“Trying To Get Him To Open Up”
June 17th, 2015
The pride of Hobart College, Ali Marpet, hugs Jameis Winston.
The men targeted to become saviors of the Buccaneers’ offensive line, rookie second-round picks Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith, are roommates at the Bucs’ team hotel.
Joe talked to Smith about that relationship this afternoon.
Per Lavonte David, Smith and Marpet have been very quiet and keeping coaches from screaming. So Joe found it interesting that Smith said he’s “trying too get [Marpet] to open up.”
So a quiet guy thinks another quiet guy should adjust his personality? Perhaps that telling. Joe sure hopes Marpet isn’t feeling overwhelmed while transitioning from mighty Division III Hobart College to the NFL.
It could just be that the cerebral Marpet is one of those guys who will be there to rip someone’s head off when hitting is finally allowed on Day 3 of training camp.
Today, Lovie Smith made it clear that the left tackle position (Donovan Smith) and right guard (Marpet) are very much up for grabs. But Joe wouldn’t bet against the rookies.
Ready or not, it would be a freakin’ stunner if those guys aren’t running with the first team when the preseason kicks off in Minnesota in eight short weeks.
June 17th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Dini is about to tear these guys up! 😀
June 17th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
“eight short weeks.”
I swear you type stuff like this up just to get ME excited and riled up. The hell with everyone else.
8 weeks to go til preseason!
June 17th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Well said Buc1987^^^.
June 17th, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Joe
How is Allen (G) looking out there? I totally forgot about this guy but if memory serves me correctly he played some RG last year and didn’t completely suck. What say you?
June 17th, 2015 at 6:10 pm
OneLove Says:
June 17th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Dini is about to tear these guys up!
——-
Gerald has elite “get off” and is an awesome player. Give me 10 sacks, and “raise the level of everyone around you” (-Bryan Cox), before your crowned a superstar.
Come on Bucs!
I am personally looking forward to this year’s team. So many unknowns. I just hope that Lovie can match Schiano’s two year win total, or else the “Fire HC of the Bucs” billboards will be coming back out?!
I hope GMC brings some attitude with him this year! I hope he’s knocking the sh!t out of people, and than picking th up after the play. All the friendly and respectful stuff is cool, but give me a deranged beast with a hunger for QB meat between the whistles.
If we suck, then we better at least be tough.
June 17th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Lovie made it ckear the LT and RG positions are up for grabs? It is time Lovie has the projected starters play with the first team so the first team can work together as all first teams do. The OL needs to build chemistry and work on blocking schemes together as a unit. I am tired of NFL.com and others saying MG8 could be the starter and so on. Donovan Smith is a better tackle than Kevin Pamphile and Ali Marpet is a better guard than Garrett Gilkmeister all day long. Jameis Winston is the starter as Lovie recently stated. Then keep him on the first team Lovie. There is no room for bad decesions this year and the new offense with a new OC, a new QB and two new OL need all the time they can get to play together.
June 17th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
You just can’t skip any opportunity to question this guy can you? We get it, you don’t think much of Div3 prospects. I can only hope that all your hand wringing is good bulletin board material for Marpet this year, bc I’m sure sick and tired of hearing about his adjustment.
June 17th, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Actually….it would please me if Pamphile & Edwards are able to start….not because the two rookies are underperforming…but because the second-year players have developed.
You can look at some of these situations in different ways….imagine if Jenkins were actually good enough to beat out Banks?…..probably won’t happen…but that wouldn’t be all bad…..the same can be said for Sims/Martin & Bell vs Murphy.
It would indicate that we have considerable depth.
June 17th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Joe, can you ask the applicable players (George Johnson and Tim Wright come to mind) how practicing in the heat a few years ago in Tampa effected their play throughout the season versus practicing in Detroit/New England and how that effected their play? And what their thoughts on having an indoor practice facility would help?
I have always thought there was absolutely NO advantage for the Bucs during games. Look at our record.
June 17th, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Marpet will be just fine. The guy drove up draft boards and it wasn’t just with the Bucs. He puts in the hard work and dedication and it showed at the senior bowl and combine. Sure he is learning a new position, but he said it himself, he has already played a little at this position. He looks the part. He has the size, strength, and looks in shape. He’s got a good teacher, and I’m not talking about Warhop…I’m talking about Mankins. Hopefully Ali and D. Smith will grow together. Also include K.Pamphile and K. Edwards.
June 18th, 2015 at 12:24 am
While I’m as excited as the next fan about the “beauty contest that is mini-camp. Lovie, the HC and team guru has said to anyone paying attention:
We’ll see how they look when the pads go on”. These guys are trying to earn a spot on an “NFL” team. The NFL plays in pads and will beat you into the dirt if you let them. So, while it’s nice to see who can run fast and catch and throw, it’s more important to see who can do what during Showtime.
June 18th, 2015 at 12:51 am
time to take a look at the newly-unretired john moffitt. marpet might be the man someday soon, but the bucs would be foolish to bet on him being the man day 1 without some contingency plans
June 18th, 2015 at 7:20 am
didn’t that dude retire due to drug issues lol i’d hope for marpet to beat out anyone especially if he’a a mauler type of guard