Communication is why the Bucs’ offensive line is playing well, said RG Ali Marpet.

Joe has been on an offensive line kick of late. For those who find this boring, don’t worry. Joe has plenty of non-offensive line content.

On a unit Joe thought would be the Bucs’ worst, the offensive line probably has developed into the team’s strength.

That’s in no small part due to the unforeseen rising of two rookies, left tackle Donovan Smith and right guard Ali Marpet.

Football savants like Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian and former NFL front office man Pat Kirwan have been screaming for more padded practices, claiming the lack thereof is killing the development of offensive lines.

But Smith and Marpet bucking the trend. This week, Smith told Joe left guard Logan Mankins tells him what to look for on virtually each snap and Smith said that Mankins is always right.

Joe spoke with Marpet, as well, and he said communication is the key.

“If you know what is going on and everyone is on the same page, you are either all wrong together or all right together,” Marpet said. “So as long as everyone is on the same page, you will usually have a positive play.”

Like Smith, Marpet said he owes a lot to veteran centers Joe Hawley and Evan Smith for tipping him off what to look for all the time.

“Oh, he’s a huge help,” Marpet said. “Obviously, he knows the system. He’s a veteran guy. When I play with him or Evan [Smith] it is awesome. It makes my job a whole lot easier.”

Hawley, for his part, brushed off the compliments and stated Marpet is playing well because he is talented.

“Ali is a pretty smart guy,” Hawley said. “He knows what his assignment is and what to do probably better than I do with line calls probably because he’s been here and knows the way [offensive line coach George Warhop] likes to run it. I try to help him with different technique stuff that – I have been playing a while now and I know how to attack different kind of players. And I help him with footwork and angles and how to attack guys. He knows which guys to go to and we communicate pretty well as a group

“When I was a rookie, I struggled with the speed of the game. You can’t simulate that in practice.”

Joe is giddy that the two rookies have played better than most anyone thought on draft day. Marpet particularly looks to be an outright stud in the making. Joe just hopes Mankins is able to tough it out tomorrow. He is questionable with a sore groin injury.