TAMPA, Fla. -- Cameron Brate describes his unlikely journey from undrafted college free agent to starting NFL tight end as pretty crazy. Now, the former Harvard standout is hoping to prove the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a smart choice.The third-year pro, released late last summer only to rejoin the Bucs after a brief stay with the New Orleans Saints, played his way into the teams long-term plans while filling in a portion of the 2105 season for an injured Austin Seferian-Jenkins, whos been unable to hold on to the No. 1 job in training camp.Seferian-Jenkins was a second-round draft pick two years ago. Hes shown flashes of being a potential star, but also has struggled to stay healthy while appearing in just 16 games since entering the league.Two years ago, I was kind of an afterthought, said Brate, who spent most of his rookie season on Tampa Bays practice squad, eventually winding up on the active roster for the final four games and catching one pass for 17 yards.My rookie year I didnt get too many reps in practice and was just hoping to catch on any way I could. ... Then last year, I was kind of at the bottom of the depth chart again, he added. It was a major bummer to get cut, but it ended up working out for me. ... Its pretty cool looking back, just kind of how far Ive come.Brate, 25, spent the opening week of last season on Tampa Bays practice squad. He smiles recalling what happened next during a whirlwind seven days that saw the young tight end get released, sign with New Orleans practice squad, stand on the sideline and watch the Bucs beat his new team on Sunday, and -- finally -- wind up back in Tampa Bay when his old team signed him to the active roster from the Saints practice squad.Brate went on to appear in 14 games, starting four and finishing with 23 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Seferian-Jenkins had 21 receptions for 338 yards and four TDs in seven games.I was holding my breath when we lost him to the Saints. .. I thought they were getting a really good guy, and it just worked out that we had a chance to get him back, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, the teams offensive coordinator a year ago, said.Hes 65, he can run, hes smart, hes coachable, hes consistent, (and) he knows where to be and when to be there, Koetter added. Thats important. Guys that dont make mistakes. And then when you get a chance to make plays, youve got to make them, and he does.Meanwhile, Seferian-Jenkins said hes focused on working hard and contributing any way he can -- not the depth chart.It is what it should be right now. ... Im just thankful to be out here playing football and doing what I love, Seferian-Jenkins said. Im going to enjoy it and Im going to seize every opportunity that I get because thats the most important thing.Brate, meanwhile, knows hes far from a finished product.While excited about what he accomplished last year and the prospect for continued growth with Jameis Winston coming off throwing for more than 4,000 yards as a rookie, Brate also wants to improve his blocking in hopes of becoming a more complete player.`A big thing I think was confidence for me, said Brate, who had 18 career TD receptions at Harvard. Coming from a smaller school, not really playing too much my rookie year, just kind of believing in myself that I belonged in the league.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Blake Bortles Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Malik Jackson Jersey .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. http://www.cheapjaguarsjerseysonline.com/?tag=marcell-dareus-jersey-online . PETERSBURG, Fla. Corey Grant Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Tyler Shatley Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Former UFC champion Lyoto Machida has accepted an 18-month suspension for his declared use of a banned substance in April.The 18-month suspension is dated retroactively to the fighters disclosure. He will be eligible to compete again on Oct. 9, 2017.Machida (22-7) had been scheduled to face Dan Henderson on April 16 in Tampa but was pulled from the event days beforehand for a potential anti-doping violation.It was later revealed that Machida disclosed his use of a banned substance to the United States Anti-Doping Agency during an out-of-competition test. Machida told USADA at the time that he was unaware the substance wwas banned.ddddddddddddIn a statement on Wednesday, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed the substance as 7-keto-DHEA. The out-of-competition sample that Machida provided in April also showed the presence of the banned substance.Machida faced a maximum penalty of a two-year suspension, but he received a reduced sanction because of the circumstances of his violation.A former light heavyweight champion now fighting at middleweight, Machida, 38, has not fought since June 2015. Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Baseball Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys China Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap Custom Jerseys China Cheap Basketball Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys China Cheap College Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys ' ' '