Buying ASJ
February 10th, 2015
Stat nerds are big on Austin Seferian-Jenkins for 2015.
Though it is too early for a final grade on the 2014 draft, it sure seems a whole lot of shaky after the Albert Pujols home run of wide receiver Mike Evans.
That guy is another reason to draft Jameis Winston. Why waste years with turnover-prone Josh McCown?
The second round pick in 2014, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, looked to be a total mismatch for opposing defenses at times. That’s when he was able to get on the field.
It seemed ASJ was hobbled all year. He came to the Bucs with a bum wheel, badly sprained an ankle, and throw in a bad back, and it led to a forgettable season.
However, types Michael Moore of Pro Football Focus, expect ASJ to break out in 2015.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – In all, he tallied only 21 catches for 221 yards with two touchdowns. Even for a rookie tight end, it was a disappointment.
However, there is reason to think Seferian-Jenkins can have a much better sophomore season. First, he’ll be fully healthy and in camp from the outset as opposed to last year thanks to the University of Washington’s late graduation. Additionally, Tampa brought in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to turn around an offense that ranked 29th in points and 30th in yards. Koetter should be able to immediately improve the offense after running a Falcons offense that finished 8th, 14th, and 8th in his three years at the helm.
Perhaps the biggest reason for hope is the inevitable switch at quarterback. With the Bucs on the clock with the first overall pick, it’s widely expected for them to take Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. Whomever they select will probably not rank any lower than 34th in Pro Football Focus ratings like incumbent Josh McCown did.
Just think: The quarterback Lovie Smith refused to bench despite his heinous play, there were 33 QBs ranked higher last year in the NFL — 33! Can you imagine?
Look, Joe has high hopes for ASJ. He has a world of talent. ASJ could be the next Kellen Winslow, Sr., but if he can’t get on the field, it doesn’t matter. Staying healthy will be ASJ’s primary objective this fall.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:12 am
@JOE
You’re still on the “he has a lot of upside and all the intangibles bandwagon huh.” Get over it JOE. Your man crush is Ricky Dudley in the making….Next!!!
February 10th, 2015 at 10:15 am
ASJ is the least of my worries……I absolutely think he will break out…..Koetter is the key here….
As for the QB….I thik Moore says it most objectively “it’s widely expected for them to take Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. Whomever they select”
Sorry Joe….but save your “That guy is another reason to draft Jameis Winston.” for Jameis Watch where it more appropriately belongs.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:21 am
Rare bit of optimism from the Biffer here.
Koetter knows how to use TE’s. Look back at how Tony Gonzalez ripped the Bucs and many other defenses.
I see Charles Sims benefiting from having such a large target running down the field too.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:22 am
Koetter can work a tight end into his offense. See Tony Gonzalez. This is enough for me to start getting optimistic about the season to come. Sure the kid is no Gonzalez but at least the position wont get forgotten like it did under Arroyo last year. Im looking for an even bigger year out of Evans as well and we need to keep Vjax too.
Hey, doesnt Atlants feature two dominant WRs as well? Top 10 offense here we come. Just need a QB, so lets go get one in the draft.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:23 am
Biff
You beat me to it.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:24 am
To the doubters here’s some elite TE’s who took 2-3 seasons to blossom…
Antonio Gates
Julius Thomas
Jason Witten
Tony Gonzalez
February 10th, 2015 at 10:26 am
Ya with that badass o line we will be number 1
February 10th, 2015 at 10:28 am
@ Biff
I agree with Koetter/ASJ/Sims…..look for Sims to be used in 2 back sets & in the slot……big year for Sims…..
February 10th, 2015 at 10:29 am
How somebody has a head coaching job after trotting McCown on the field is beyond me.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:29 am
I fully expect ASJ to have a better year. If he does not then we need to say good-bye to him and move on.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:31 am
I’m not sold on Sims. He hasn’t proved anything. So far Rainey has been the most impressive back we have.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:40 am
“Just think: The quarterback Lovie Smith refused to bench despite his heinous play…” – Joe
And just think: If he had benched him, we might not be in a position to get the quarterback you promote daily. I’m glad he kept McCown in. Really, one has to wonder if he planned to throw the season coming in to get the #1 pick. If he did, it was genius.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:41 am
@FLMIKE
I’m definitely a doubter when it comes to Ricky Dudley (ASJ). You definitely mentioned some great TE’s there. It also helped that they had more than competent QB’s throwing them the ball.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:43 am
@BuccaneerBonzai
“Really, one has to wonder if he planned to throw the season coming in to get the #1 pick. If he did, it was genius.”
I believe you’re giving Lovie way to much credit. He just doesn’t have that level of critical thinking (to parapharse a golf term) in his bag….
February 10th, 2015 at 10:44 am
ASJ:
Softer than a pile of feathers.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:46 am
I believe ASJ will, in hind sight, turn out to be one of, if not the best, TEs this team has ever had.
Skyline Crew Says
“I’m not sold on Sims. He hasn’t proved anything.”
I was skeptical at first as well. But to be fair, he started playing halfway thru the season and the offense was already a mess. It’s clear our acting OC was not getting the best of the players he had already, and certainly Sims got little attention.
He did, however, show potential. He has good catching ability. Running? I have my doubts. He had two fumbles and lost one, so ball security is going to be an issue if they don’t address it.
I would not give him props yet, but neither would I label him a bust or anything like that. Not at this point.
I expect Martin to have a much better year under Dirk as well.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:46 am
So Joe. Tell us, are you really into drafting players with a lot of baggage. A leopard doesn’t change their spots or at least they can’t be removed that easily. Mariota is the obvious pick here.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:50 am
@flmike
Maybe so. Maybe not. I think it’s more likely that he intended to win, but the failure to bring in Rod for the defense and the loss of his OC set things back. He really didn’t get the staff he wanted.
Then, as the season wore on, I’m guessing that seeing the QB play was enough to convince him he wanted the #1 pick (or at least a first round QB). It would explain part of the reason to keep McCown in.
In no way do I believe Glennon would have saved the team. More likely, he would have maybe won two more games…taking us way out of the running for one of the top 2 QBs.
So playing McCown was, indeed, a genius move.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:52 am
Scot Pederson Says
“So Joe. Tell us, are you really into drafting players with a lot of baggage?”
It certainly seems that way lately. Johnny Football had his share of baggage too.
But to be fair, the Bucs have had to bargain hunt for so long that considering “baggage” players had to be done. Maybe Joe has developed a habit.
February 10th, 2015 at 11:01 am
So we saw how the team tanked against the Saints in the last game. It made me go back and look at the first time we played the Saints and we were up on them. Does anybody think that maybe that was a tank job as well?
February 10th, 2015 at 11:05 am
ASJ in 2015!
February 10th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
No matter who we draft, if McCown is on the team on opening day we are in trouble. He is not even a good backup any more.
February 10th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
flmike Says:
To the doubters here’s some elite TE’s who took 2-3 seasons to blossom…
Antonio Gates
Julius Thomas
Jason Witten
Tony Gonzalez
Good point. Between the injuries and with an offense cast adrift, the guy didn’t get much of a break.
He does need to stay healthy though.
February 10th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
ASJ will be fine. He certainly showed enough during an injury plagued rookie season to indicate that he has plenty of upside. Staying healthy will be the key to success of course.