More Third-Team Blues For Seferian-Jenkins
March 22nd, 2016
Tight end talk emerges
Dirk Koetter treated Austin Seferian-Jenkins like a third-string tight end last December. Snap counts don’t lie.
Fast-forward to yesterday, and general manager Jason Licht was talking like ASJ is a third-teamer.
None of this is surprising. Luke Stocker, make no mistake, is the Bucs’ No. 1 tight end entering spring practices, which begin in 13 short days. Stocker is the blocking tight end in the Bucs’ run-heavy offense. He also has decent hands and will be on the field more than he’s not.
Speaking to the Around The NFL crew of NFL.com yesterday, Licht said his potential breakout player for 2016 would be third-year tight end Cameron Brate. Writer Marc Sessler took notes.
We asked Licht to name a player on his young Bucs roster who excites him as a potential breakout figure. His answer: Third-year tight end Cameron Brate, who caught 23 passes for 288 yards and four scores last season. He’s part of a deep tight end group that also includes Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
You do the math. ASJ caught 21 balls last year for 338 yards and four touchdowns. So if Licht thinks Brate is ready to break out, then what does that say about ASJ. There’s only one football to go around!
It really is a gut-check season for ASJ. Of course, he must stay healthy, but he’s also got to display the talent, desire and intelligence that a guy drafted No. 38 overall (in 2014) should.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:17 am
Dude is a peacock. He’s just interested in getting as much attention as he can. I’ve jumped the shark on asj. I was excited about him until i got to know him, as a player obviously. If he grew up this off season then i can be won back over but as it streams I’m ready to move on.
Besides, Brate played well enough last year to earn his spot. He’s not there just because asj did badly. I think there’s something to be said about a kid that’s doing all the right things and working for every snap he gets rather than trying to figure out how to get a guy to care more and convince him to perform.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:22 am
ASJ will leave the Bucs and become a star tight end crap like this is who we have become.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:26 am
A star? Who are you kidding Crusty …. Poster child for Mr. Softee…….guy hates contact!
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:36 am
Luke Stocker should not even be on the team, much less the starter.
He’s has 1 healthy year in 5.
Those “good hands” only caught 9 passes for 61 yards last year. 7 for 41 yards the year before.
This is a player who would not even be depth on another team.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:47 am
ASJ is coming into his 3rd year. It is make or break time for him.
If ASJ does not stay healthy and excel this year, Cameron Brate has the opportunity to claim one of the top TE titles in future years…if Winston continues to look great.
Personally, I think they should send Stocker packing, give ASJ one more year (not as starter) and bring in someone new. I think we have two other TEs on the roster atm…Myers (30) and Westbrook (23). Neither has proven to have value.
So we’re not actually deep at the position…not with good players.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:51 am
@Tom Edrington
Unfortunately, you are right. If he’s going to find any success in the NFL, it will take a complete change in his mindset.
The only reasons I say give him one more year are I hope he takes that step for us…and there is always the GMC factor…2 years injuries and then does better.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:52 am
MR Charmin, ASJ has to prove to us he can stay healthy this season. He’s shown spurts and promise but is always in the hot tub! ASj just gives the impression he’s not serious about balling. This is a make or break year coming up for him. I like Brate. He’s durable and has had some key catches. He..wants to play. Batter up ASJ..You are one season away from being..dumped in the bay! If you are injury prone..then volleyball may be the sport for you.
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:56 am
Coach K and his Offensive Coordinator & Receiver Coach should determine who is #1 thru #3. Some GM’s can’t stay in their lane, hince we have the all powerful BACK-STABBER!
March 22nd, 2016 at 7:59 am
Don’t discount ASJ, Jameis will improve all those that are around him, he is a weapon and I betcha Jameis will make sure he knows it. Not Bly that you hope the competition factor will bring out the best in both ASJ and Brate, not counting Stocker except as a blocker.
March 22nd, 2016 at 8:18 am
Who?
March 22nd, 2016 at 8:32 am
Bucs have also said they are high on Westbrook. But they have said Pamphile
was Mankins replacement and Glennon was the future of the franchise.So will have to wait and see on that.I like Brate and hope he gets more opportunities.
March 22nd, 2016 at 8:35 am
Felicia Jenkins????
March 22nd, 2016 at 8:37 am
Trade down in the first round for an extra 2nd round pick. Trade Glennon for a 2nd round pick, Select WR Corey Coleman in the 1st round, Select a DE and CB in the 2nd round and OJ Howard in the 3rd. Your welcome JL! LOL
March 22nd, 2016 at 8:41 am
Oh, and that would still leave you with an extra 2nd round pick to draft another CB or DE.
March 22nd, 2016 at 10:21 am
I would love some 3 tight end sets. We can run effectively and with this group, cause mismatches in coverage.
March 22nd, 2016 at 10:49 am
Some of us have been praising Brate for a over year and a half now while others have been stuck up asj’s arse. I just hate that it takes a full season or more to recognize talent. Gotta do better than that!
March 22nd, 2016 at 11:06 am
It’s too soon to be giving up on ASJ which is exactly what many Bucs fans seem to have done. Hell – even Stocker came out of perpetual injury purgatory to become a pretty decent NFL player. (a good blocker at least and that in itself is a valuable skill).
ASJ’s shoulder was hurt pretty badly last year. He wanted to be out there- but the doctors would not let him play – because the injury was serious and was not healing quickly. Calling a player “soft” because he gets hurt or because he can’t get on the field because the doctors won’t let him is pretty ridiculous IMO.
Criticism of ASJs stupid Captain Morgan TD celebration and his didn’t quite get to the end zone temper tantrum are valid – because the resulting penalties hurt the team – so he obviously needs to mature and play smarter – but this dude has a lot of talent and desirable intangibles. So this year is an important year for him to turn things around – stay healthy and play smart. If he can do that – I look for ASJ to have a “breakout” year in 2016. If he can’t – then he may just turn into another player who had the talent – but just couldn’t cut it in the NFL….
Time will tell – but this guy is talented enough that Bucs fans should root for him to become what Licht envisioned when he drafted ASJ – a big play making, TD catching Dunkaneer.
March 22nd, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Been saying it since day one, “glass Joe gotta go.” Wasted pick. F*K his upside.
March 22nd, 2016 at 1:22 pm
I think Joe is reading too much into the statement (surprise). Brate can still be a breakout player if ASJ is back at full strength. Amazing fact here, Joe. Some teams actually employ 2 TEs! Is it possible the Bucs could have 2 productive TEs? What a concept! Dumb dumb diddy dumb.
March 22nd, 2016 at 2:18 pm
someone name me a player for us who has miraculously broken out in his third to show his potential, so that I can feel better about the future for ASJ
March 22nd, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Both Stocker and ASJ have to prove they can be durable. Brate better be the real deal, because there’s a great chance that he will be in the #1 TE role at some point in 2016 and beyond because Stocker and ASJ are Kings of the Ice Tub.
March 22nd, 2016 at 4:28 pm
^^ Stocker has been mostly healthy the last few years.
March 23rd, 2016 at 3:21 pm
i think Brate can be a Jason Witten type. not flashy athletes like antonio gates or Jimmy Graham and not hulking monsters like Gronk or ASJ, but steady players willing to work in the trenches, but smart enough and with good enough hands to move the chains in key moments.