and Cameron Brate at tight end.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Brate is great. (Anquan Boldin would be golden)
March 28th, 2016 at 12:04 pm
I’m losing some of my support for ASJ, but Lovie really did throw this kid under the bus last year. Lovie did the same for many players. He is so vague with injuries, and he always sells the injury as smaller than it really is, thus making the player seem soft. I know why he did it, but it’s not the right thing to do to his players. These guy’s reputations is built upon toughness, so to downplay an injury makes them look bad.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
He sure did. But part of that unintended result was, the Bucs were still in a wild card hunt and hoped ASJ would return for a possible playoff game.
Otherwise, he would have been placed on IR.
But yeah, Lovie kept saying ASJ “practiced” but never added he wasn’t close to 100 percent. Under the bus you go!
March 28th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
The title says it all! Drop mic!
March 28th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
The hung jury is still out on ASJ.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Didn’t that pose draw a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty?
March 28th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
@Hawaiian
Well said. It bothered me a lot last year hearing Lovie talk about him. Lovie made it sound like he was coming back every week
March 28th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
“Currently, the Bucs seem to be ready to roll with Luke Stocker and Cameron Brate at tight end.”
BS – they are counting on ASJ to be the #1 TE and expect him to break out this year. If ASJ stays healthy this year – I expect to see big things from him in 2016 as does the entire offensive staff.
We have a good group of TEs and that will be a strength of this team I believe because Koetter knows how to use that position very effectively.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
i think even if ASJ overcomes this rough injury spell, he is still unlikely to ever be a consistent 16-game guy. he seems to be more in the Jimmy Graham\Antonio Gates mode, a basketball player whose size\speed combo creates a mismatch but whose body is not meant for the violence of the trenches. great guys when they see the field, but in-line blocking and typical TE dirty work is harder on them than maybe stouter guys with less physical grace.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
as far as koetter touting brate and staying mum on ASJ, i think they are doing the kid and themselves a favor by not talking him up for a 3rd year in a row. everyone involved kinda realize that the next time his name comes up with frequency, it needs to be because of something he did, not something he might do if healthy
March 28th, 2016 at 12:31 pm
It sure did 74.
Kid needs to grow up, and take better care of his body. I’d like to hear him talking about getting in peak physical shape the way Jameis was after meeting Julio Jones.
ASJ has a freakish physical makeup, if he worked harder at training and proper nutrition, he could be a bigger monster than Jimmy graham ever was.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
This is news to Joe. And Joe talks to Bucs types. Plural.
Kind of hard to “count” on a guy who has missed half his games since being drafted. That usually gets people fired.
Joe can tell you the Bucs hope he has a breakout year. Kind of hard to do that in the hot tub.
“Count” and “hope” are two totally different words.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Not a fan of this guy. He hardly plays and when he does he either drops balls or get penalties. Hope hes able to get healthy and play better but I’m not counting on it. Its unfortunate that his body can’t hold up, but mentally he doesn’t seem to be strong. We’ll see what happens but my money is on him not being with the team in a couple years. Hope he proves me wrong!
March 28th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
There is little question that ASJ has the talent…as a Buc fan, I sure hope he stays healthy because he can help us a great deal.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
I’m sure he’ll have another injury riddled year in 2016 and then break out in 2017 because it’s a contract year. He’ll get paid like a perennial All Pro and then get right back in the ice tub.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
“Kid needs to grow up”
This is the biggest thing with ASJ and with Evans. Both these guys have a lot of talent, but unless they get their emotions in check they will never reach their potential.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
wow…he only missed one game due to suspension in college…that should be an indictment on the soft pac12….kid never had injury problems and now has a grocery list of injuries…hopefully he turns it around like gmc after his first 2years and becomes a pro bowler…GO BUCS!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
I think we all hope ASJ shows up and magically transforms into the second coming of Tony Gonzalez under Koetter and destroys everyone the Bucs play against. He is a high draft pick and if there is ANYONE on the planet that can take any one player and missuse him it’s Lovie firkin Smith. I hope ASJ stays healthy and re-clais his starting spot but not holding my breath.
March 28th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
He has BUST written all over him. Too many injuries and too many drops.
March 28th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Never thought Stocker would last this long on the team. Although he has had his fair share of injuries too. There’s still hope for ASJ.
March 28th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
asj is going to have to outplay Brate……dont see it happening
March 28th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
ASJ —— Bleah!!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 1:40 pm
I really don’t like the idea of calling someone soft, especially when you don’t know or understand the extent of his injury, and how much it could take away from his performance. We’ve all seen guys go out there at less than 100% and actually be bad for the team. Some injuries are freak injuries, and there are lots of players that have injuries early in their career and go on to have a healthy career. So while I’m not banking on it, I’m going to give the kid a chance. Bottom line, he’s just that – a kid. I hope he turns in a fantastic season and makes us all eat some crow.
March 28th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
People seem to forget that Gerald McCoy lost a lot of games to injury in his first 2 years, and there was bust talk. What’s happened since then?
March 28th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Mike Clayton Evans can’t catch a football. ASJ can’t stay healthy enough to get on the field. Sims is fine as a compliment only after Doug Martin softens up the defense for three quarters. Can we stop accusing Jason Licht of being some kind of draft guru or at least say it’s a bit early for that?
March 28th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
Lol comparing Mike Evans to Clayton is rediculous. Clayton never made as many big plays as Evans already has. 1200 yards in a down year lol
March 28th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Lord- your selective memory of Mike Clayton Evans performance last year is highly amusing!
March 28th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Hawaiian Buc, I’m with you. I’m sure it’s easy for young players to let their own frustration get the best of them … nagging injuries for 2 successive years can do that. ASJ came in with high expectations (from others and himself no doubt) and hasn’t lived up to those expectations yet. IF he can stay healthy, 2016 could very well be his breakout year. He’s shown flashes of talent in various games; just needs to stay healthy and put it all together. Have a suspicion that Jameis and Coach Koetter will do what it takes to keep him motivated.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:15 pm
I can’t wait to rub how good a season Evans and McCoy will have in all the doubters(haters) faces this season. When you don’t have coaching or a GM you can’t have a winning team.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
I pulled up a good mailbag piece that referred to ASJ prior to the draft.
“Seferian-Jenkins is a real wild card in this draft. No one’s quite sure where he fits because he comes with a lot of issues. Tony Pauline told me this morning, “Second round. Great physical beast but was called out by his coach for crappy practice habits, has a prior DUI and has not run prior to the draft due to a stress fracture in his foot.” So, Nick, do you feel lucky? Would you stake your career to those circumstances? It’s not as much fun when you have to put your name on it.”
http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/ask-vic/article-1/Seferian-Jenkins-is-a-beast-at-tight-end/c23667ca-b60a-4e83-9a2b-a7df8fbe4210
I don’t care how well you interview or smart you sound. Actions speak louder than words, and I would say the Bucs have seen enough of ASJ to know what to make of him.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
^^^same GM as last 2 years!
March 28th, 2016 at 2:28 pm
It would be nice though. I’m soooooo sick of the GMC bashers. HE AIN’T SAPP! GET OVER IT!
March 28th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
@Dallas Smith started all 16 games at LT Marpet turned out to be a beast Kwon will be a star in this league…… and wait for it…….. Winston will be our QB for atleast the next ten years. Stop bitching you only come across as a bitter C U Next Tuesday who’s husband left her for a hot piece of @$$.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
If ASJ is healthy there is ZERO question he’ll be at the top of the depth chart.
As far as being thrown under the bus, with a little research it was easy to know he wasn’t going to be available to play most of the season with the grade AC joint sprain he had.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
A healthy ASJ is the best case scenario, how can you argue that?!
March 28th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
I would argue this is a make-or-break year for ASJ. If he breaks out and is able to sustain it in 2017 he will be rewarded with a huge contract. If he skates by, deals with more injuries even if he were to “break out” in his contract year of 2017 he would have red flags all over him, and I doubt the team would make much an effort to resign the guy at the contract he would plan to cash in on.
March 28th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
He got leap frogged by Luke Stocker, Let that sink in for a minute…
March 28th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
I just hate bashing a guy for being injured and im not going to start now. The kid has talent and hopefully can get and stay healthy this year. As noted above, we all saw what happened with GMC first two years and how he has been since. Brate on the other hand had some of the best hands on the team last year and I would love to see him more involved going forward. Getting both of them on the field together could be a beautiful thing. GO BUCS!
March 28th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
People who bash guys for getting hurt, either implying they’re lazy or unmotivated, need to show some proof before opening their mouths. I think real fans should really be pulling for this guy to remain healthy and fulfill his abilities. It’s gotta be frustrating for ASJ. Seems like a good dude, a smart guy, and his abilities have been obvious whenever he’s been on the field. There’s too much negativity dumped on these guys. And DallasBuc never misses an opportunity to take a sh!t on a player, coach, or front office person, usually Jason Licht… Give it a rest.
March 28th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Well considering the games he has played equals one season let’s look at those numbers….
42 receptions… (Right at Slightly above average for a TE) I will take it all day!!!!
560 yards…. (Respectable for a 3rd option receiver) I will take it all day!!!
13.3 yards per catch…. (Outstanding!!!!) I will take it all day!!!
43 yard catch and run for a TD… (He ain’t get run down!!!) All Day!!!
6 TDs… (Needs to improve because he can do better) still I will take it…
Let’s not stretch our brains to much here but those our numbers you can realisticly expect from him….
I am and will continue to be one of ASJ biggest fans… With the kind of talent he has displayed and the numbers he has put up when healthy… Anyone hating on this young man for getting injured is just simply dumb…
Those numbers would be career highs for Brate and Stocker IF they could even manage to get to them..
Keep in mind ASJs numbers where better his rookie year in only 7 games vs last year in 9….
Between no OC his rookie year and obviously trying to play through injury last year… Not to mention the coaching situation…..
You can’t hate on this guy… His half season number our better than both our other TEs plus he was injured in a lot of the games he played…
End of debate… So long as he stays healthy he is a number one TE… If not he is a very good 3rd TE and I would keep him till he wanted to retire!!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Well..we all know which ex coach Bucs fans here hate the most!! So I guess we gotta have a player to hate too huh? Seriously though, I don’t think fans hate ASJ. We just know he’s got so much talent from the little we’ve seen from him. And we want to see that talent at..full blast! Yes, He’s been injured. But in watching him talk and the way he acts, you cannot help but get the feeling ASJ is lackadasical or he’ like, Whatever happens..happens. WE’d like to see a little fire outta ASJ and him staying healthy for at least three-fourths of the season. Brate has far less ability than ASJ. But he more than makes up for it with Guts and determination. I like that.
March 28th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Luke Stocker used to occupy the Buc Fan’s doghouse and seemed close to being cut a few times…I’d say he’s rallied nicely. You’d just hate to see yet another high 2nd round draft pick disappoint. Come on ASJ…put it all together.
March 28th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Tick… tick… tick…
March 28th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
One other thing to consider…. Dirk is an excellent OC/coach as I have come to realize…. Not because or for any other reason then knowing how to manage players and personalities with his own personality…. Meaning…
He is a straight shooter…. Which can have several different effects depending on your shots….
By placing ASJ at the bottom of a very good TE group all he is saying to ASJ is. “Look man no pressure just show up and do what these guys do and you know I will take care of you.”
The last thing ASJ is worried about is if he can play or if he is listed first or last among his group… He just needs to take discount double check and RELAX!!!!
I predicted the Bugs making the playoffs last year ONLY IF ASJ STAYED HEALTHY….
I will say it again this year…. WHEN he plays all 16 games we will be in the playoffs once again….
That’s how much of an impact this guy has on a game…. Even if MG was the QB…. Or whoever our back up ends up being!!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Joe Says:
March 28th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
People seem to forget that Gerald McCoy lost a lot of games to injury in his first 2 years, and there was bust talk. What’s happened since then?
Tick… tick… tick…
………………………….
Too True……….Too True!!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
SB
Where u at? How long will you be in Tampa?
March 28th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
1Gr8- you rattled off the draft picks from 2015, ignoring all the now questionable draft picks I raised from 2014. Winston was the Glazer’s pick, not incompetent Lovie Smith’s or lapdog Licht’s. Marpet and Kwon definitely look to be great picks but all I am saying is let’s wait before acting like Jason Licht is some draft guru when there is nothing exciting about 2014 and 2015 is a little too recent to judge.
I’m not bitter as you suggest but rather full of healthy skepticism. Just not willing to give credit where it isn’t earned like so many of you fanboys love to do. You did it for do-no-wrong Lovie Smith and look how that turned out.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Great comment JAB. I am amazed by so many fans who don’t really seem to watch Bucs games. Brate is a solid second string TE, but he has nowhere near the talent that ASJ has. Guys saying stupid sh$$ like Brate is the better player seem clueless to me. We may have the next great TE on our roster and lets give him another chance. ASJ and Evans combine for a lethal passing threat that I am sure will keep DCs up at night trying to figure out how to shut them down. I guarantee if you ask any DC if they would rather face Brate or a healthy ASJ, they will say Brate all day everyday.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Salish- worry about yourself and your own lame “real fans” fanboy takes instead of always crying about what I got to say. Give that a rest!
March 28th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Was up DB……I will only be in Tampa for the afternoon but I will be in Orlando for three days. Wed thru Sat.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Lol Dallas with insider info no one else has.
There are actual quotes of Light saying he wanted Winston as far back as the 2014 draft.. But not his decision obviously. Lol.
Mike Evans had too many drops but statistically it’s overblown as like 1/2 came in one or two games. Last year he was still way more dangerous to other teams than an in-his-prime Clayton. Clayton flashed dependability 1 year but did not flash elite playmaking abilities like Evans has. That’s my point – if you think they are comparable as WRs you have bad football IQ imo
March 28th, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Lord- my football IQ isn’t up to snuff, huh? Hah! That’s a new one. When one wide receiver flat out drops footballs and another wide receiver also flat out drops footballs it takes a man of special football IQ to discern the major difference in football dropping ability.
Good stuff man. Thanks dropping all that knowledge you high football IQ fanboy!
March 28th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
ASJ has to earn playing time and respect… As of right now he has proven only that he is injury prone and a mental midget. That is not hate that is fact… No more free passes prove you are worthy of such a high draft pick or be replaced. Potential and talent mean nothing if you are hurting your team with dumb mental mistakes or if you are hurt all the time. It’s a results / what have you done lately for me league not a what if or if healthy league.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Unfortunately Lord was spot on Dallas. Maybe you don’t have the NFL package and miss the Bucs broadcasts. Evans is a special player who had two bad games. The drops are blown way out of proportion, especially by Joe. Evans is so much better than Clayton ever dreamed of being. Simply google Mike Evans highlights and then tell me how close the Clayton was to Evans’ ability. So many fans in Tampa seem to just focus on the negatives. The dude is a beast out there. I will take a guy that plays like a stud in 14 out of 16 games annually and pulls down 1200+ yards in receiving.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Out for shopping with the in laws so they can gain my acceptance. They better have DEEP pockets. Peace out Bucs fans
March 28th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
TE’s are normally slow to develop, that mixed with a tons of injuries has him behind schedule – but he’s shown a ton of promise and has a ton of skills. People bashing him are just your run of the mill angry at the world Bucs fans who think McCoy stinks because he won’t poke people in the eye in piles and we should have 50 new players every year because the current players didn’t play hard enough.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:58 pm
SB
I’m entirely too lazy to drive to Orlando. Lol
March 28th, 2016 at 5:02 pm
You know who outplayed all of our TEs combined but still wasn’t a fan favorite? Tim Wright. I assume his smile wasn’t big enough…..
He doesn’t block
He’s a converted WR
He slow……Blah blah blah
Outperformed all of’em with Glennon chucking the rock.
March 28th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Bucs SB with James
Hope U having a great time bruddah
March 28th, 2016 at 5:30 pm
TDTB- I haven’t missed a Bucs game in 15 years, probably more. So I watched all of it last year and it was tough to watch. It started in the preseason and snowballed all year long. He did not play like any beast. He was outplayed and out physicaled most of the time and cried to the refs about every contested pass. A guy his size and former basketball player should be able to use his size and athleticism to command position. Instead he got out worked constantly and when the ball was there he dropped it. It wasn’t two games. He dropped passes consistently all year long and cried the whole way through. It was shameful and hard to watch. At least Mike Clayton was a physical football player even if he couldn’t squeeze the ball.
If he starts catching the football there will be nothing for me to criticize. Until then I am going to hammer him on it. If a QB throws bad passes he deserves criticism. If a left tackle can block anybody he deserves criticism. So if Mike Clayton Evans can’t catch a damn football he deserves criticism.
March 28th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Hey Joe, you got them all stirred up here. You can tell it’s the off-season. I haven’t seen enough of a healthy ASJ to really have on opinion. I am tired of all the dissing on Michael Clayton. Guy was an incredible WR until his second season. That’s when Bucs went up to Detroit and played the Lions. I watched the Lions’ DB take Clayton out on a sorry assed and criminal block out of bounds. Refs ignored it (naturally). The Detroit player should have been thrown out of the game. Lions were not even penalized for major unsportsmanlike conduct. Clayton never healed properly and was never the same after that. Joe, go check out your video files on Clayton. You’ll see what I’m talking about. I dare ya! Go Bucs!!
March 28th, 2016 at 7:13 pm
If Myron Lewis could stay on the team and in the league as long as he did, ASJ has at least two more years. If healthy, you can’t sit that kind of talent on the bench. His numbers when he plays, is better than the others when they play a full season.
March 28th, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Thank you LUV mien Bruddah! I will do my damndest! Got Wet n Wild planned in for my son and flounder fishing in Panama City as well. A great break from MT. where we got 12 inches of snow since I have left! lol. Hope you and yours are well sir.
March 29th, 2016 at 5:23 am
Tick Tick
And McCoy struggled through injury this season once again.