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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to do anything and everything in order to get rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins heavily involved in their offense in 2014. There were many in NFL circles who believed he would be a plug-and-play rookie and would log big stats right away. However, that wasn’t even close to the truth, as he missed seven games to back and ankle injuries. In the nine games ASJ was active, he only made 21 catches on 38 targets for 221 yards and two TDs.
His sophomore campaign in 2015, however, is expected to be the polar opposite — even by the Buccaneers themselves. They apparently believe he’ll be good for at least 60 catches this coming season.
Bucs think Seferian-Jenkins can get 60+ grabs http://t.co/T8H0WElEjn
— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) April 2, 2015
Seferian-Jenkins wasn’t the only newcomer the Buccaneers were looking to get acclimated into their system in 2014, which was part of the problem. Wideout Mike Evans had a stellar rookie campaign, but even Evans didn’t get involved on an overly consistent basis until the second half of the season.
At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Seferian-Jenkins has the size to be an incredibly difficult presence over the middle for opposing defensive coordinators to gameplan for. That’s especially true with the aforementioned Evans, and veteran Vincent Jackson, stretching the field and creating deep downfield mismatches.
The wildcard of Seferian-Jenkins’ sophomore campaign will be how he builds a rapport with whomever the Buccaneers’ quarterback is in 2015. Mike Glennon isn’t an overwhelming passer, but he can move the ball around and would undoubtedly get ASJ involved. However, if Tampa Bay indeed drafts Florida State‘s Jameis Winston as pretty much everyone not living under a rock expects, Seferian-Jenkins might not make an immediate impact, as the two have never spent any time on the field together. Thus, Winston will need to get used to having Seferian-Jenkins in that role as his security blanket.
Either way, this 60 catch goal that Tampa Bay is shooting for is not far-fetched whatsoever. Seferian-Jenkins has the talent, knowledge, skills and ability to do so; now it just needs to come to fruition.
Timothy Downs is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him on Twitter @Tidow1212
