Bucs Offense Will Have Room to Operate

Big day for the Bucs especially the offense as they have added much needed speed with the signing of former Redskins WR Desean Jackson. Jackson has been a dynamic playmaker his whole career and was really good last season producing another 1000 yard season in which he led the NFL in yards per catch with 18. Even at 30 years old, Jackson still has top notch speed and hasn't slowed up yet as he continues to produce big plays. Jackson had 4 catches of 50 yards or more last season so definitely provides big play ability and can be that explosive playmaker for them.

More importantly, now having Desean the Bucs offense is going to have more space to operate as an unit. The run and passing game are going to get better looks when he is on the field because of his speed. Opposing defenses will be forced to play more zone looks which means more cover 2 and cover 4 looks which means safeties are playing back. In other words, the Bucs will get more 7 man in the box looks which will allow the Bucs to be a more effective running team. If the Bucs can run the ball which Koetter wants to do, then that will open up the play action passing game for Jameis Winston. That's where Winston is at his best when he can use the play action giving him and his receivers more space in the middle of the field.

Jackson should also see favorable matchups as well because they can't double him and Mike all the time. So I would expect to see Jackson be moved around and working in the slot at times to exploit certain matchups. This offense just got way better with the addition of Desean Jackson and guys like Cameron Brate, Mike Evans, and Adam Humphries are all going to reap the benefits. His veteran presence, swagger, and playmaking ability will help the Bucs take a big step towards that next level.

FA Target: TE Jack Doyle

Much talk has been about the Bucs need at WR and RB, but there is another position that the Bucs could use more depth and upgrades and that is TE. Now Doug (Follow @Ren_Daxt) went into this a few weeks back and talked about specific TE options for the team(Click Here). One of the options was signing UFA Jack Doyle from the Colts, who had a breakout season last year and would instantly upgrade the position.

The Bucs like to run two tight end sets as it gives the offense more flexibility and makes it harder for the defense to predict run or pass. Many times last year, the Bucs had to bring in Luke Stocker or Brandon Myers and right away most defenses knew it was a run play due to both not being a threat as a receiver. Doyle at 6-6 267lbs provides size and decent speed to be threat in the redzone and a key piece in the run game.

If the Bucs could add Doyle, it would automatically improve their offense as they can run two tight end sets with Brate in the slot which is a mismatch. The Bucs could pair Luke Stocker and Doyle as their two main blocking tight ends which would allow the Bucs to be more versatile in the run game. Allowing Brate to operate more as pass option instead of having to block will be good for the Bucs offense as it will create more balance overall.

Now there are two issues for the Bucs that could stop them from going after Doyle in free agency. One would be cost as Doyle who is only 26 could have many suitors for his services which could jack up the cost. Two is that the TE position is very deep this year in the NFL draft and the team could get someone with a similar skill set to Doyle at a much lower cost. With that being said, adding a player like Doyle makes sense for the offense and would definitely improve the running game which is needed. I think the Bucs go with drafting a tight end, but if they do go the free agent route, Jack Doyle is definitely the guy to go after. Here is D'Qwell Jackson on teammate Jack Doyle per Colts.com.

“He does all the dirty work and comes to work with his hard hat on. He’s a guy you need on every team. You get a bunch of Jack Doyle’s on your team, you’re going to be successful. You know what you’re going to get every time he steps on the field.”

Upgrade Needed At The Tight End Position

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt 

     The beginning of the 2016 season was filled with question marks. Will Jameis Winston progress as an NFL quarterback? Can new coordinator Mike Smith make an impact on the defense? How big of role a will the draft picks play? Will the Bucs make the playoffs? I could go on, and on, and on. One question no one had was, what are the Buccaneers going to do at tight end? 

     The Bucs had youth, Cameron Brate, talent, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, experience, Brandon Myers, and leadership, Luke Stocker. If everything had gone as planned the Buccaneers would of been set at tight end for years to come.

     Fast forward to the present and tight end has gone from a position of strength to a position of need. Brate was a welcomed surprise. Racking up 57 catches for 660 yards and 8 touchdowns, but ASJ was just as big of a disappointment. Getting arrested for DUI two weeks into the season was the last straw for the Buccaneer front office and cut the troubled tight end before the home opener. Myers is now a free agent and I don't expect the Bucs to attempt to bring him back, and Stocker, primarily used as a blocker, is the only other of the four under contract.

     The Bucs run a ton of two tight end sets and adding a player(s) that can get open and block on the NFL level will be the off season goal for GM Jason Licht and his staff. The question is who, and where will they look for them?

What The Bucs Have: As of time of posting the Buccaneers have five tight ends on the roster. Three on the 53 man and two future contract players.

    Cameron Brate we all know about. Ivy league UDFA that made the team during the 2014 training camp and quickly built a chemistry with quarterback Jameis Winston while filling in for oft injured ASJ. The early season decision to cut bait with ASJ in 2016 landed Brate squarely in the starting role and he responded with a Pro Bowl type season. Cameron is part of the solution and I don't see any free agency targets that make sense that will oust him from his starting role. However there are two players in the draft, if the Bucs go tight end early, that could challenge Brate during training camp. 

     Luke Stocker is an excellent blocker and is used more as a fullback than a traditional tight end. Stocker contributes next to nothing in the passing game logging only 47 catches during his six years with the Bucs and struggles to get any separation in his routes. Licht has tried to replace Luke by drafting a true fullback, Joey Iosefa, in 2015 and a hybrid TE/FB, Danny Vitale in 2016. Neither one panned out and Luke has been able to keep his job. I expect Stocker to make the 53 man roster next year but to lose his starting job. The Buccaneers have already signed Quayvon Hicks, a fullback from Georgia, that blocked for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb in college and their is a free agent that I like that would make Luke Stocker obsolete. 

    
     Alan Cross proved to be a better blocker than 6th round draft pick Danny Vitale so he made the team. A UDFA out of Memphis was serviceable when he was in the game for the Bucs but isn't going to be drafted on anyone's fantasy team anytime soon. Cross should make the team in 2017 mostly because of low price tag.

     Future contract players Tevin Westbrook and Kivon Cartwright are both big, athletic, and raw. The Buccaneers like Westbrook whom they have kept on the practice squad for two years now. I think this is a make or break year for Tevin if he doesn't make the 53 man roster this year his days at One Buc maybe over. Cartwright a former Colorado State Ram will be hard pressed to stay with the organization. Westbrook already has two years in Koetter's offense and the 2017 draft is the deepest for tight ends anyone can remember. The deck is stacked against Kivon but Jason Licht did sign him for a reason.

Free Agents: Martellus Bennett is the clear number one tight end in free agency this off season but his age and price tag will probably be to high for the Buccaneers. I like a four year veteran whose path has mirrored the Bucs own Cameron Brate.

     Jack Doyle was UDFA out of the University of Western Kentucky that was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts after he was let go by the Titans. Playing mostly as a blocking tight end for his first three years. Doyle finally got his shot with the departure of Coby Fleener in 2016 and he responded with 59 catches for 584 yards and 5 touchdowns. Playing the run blocking tight end is key in Doyle's evaluation. Look at it this way. Jack Doyle played three years as Luke Stocker, then when given the chance he put up numbers comparable to Cameron Brate. He actually had more receptions and yards than the Colts number one tight end Dwayne Allen with just one less touchdown. Picking up a veteran run blocker that has shown the ability to get open in the red zone and is only 26. That's the type of player I would like to see the Buccaneers make a play for.

The 2017 NFL Draft: This years tight end pool might be the deepest ever. I've seen as many as twenty prospects receiving draftable grades, with three coming from the University of Oregon. I'm only going to write about a few here, the clear number one guy, a small school draft board riser and a late round project.

     O.J. Howard, University of Alabama: Solid, solid run blocker and most think underutilized as a pass catcher in the Crimson Tide's offense. Recently won the best player award at the Senior Bowl and will be the first tight end taken off the board. Projected to be drafted around where the Bucs pick at 19. With the draft being deep at other need positions for the Buccaneers will the lure of the best player on the board be to much for Jason Licht to pass up at 19?

     Gerald Everett, South Alabama: Starting his college career at UAB, then transferring to the Jaguars after Birmingham killed their football program. Everett is gaining buzz and climbing up big boards. Scouts believe that he can be a serious receiving threat in the NFL. I've even read that Everett won't last past the second round.

     Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas: Lost behind Hunter Henry last season, Sprinkle put up solid numbers in 2016 and is a an above average receiver and blocker. He could be around in the 6th or 7th round making him a value pick for Jason Licht.

What I Think Will Happen: Without Cameron Brate the Bucs tight end situation might be the worst in the league. Especially with players that can get down the seam for an explosive plays. Jason Licht will address it in free agency and the draft. Don't expect a top tier free agent because the Bucs already have a Pro Bowl caliber starter. The draft could go a number of ways. I wouldn't be surprised if Licht took Howard at 19 but what if WR Corey Davis is still available? Best guess, the Buccaneers will take a tight end by their third pick in this years draft.  

you can also follow us @realbucstalk   
Thank You for reading and as always Go Bucs!


       

     

   

Use What You Have!

So often during each week the media asks Coach Dirk Koetter whats going on with the offense and their usual go to assumption is that there isn't good enough personnel or people around Jameis to get the job done and Koetter always responds the same way as you can read below.

Love Koetters response to reporters about personnel "we can cry all we want about personnel but no one cares and everyone has issues"

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 13, 2016

He went further about personnel-"the guys that r out there playing are good enough to b here and it's our job to find a way to make it go"

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 13, 2016

Koetter above all knows what he has on his offense. Its a lot more than just superstar Mike Evans. There are plenty other options like Cam Brate who is always open in the middle of the field, Charles Sims in the flats, Adam Humphries with the WR screen. This offense has weapons they just have to used corrected and at the right times. Football has always been about X's and O's, you don't have to win by just being bigger, stronger, faster, but by being smarter.

Obviously we don't have the pure speed option but that doesn't mean we don't have guys who can do things with the ball in space like Sims and Huff. Which brings me to that point. Koetter and Winston need to find a way to get the ball in all of our playmakers hands as that will open everything up for Evans as well. The game of football is like the game of chess, its strategy and breaking the other team down based on weaknesses and we need to see this offense take control of the Cowboys 28th ranked offense against the pass today.

Bucs Offense Must Get Back to The Basics

The Bucs are winning again which is awesome as their defense has been terrific during this 5 game winning streak. However while that is great, the offense has been struggling to get any kind of consistency going especially in the redzone. They are 21st in scoring efficiency with a rate of 34% which is not very good and is something they must improve down the stretch if they want to play in January. This offense starts with the running game as it opens up the play action passing game which is what Jameis is best at. It's been a struggle all year for the run game as there have been injuries, inconsistent O-line play, along with opposing defenses forcing Jameis to beat them.

Personally I think it's time to get back to the basics as this offense needs to make everything simple and dont try to get too fancy. I think the Bucs need to get away from running out of the shotgun formation and purely run out of the I-form or singleback allowing Doug Martin and company to run downhill. Everytime the Bucs run out of the I-form or singleback up the middle usually good things happen. So if the Bucs start with that, it could help the offense more down the stretch also think the Bucs run better with the three wide formation as well.

As for the passing game, it's real simple in which Jameis needs to trust other guys besides Brate and Evans. Take what the defense is giving you and stay ahead of the chains. This past game Jameis had other guys open but instead got too locked on Evans or Brate and it ends up being a wasted play. With that being said they need to find a way to isolate Evans and Brate more in the redzone as the Bucs are leaving too many points on the field. Need to get back to more slants and drag routes over the middle to help open up space against the opposing defense. Jameis expects it to get better via buccaneers.com.

“No, we didn’t (perform well). We’re going to look back on this film and say, ‘A win is a win.’ Coach Koetter’s going to get after us. The coaches should get after us, because like Robert [Ayers[ said, ‘We’re terrible.’ We’ve got to continue every week to get better and better. The offense, we have to play better for us to win football games.’

Take Advantage of The Checkdown

The Chiefs defense is the ultimate bend but don't break unit as they find a way to either force a turnover or hold their opponents to three points. Their defense will give up the checkdowns as the 5 to 6 yard pass play is going to be there for opposing offenses. Jameis and the Bucs offense needs to take advantage of this in today's game. Jameis needs to look for Cam Brate, Doug Martin, and Cecil Shorts in the flats and in the middle of field as there will be opportunities there. Now again the Bucs are going to come out run heavy as they should as the Chiefs run d is less than stellar, but the short passing game is an extension of the run game.

Jameis did a great job of this against the Falcons in week one as he hit the checkdowns early and often in the first half. By doing this it opened up the deep passing game in which helped the Bucs win in week 1. The offense should be able to do the same today as it will be there and then later in the game the deep passing game should open up. The Bucs need Jameis to bring his A game against the Chiefs as they have plenty of playmakers on defense and it's important that Jameis is accurate and smart today. Look for the checkdowns today which should help the Bucs to keep the chains moving.

Cam Brate Continues to Grow as a Player

Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate has come a long way since last year after he was initally let go by the team and was brought back the week after. Since returning he has quietly become one of the better players on this team and a reliable target for Jameis Winston. Brate at 6'5 236lbs, he has the size and speed to be a mismatch at all times against opposing defenses and usually has a knack for getting key first downs. Brate was undrafted out of Harvard, and really has grown his overall game as he is a much better all around player than he was at this time last season. Brate has 35 receptions for 375 yards and a league leading 5 touchdowns and is coming off a great game against the Bears. Qb Jameis Winston talked today about Brate and how he is working hard to be one of the best tight ends in the game via buccaneers.com.

“That core thing, hard work pays off – I keep going back to that because Cam Brate is the epitome of that. He comes in every single day working hard. After practice, he’s always staying out there to get some balls. When you work that hard, only something good can happen.”

Brate is well respected in the locker room and is quickly becoming one of the leaders of this football team. Hopefully the Bucs can find him more on offense as he is a matchup nightmare and will only continue to get better. Against the Chiefs this week, Brate is going to have to be at his best as he should be able to get some favorable matchups which should make Winston look his way more this Sunday. Hopefully we see Brate in the endzone again this weekend as he continues to get better with every game.

Winston won time again and delivers again. Cam Brate really is a huge target and needs to see more attention https://t.co/XKeFPoc4b2

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 15, 2016

Bucs Finally Win at Ray-Jay!

This must be a joke or something but did the Bucs actually win an home game yesterday against the Chicago Bears? The answer is yes, the Bucs got an much needed victory at Ray-Jay defeating the Bears by the score of 36-10. The defense came to play as they played an more aggressive style which caused trouble for the Bears offense throughout the game. The Bucs defense forced 4 turnovers including a pick 6 by S Chris Conte which got the Bucs ahead early and they didn't look back from there.

The front seven was doing a good job with their pressures causing Bears Qb Jay Cutler to hurried his throws which lead to 2 interceptions and an redzone fumble. Bucs rookie DE Noah Spence was probably the best player on the defense yesterday as he was consistently getting into the backfield and had an huge strip sack to start the second quarter. It was great pursuit by Spence as he came all the way around from the other side of the field and got Cutler from behind. Here is the play below via @DLineVids.

#Buckeyes/#Colonels alum Noah Spence of the #Bucs @nspence94 doesn't quit pursuing QB. Ends up with a sack/fumble💰 pic.twitter.com/WWWHdgVYXr

— DLineVids (@DLineVids) November 13, 2016

The Defense wasn't perfect as they did allow some yards in the run game and the only Bears touchdown was on a hail mary at the end of the first half which just can't happen. Overall it was good day for the defense as they had 4 takeaways, 4 sacks and only allowed 10 points. However, here is the best stat via Scott Smith of Fox.

#Bucs held the #Bears to 68 yards in the 2nd half... and 56 of that came on Chicago's final garbage time possession... so... really... 12yds

— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithTV) November 13, 2016

That is good to see and hopefully the defense can stay healthy the rest of the season and build on this performance and continue to improve. Now to the offense which had a very slow start to this game as they couldn't get anything going in the first quarter. The offensive line was struggling as there were two rookies playing due to injuries and both tackles were struggling to block their man. The Bears defense did a good job of taking the run game away and keeping Mike Evans in check.

The good news for the Bucs offense was that Jameis Winston played outstanding as he spread the ball around to 9 different players going 23-33 for 312 yards and 2 tds. With Evans being heavily guarded, Winston targeted TE Cameron Brate who had a big day with 7 receptions for 84 yards and 1 td. The offense controlled the clock and found ways to move the chains and pulled away in the second half. Running Back Doug Martin made his return and found the endzone which was good to see. Martin's presence is huge for this offense and hopefully he can get on a roll here to finish the season strong. It was a much needed win for this team and now are 4-5 as they now go back on the road to take on the 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs.

Bucs Mistakes Cost Them Again

Another loss for the Bucs as they lose at home vs the mighty Rams 37-32 in which the Bucs had an ten point lead at one time. Again it was penalties, turnovers, missed kicks, and defensive breakdowns that gave this game to the Rams. The Bucs needed to have this game as the road ahead will be very tough. Watching the offense I was impressed as they showed a lot of great things and from a gameplan perspective it was near perfection. The offense did have two costly turnovers as both led to touchdowns which is something that must be fixed going forward if the Bucs want to win more than they lose.

Charles Sims, Adam Humphries, and Cameron Brate really stood out in this game as they made explosive plays and had three touchdowns between Sims and Brate. The Bucs spread out the Rams defense and took advantage as they mixed up their route tree very well with comeback, out, and slants. The offensive line was pretty solid and to only allow two sacks against that front four is quite accomplishment. Along with the turnovers, the other thing that was a negative was our two point conversion plays which I thought could have been better like throwing a fade jump ball to Evans.

Now on to what cost the Bucs this game, as defense and special teams were just not good enough and the Rams benefited. On the positive note, the defense did force two turnovers and scored on a pick 6. However, there were too many negatives as the defense was just too inconsistent throughout the game. Defensive breakdowns has killed this team so far as they have been allowing too many explosive plays. Two passing touchdowns of 30 yards plus by Case Keenum to Brian Quick and Tavon Austin just shouldn't happen. The defensive coaching staff and players need to do a better job of finding what works and sticking with it. If this defense is going to improve, the pass rush has to show up and right now it is just not there.

Lastly, Roberto Aguayo has to make kicks, it's his only job and for some reason he didn't have the confidence that he usually displays. Winning in the NFL is tough and is even tougher when your kicker misses an extra point and a chip shot field goal. Overall, this team is showing positives but still has a long way to go to become a playoff contender any time soon.

Brate and ASJ Should Be Main Targets vs Rams

One part of the Bucs offense that has been disappointing is the lack of targets and use of the tight ends. The Bucs have a more than capable tight end group with guys that can create mismatches and win with their size and ability. This week against the Rams the Bucs need to get back to involving their tight ends more in the passing game and use it to their advantage. With Cameron Brate and Austin Seferian Jenkins, the Bucs should use them down the seam and over the middle against the Rams Lb's and smaller Db's as their should be openings. Just look at this look that the Seahawks had against the Rams D, Luke Wilson was wide open but Russell Wilson missed him via Chris F. of Bucsbrief.com.

Then you're left with an uncovered Luke Wilson, probably wishing his name was Owen. pic.twitter.com/x0c5yK9vBs

— Chris F. (@BBPChris) September 21, 2016

Have to expect the Bucs to attack this if they get these kind of coverages as the Bucs have the speed and size with their tight ends to make the Rams pay if executed properly. Get the ball to ASJ and Brate early and often and get Jameis off to a fast start. Be smart and attack the Rams weakness and just keep attacking it. Run two tight end sets with Brate and ASJ and just have them run crossing routes and seam routes until the Rams can stop it because it should be open.

Tight Ends Could Have a Big Day

The Falcons are starting two rookie linebackers tomorrow in Deion Jones and Devondre Campbell who are talented but are still rookies. The Bucs have two good tight ends in Cameron Brate and Austin Seferian Jenkins who should be a big part of the gameplan tomorrow afternoon. The Bucs can use them off play action with seam routes and stick routes which can be very effective against the middle of the opposing defense. Expect the Bucs to go right at the Falcons linebackers and make them have to play the run and the pass.

The Bucs will probably use their two tight end sets often to set up different things whether it's via the run or pass. Balance will be the key for the offense, but I can see the tight ends being targeted early and often. Jameis and Cam Brate have good chemistry and I expect those two to make some big plays together. When ASJ is on his game, he can be a force on the field and I expect we see him and Brate on the field together often. So keep an eye on this for tomorrow and expect the tight ends to get multiple looks in the passing game.

Jason Licht Finds Hidden Talent

Jason Licht has done a great job with his drafts so far in his 2 and half years with the team. His three drafts all look very promising starting with Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Vernon Hargreaves, Noah Spence, and much more. Licht is a big believer in building your team through the draft and he has done that so far. More importantly he has built a foundation in which the team can continue to add pieces to it making this team a deeper one.

Having depth is key in the NFL and this team is heading in the right direction as they are starting to build depth on both sides of the ball. Jason Licht not only puts together strong draft classes but it's the hidden talent he finds from undrafted players or other players that teams give up on too early. Here are 5 players whom Licht has found over the last 2 and half years, some important pieces for this team.

TE-Cam Brate
WR-Adam Humphries
DE-Howard Jones
DE-Jacquies Smith
CB-Jude Adjei-Barimah

That's a pretty good group right there and most would say that's better than some draft classes that certain teams put out there. The Bucs have kept four undrafted guys for this year's team which is DE Channing Ward. DT Devonte Lambert, OT Leonard Wester and FB/TE Alan Cross. Perhaps one of these 4 are the next hidden gem for the Bucs and Jason Licht because he just continues to find hidden talent every year.

Why 5 Tight Ends?

So if the roster stays as is the bucs will be going into Atlanta with 5 tight ends on the roster. Those 5 are Cameron Brate, ASJ, Luke Stocker, Brandon Myers and Alan Cross.

Not many teams hold more than 3 tight ends as there are many more skilled positions that require depth. The bucs are mainly holding that many due to the lack of a true fullback as both Stocker and Cross can play fullback.

They also are holding so many because the bucs used 2 tight end sets frequently last year and it worked well for them. Most of the time they would run out of the formation due to having an extra blocker but this year they may incorporate many more passing plays in it as now both Brate and ASJ are healthy.

So really if you look at it a different way the bucs have 3 true TEs in Brate, ASJ, and Myers as well as 2 hybrid blocking TE/FBs in Stocker and Cross. Koetter has frequently used the term being "multiple" and it seems as if they will be using multiple personnel this year at the TE and FB positions. 

Best Players Will Play

So far in camp this Bucs coaching staff has been a fresh breath of air as they are making players compete for their jobs and earn playing time. Coach Dirk Koetter has said all off-season that he wants competitors on his team and right now good competition is occurring. The best players will play and usually with good competition, the cream rises to the top something that should be very beneficial for this team. Koetter recently announced that Cam Brate is the starting tight end ahead of Austin Sefferian Jenkins and he didn't see what the big deal was when asked about it today after practice.

"It must be to you guys, because you keep talking about it a lot. I don't see what the big deal is. Every team I've always been on, the best players played," Koetter said.

This is the right approach by Koetter as best players should be on the field at all times and he elaborated on what Jenkins needs to do to get on the field.

"Right now, Cam's playing better than Austin. End of story, as far as I'm concerned. What does Austin have to do? Play better. And wouldn't you want that at every position to elevate the whole team? That's what competition does. Where a guy's picked, how much money a guy was making -- I could care less about that."

This is the mindset this team needs to have as it is a winning mindset in which best players will play and starting jobs just won't be given out due to draft status or contract. So the message is real simple from Koetter either compete and earn playing time or go find another career.

Most Consistent

Dirk Koetter was asked today who he thought was playing the most consistent in these first 5 days of camp and of course he gave the big names like McCoy and Lavonte David but he also gave some names that you wouldn't have thought.

Alterraun Verner and Brent Grimes at corner, Chris Conte at Safety. On the offensive side of the ball Demar Dotson, Right Tackle, off to a fast start. Cameron Brate, Tight end, fast start. Doug Martin and Charles Sims, fast starts.

Its great to hear him name drop players like Verner who had an off year last year and Dotson who is coming off of an injured season. Its also good to see Cameron Brate's name in there, showing that he has improved and is showing that on the practice field. Its still really early in camp but getting the attention of the head coach is a good sign. Time to keep improving and getting better day by day.

Expect to See More Three Tight End Sets

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter is an innovative offensive mind, allowing him to take advantages of mismatches. The Bucs displayed multiple formations on offense last season and one of the more successful ones was the three tight end sets which feature one Wr and one Rb along with three tight ends. This allowed the Bucs to attack certain matchups against the opposing defenses and created unpredictability on offense. It did two things as it gave the Bucs numbers in the run game and if they wanted to pass out of it, it provided max protection or mismatches in the passing game with the versatility of the Bucs tight ends. Here is just one example in how it allows Doug Martin to get one on one matchups in the running game which he will win most of the time.

The Bucs lined up in a three tight end bunch formation with Evans the lone receiver on the top of the screen with Martin as the single back. This is well designed play as the tight ends and the line downblocks allowing Martin to go against the strong side corner one on one, and Martin easily blows by him and its solid gain of 15 yards. Expect to see more of this in 2016 with a mix of run and pass taking advantage of the Bucs deep tight end group. With ASJ, Brate, Stocker, and rookie Dan Vitale the Bucs have guys capable to take advantage of the matchups that they will get in these formations. Balance will be the focal point again for the offense in 2016, and this formation is one that we could see quite often as it can be very effective.

He Can't be Stopped in the Redzone

Even though the Bucs offense had one of their best years statistically, they could still have been way better in the red zone last season. One way to improve red zone efficiency is having reliable targets and the Bucs have one in tight end Cameron Brate. Brate was one of the nice surprises last season and so far this off-season, he just continues to do the right things especially when it comes to catching touchdowns in the red area. Coach Koetter is happy to have Brate on his side and talked about how Cam finds open spots in the red zone via NFL.Com and Tampa Bay Times.

"Cam has got an uncanny ability to show up in the red zone and we saw that again today,'' coach Dirk Koetter said Thursday during the team's final day of minicamp

Brate is on track to get more playing time in 2016 and should be a favorite target for Jameis to throw to. Brate is a grinder type player which makes coaches love him and it wouldn't surprise me if Brate starts the season as the starting tight end. ASJ has all the talent in the world but if he can't get the right mindset then he could easily be unseated by the man from Harvard. Bucs need to be better in the red zone, and Brate will be one of the solutions for 2016.

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.

Breakout Player for 2016?

Buccaneers Gm Jason Licht has done a great job of finding talent from the undrafted pool or through waivers. For instance, Jacquies Smith, Howard Jones, Jude Adjei-Barimah, and Cameron Brate just to name a few. Licht speaking with NFL.com writer Marc Sessler today, feels that Brate could be the breakout player for the Bucs in 2016.

Asked Licht if the Buccaneers had one player he saw as a potential breakout guy for 2016.

He went with third-year TE Cameron Brate.

— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) March 21, 2016

Realbucstalk agrees as we feel Brate has upside and can grow into a very good balanced tight end. He brings size, good hands, underrated speed, and is a decent blocker. If ASJ can stay on the field to go along with Brate, the Bucs could have something similar to what the Patriots had 2010 with Gronkowski and Hernandez. Having Brate become a breakout player in 2016 would be a big boost to an offense that will be pretty potent already.

Possible Two Headed Monster?

The often injured yet highly talented Austin Seferian-Jenkins getting sidelined in week 2 of the season may have been a blessing in disguise. Why, because the bucs reacquired tight end Cameron Brate from the Saints practice squad. Brate who stands 6'5 and weighs 245 is one large target and his alma mater is Harvard. So he's one big smart man. He was praised early in the season for his work ethic and keeping his nose in the playbook.

“Cam is a very bright guy,’’ Winston said. “He’s a hard worker. Cam, he gets here close to the time the quarterbacks get here. He’s always working, getting his body right. He’s definitely cherishing and definitely taking adantage of this opportunity he has"

Although having a big brain is good, that doesn't always translate into performing on the playing field. But hey, it doesn't hurt one bit. He was one of a hand full of players that were able to grasp new offensive coordinator and now head coach Dirk Koetters offensive playbook. He accredited it to his fine education at Harvard.

“The biggest thing I learned at Harvard was definitely time management,” said Brate, who grew up a Bears fan in Naperville, Illinois. “I learned how to balance football and academics. Now, I can devote myself 100 percent to football.’’

 Time management in the NFL is exactly what you need to keep yourself out of trouble (Johnny Football?) and to learn the ins and outs of the playbook to better perform on the field. Cameron Brate has the right head on his shoulders and now needs to work on his craft. Dirk Koetter had a few nice words about Cam himself.

He’s definitely developing,’’ Koetter said. “Cam is a guy that we almost let slip away there. We really saw the potential in Cam. He can run a little bit, he has good ball skills, he’s getting confidence in himself and he’s improving every week, which is all you can ask from any player.’

Brate ended his season with 23 catches 288 yards and 3 touchdowns, not big numbers but showed flashes of what he could become. If Seferian Jenkins can stay healthy and Brate can continue to develop and put on weight, the buccaneers could be looking at a two headed monster at TE. Thats a huge "IF" but looking at the mismatches those two could produce are mouth watering for a play caller and I bet Koetter himself is smiling thinking of ways to utilize them. Time will tell.