Without Being Asked
June 25th, 2016
Jameis describes a teammate as “tremendous” three times.
Yes, Joe perks up when America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, heartily praises a teammate without being asked.
This week it was Cameron Brate, the rising Harvard tight end who turns 25 in July and caught 23 balls last year.
Speaking on WDAE-AM 620, Jameis specifically was asked about his relationship with Austin Seferian-Jenkins of Twitter and injury list fame. After quickly explaining that ASJ is “a big asset,”Jameis interestingly turned to Brate, who played more snaps that ASJ at the end of last season when both were healthy.
“You know who else is stepping up is Cameron Brate. Cameron Brate has had a tremendous OTA, a tremendous minicamp, and a tremendous last season,” Jameis said.
Brate is a fun story, but Joe wonders whether the guy is really that talented. Sometimes, Joe thinks Bucs fans get hot in the pants about Brate because he’s Tampa Bay’s best pass-catching option at tight end, rather than a strong player by NFL standards.
Regardless, Joe is optimistic. Dirk Koetter has raved about the special, unteachable chemistry between Brate and Jameis. And Jameis’ strong praise this week is noteworthy.
June 25th, 2016 at 10:37 am
If he’s smart enough to get open in the end zone and he catches the ball…what’s not to like.
June 25th, 2016 at 10:40 am
If Jameis changed the subject to Brate it seems he likes his potential better than ASJ, brains over bulk. Leave the et off what Jameis said about ASJ, there you have it.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Sometimes the Qb makes others around him better. Brate will be Jameis’s Dallas Clark during the Manning years.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:51 am
Lol 37.
Brate finds ways to get open, that’s all that matters. Who gives a sh!t about NFL standards.
Now let’s hope he can bulk up a bit and become a better blocker.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Let’s be honest here…
…if Winston prefers Cameron Brate, Winston will get Cameron Brate.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:53 am
And if that’s the case…ASJ is toast.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
My biggest surprise this week was that ASJ is considered only a so-so blocker much like Cameron Brate. That came as shock given ASJ’s superior size and athleticism.
Incorporating that tidbit of information in my own evaluations, leads me to conclude Brate will soon surpass ASJ on the depth chart, if he hasn’t already, because Brate has consistently demonstrated a superior work ethic to ASJ if reports are to be believed.
That isn’t so shocking given Brate was an underdog unlike ASJ who has unjustifiably heralded as the next coming of Rob Gronkowski. Combine that with Brate’s apparent “nose for the end zone” and “chemistry” with Jameis Winston and we might just see Brate take the number one slot on the tight end depth chart before the first regular season contest.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
What an interesting topic.
June 25th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Joe we get excited about guys that give the most effort and play with the most heart. Talent aint worth spit if it’s not being used with heart and effort. The “Why” is what get’s fans going. Adam Humphries was the best example of that. Always gave it 110% in his limited chances and that is why he will make the final roster.
June 25th, 2016 at 1:02 pm
23 REC, 288 YDS, 3 TD, is nothing to get excited over. It seems like most Bucs fans love the potential of these players instead of their actual production.
June 25th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane. We’ve all heard that one before and that’s what has us concerned about ASJ.
Sometimes the opposite can be true. Looks like nothing special but ends up being a real player. There are countless stories about guys in the NFL who were never expected to even make the team much less star. Brate “could” be one of those.
This team is loaded with soooo many “coulds” that I can’t help but be optimistic.
Yes they have to prove it on the field and some will fall by the wayside but we have so many surely we can find a great team out of all this raw material. Obviously we have the most important position…QB…covered..now it’s time to find the rest of the team. I like the raw material heading into training camp.
June 25th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
TE is a position where top-notch athleticism isn’t totally necessary. If a guy knows where to find the soft spots in the D and has reliable hands, he can be a big weapon. I think Brate was showing some real ability last season and it should only get better this year.
June 25th, 2016 at 3:15 pm
No way ASJ should be “toast”. The guy has too much ability and is costing us nearly nothing. If ASJ stays healthy and begins to perform, Brate rightfully goes to the bench. Doesn’t matter who JW prefers, it’s Dirk’s call.
June 25th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Bucnut2
I know you are still butt hurt bucs did not draft the little fragile coach killer but you are dead wrong Winston will get what he wants. You are going to have to accept and embrace the fact Winston is the most important buc in Francise history and it’s HIS team 100%….
June 25th, 2016 at 4:10 pm
As some of you have already suggested, you can read between the lines when JW says ASJ is an asset but goes into specific detail about Brate’s work ethic and skills. The chemistry is very apparent there. It seems borderline obvious that James really feels the chemistry with Brate and is much more comfortable with Brate as his TE. Who could blame Winston? Brate looked like a full tight end from blocking to having great hands and being an endzone threat. You get the talent and speed from ASJ but you also get unavailability and a guy who seems unable to grasp the work that goes into being an NFL tight end.
June 25th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
T-Max only stupid organizations let ANY player run the team. See Patriots, Tom Brady, who by the way has won almost as many Super Bowls as JW has won games, wanted Wes Welker back but the Patriots said no. JW has not done ANYTHING yet. I truly hope he is great but most on this site lack NFL perspective. The ACC is not the NFL. Let’s talk in 5 years. The idea that JW has arrived and is a NFL Franchise QB is something that VERY few SMART NFL folks outside of Tampa agree with.
June 25th, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Unless someone gets injured, I cannot imagine Brandon Myers making the cut. Vitale is the perfect “joker” for this offense and it seems pretty far-fetched they would let go of ASJ – unless they trade him- so we’ve got those 2, Stocker, & Brate in the stable. I’m alright with that.
June 25th, 2016 at 5:39 pm
@Bucnut2-
This isn’t about Jameis running the team. It’s about putting out the most effective combination of players on the field. If Brate and Jameis have better chemistry and project to have better production on the field, then ASJ will be on the bench. It’s up to Koetter, but he’s gonna play the guys who give them the best chance to win. If JW prefers Brate, it’s probably for good reason. Both TEs are gonna play, so the most snaps are going to go to the more productive guy. There’s no conflict here. It’s pretty simple.
June 25th, 2016 at 5:56 pm
Salish- agree with you.
June 25th, 2016 at 6:04 pm
ASJ will be healthy & ready to play and Brate will be 2nd or 3rd team… end of non-story
June 25th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
I agree with what Bucnut2 said at 4:54
June 25th, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Thanks Buc Eric, I am not used to anyone on this site agreeing with anything that I say.
June 25th, 2016 at 8:44 pm
” but Joe wonders whether the guy is really that talented. Sometimes, Joe thinks Bucs fans get hot in the pants about Brate because he’s Tampa Bay’s best pass-catching option at tight end, rather than a strong player by NFL standards.”
same can be said about winston by the joes. tom brady is america’s quarterback by any definition. winston has a lot to work on to even come close.
June 25th, 2016 at 9:13 pm
I for one can only HOPE Bucnut2 is correct! That would solidify the faith the organization has in JW. However I too think that it is too early to Wholly believe this will happen. I sat through 15 straight losing seasons from 82 to 96. I don’t believe I missed a home game as we had season tix. I am kinda, maybe, just a tad bit, a teensy on the skeptical side for some reason.
June 25th, 2016 at 11:17 pm
blah blah blah
June 26th, 2016 at 12:22 am
Bucnut2, I usually don’t agree with the way you critique Winston, but I call a good take when I see it! Lol!
June 26th, 2016 at 12:24 am
Bucnut2, I guess I shouldn’t say I don’t agree with the way you critique Winston. It just seems like you point out his flaws more than you just go along for the ride as he grows. We know he’s not perfect. We’re just glad that we have some hope for a while. Finally.
June 26th, 2016 at 1:21 am
Already happened.
June 26th, 2016 at 8:45 am
I think Brate is a perfect example of being a product of good QB play. Brate benefitted from being one of Winston’s favorite targets last season in the red zone. I’m not convinced that he’s the real deal like other Buc fans are already. But thats not to say I don’t like the guy. How couldn’t u like a hard working, Come out of nowhere type of guy that Brate is. If ASJ can stay healthy and pull his head out of his @$$ he could become Winston favorite target as well. But ofcourse that is a HUGE “if”. If he does it next season consistently then il be convinced. But that would prob mean that ASJ didn’t ,I’ve up to his expectations again wich I hope doesn’t happen unlike other fans rooting for him to fail. Wich in the end your rooting for the bucs to fail as well.
June 26th, 2016 at 8:48 am
-Joe
The depth chart during the offseason doesn’t mean sh*t. I wouldn’t put to much stock into that right now. Not until opening day would I trust that chart.
June 26th, 2016 at 9:50 am
The kid at FSU he had at tight end wasn’t that good O’leary I think. But jameis made him look like gronk. That’s what he does. God bless America
June 27th, 2016 at 6:48 am
If Jameis likes him he will probably be on the roster.