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SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber is at the NFLPA rookie premiere, and managed to get a chance to talk to new Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. It looks like the Buccaneers are going to be very creative with Seferian-Jenkins, who told Van Bibber that he'd be lining up all over the field.
ASJ tells us the Bucs have been lining up all over the field so far, including out wide
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) May 30, 2014
No real surprise there, but it's good to see that confirmed. Tight ends that can line up all over the formation and be effective at every position are rare, but incredibly potent for an offense that's looking to create mismatches.
This will allow the Bucs to exploit however the defense reacts to Seferian-Jenkins: if they bring on a defensive back to cover him, they can line him up in-line and get an advantage in the blocking game. If they keep a linebacker on the field, they can line him up outside and either force that linebacker out of position, or have him go up against a receiver elsewhere.
ASJ says he's most comfortable lining up at WR. Favorite route: the go route
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) May 30, 2014
Everybody loves go routes, but that's something we haven't much talked about. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is really valuable because he can both block and be a threat as a pass-catcher, but that doesn't mean the pass-catching is going to be second-rate. He's a ridiculous athlete, extremely fast for his size (mid-4.5s 40-yard dash, hello) and that combination makes him a mismatch for both cornerbacks and linebackers.
Also, there's this.
ASJ didn't know much about Tampa, except they have the Bucs "and a cannon"
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) May 30, 2014
Want to know why I became a Bucs fan? Because of those cannons. Seriously, you find me another stadium anywhere in the world that has a freaking pirate ship with cannons. Crown jewel of the NFL my butt, it's the most badass stadium in the world.