Tight End Becoming A Strength
July 31st, 2014
Tim Wright has had a solid training camp. But this is one play he would like to forget. After catching a dumpoff pass, he turned upfield and was blasted by LB Danny Lansanah, one of two big time hits yesterday, like battering rams going at it.
My, how things change in a year. It really is amazing.
Last year the Bucs had limited depth at so many positions. It seemed the only two places the Bucs had any depth at all was running back and defensive line, which, frankly (with the exception of All-Stud Gerald McCoy), was stocked with players playing way below their expectations.
That has changed under the administration of Jason Licht and Lovie Smith. Depth is of no concerns at several positions.
Take tight end.
Last year the only tight end worth anything was a complete and total surprise, rookie Tim Wright who was a converted wide receiver from — all together now — Rutgers! Wright is not disappointing thus far in presesaon. He has had his number called many times and he has answered the bell every day, including yesterday. It has been enough for Wright to publicly draw praise from Lovie.
“As you can see, we’ll have [Wright] split out from time to time, that seems to be trend in the league now, to have a tight end that you can split out and do different things with and we have one too in Tim,” Lovie said. “He can lineup outside in the true Y tight end position, we’ve had him in the backfield, and he does give us a lot of flexibility.
“I like our tight ends, you just talk about rookies and Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been impressive each day. Big body, tough guy, has picked up the offense quickly, so we have a little depth that tight end position.”
The fact Wright can do so many things only adds to the fun of the diversity in Jeff Tedford’s offense. Slowly but steadily, Austin Seferian-Jenkins is showing up more and more each day as he is learning to be an NFL player. This guy is a freak.
If the Bucs can somehow get the front line to give Josh McCown time to throw, then for the first time maybe since Chucky first came to Tampa Bay, Joe can actually type the following words without being sarcastic: This offense has the potential to be fun as hell to watch.
July 31st, 2014 at 10:11 am
Wow……Joe, you’re either having cocktails for breakfast, or things are beginning to gel at Training Camp! It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you, (or anyone for that matter) say something about our depth like that, and it’s been a decade since I thought that the Bucs actually had a lot of depth at various positions; so it will actually be fun to see how the Bucs look in their first pre-season game against Jax next week!
July 31st, 2014 at 10:13 am
Looks like we may just carry Stocker as the blocking TE if Wright is used as a hybrid TE/WR.
July 31st, 2014 at 10:18 am
In hind sight, depth was not something The Rock Star was good at providing; I look back at that now and wonder why. I love what I see L&L doing. Its very exciting to see we have depth at so many position such as TE, RB, CB, Dline, etc.
Maybe L&L have assigned the responsibility of the Oline to Dom, lol. Seriously, I don’t understand the gamble they are taking there, not at one spot, but question marks at both guard positions.
July 31st, 2014 at 10:20 am
Things are coming together.
Tedford and McCown will help the o-line with fast passes and quick execution. We can work with what we have. But upgrades are always welcome.
Everything is right on track. In Lovie & Licht I trust!
July 31st, 2014 at 10:35 am
Harry, all indications so far is that the Bucs have yet to find a OG they like better. Yet.
July 31st, 2014 at 10:40 am
Depth is very important, and for all the top starting caliber players Dom brought in, depth was something he was never able to improve. If you go back and look at our roster when we won the super bowl, the one thing that stands out is that we had excellent depth at a ton of position. With Lovie and company, you’re starting to see that trend brought back.
July 31st, 2014 at 11:11 am
Forget Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Bridgewater, whoever. Sefarian Jenkins is shaping up to have a monster season and is my prediction for offensive rook of the yr. This team has gone to all lengths to make that position a strong point for the Bucs. Tedford studied New England and how they employ two TE sets. He is a part of an offense predicated on creating mismatches and will force defenses to stay honest for the run with the Bucs’ stacked backfield. Still not sold on Glennon or McCown, but Sefarian Jenkins will make their lives a lot easier. Cant wait for this season to start!!!
July 31st, 2014 at 11:13 am
“for all the top starting caliber players Dom brought in”
Like Dallas Clark? Trading picks for Kellen Winslow? Or lucking out with Tim Wright?
July 31st, 2014 at 11:20 am
ASJ is the next Tony Gonzalez.
He will be a Pro-Bowler.
Great pick in the 2nd round!
I am happier we drafted him than a guard!
Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2014 at 11:27 am
This franchise has never been so loaded with playmakers on offense. It’s not even close.
July 31st, 2014 at 11:34 am
I’ve heard nothing about Myers.
How is he doing?
July 31st, 2014 at 11:46 am
Do the math.
Generally, you either hear about players in training camp when they are either getting lit up or otherwise doing something noticeable; bad or good.
July 31st, 2014 at 11:47 am
Not since Chucky’s first year.
July 31st, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Joe:
Is ASJ lining up in different places on the line? Or just at TE?
July 31st, 2014 at 12:29 pm
@ BucsfaninChina
Really didn’t want to list all the good ones I was talking about, but I meant guys like Darrell Revis, Vincent Jackson, Nicks (at the time he was signed), Goldson, and others. These guys were top ranked free agents. Dom made sure he got those top guys, but neglected the bottom half of the roster is what I meant. And btw I dont consider Kellen Winslow to be a bad free agent pick up. Go back and look at his stats, he was a productive player for us. It ended ugly with him, but it shouldn’t change the fact that he was productive.
July 31st, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Different places.
July 31st, 2014 at 4:11 pm
I love my BUCS. And I am a big fan of good T.E.’s and I believe that we have a couple of good ones. It’s a great thing to hear that A.S.J. is catching on to the offense so well. I was really glad when the BUCS. picked A.S.J. in this years draft. He has real good chance to be great in the NFL. ( BUCCANEERS ). It’s sounds good to hear people talk offense when it come’s to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As long as I can remember when people talk about the BUCS. It’s always been about there defense so it’s nice to hear someone talking offense. I truly believe this is going to be a winning season for the Buccaneers. Both Jason Licht and Lovie Smith already have done a great job. They did a great job in F.A. and in the draft. From picking a good coaching staff to the offense and defense and special teams. I will be heading to my second training camp practice on Friday.
And just from my first practice game I watched the BUCS are going to be good.
I am a Josh McCown fan and believe last year wasn’t a fluke. He will do a good job. Then you add are R.B.’s, W.R.’s , special team and defense. All looking good Yes they still need some work but they WILL be ready.. Just wait in till you see how good both Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans work together.There great to watch. When you see Vincent , Mike and A.S.J. all at once it’s owe some to see.MORE TO COME: GO BUCCANEERS!!!
July 31st, 2014 at 4:12 pm
The overall depth improvement at many positions is certainly something to be excited about heading into the 2014 season. The Bucs will be contenders for the most improved team in the league, and most fans agree.