ASJ And The Hot Tub
December 13th, 2014
Bucs rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has a shot at a club mark despite all his injuries.
Joe just has to thank general manager Jason Licht. The man completely and totally hit a home run when he drafted wide receiver Mike Evans in the first round. Evans very well could be the NFL rookie of the year.
How good has Evans been? The weekly release from the Bucs’ media relations staff touting individual and team highlights has four full pages devoted to Evans’ accomplishments.
Evans has been tremendous and has quickly become a fan favorite. However, if you walk into your neighborhood watering hole and ask a patron to name another rookie on the squad, you just might stump the gentleman (gentlewoman?).
Outside of Evans, the rookie class of 2014 has been pretty much invisible, save for running back Charles Sims, who sure seems like he is being forced into the lineup has been all sorts of mediocre.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been concerning as a second round pick. The big tight end has big skills and has shown himself to be a weapon. That is, when he can get on the football field. So far, ASJ — Joe loves the guy’s attitude (not “‘tude.”) — seems to be in the hot tub more than he is on the practice field or playing field. He came into offseason workouts with a bum foot and has suffered all sorts of maladies since, including a sore back.
Despite this, ASJ has a shot of being the second-most productive rookie tight end since 1985. ASJ has two touchdowns and a third will tie him with the immortal Calvin Magee for second-most touchdown catches for a Bucs rookie tight end in 19 years.
Joe thinks this just goes to show that ASJ, when healthy, can be a force.
This season is a wash. It will be very important for ASJ’s development that he can enter next year’s offseason conditioning healthy and more importantly, remain healthy.
Joe doesn’t care how much want-to and talent a guy has. If he can’t get on the field, it doesn’t matter. You can’t be an asset when you are in street clothes watching games.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
We could have traded up with Seattle (instead of them trading with Minnesota) and gotten either Bridgewater or Carr. From the looks of things either would have been an improvement over MCclown or Girrafeon.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Every team has injuries, it’s part of the game.
So is having the depth that only solid drafts can provide.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
@MGM4life…..true but that would have taken half a brain. If we would have added a serviceable QB last draft then we could have the luxury this draft of bolstering the OL and DE but we chose the incredible talents of ASJ…AKA foot on the ball and the much needed 3rd round RB.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:36 pm
It was a blessing in disguise that we did not draft a quarterback this year because who was going to develop him? Marcus Arroyo. We should be happy that we can choose from Marriota or Winston.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
After ASJ adjusts to the speed of the NFL game, he will learn how to avoid some injuries. Knowing what to expect, and being mentally prepared for it comes with experience. I like what he brings to the table, and in time, he should be a valuable asset to our team.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I want to thank lapdog Licht too. Thanks pal for your colossal screw ups by whiffing on every FA you so arrogantly boasted about for 6 months right up until they started screwing the pooch. Thanks for your stellar talent evaluation and decision making. Atta boy.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Yeah, ASJ has’nt been in quite the sync that many Bucs fans expected. As far as Bucs records, those are modest records at best seeing as how the Bucs offense has never been a scoring juggernaut. ASJ might not be injury prone with a full offseason to heal, that would be nice. It remains to be seen whether ASJ or Sims live up to their draft position. I guess these are our future offensive weapons. Now comes the quest to find offensive blocking weapons to protect those offensive weapons.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
You heard it here first…..ASJ will be a stud TE for the Bucs for years to come…he has the size, mind desire & talent to be great!!!
All those already declaring him a bust will eat their words…..
December 13th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Football is won in the trenches. If our offense line improves it will make asj, Mike Evans, Charles Sims, Doug Martin and our new quarterback better. We can already see with a little bit of pass rash in recent weeks, our defense has gotten a tad better. Better lines equal more wins!
December 13th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Must be something in the (hot tub) water that is contagious. After all, that is where “IR” Stocker likes to hang out
December 13th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
DallasBuc is one of those chronics who used to complain that the Bucs were to cheap to sign FA’s.
If Joe did a positive article on Evans or Jack Smith half of the posts would be hating on Licht or Lovie for a completely different reason.
These people are so pathetic.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Sounds like GMC all over again, never happy with what you have and always want something else.
Now if ME13 could teach the other receivers including TEs how to block, then we would have something.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:10 pm
On this team he is learning to be a loser and will likely be a bust. Another team he might be a stud.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
ddneast,
Pathetic is someone like you who calls the rest of us racist for not liking how Lovie Smith coaches.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Actually Joe you are flat out wrong. Are you so dumb not to realize that Tim Wright had 5 TDs playing TIGHT END last season???
You might want to actually read what’s written here. –Joe
December 13th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Stocker had the same problem fit first few years too. Hopefully these guys can produce and make the position a strength of the team and take advantage of the big lanes down the middle of the field that will open up with safeties cheating out into coverage on Evans and Vjax.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Ddneast is one of those guys that thinks he knows what he is talking about. I never once complained that the Bucs were cheap. What’s pathetic is tool bags like you coming on here with no real takes, just complaining about other commentors for not being true fans and not being nice enough to this incompetent coaching staff and front office. Get over yourself
December 13th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
DallasBuc,
The extent of Licht’s input on who we are drafting or recruiting FA’s is unknown.
Lovie had designs on McCown all along. Michael Johnson too.
December 13th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Bucs rookie TE records? Really?
What an accomplishment with all the amazing tight ends we’ve had down here in Tampa…
December 13th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
It remains to be seen if ASJ “gets it” as a pro…he appears to be soft…and soft starts with S….as does Slacker….waiting on you ASK
December 13th, 2014 at 5:54 pm
@Lightning,
My friend, u should be less shy. Speak up about how u really feel, lol.
December 13th, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Biff- that’s why I dubbed him “lapdog” back in the offseason. However, the extent to which this unholy union between HC and GM was consummated is meaningless since the guy agreed to take the position and assume the responsibility that comes with the title regardless of the strength of his authority. He is just as responsible as do-no-wrong Lovie Smith. They both suck.
December 13th, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Leave up to JOE to bring up a weak a$$$$$$ YUCS record for TE’s. Yup JOE. I guess you still are swinging from ASJ’s jock. The well spoken TE just is just too glamorous for JOE to pass on. Get off that dudes jock and tell the real $$hit. He sux. Flat out. He’s soft, quits on plays, and lazy. No I dont expect him to be Savage Mike. But at least show effort. All the hype JOE built around this kid. JOE please stop wasting space on this guy.
December 14th, 2014 at 12:27 am
Ray Rice:
Joe knows you have trouble with reading comprehension so if you are patient, and read the post three or four more times being careful to let the words absorb, you may get the gist of the post.
December 14th, 2014 at 2:45 am
JOE tell it how you want. You’ve been defending your young well spoken stud all season.
December 14th, 2014 at 7:37 am
Rastamon
I agree with u ASJ does play soft n IMO appears to b lazy. He shows no motivation or determination. Reminds me of former Bucs tightend Jeremy Stevens. ASJ has been injured since arriving here n when on the field he does nothing exceptionally well that justify the Bucs grabbing him in the early round. I saw him not make an attempt to stretch out to catch a catchable ball several times, or loafing. Olsen, Witten, n the Gronk r all go getters tightends. My belief is ASJ was a waste of a pick. Should’ve kept Tim wright n spent that 2nd round on an OL or DE.
December 15th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
ASJ is a rookie and hurt on top of that. Yeah!!! Let’s git em!!!! smh
Thought everybody liked the pick? Knobs.