Discontent With ASJ?
May 24th, 2016
Rumors go national.
Rumors are not just whispered, but they’re flying around NFL circles that Bucs tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins may not be your starting tight end when training camp starts.
Joe has written several times that ASJ is the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end when training camp rolls round in about two months (tentatively pencil in July 27, though an official date has yet to be released).
Essentially, injuries, inconsistent play and childish stunts have all but put ASJ into a prove-it status on the team, despite being a second-round pick two years ago.
Well, yesterday, while fielding a call from a Bucs fan in New Orleans by the moniker of Moe — Hey, Moe! — Pat Kirwan threw coal to the simmering fire of ASJ rumors during a broadcast of “Movin’ the Chains,” co-hosted with Jim Miller exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
When Kirwan broke down the Bucs’ recent draft, a draft he really likes, Kirwan blurted out this nugget:
“Your tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, they’re talking about him losing his job,” Kirwan said.
Whoa!
Now Kirwan wasn’t specific if he meant that ASJ is now relegated to second string duty or if he meant ASJ would be jettisoned. But Kirwan’s words reinforced what Joe is hearing.
Kirwan is as well-plugged in as any NFL media member. There are head coaches in his inner circle. There are general managers who he golfs with regularly. And Kirwan and Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith are tight.
Joe’s not saying Kirwan is getting this from Smith, but Kirwan surely is getting this from someone who pulls a check in the NFL.
At least this much is clear: this is a pivotal season for ASJ and his future with the Bucs.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:03 am
ASJ = Mr. Softee
May 24th, 2016 at 7:09 am
He better come in best shape to date
May 24th, 2016 at 7:18 am
Give the kid a chance. I don’t know why fans always try to run talent out of town.. Did he made dumb penalties? Yes. But he was hurt last year. I’m all in for a prove-it year. Coached are not idiots, the kid can become a monster TE for the next 5-10 years for JW. If that don’t materialize this year then we’ll look at the options.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:31 am
ASJ has a lot of potential, but potential means nothing if it’s not put into action. If he doesn’t impress in training camp and pre season he might be out. We have a few options at TE so his presence won’t be missed, unless he stays healthy and turns out to be a monster. If it’s just bad luck dude needs a lucky coin or something.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:33 am
ASJ = K2 Lite
but without the production
May 24th, 2016 at 7:34 am
As well as it should – you can’t live on just potential. This guy is the definition of “potential”.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:42 am
Nice showboat pic. Hurt or not, this is his third year, time to step up or step out. ASJ might be a guy who has to get fired to wake him up, or maybe all this supposed talent is just hype. I know the picture above is one more reason to love Jameis. When he scores a TD, he gets excited and high fives team mates but he acts like he has been there before. No obnoxous poses or unsportsman like taunting gestures. ASJ, if he ever gets on the field he should follow Jameis’s example.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:48 am
ASJ is my perfect definition of “potential”. Loads of God given talent and ability, and he doesn’t know how to activate it. Such a shame
May 24th, 2016 at 7:58 am
People forget that many of us felt that GMC was gonna be a bust when he got injured his first 2 seasons with the team. All he’s done is make the pro bowl every season since. While he may not be the game changer DT that Warren Sapp was, he’s still done very well, aside from his lightweight attempts as being the team LEADER.
ASJ could still easily turn it around in 2016. But I’d say this will be his last chance here in Tampa. Pressure’s ON, Austin……..whatcha gonna do?
May 24th, 2016 at 8:09 am
This guy can’t play at this level. Just watch him his routes are terrible he drops passes and looses focus. I don’t need another year to watch this guy loose us games. Sit him down and make him earn that 2 spot.
May 24th, 2016 at 8:13 am
I agree with a lot of you, it’s time to prove man.
I know that a lot of you has been upset after his TD agaisnt the Titans.
The guy has potential, and with the good attitude (I mean work attitude) he can be very helpful in the red zone.
So give him some ti and see what he has left in him.
But I don’t care if he is childish when he scores as long as he scores a lot !
Just for memory, another tight end is on the cover of Madden 17 and he is known for his big mouth, fun attitude and his TD celebration !
If ASJ turns out like Gronk, it’s fine for me !
May 24th, 2016 at 8:19 am
See you all forget. Lovie drafted the 2014 players, licht picked the first four rounds in 2015, then he let lovie draft again. Plus lovie picked all the bad free agent signings. That’s how this all works right? Blame the past and second guess right Buc realist! That’s you only strength….
May 24th, 2016 at 8:22 am
Julius Thomas had the very same issues and very same rumors swirl about him when he was in Denver, due to injuries it took him three seasons to break through, some guys, weather due to injury or maturity take a little longer than others for the light to go on. The guy has talent, and he’s still on his rookie contract, you just don’t cut guys like that, you light the fire under them, which is exactly what the Bucs are doing….
May 24th, 2016 at 8:24 am
Let the best players play
May 24th, 2016 at 8:25 am
He’s getting it from JBF, that’s his source…
May 24th, 2016 at 8:25 am
As it should be. ASJ has been gifted far too much already since he’s been with the Bucs and his garbage “look at me” attitude is reflective of that. I think if he were to have to grind for and earn what he gets then he wouldn’t be as quick to celebrate meaningless touchdowns in garbage time or put the team second to his emotions when he gets upset during a play. If he has to earn playing time then I think he’ll have a rude awakening.
May 24th, 2016 at 8:32 am
I hope that next years draft is deep with WR and TE, because that will be the Bucs biggest needs that will be appearent into the offseason!!!! All the TE’s seem to be good at one specific thing, I would like (and the front office and team) is a little more diverse in the position especially!!! And more speed at WR!!!!!!!
May 24th, 2016 at 8:35 am
I think it will be a big mistake if the bucs decide to let this young and talented kid go because of a few injury and Imaturity wich I think will get better as he ages. We need a full season where he is healthy to decide on him. It would be foolish to let him walk at this point. I will bet u everything he goes to another team and balls out and heads to Hawaii as well. When he was healthy he showed flashes of being a pro bowl caliber TE. U gotta let this kid develop before you let your 2nd round pick from just 2 years ago walk. Everyone thinks Brate is the next big thing because he had a couple break out games last season. There was a reason he was a undated FA so let’s slow down and make sure he can do it again before we start calling him our starter & best tight end on the roster.
May 24th, 2016 at 8:37 am
And the ASJ stories continue…..I don’t think there is anything wrong with sending a message which is likely what this is…….sure, he was a 2nd round pick and you expect him to be a starter & a star……but perhaps he’ll end up being a #2 TE…..
After all, we have Cameron Brate as an UDFA…..so we have a 2nd round pick invested for 2 TEs.
Count me in the group that believes ASJ will reach his potential this year.
May 24th, 2016 at 8:44 am
TE’s of ASJ’s caliber and size don’t Come around to often. The combination of his speed athleticism and size are rare in the NFL these days. I think hes still young and immature and just needs time to grow up. Plus he’s had sum bad luck with the injurys. This kid never missed a game in college due to a injury. If he can stay healthy and focus on his game he could be a HUGE weapon for #3. And with all the question marks at WR he will Def be counted upon to produce. He just gonna have to earn it. And I think that will be a good thing for both the Bucs and ASJ. He needs to learn that just because your a young and talented player doesn’t mean your given the starting role. And let’s not forget that were a injury or two away from having Dye or Humphries back on the field again. So ASJ can make a big difference in the passing game.
May 24th, 2016 at 8:46 am
I’m not bordered by his “softness”; I’m bothered by his attitude. If team officials say ASJ wasn’t cleared to play, that’s beyond his control. But how he plays and conducts himself when he gets on the field is entirely on his own head, and there’s plenty enough disappointment there to warrant demoting him and looking for other options.
May 24th, 2016 at 9:01 am
There’s a sliding scale on how much rope you get to hang yourself. Third season seems about right for a 2nd rounder. If he can’t prove himself through this season, no problem moving on. A fifth round guy would already be gone.
May 24th, 2016 at 9:04 am
licht could have had kony ealy, lamarcus joyner, or jarvis landry to name 3 but we are stuck with this turd from the univ of washington, where they are a bust factory like clemson
May 24th, 2016 at 9:04 am
It’s put up or shut up time! Injuries or not, you have to contribute. His value as a 2nd round pick has diminished with the emergence of Brate, the longevity of Mr. Teflon (Stocker), and the drafting of Vitale. We’ll see who rises to the top. You don’t throw away talent, but you cannot wait forever for talent to develop.
I wish him well.
May 24th, 2016 at 9:43 am
I’m not even close to ready to throw ASJ on the reject pile at this point. I think he will improve also and become a major engine part in the Bucs up and coming juggernaut offensive machine.
May 24th, 2016 at 10:56 am
the NFL trash pile is overflowing with phenomenal athletes. let’s see if he can put the rest of the pieces together, including a bit of good luck with health. the bucs will certainly be better if it works out, but i applaud them for giving themselves lots to work with if it doesn’t
May 24th, 2016 at 11:49 am
62 catches – 780 yards – 8 TDs. That is my prediction for ASJ’s #s this season.
May 24th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Some people here clearly failed reading comprehension in school.
Joe talks about how a well connected NFL insider is hearing ASJ is in trouble, how that aligns with what Joe hears and some people are wondering why “fans always want to run talent out of town” and “many of us felt”
Pro tip: When the source is NFL insiders, it is not fans with pitchforks. Nor is it message board commenters Joe is referring to. It’s people who are paid to coach or scout NFL players. THOSE are the people that are questioning ASJ right now, not ‘fans.’
Hooked on phonics was only supposed to be the start of reading comprehension, not the entirety. I’m sorry for your teachers and parents.
May 24th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Word in the street
ASJ is um . . Immature
Um . . Lacks retetion skills of the offense
. . Um . . Has trouble communicating
Umm. . Umm
Damn it!!
Hes dumb, Ok!!!
How did our thorough scouting department not notice that during the interview process??
Its the sort of thing that kinda sticks out!!
May 24th, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Always amazing to me the so called Bucs fans that want to see players on the team fail.
May 25th, 2016 at 9:03 am
Good point rod