“Is Seferian-Jenkins Ever Going To Grow Up?”
September 16th, 2016
Hall of Fame GM has pointed words for Bucs TE.
Earlier this week, co-hosting “Late Hits” with Alex Marvez heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian seemed ready to jump on the Bucs bandwagon.
Polian raved about Mike Smith as a defensive coordinator, raved about Gerald McCoy, is impressed by Dirk Koetter and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and he believes the sky is the limit for cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.
However, two questions are preventing Polian from jumping aboard. The first was about the team’s high-drama, high-maintencance tight end, tweety Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
“Is Seferian-Jenkins ever going to grow up?” Polian bluntly and rhetorically asked.
“[Will he] become the dominant player his skill level will tell you he should be? I ask that question not tongue-in-cheek. Because I think it is probably 50/50. And Dirk [Koetter] indicated as much in the last week of the preseason when he demoted him. So that is a big question. If he were to grow up and become a professional, then you have an incredible talent there at tight end.”
Well, Joe is more than willing to give ASJ not only a clean slate but the benefit of the doubt.. Joe wrote that after ASJ hauled in a big catch for a touchdown (finally in a win), and didn’t go nutso over a play as he’s done in the past.
Just that one play alone and his non-drama afterwards tells Joe ASJ is making strides. Joe is rooting for the guy. If he is able to develop and put his nonsense behind him, then ASJ can truly be a scary weapon.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:11 am
A mature and healthy ASJ would be wonderful to have. How’s his blocking comeing along??
September 16th, 2016 at 7:11 am
He will go down in Bucs history as the best TE to ever suit up for the Bucs.. fully believe this guy is turning it around right in front of our eyes.. now watch him work!!!!!!!!!!!
September 16th, 2016 at 7:22 am
@ AC…Whoa! better brush up on your Bucs history. Take a long storied career to match Jimmie Giles…
September 16th, 2016 at 7:22 am
I don’t think “AC” ever saw Jimmie Giles play football.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:22 am
Bill Polian is a little confused, ASJ had been demoted long before the last
preseason game.He actually had been working his way up the depth chart
during the last couple of weeks of camp and obviously worked his way back up
the depth chart. ASJ is lucky to have a HC and QB that want to get the most of his abilities.He can be a big asset to team,hope he keeps it up.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:25 am
I have to agree with you Joe. That was a hell of a grab. For ASJ to not be demonstrative after, to do the “look at me” crap, says maybe he is growing up. Wow, with his potential, wouldn’t that be incredibly awesome!
September 16th, 2016 at 7:32 am
I have to agree that was a great catch. However, not sold on his “scary weapon potential”. His catch % over the last couple of years is roughly 54% which puts him near the bottom of starting TE’s in the league. You guys have seen the games, he drops the ball.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:39 am
Listen to ASJ’s Buc Radio show… he sounds different. Not petulant and a team guy. I personally think the guy is turning the corner and Polian is a few weeks behind on his comments.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:57 am
@MC
while its true ASJ has dropped balls in previous years,He has pretty much
been grabbing everything from the point he decided to change his attitude
and prove himself.I see no value in catch percentage since incompletions
factor in also.As an example Mike Evans had a 71% catch rate in the game but it could have been 100 % if Jameis had not overthrown him twice.
September 16th, 2016 at 7:58 am
When he scored that TD I jumped up off the couch. Not to celebrate, but to yell, “Don’t do anything stupid! Don’t do anything stupid!!” The fact that he didn’t was enough for me to give him the benefit of the doubt. Throughout the preseason it was just words and no action. That was action. He is developing a pattern of showing he is starting to get it this summer. Yes, I admit, I’m a pretty fickle fan!
September 16th, 2016 at 8:10 am
@Blind melon
Agree, ASJ has been saying and doing the right things for weeks.Buccaneers.com has that hour with ASJ.Don’t think he is a bad guy,just a young guy who made a mistake.Also Pewter Report had interviews with ASJ aqs he was trying to work his way back up the the depth chart.He has come across as being sincere and has developed a team attitude.Credit Koetter for reaching out and telling ASJ exactly what is expected of him.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:12 am
This whole topic is asinine. These are 22 and 23 year young professional athletes that we seem to want to act like steadford wives whenever they do something spectacular. F-outta here wit that bullspit. These guys work they’re @$$ off all week to become a product we can all be proud to say we are rooting for but if they get a little caught up in they’re emotions they out of line. “F” that stupid s@$! the Captain morgsn pose would’ve been perfect after that catch. Go watch Barry Sanders if you don’t want to see any antics. As long as they come after plays like the one he made and we’re eithwr winning or mounting a comeback I’m totally okay with it.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:21 am
I’ve yet to see polio complain about Brady running down field headbutting a teammate or spiking the air out of football(no pun intended)after a QB keeper for a score. Memo to everyone its not easy making it to the NFL,sometimes the passion on the inside gets the best of you. I don’t want robots,I want some personality on my football team.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:24 am
He’s 23 years old and making millions. Remember how you were when you were when you were 23 now add a few million to you arsenal.
I don’t believe he is immensely immature, mostly emotional. Polian is right though, once ASJ becomes a professional sky is the limit for him.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:32 am
How about a MVP that needs to grow up…..how about Cam Newton? That press conference after the SB says it all…
And as far as his catch % of 54%…..well, that’s pretty close to Jameis’ overall completion percentage and when you consider the higher % to his backs, the percentage to TEs & WRs would be much lower.
Not complaining….explaining.
All Buc receivers catch percentages will rise this year as Jameis improves.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:37 am
@Joe
Have to say opinions based on inaccurate imformation or opinions made
without actually watching training camp do not warrant repeating.
September 16th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Actually i do know who Jimmy Giles is.. currently the best TE to play for us but ASJ is 23 if he keeps it up and stays on track for about 10 years.. you guys really think he can’t become the best to ever play? you old heads need to let go of the past Jameis and company are here to take over
September 16th, 2016 at 11:14 am
@AC: ASJ makes one catch and your putting him in the ring of honor? Seriously?
September 16th, 2016 at 11:26 am
@tom great jimmie giles refernce
September 16th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
I know a lot of the ole heads are laughing…Somebody here mentioned ASJ will be…..Ok Coulda! And then to mention him in the same breathe as..Jimmy Giles?? Guess a lot of guys are drinkin and smoking early Fri huh? ASJ got years and miles to catch up or even touch the coat tails of Buc great.. Mr. Giles. One catch in a game..does not even come close.
September 16th, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Jimmie Giles was/is a borderline Hall of Famer. Not his fault he played for a run- first offense. Dude was a CRUSHING blocker.
ASJ has a long, long, long way to go before he can enter same conversation as best Bucs TE.