A Confident Ali Marpet Emerges
August 10th, 2015
As a general manager with a shaky offensive line, it takes strong manhood to draft a Division III offensive lineman in the second round, and then try and convert the guy from left tackle to right guard with a goal of starting as a rookie.
But Bucs GM Jason Licht didn’t hesitate in May, and now Marpet Madness is sweeping One Buc Palace and JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
Marpet, the pride of Hobart College, finally got first team work in training camp late last week and the results were impressive. He didn’t get pushed around and even scored gloating time in the film room for treating Gerald McCoy like a ragdoll a couple of times.
Then, during an exclusive interview with Joe on WDAE-AM 620 on Saturday, Licht said the Marpet experience “gets my blood flowin’ here pretty good” and Licht explained that Marpet’s power and athleticism is making McCoy a better player. Those were some big works.
At practice yesterday, Marpet again looked solid and even showed his blooming confidence by doing a little jawing with Danny Lansanah.
Just the thought of the Bucs drafting a foundation-piece lineman has Joe in tears of joy.
Measuring 6-4, 307 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, the rather fit (for a lineman) Marpet thought he might have to add weight in the NFL. But that’s not the case, so he told Joe yesterday.
“Right now weight hasn’t been an issue. I mean if I was getting bowled and blown back because I was too small, then I would have to put on some weight,” Marpet said. “As of now, it hasn’t been an issue. It’s awesome to know that I have the physical tools out here to be very successful. There’s a lot of things I need to clean up, but I definitely have one or two tools that are going to, you know, let me have a very long career, hopefully.”
When Joe asked Marpet about the reaction in the offensive line room while viewing him pushing around McCoy and hanging in strong against the Bucs first-team defense, Marpet’s humble words didn’t match the giant grin that appeared on his face.
“On my best block, there are always things to clean up. It’s amazing how detailed everything is at this level. I’m learning so much,” Marpet said.
August 10th, 2015 at 10:08 am
Stone walled every thing at the senior bowl. Didn’t allow a single pressure all week. I care less about the size of the school,if you got game you got game. Marpet has star written all over him because after Famous he’s gonna be the biggest Bucc story all season.
August 10th, 2015 at 10:08 am
Wow, the pick of Marpet is looking like a coup. Talk about a likely feather in the cap of Bucs drafting prowess. Marpet raises the level of satisfaction of Buc fans near and far.
August 10th, 2015 at 10:09 am
Haven’t said this in many years, but I can’t wait for the first preseason game. Dying to see what our offense in particular can do against another defense.
August 10th, 2015 at 10:24 am
@Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun….both he and smith were standouts in the senior bowl i thought…why i was cheering the drafting of these guys…it’s early, but if these 2 can hold up as rookies and Americas QB comes through “A Bucs Life” will be so much better!
August 10th, 2015 at 10:38 am
Vikings D looked good against the Steelers, so that will be a really good test for the O line! Only 5 more days!
August 10th, 2015 at 10:40 am
There’s no middle ground on this pick. It’s either going to be a success or an abject failure. This is the kind of pick that defines a GM for eternity. You’re either the genius who saw something in a DIII player or the moron who thought a DIII could hack it in the NFL.
Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing “The Marpet Show.”
((That’s my term, I invented it because I’m a creative genius… just like Kanye))
August 10th, 2015 at 10:51 am
BucTrooper u are spot on… jawing at a guy lansanah that could be minutes away from a valet job is one thing but holding your own against shariff floyd, everett griffin, greenway and the zimmer defense is another… that will be his first real initiation to the NFL game speed… hope marpet lives up to the growing legend
August 10th, 2015 at 11:04 am
It is good to see this kid showing some promise early on… However we should curtail our enthusiasm… Hobart has a long way to go still…
I admit I was highly skeptical of this draft pick… I would rather draft production over potential any day but Marpet may have what it takes…
Fingers crossed…
August 10th, 2015 at 11:16 am
I feel you Bruce can’t help but feel a level of excitement over and for those two. And mac there clearly was reason Mongo was high on the Pats and Hawks board. Duke name will be nationally known.
August 10th, 2015 at 11:19 am
30 reps-225,30in-vert,30 on the Wonderlick along with the fastest 40 time. mac that’s a little more than potential.
August 10th, 2015 at 11:21 am
That’s beastly…
August 10th, 2015 at 11:29 am
We’re all hoping for a Magic Marpet Ride!
August 10th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
@BucTrooper, ummm no. A late second round pick does not “define a GM for eternity.” That would be hyperbole. I don’t know a single GM that has been ‘defined for eternity’ by a bust of a player that wasn’t chosen in the first round.
Not sure if the Kanye reference was noted sarcasm about thinking of that nickname? https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/08/jason-licht-ali-marpet-is-making-gerald-better/
August 10th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
I think his point is that if Brother Ali works out, Licht will be viewed as a genius. If he busts, I don’t think Licht will be jettisoned from Tampa via the cannons.
August 10th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Last time the Bucs had good play from the RG position was in 2011 before Davin Joseph got hurt.
Marpet was the most athletic OLine player in the draft – and for his size, D. Smith is a good athlete as well.
With good reports so far on ASJ and Sims – If both 2nd round Linemen that Licht drafted work out and Winston is the QB I think he will be – then Jason Licht might be turning into a true Rock Star GM. The last 2 drafts are looking better and better every day at this point when you include the potential development of players like Bell, Alexander, Clay, Pamphile, Edwards etc.
August 10th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
@ Nole
I agree those are impressive numbers… But many underwear heros have tore up the combine and laid an egg on Sundays…
I don’t want to sound negative about Marpet… I’m just going to see how he handles himself in games this preseason…
August 10th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Told you all so before the draft. 😛
August 10th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Marpet will be a great guard…but he’ll be an even better CENTER, where he is destined to be moved to.
August 10th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
I liked Marpet before the draft but thought we had him slotted in the 3rd. During the draft I was convinced we moved up to grab Randy Gregory and Dallas scooped us. I figured they had Marpet over AJ Cann so they took their top G/C on the board. Now I’m thinking the Bucs scooped Seattle and had Marpet in mind all along.
August 10th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
with all rookies there will be ups and downs, as long as they improve each and every week I think they will turn into real good players. I think Marpet has some junk yard dog in him and I love to see that in o-lineman, he is physical and has good footwork and knows how to use his hands. Just keep improving everyday Ali and good things will happen. Go Bucs!
August 10th, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Seattle and the Pats weren’t the only teams salivating on picking Marpet. The Saints were too. Their top sports reporter in Saints Land had Marpet on every Mock Draft he printed before the draft. They were very sad we beat them to it! Marpet is the real deal. He will hold his own next Saturday, and will get better and better as the season goes on. He has all the measurables for an outstanding Guard or Center. EDS is a good run blocker and is a Guard forced into playing Center when he was with Green Bay. He was just an average Center last year. If there is no marked improvement by EDS when we play the Vikings, the Bucs need to try EDS at RG, and try Marpet at Center. We know Marpet can be an excellent Center from his play at the Senior Bowl. With his great speed just think of him leading outside sweeps for Sims as a pulling Center–to either side. Marpet is GOLD.
August 10th, 2015 at 8:34 pm
If Winston, Marpet, Alexander and Bell work out the draft would be considered a great success. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the Buccaneers and Licht!
August 10th, 2015 at 9:04 pm
The Hebrew Hammer will be dominant.
Dont forget the Robert Herron rebirth. We had all written him off
August 10th, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Took you long enough to come around Joe. Remember all those articles whining about how more battle tested linemen were available?
August 11th, 2015 at 1:21 am
This kid might be the X-Factor.