Bullish On Brate
June 18th, 2016
Jameis likes.
Whether Tweety Austin Seferian-Jenkins is your starting tight end (doesn’t appear promising) has nothing to do with his mental meltdown last week.
Yes, ASJ is talented. But as Dirk Koetter likes to say, the best ability is availability. ASJ’s nagging injuries have left him unavailable in half of all games played since he was drafted two years ago.
What is not up for debate is the development of Harvard man Cameron Brate. Undrafted in 2014, Brate has skyrocketed up the Bucs’ depth chart, and nothing suggests he has reached his ceiling.
Brate has become so valuable that Jenna Laine of BSPN types how he is one of the favorite targets of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Laine highlighted Brate’s standout minicamp this week.
Tight end Cameron Brate continues to be a popular red-zone target. During red-zone drills, he caught a diving, back-shoulder fade from Mike Glennon while working against safety Major Wright. Brate showed nice body control in keeping both feet in bounds.
Brate had another touchdown catch in the red zone [Thursday], running across the back of the end zone with Major Wright diving at his ankles. Head coach Dirk Koetter took notice, saying, “He’s got an uncanny ability to show up in the red zone and did so again today.”
The only knock Joe hears about Brate is that he isn’t much of a blocker. That’s where Luke Stocker comes in. He is a very good blocker and an underappreciated pass catcher. Bucs folks like his versatility.
Where ASJ factors in, well, Joe reports, you decide.
June 18th, 2016 at 6:48 am
Rewatched a YouTube of Winston’s rookie highlights last night. ASJ pops up several times with some nice catches, including that nice Hail Mary grab in the end zone. Hopefully he does get his head together and gets committed to himself and the team. It’s still a bit early to give up on him, but in the meantime what a luxury to have Brate!
June 18th, 2016 at 7:39 am
The luxury of having a top QB is how much better everyone else is when he’s throwing to them. Brate, Humpheries are two examples why drafting pass catchers early won’t be happening in Tampa anytime soon.
June 18th, 2016 at 7:41 am
Would like to see ASJ use this year to prove himself as long it includes plenty of catches for Brate.Enjoyed watching Brate and Winston hook up on seam pattersns.Reminded me of Phil Simms and his ability to throw this pass.
June 18th, 2016 at 7:47 am
It’s very nice to have a guy like Brate as a second option in the passing game. (Sorry but ASJ is still my 1st option.)the perks of having a franchise, pro bowl QB like Winston is that he makes everyone around him better, and I think that’s the case with Brate. Both of them make each other better really, but with Winston making Brate one of his favorite targets, especially in the redzone, that builds his confidence and makes him believe he belongs in this league as one of the better pass catchers, and that’s why you are seeing him make these spectacular catches in OTA’s now. But that is the benefit of having a guy like Jamies. He gonna make average guys around him look good. And I’m not saying Brate is average, but he doesn’t have ASJ talent either. Brady is a perfect example, look what he does with so little every year. You seen what Jamies did with Brate, now imagine what he could do with a healthy ASJ all season.
June 18th, 2016 at 7:58 am
From what I have seen, Luie Stocker is going to be our primary first and second down TE with ASJ or possibly Brate coming in on passing downs. It also appears ASJ is our redone TE with Brate once again getting plenty of work there.
June 18th, 2016 at 7:58 am
As much as we like to believe in the underdog who works hard, generally elite athleticism (that’s works hard) will win out. Of course you have to be smart and not sure ASJ is that yet, but when it comes to lining up on that line of scrimmage and you’re facing a linebacker with the skills of say LVD, you better have some elite athleticism. I’m for ASJ, Brate and Stcker if those are the three TE that make us better, throw in Vitale too.
June 18th, 2016 at 8:01 am
From the article, Is Brate THAT good or is Major Wright THAT bad?
June 18th, 2016 at 8:05 am
HFXBUC…I disagree. Sorry there’s always someone I disagree with.
What IF the Bucs drafted pass catchers early? Would that not add more potency to the offense possibly making it a high octane offense?
I say yes, and give this kid as many highly drafted weapons as possible. Don’t hold back on them. It would be really nice to have a very potent offense in Tampa along with an average defense. That to me smells like another SB. Me thinks that would put LOTS of smiles on the fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faces.
Load up the O!
June 18th, 2016 at 8:05 am
Having a play caller who knows how to keep a defense off balance means that not every target need to be a superstar.
June 18th, 2016 at 8:08 am
Scotty I think Jameis loves his TE’s. Loved them at FSU and it should continue in the NFL. Oh and Brate is pretty damn good. He’s still young, so time will tell if he flames out or not.
June 18th, 2016 at 8:26 am
Marino, Duper and Clayton anyone?
Culpepper, Moss and Carter anyone?
Montana, Rice and Taylor anyone?
Moon, Givens, Hill, and Jeffires anyone?
More, more weapons. Never enough weapons for JW!
June 18th, 2016 at 8:29 am
Brate has shown good route running ability and great hands and an ability to get open. I have seen ASJ appear clumsy at times when running routes and
his hands have been suspect at times.Penalties were also an issue.plenty of room for both on team to see if ASJ can finally reach his untapped potential.
June 18th, 2016 at 9:53 am
I like Brate, but I’m not going to sit here and think that he’s a top tier TE. I’m also not going to think that the Bucs won’t draft a pass catcher early next year. Regardless of ASJ or Brate blowing up, we still probably need a VJax replacement next season. I don’t think I would draft a WR in round 1, but definitely rounds 2 or 3. Unless, of course, we got his replacement the way we got him, Free Agency.
June 18th, 2016 at 10:20 am
If ASJ is the best TE every in the NFL but only gives you 6-8 games is he worth it???
June 18th, 2016 at 10:29 am
@HFXBUC
Gotta agree with 87 on this one we need more weapons… WR is thin
and VJAX is getting up there in age. Not to mention if ASJ can’t make good on his potential then TE might be an option too. I like Brate but more as a second TE.
June 18th, 2016 at 10:47 am
WR next year depends on how Bell / Humphries turn out (and potentially Murphy I guess) I think even if those 2 develop we’ll probably want to draft one in the top 3 rounds or sign a good FA regardless because neither is Vjax and not sure Vjax will still be with us at that point
June 18th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Rooting for ASJ.
June 18th, 2016 at 11:21 am
The bottom line… we need production from our TE’s.
June 18th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Im rooting for all of them. If ASJ Can stay healthy and not be such a punk (we all remember what Winslows attitude did for the team) then I would like to see him at #1 but I would like to see them all get their time and hopefully make some nice plays
June 18th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Vitale makes for a better “expanded” roster, as does Pamphile. The Bucs can keep 3 real TE’s—Stocker, Brate & ASJ—and an extra WR. That’s the beauty of cross-training.
Vitale is kept as a back, Pamphile as an OL, but both can play a TE depending on the set.
No need for 4 pure TE’s with different skill sets.
Seems there are some solid guys at WR, especially slot with Humphries, Bell and Reedy, all possibly worthy of making the roster.
Of course, as usual, opinions vary, all blessings.
I am really liking how Licht is putting this team together…
June 18th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Tampaaaaaaaaa
June 18th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
BAY! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
June 18th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Madden Daddy, I figure since your name is madden and you would know the date of the new Madden release every time I looked it up my phone screws up
June 18th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Don’t play Madden anymore but…Initial release date: August 23, 2016
Shawty had them apple bottom jeans (jeans)
Boots with the fur (with the fur)
The whole club was looking at her
She hit the floor (she hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low
Them baggy sweat pants
And the Reebok’s with the straps (with the straps)
She turned around and gave that big booty a smack (hey)
She hit the floor (she hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low
June 18th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
Scotty, I often wonder if it’s great catches or poor defense too.
June 18th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
He may be 30, but Brandon Myers is also on this team. We are deep at TE.
June 18th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
James Walker Says:
Myers may be the one on the bubble.
He’s not the blocker as Stocker. He’s not the receiver as ASJ or Brate. He’s not as versatile as Vitale (caveat: Vitale has to prove himself.) I don’t thunk he plays ST’s.
He is a quality “traditional” TE, but seems the team is going away from “traditional” thinking in some positions…
June 18th, 2016 at 7:07 pm
HFXBUC Says:
June 18th, 2016 at 7:39 am
The luxury of having a top QB is how much better everyone else is when he’s throwing to them……………….
————————————————————————————
You are so right.
Some things I learned en route to looking up other things.
VJax83: In 2013, in 3 games with JF5 = 0 TDs.
In 2014, in 11 games with JM12 = 0 TDs.
But in 2015, in 10 games with JW3 = 3 TDs.
In 2013, in 13 games with MG8 = 7 TDs.
In 2014, in 5 games with MG8 = 2 TDs.
ME13: In 2014, in 11 games with JM12 = 8 TDs.
But in 2015, in 15 games with JW3 = 3 TDs.
In 2014, in 4 games with MG8 = 4 TDs.
LMurphy: In 2014, in 6 games with JM12 = 0 TDs.
But in 2015, in 6 games with JW3 = 0 TDs.
In 2014, in 5 games with MG8 = 2 TDs.
BTW, in 2013, Tim Wright(UDFA) had 5 TDs and Tiquan Underwood(7th Rd) had 4 TDs.
Heresy right?
tickrdr
June 18th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
tickdr…are you Glennon’s heart doctor or something? 🙂
June 18th, 2016 at 10:20 pm
@Buc 1987:
No, I have never met the young man. My daughter and her hubbie did meet him at at the Stadium Club Poker night in 2013 though. They thought he was a very nice and polite young man.
tickrdr
June 18th, 2016 at 11:36 pm
Brate does have good hands and runs the hash marks good. Tough after hits as well but Rudy Humphries does not have very good hands or balance, too much double clutching and losing balance while catching the ball
June 19th, 2016 at 7:59 am
The only knock Joe hears about Brate is that he isn’t much of a blocker. That’s where Luke Stocker comes in. He is a very good blocker and an underappreciated pass catcher. Bucs folks like his versatility.
So I guess if Stocker is out there, it’s probably going to be a running play?