Underrated
July 11th, 2016
Football Outsiders weigh in.
It is July, thus, we must have lists.
This guy has lists. That guy has lists. Hell, even Joe has lists! This is what happens when everyday, Bucs fans come to work, stare at the calendar and notice the beginning of training camp inching closer.
We are almost there, folks. Just two more awful Mondays to sweat out before training camp starts. Hang in there.
So BSPN decided to turn to the Football Outsiders thinktank to label one player underrated on each team. In the mind of Vincent Verhei, that Tampa Bay man would be Harvard man tight end Cameron Brate.
With Austin Seferian-Jenkins often sidelined due to assorted bumps and bruises, the Buccaneers turned to the unknown, undrafted product from Harvard. Brate only saw 30 passes in 2015, but he still produced 23 catches, 288 yards and three touchdowns. On a per-target basis, he was one of the top five tight ends in Football Outsiders’ DVOA. We’ll see if he can match that success with what will likely be a bigger workload in 2016.
This is hard to argue. Joe was trying to wrap his mind around an underrated player. Maybe Charles Sims? Maybe. But Brate is a good choice.
Not sure if there is anyone on defense underrated. Akeem Spence, perhaps? Jacquies Smith, when he’s healthy?
We will see just how underrated Brate is. If he wasn’t on NFL defensive coordinators’ radars already, he should be now, especially when the Bucs have all but stated publicly Brate will be the go-to tight end in the red zone. He’ll be just that until or unless tweety Austin Seferian-Jenkins begins displaying his second round talent on a regular basis.
More about that later.
July 11th, 2016 at 8:32 am
I agree with that assesment, Brate will more than likely play a big role this season more because you don’t know what your getting from your highly talented but immature TE in ASJ. Who I think is the biggest X factor this year. I bet that’s who Joe’s chooses as his no. 1 X factor, If not no. 2. Brate will be given his shot to prove he’s not a one hit wonder who just had a special season. He’s shown he’s highly Productive in the red zone and one of Winston’s fav targets down there as well. I’m excited to watch him grow with no. 3.
July 11th, 2016 at 8:41 am
Good pick Joe, And seeing that CS34 was 2nd in Receptions and CB84 was 5th in Receptions!!!! And who is underrated for the defense???? How about the new defensive scheme!!!!
July 11th, 2016 at 9:20 am
No doubt that ASJ has to earn his way back. Isn’t this his contract year?
If he is going to do anything, now is the time. MEanwhile, I’m happy with Brate.
July 11th, 2016 at 9:21 am
@The Buc Realist
Tell me all about this new defensive scheme you think is underrated.
Hmmn? No guess work please…
July 11th, 2016 at 9:54 am
@BucBonzai: Aren’t rookie contracts 4 years? I could be wrong.
So ASJ is not going into his contract year. That would be 2017.
July 11th, 2016 at 10:03 am
The bottom line is all that ASJ has proven is that he is unreliable both physically and mentally which not a good combination. Sure he’s talented but that means nothing if you have sh!t for brains. I hope it turns around but odds are he will not… those that are convinced he’s going to fix his issues overnight, I have some great ocean front property near moab Utah I’d like to speak to you about. Brate has proven to be reliable and stable in his limited roll. Put more on his plate let’s see what he can do.
July 11th, 2016 at 11:19 am
Brate is our #1 TE.
Brate should be getting most of the practice with the first team getting better chemistry with Jaboo
Brate should be getting 85% of the total TE receptions
*1 of our reasons why we lost the last 3 games was because Brate was sharing the load with ASJ.
Too much options! difficult for Jameis to get chemistry with 1 player(Brate rook) and now get chemistry in practice and a live game with the often injured terrible route running ASJ ?????
The offense was running smoothly with Brate being the only TE option before the last 4 games. Adding ASJ was a huge mistake
*I hate it when dear abby writers like Bucnation site Sander state ASJ is the “most talented”. what the hell does that mean? Brate is as fast and has superior route running and hands
July 11th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Jenkins,without a doubt, can add potency to this offense. More so then any other TE we have.
But he has proven unreliable…….His new HD will surely try to get the most from him. If hes not up to the challenge it’s assuring to know that Brate can man the position and help tis offense move the ball.
July 11th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
I agree with giving Brate more touches. Tmax has it pegged, ASJ is unreliable. I want him to succeed, but there’s nothing that points to a turn-around from him.
In the meantime, get more touches to other players.
July 11th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Brate is our best TE on the team
July 11th, 2016 at 7:20 pm
brate and Winston connected on some deep passes also drew attention.A tight end that can run and catch a seam route is a beautiful thing.
July 12th, 2016 at 11:43 am
Brate is definitely the best TE. I think the Bucs should try & trade ASJ.