“I Think Jenkins Is In Trouble”
August 15th, 2016
Job security discussed.
No, Pat Kirwan, co-host of the best damned football radio show around, “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, was not talking about Toast Jenkins, the miserable former Bucs cornerback who was in a hot-and-heavy bromance with Lovie Smith.
Kirwan, in a video he shot with his co-host, former NFL QB Jim Miller, live from One Buc Palace Saturday, is talking about tweety Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
After meeting with Bucs management and coaches and watching practice Saturday, the duo cut the Facebook video right before they broadcast live from One Buc Palace as part of their annual training camp tour.
Kirwan, a former linebackers coach and pro personnel director of the Jets, who once upon a time was a scout with the Bucs, discussed the deep tight end position for the Bucs. He smells movement coming, whether it be a trade or a cut, and doubts ASJ is on the Bucs roster come mid-September.
“I think Jenkins is in trouble of losing his job,” Kirwan said. The Bucs “have enough competition and enough talent there [at tight end] that if he is not going to get better and be more consistent, he’s either going to be out of here or just on the bench.”
It’s not the first time Kirwan has said this. A couple of months ago, Kirwan said on his radio show of ASJ, “They’re talking about him losing his job.”
Joe is well aware Kirwan is very tight with two members of the Bucs’ coaching staff. So Joe is very confident the highly-respected Kirwan has solid intel.
The Bucs are very deep at tight end. If you are a believer in the Great White Hype, Danny Vitale, the Bucs go five-deep at tight end.
So Joe would be surprised if the Bucs cut ASJ. He is signed through next season and, per Rotoworld.com, will be paid just under $900,000 this year. That’s not exactly putting Team Glazer’s checking account into arrears.
The problem with ASJ is not his physical talent; it’s between his ears. It’s hard for any general manager to throw talent away. Late in the radio show Saturday, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht singled out ASJ for turning on the switch in recent days.
But hey, if a needy team with injuries panics and, say, offers up a second-round pick, then, yeah, Joe could see ASJ traded.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:13 am
“if he is not going to get better and be more consistent, he’s either going to be out of here or just on the bench…” – tell me one player who that doesn’t apply to. ASJ is too good a player not to invest time into. I think Koetter is pissed that it’s taken him till his 3rd season to show some willingness to learn. Koetter sees greatness in ASJ, thats why he is riding him. He has said that he has all the tools that Tony Gonsalez plus more if he works at his craft. The catch he took last thursday is one example of his talent.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:31 am
Deep at tight end? Is that a joke? I’m not convinced we even have one starting quality TE right now. If by deep you mean “nothing but bottom of the bench players” then I might agree.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:42 am
Agree,Wombat
good article on ASJ at pewter report in their most recent fab 5.ASJ has been
saying that he enjoys competition at training camp,and is paying more attention to detail.He also said he loves all his coaches and teammates.Off
Twitter he is articulate and thoughtful,no canned publicist written responses.
Believe Koetter has already reached ASJ and the results are starting to show.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:46 am
“Great White Hype, Danny Vitale”
So…can we call ASJ the “Great Black Hype”?
Just curious.
I say cut Stocker. All he does is block anyway, and Dan Vitale can do that well enough (as he showed multiple times in the game).
Stocker has not had a fully healthy season in 4 years. He only had 9 receptions for 61 yards last year, which was up from the 7 for 41 the year before. He’s a wasted roster spot.
ASJ has not impressed me much, but he’s 5.5 times better than Stocker (in yards). He isn’t a blocker, but Dan Vitale is. At the very least, we should hold onto ASJ as a backup, which would make him a bust, but good depth.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:49 am
He says he’s a villain, but I find that hard to believe because nobody’s ever heard of him. Nice hat, though.
August 15th, 2016 at 7:53 am
2nd??
Take a 4th at this point, grab another body who gets cut soon if necessary.
They got Brate and Stocker and Vitale
August 15th, 2016 at 8:06 am
@Bonzai
Stocker is limited as a receiver as you said. But that not all he does.He has
high football IQ.He understands and explains the game and has been a mentor to Vitale for one. Vitale thought he was like a coach on the field,and will be a coach after his after his playing days are over,
August 15th, 2016 at 8:10 am
These stooges come watch take notes and all they come away wit is spit best suited for a gossip column. So many story lines about the team that could have been touched on but they pile on ASJ. Public service annoucement- ASJ ain’t going no where man. Koetter coached Gonzalez and see a little Gonzo in ASJ.
August 15th, 2016 at 8:27 am
I cannot tell everyone enough of how great the SiriusXM NFL radio was!!! If you have an account they do a on demand commerical free of the whole show!!!! Highly recommend it if you are a football fan!!!!
August 15th, 2016 at 8:30 am
If ASJ is in trouble of not making this team or being traded, then the Bucs are in trouble, with our entire receiving core is not deep, we have two proven receivers (one in his latter years) and then there is Chuck Sims(with a bum wheel). Not trying to be a downer, but it is what it is. I hope Brate blows up, plus I believe Dirk talked about a two TE offense, we gonna depend on another late round draft pick (Vitale), the fact that we have undrafted players in out top tier of players on offense is scary enough.
August 15th, 2016 at 8:34 am
Joe is right. Cutting ASJ would be very tough for Licht to do because he has undebatable talent. Looking at his contract status makes it even easier to let ASJ continue to work here and compete.
There are a lot of negatives about ASJ but Ive never heard anybody say that he is a bad presence in the locker room. When you have a talented player that is bad for your locker room and team chemistry thats when a GM, sometimes, has to make a tough decision and cut ties. Very pleased that Jenkins doesnt fall into that catergory.
Ive got hope that ASJ gets some first team reps Saturday. Its no mystery that Dirk is going to make Jenkins fully earn a starters role here. Theres no way Austin has to proove that he has the ability. As the article said its a mental thing. Whats it been, three weeks of TC? Austin has had enough practice time to proove he is ready……..weather or not he has taken that step forward yet should be revealed by which QB is throwing him the ball against Jax.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Alot of teams have been decimated with injuries in the TE position like Detroit. ASJ is tradedable for a 3rd or high fourth round draft kick
We need Stocker to help our offensive line. They are going to stunt into Jameis blind side
August 15th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Nice that ASJ has turned on the switch, did somebody check to see if the electricity is back on. Payment due disconnection.
August 15th, 2016 at 9:50 am
Hardly earth shaking news here.
Just a rewind of what most of us have already heard or known.
I doubt if ASJ goes anywhere.
As already stated, his price is right and he can also both block and catch. Something the rest of the Buc TE’s, other than Brandon Myers, have a tough time of doing both.
If any TE gets traded, I look at Myers as the one who goes. He actually gets paid more than ASJ and his age works against him as well.
Also, I’m offended by your racist term of Vitale. I’m no big fan of his, but to refer to his race in your article is indeed racist, or don’t you think people can be racists against whites?
August 15th, 2016 at 10:04 am
ASJ jut made a heck of a one handed catch today! Not ready to give up on him yet
August 15th, 2016 at 10:06 am
ASJ is not going anywhere. I’ve been to 4 practices and he is doing fine. It is great that Brate is shining because that makes our offense more potent especially in the red zone. Been a season ticket holder since 1999 and can’t wait for the season to start to start so I can where my ASJ jersey.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:07 am
So bring me two pina coladas
I want one for each hand
Let’s set sail with Captain Morgan…
August 15th, 2016 at 10:11 am
Jason Licht draft picks are killing this team. One 1st rounder can’t catch a cold in Siberia, another one can’t protect Jameis blindside if his life depended on it. We traded up for a kicker who can’t make an PAT. We have a 2nd rounder who lost his job to an UDFA. And we have a 4th rounder who isn’t expected to make the roster. And a 5th rounder who haven’t caught a pass in pads, and fumbles the opening kickoff. SMH
August 15th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Joe’s use of the “The Great White Hype” is a spin on “The Great White Hope” which was a 1967 play starring James Earl Jones. The play was actually casting a negitive lite on racism in the Boxing world. I don’t think Joe is being racist with that one, he is just using the title from a well know play to point out that Vitale is over hyped and has done absolutely nothing yet. He is making no judgments on race. We all should stop being so sensitive over this stuff.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:24 am
Offended by Great White Hype? So what? Everyone chooses to be offended by anything they want. It’s their choice. If you’re offended by this, that is your choice.
I find the nickname clever and humorous. It’s just a bright play on words and a reflection of history, a history over 1oo years old. It is a reflection of a very sad time in our history, yes. It was a time when a lot of white men & women were very racist. That history is a fact.
Maybe the nickname is in poor taste. However, since you choose to be offended by a clever nickname, I choose to be offended that you are offended. Do you care that I am offended?
August 15th, 2016 at 10:27 am
And, Joe isn’t the first to use the GWH term, as it was the title of a 1996 film starring Samuel L. Jackson.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:32 am
STOP! Collaborate and listen. STOP!
There’s talk about ASJ getting cut?! CHILD PLEASE!!!! #sillyseason
August 15th, 2016 at 10:42 am
Don King labeled Gerry Cooney The Great White Hope back in the 80’s.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:44 am
ajs getting cut? Funny! I’m really disapointed with him, but common man!
August 15th, 2016 at 10:57 am
The Great White Hype doesn’t bother me one bit, or any color in it’s place for that matter. Most people are color blind anyway.
August 15th, 2016 at 10:57 am
this country is turning into a bunch of crybaby punks… being offended by a term that was used in a comedic setting is so ridiculous.. What is offensive was ASJ mindset early in the off-season. What is offensive is watching a ignorant fool like Lovie attempt to coach a team. What is offensive is getting blown out week in and week out over a 2 year period. What is offensive is going to a home game in Tampa and realizing the visiting team has taken over the stadium because the bandwagon fan base lost hope and does not support an organization run by morons for the last decade. You thin skin people are way to funny…. Watching Glennon attempt to play QB against insurance salesman, beer truck drivers and future EBT card holders was offensive… Go back and listen to some old Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Sam Kinison thousands of fans nightly laughed enjoyed far more critical / borderline humor than the Great White Hype or Hope or whatever the oversensitive pansy’s are crying about.
August 15th, 2016 at 11:01 am
1987- You dug for that one! Cooney had a glass chin!
Yes, the Bucs are probably better with ASJ than without, PROBABLY! It’s up to ASJ to get his mind right. Whatever decision the Bucs make will be the right one, lets hope.
August 15th, 2016 at 11:02 am
Love me some George Carlin, RIP!
August 15th, 2016 at 11:33 am
ASJ isnt getting cut.
August 15th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Tmax
How about All In The Family. Archie was a offensive as they get, yet funny af.
August 15th, 2016 at 11:49 am
DB55
All in the Family! hell yeah…. Great TV show back when we could still all laugh without the PC police raiding the house…. Licht is Meathead for sure… Koetter is Archie and Mike Smith is the neighborhood bartender can’t remember that guys name.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
AJS is going no where unless a trade.
He certainly will not get cut.
This whole AJS thing is becoming ridiculous.
August 15th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
There’s been no ASJ controversy in a few months. Even when Brate became the #1 TE, you didn’t hear anything from ASJ. The interviews I’ve seen seem to indicate he’s upbeat, staying positive, learning from his mistakes… but, is it genuine? Is he a headcase that’s up for a while and then goes down again? I don’t know. I think if the coaches believe he’s genuine, and he keeps working, he’ll stay. Even if he remains a bit of a disappointment, he’s still going to give you more production and more mismatches than, say, Brandon Myers. I just don’t see ASJ getting cut unless he practices and plays soft – and maybe running behind Brate is enough to keep him motivated.
August 15th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Dreambig Says:
August 15th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Joe’s use of the “The Great White Hype” is a spin on “The Great White Hope” which was a 1967 play starring James Earl Jones. The play was actually casting a negitive lite on racism in the Boxing world. I don’t think Joe is being racist with that one, he is just using the title from a well know play to point out that Vitale is over hyped and has done absolutely nothing yet. He is making no judgments on race. We all should stop being so sensitive over this stuff.
————————-
Thank you Dreambig..I was just about getting ready to type the same thing..nothing racist about Vitale’s nickname..
As far as ASJ..the only thing that he needs to adjust is his immature ways..and they are not really that bad at all..What a mistake it will be to just let him walk..the man can ball and we all know it..
What I’ve seen so far is a great improvement with his attitude and practices..he did two good plays last Saturday..
August 16th, 2016 at 8:19 am
BucinJAX Says
“Offended by Great White Hype? So what? Everyone chooses to be offended by anything they want. It’s their choice. If you’re offended by this, that is your choice.”
So then…the Great Black Hype and the Great Gay Hype would be fine too?
I just want to clarify for future usages. I don’t want to be called a bigot or anything.