Down 33 pounds from last season and adopting new mindset, Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is starting over.
"Obviously this is going to be my fourth year," Seferian-Jenkins said. "I kind of forget about the past, but remember the lessons. I get my ankles taped where the rookies get taped and I get eye black where the rookies get eye black. I'm treating this like my rookie year. It's a new me and I've rededicated myself. I'm pushing myself as hard as I can and I'm trying to get the most out of me and my teammates. I just want to make other people around me."
The Jets acquired the 6'5", 262-pounder last September on waivers from Tampa Bay, but he battled injury and only appeared in seven games (two starts). The Washington product said he likes new coordinator John Morton's offense, which is expected to utilize a pass catching TE more than previous years.
Seferian-Jenkins was impressive in the spring as he moved very well, something he's carried to the first two practices of training camp. He said his goal for camp and the season is to make big plays once the ball is in his hands.
"It's a lot easier running around being lighter," he said. "More than just losing the weight, it's the mindset of how I'm going to attack the day and practice. It's definitely going to be hard and you're going to struggle through it, but you have to push through it when it gets really hard so you can get better.
"That's the only way you can truly get better —when you're tired, it's hot, it's the last period and you have to make a play," he added. "You have to focus on the kill. There's always room to improve, but I feel good."
Seferian-Jenkins' new physique and outlook have caught the eye of head coach Todd Bowles.
"He lost a lot of weight," Bowles said. "He reshaped his body, he's dedicated… He made the dedication to himself, so that's a credit to him. He's come in lighter, he's quicker, he's leaner and he's moving a lot better."
