JP: Team Holding ASJ Back
November 14th, 2015
Yes, it is the most popular subject for Bucs fandom this side of Gerald McCoy and America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.
And that is the question of when the hell will Austin Seferian-Jenkins return to the field?
Once again, he was limited in practice yesterday, the final full practice before the Bucs face the Cowboys Sunday.
With the Bucs short on receivers, fans are clamoring for ASJ’s return. The first-team tight end hasn’t played since Week Two in New Orleans when he injured his shoulder. It is another in a list of injuries ASJ has battled since being drafted by the Bucs in the second round last year. He has only suited up in 11 of a possible 24 games for the Bucs.
Thursday, ASJ was short and snippy with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club when asked about his shoulder. He blunted told reporters they should ask the Bucs’ medical staff why he isn’t cleared and seconds later shut down reporters saying he was done talking about his shoulder.
The czar of local sports radio, J.P. Peterson, who also writes for WDAE-AM 620’s website, is of the belief ASJ’s return has not been delayed because ASJ isn’t interesting in returning, which some fans maintain. Rather, it is the Bucs’ medical staff who won’t let him return.
ASJ did tell me after the interview session he just wants to let his teammates that are actually playing…get the media attention…not him. He’s clearly frustrated with the situation and wants to be out there playing and has told the coaches he wants to play. It appears the medical staff is keeping him from playing and likely he doesn’t have the strength needed to handle blocking duties or big hits. Fans are clearly frustrated because of the impact ASJ could have and many fans own him on their fantasy teams. Bottom line is ASJ wants to play, feels like he can play but is not being allowed to play. Maybe this will be the week.
Of course, for reasons unknown, Lovie Smith is vague about injuries, ASJ’s issue included. This opens up all sorts of doors for ASJ and others (including Gerald McCoy) to twist in the wind of public opinion.
Asked (again) about ASJ yesterday, Lovie was his normal evasive self.
“First step, of course, was to be able to run without pain and be able to take a little bit of contact,” Lovie said. “He’s been doing that for a while. That is the last step. We’re making progress with that. We just don’t know. He’s done more this week than he has done any previous week. We’ll see how it goes.”
November 14th, 2015 at 4:14 am
Whatever!
November 14th, 2015 at 4:45 am
same crap
November 14th, 2015 at 5:31 am
Dissapointed!
November 14th, 2015 at 6:14 am
The gist of Peterson’s opinion is that ASJ believes that he’s physically able to return and wants to return, the Bucs medical staff doesn’t feel that he is physically ready to return and won’t clear him to, Lovie Smith is siding with his medical staff, and thus … wait for it … Lovie Smith is a bad head coach. Sarcasm intended.
J.P. Peterson is the ‘Czar of local sports radio’ … Really?
November 14th, 2015 at 6:20 am
People actually listen to that crap station known as 620? Lol terrible radio.
November 14th, 2015 at 7:12 am
Perhaps the medical staff is racist and they want Cameron Brate to play and possibly overtake ASJ….
(a joke)
All of this is Lovie’s fault….
November 14th, 2015 at 7:21 am
Irkle holds himself back…..
November 14th, 2015 at 7:56 am
In any case it is still sad that your star TE (ASJ) has less on field playing time than your place kicker (Connor Barth).
November 14th, 2015 at 9:03 am
It is a shame your place kicker (Conor Barth) is also starting to score more points than ASJ or anyone else.
November 14th, 2015 at 9:23 am
Hey, Lovie told us what we wanted to know… The last step he has been doing for a while… ASJ plays this week!!! Thought for sure he was in last week… I’m am almost positive he is in this week!!! Limited role bit he is in!!!! Reading between the lines but he obviously fractured something…. Six weeks allows a tractor enough time to heal… So the took an extra week… That’s a good thing…
November 14th, 2015 at 9:29 am
China doll
November 14th, 2015 at 11:24 am
@Bucfan20
ATL is the only NFL team with a player with more points than their kicker, Freeman has 66 and Bryant 65. Bryant along with every other K like every year will lead their team in scoring. Currently only 2 players Freeman (11) and Eirfert (22) are in the top 29, 27 are kickers.
November 14th, 2015 at 11:51 am
This guy is unreliable. If Lovie would explain the extent of the injury letting fans know exactly where he stands in recovery, this will clear up the speculation. ASJ brushing off questions about the injury is just so Lovieish.
November 14th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Wish Jp still had a full time show
November 14th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Of course, for reasons unknown, Lovie Smith is vague about injuries,
Joe you yourself have posted his reasons. He thinks he’s keeping the opposition from gaining any information for game planning.
Now perhaps we could call Lovie paranoid but it’s not unreasonable. I think most of us disagree with Lovie on this issue…it’s not like teams are spending lots of extra thought game planning for ASJ or his abscence.
Having said that if we are talking about #3 and he was questionable I’d probably join in Lovie’s paranoia because game planning for #3 is certainly different than game planning for #8 and so the hope is the opposition wastes time game planning for both thus cutting into their prep time for either QB.
November 14th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Who owns that guy in fantasy football? That’s a league i want to be in!
November 14th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Maybe Lovie is tanking again? LoL.
November 14th, 2015 at 5:33 pm
So–who was ASJ anyway?
next man up a long long time ago
November 14th, 2015 at 8:02 pm
@Stanglassman
Sorry that went or your head but oh well. Now go back to you little chart and see this year the leader has only kicked 19 FG.s. Barth is at 13 already but only 8 extra points. Yes Kickers put more points up. But usually by extra points w/ FG’s. So far this year we are wearing our Kicker out with Field Goals. Get it now??
November 14th, 2015 at 10:26 pm
lol Nope not frustrated, he hasn’t been on that field consistently enough for me to expect anything from him.
It’s not like we should be used to him playing and producing lol.