Trust Restored
September 11th, 2016
Trusted
This morning, Joe wrote that if Dirk Koetter trusted Austin Seferian-Jenkins, then big ASJ would be an ideal matchup nightmare for the Falcons.
It turns out, Koetter did have that trust — and the desire.
On the Bucs’ very first series, ASJ was the go-to guy on third down. The call was a deep ball to him in the right flank, with a rookie linebacker trying to contain him.
It was no match — pass interference Falcons about 30 yards down the field.
Just after halftime, Koetter called ASJ’s number again. Working the deep middle of the field, again versus a linebacker, the 6-7 tight end found himself in the endzone with a 30-yard pass that required him to lay out his body to make the catch and absorb the turf.
Touchdown!
That basically was the end of ASJ’s day. Nothing else came his way. But the damage was done in a big way.
Mad props to ASJ for that catch — and for reaching a new milestone. It was the first time he has scored a touchdown in a Bucs victory.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
nice catch and throw. glad he did not do anything stupid.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Really glad to see the kid make a positive impact 1) in a win, and 2) wounded the no accompanying boneheaded plays. Here’s hoping he keeps it up!
September 11th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Without not wounded
September 11th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Made props, indeed.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
That play brought a tear to my eye. It’s was beautiful.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
THE MESSIAH dropped a dime on that throw.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
I don’t know DB….that TD pass to Evans did it for me.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Is that correct…his first TD? I thought he caught one when he did his infamous Capt. Morgan pose.
ME was tested as well and for just one moment he frightened me when the Atlanta DB’s started a pushing and jawing session but overall ME handled himself very maturely.
If both ASJ and ME continue to play like today and keep their respective heads screwed on straight…#3 is going to have a huge year and The Bucs are going to win a lot of games!
September 11th, 2016 at 4:53 pm
It was CRAZY talk that was claiming our best TE wouldn’t make the team!
September 11th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Is any one else a little worried about VJ83??? he had 2 catches but look very slow and was single covered??? is the injury still bothering him, or age???????????
September 11th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
@stpete, first TD in a win. Joe previously pointed out that ASJ was invisible in games we won
September 11th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
realist
83 did look a bit slow today.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Vjax was out for a while then came back in. I’m thinking he’s hurt.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:58 pm
BucGator
Thanks for that correction.
September 11th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
@st. Pete,
It was ASJ’s first TD in a win.
I believe he had 4 or 5 last year but they all came in losses, several in garbage time.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
87
I thought the pass to me was a bit off but nice adjustment by ky hands to make the catch. I have to rewatch the game though I could be wrong.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
My bad bucgator, didn’t see ur comment
September 11th, 2016 at 5:00 pm
Is that my boy Ray Ray? Where you been son?
September 11th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Realist
While 83 did look out of sorts, I think his lack of production was due in large part to how coach Koetter called the game. A couple of poor throws by Winston early didn’t help.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Realist
If VJAX was one of only a couple of weapons I might share your concern but he’s clearly no longer #3’s number one target and with so many options he’s going to be fine.
I’ve been pounding my Lennie Moore comparison to Sims. Again for you youngsters…Moore was an RB coming out of college to the Johnny Unitas led Colts. Moore ran effectively but was also used out wide and caught ton of balls from Johnny U.
Moore is a HOFer so I’m not ready to go that far yet for Sims but I think we are just beginning to see his potential.
And we’re getting a great synergy…it used to be VJAX who created some space for our #1 ME…but now ASJ will be a threat…Sims is a threat…Doug caught the ball well out of the backfield.
Whenyou give a player like #3 that many targets DC’s become ill.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Oh and btw I left out Hump who I thought also had a good game today.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I thought Hump just played OK, and he is a liability when run blocking and was exposed how small he was today!!!
September 11th, 2016 at 5:15 pm
@JMicSoundsNice
And I am saying he looked slow, and was sloppy out of his routes and was single covered and really did not get open by a secondary that is not that deep or good!!!!! He turns 34 at the end of the year and this might be his last!!!
Falcons were very focused on stopping the run and double mostly ME13!!!
September 11th, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Thank you Pete. Famous threw the rock to everybody today. And to think all off season all I’ve read was lack of WR dept. Memo WRs aren’t the only people catching passes. DM22 caught the ball very well out the backfield.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:17 pm
@joe
Good analysis on ASj ‘s today.His willingness to sacrifice his body is part of the reason he found himself injured last year.
Good thing he and Evans came through because VJAX seemed a little off today.
Both players made good efforts on their TD receptions.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Jackson runs over the middle or comeback routes better than most. We just need to use him a little more.
September 11th, 2016 at 5:19 pm
@STpetebuc
agree on Humphries,he showing that he is pretty well rounded player.
September 11th, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Awesome TD catch today ASJ!!
Great throw – great catch.
Keep putting in the work and good things will come.
September 11th, 2016 at 9:22 pm
Vj had some targets but winston did an excellent job of spreading around the ball. I dont really expect vj to have many big impact games, but he will get some targets and make a few plays when we need them. VJ still has the ability to get open and be a factor. But today we just didnt need him to be.