No True Starting Tight End (Yet)
August 16th, 2014
Austin Seferian-Jenkins could be in a rotation with two other tight ends to start for the Bucs. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
If the Bucs have one loaded position it is tight end. Outside of running back, no other position is as deep.
There is Tim Wright, who came from nowhere last year as a rookie to become one of the better tight ends in the NFL. Then there is rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is a monster. He may not be ready (yet) to start, but as a receiver, he is a matchup nightmare.
And then there is free agent tight end Brandon Myers. Joe is not trying to be a jerk here, but Myers was virtually invisible in training camp. Joe saw him catch a pass on the last practice and Twittered out that, yes, Myers did exist.
Oh, yeah. For those counting at home, there’s fan favorite Luke Stocker, which brings the number of potential tight ends on the roster to four. But who starts? That’s a question Pat Yasinskas of ESPN wonders aloud.
Who’s the starting tight end? This is not a one-person answer. The Bucs are going to play three tight ends extensively. Wright will line up in the slot and at H-Back as well as tight end. Brandon Myers and rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins also are going to get plenty of work with the first team and there will be a good amount of two tight end sets. All three tight ends are going to get a lot of playing time.
So who starts? Joe is going to go out on a limb and suggest there won’t be a “starting” tight end. Hear Joe out:
Each tight end has a different skill set. Myers can block. Wright can catch. ASJ, in time, can do both. Even he admits his blocking is not where it should be.
Joe thinks whatever formation Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford starts a game with will dictate who starts. Wright, ASJ and Myers will all see a lot of playing time.
A starting tight end? That term will need an asterisk.
August 16th, 2014 at 8:06 am
Can anyone say three tight end sets. C’mon lets get creative.
August 16th, 2014 at 8:19 am
How about 4 TE sets……replace a guard with Stocker…..he’ll get hurt and free up a roster slot.
August 16th, 2014 at 8:25 am
Joe:
Any thoughts on how the guard position will impact the decisions on keeping a Fullback and keeping Stocker on the roster? Stocker (if healthy) is a man as a blocker and we may need him…
August 16th, 2014 at 8:26 am
“Joe thinks whatever formation Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford starts a game with will dictate who starts. Wright, ASJ and Myers will all see a lot of playing time.”
—————————————————
Much like using a third down back is that you are telling the defense what you are trying to do.
August 16th, 2014 at 9:30 am
This article ended but better because let’s not pretend Luke stocker is all of a sudden a threat to take plays away from anyone else, he’s probably gone for the simple fact there’s too much bad tape in that building on him and injuries
August 16th, 2014 at 9:52 am
Hey Tampabaybucfan, that’s a messed up comment. I agree with you 100%, but still messed up.
August 16th, 2014 at 10:35 am
In Joe’s heard and mind, we know who his starting tight end is.
Do we need Sherlock Holmes to answer this?
August 16th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Makes that HEART and mind and we know which tight end is the apple of Joe’s eye.
August 16th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Myers can not block. Why is there this phenomenon that makes people assume that white tight ends can block? Crabtree couldn’t block and Myers has been an awful blocker throughout his career.
August 16th, 2014 at 11:44 am
ASJ will be our number one tight end before season’s end. Plays that both him and Wright on the field will scare the hell out of D coordinators. We finally have shred up this position, less than a year removed from the “rock star”.
in time, ASJ has the ability to be a Hernandez/Gronk type of threat.
August 16th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
It sure seemed like when Crab played the running game worked and when he wasn’t it didn’t. I’m no expert but I thought he was a pretty good blocker I like T.C potential more than Myers. I hope Myers changes my mind this year.