Late in OTAs, Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter complimented tight end Cameron Brate for having “an uncanny ability to show up in the red zone.”
It seems Koetter and the Bucs like Brate’s ability to show up across the rest of the field as well. Koetter said Wednesday that it isn’t “any big secret” that Brate, who had 23 catches in 14 games, is currently No. 1 on the team’s depth chart.
Koetter explained the placement simply -- “the guys that are playing the best are going to play” -- and also addressed Austin Seferian-Jenkins’ spot on the team. Koetter kicked Seferian-Jenkins out of a practice this spring for not knowing what he was doing and says that the 2014 second-round pick has to play better to get more opportunities.
Seferian-Jenkins said it’s a good thing for the team if Brate does well and added that he’s not concerned about a lack of playing time once the season gets underway.
“I’m doing everything I like. I’m not perfect,” Seferian-Jenkins said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “I fail every once in a while, but failing is your first attempt at learning. I’m not worried about it. It’s what, the seventh day of training camp? I’m not worried. .., I’m going to get my opportunities. I know what I am. I’m a great player. I’m not worried about it.”
In addition to playing better, Seferian-Jenkins will need to be healthier to make himself a fixture in Tampa’s lineup. He’s missed half the games since joining the Bucs and any further medical issues will only serve to make it harder for him to close the gap.