ASJ's Job To Lose

The Bucs 2014 2nd round selection Austin Seferian-Jenkins is no doubt a talented player with prototypical tight end traits but with the emergence of Cameron Brate, it seems Koetter sees ASJ being pushed for his job. Per Rotoworld

A former UDFA out of Harvard, Brate posted a 23-288-3 receiving line in 14 games last season. Seferian-Jenkins has struggled to stay healthy, missing seven games as a 2014 rookie and nine more last year. "Jameis (Winston) and Cam(eron Brate), they really connected last year," Koetter said. "They had a real good feel for each other in the red zone and on seam routes and just all over the field really. And Cam, well, he really made the most of his opportunities." The job will belong to Seferian-Jenkins if he stays healthy. The Bucs cut Brate four days after Week 1 last season, only to re-sign him after ASJ went down. Still, this could be a make-or-break year for Seferian-Jenkins in Tampa.

Cameron Brate did make big strides last year and showed he can become a respectable NFL tight end but the most important statement in that quote is "the job will belong to Seferian-Jenkins if he stays healthy". ASJ is without a doubt the better overall tight end and best tight end the Bucs have on the roster but can he stay on the field. This branches off Koetter's statement of the best ability is availability. You can't make a difference if your on the injured list. Not long ago Gerald McCoy was getting the label of injury bug due to his first 2 injury riddled season but he has shrugged that label off with 4 productive seasons in a row.

Give ASJ his time as he is coming into his 3rd year now and will look to be a breakout candidate this year. He seemed to be a Winston target early and often when he was on the field and no question will be a mismatch to utilize.