Dirk Koetter is a nice guy but in so many he words he pretty much said, “Stop talking trash about ASJ.”
Of course, he wouldn’t ever say it like that, but he does stand by his tight end 100%. Last year ASJ missed some time with a serious shoulder injury and the year prior to that he was missed seven games due to a knee injury. The fans on and off social media went crazy saying he was soft, injury prone, and lazy, and can’t catch or block. According to Dirk Koetter, those insults are unwarranted, and not true at all.
Last year ASJ missed some time with a serious shoulder injury and the year prior to that he was missed seven games due to a knee injury. The fans on and off social media went crazy saying he was soft, injury prone, and lazy, and can’t catch or block. According to Dirk Koetter, those insults are unwarranted, and not true at all.
However, Koetter agrees his inability to stay healthy is a cause for concern, he will not say he is injury prone. “It was actually one of those weird injuries, but it was a legitimate injury and it took a long time to heal, and believe me, he tried to come back and play with it multiple times. But when you watch a player on film you can tell when he’s not naturally right because his body will naturally try to protect the injury and with Austin, he could not hit or be hit on that shoulder.”
HC Koetter still seems a little unsure of what he has with the tight end, but knows the talent is definitely there. “He’s been in the league two years and he just hasn’t been healthy, but his talent flashes every time he’s on the field. I mean, this guy has got huge ability. A coach once told me a long time ago that the best ability is availability. So until we can get a look at him consistently. I mean, all we’ve seen is those flashes. When Austin was drafted a couple years ago, it was because he was one of those guys who could do it all. So that thought that he can’t block, I’m telling you it’s just not true. Austin is that guy who can play like a wide receiver or block like a legit tight end. He hasn’t been on the field enough to prove it, but the signs are there – as both a run-blocker and a pass-blocker.”
If you recall the first game of the 2015 regular season, ASJ caught those two touchdowns and racked up 110 yards receiving, in what was otherwise a disappointing game. Those are the flashes the head coach was speaking about. As to him being injury prone Koetter believes he’s just unlucky.
