Marpet’s Rare History Vs. 34 Defense
August 23rd, 2016
Few Bucs will benefit from practicing against the Browns more than Ali Marpet.
Dirk Koetter had stated how fortunate the Bucs are to have joint practices with the Browns this week leading up to the teams’ preseason game Friday night.
One reason, Koetter said, is the Bucs don’t often get to play, much less practice, against a team that runs a 34 defense.
For Bucs right guard Ali Marpet, the practices are vital.
“Last year when we played the Browns, I struggled,” Marpet said.
Why? It was the first time Marpet every played a team that ran a base 34 defense. It used to be rarer than chicken’s teeth to see a college team run a 34 defense. Some do now, but it is hardly the norm.
Marpet told Joe today that he faced a 34 defense only a handful of times while with Division-III Hobart College, and that was when a team might run a play or two to try to cross up the offense.
“Not a lot of teams had a true two-gap,” Marpet said. “So we didn’t see a whole lot [of 34 front plays]. So that’s also why it is so good to see it [this week.
“All throughout camp we have been practicing against a 4-3. So obviously we are used to those tendencies. It’s so good to get a new look. That’s what it is so huge to get some practices in, not just a preseason game, but practices against a 3-4.
Of course, some coaches believe these controlled scrimmages are a waste of time and hassle. To Joe, it is common sense for NFL teams to hold these practices.
Hey, if they are good enough for Bill Belicheat, they are good enough for every team.
August 23rd, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Marpet may not have been the only one that struggled against the 3-4. Thank goodness we’ve created a way for them to get to see it now – before the games count.
August 23rd, 2016 at 6:02 pm
On a side note… Josh Mc Clown spoke of his history with the 58 defense the Bucs have with him…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VeHMMpaMbDQ
August 23rd, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Good article, Go Marpet!!
August 23rd, 2016 at 9:19 pm
This is an important issue since we play about 7 3-4 based teams this season. Last season we played about 4 but they were all crap defenses.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:16 am
You know Marpet is not just a great physical Guard, he also is very bright and making the most of this experience with the 3-4 defense. Ironically, it was the cream sickle Bucs who used to surprise other NFL teams with our 3-4 Defense as our other old timers know. I have been a fan of Marpet from the start. If we moved him to Center he would be able to hold his ground and also read defenses and help Jameis in that regard and also give Jameis a safe place to step up if Smith gets beat on another pass rush. Then there would be a right guard position available to get our money’s worth out of Sweazy when he comes back because that was his position with Seattle. In the meantime our Center–Smith could hold down RG until then. He is a better guard than a center. Just saying!
August 26th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
[…] with JoeBucsFan.com, Marpet said he was excited to get experience against the 3-4 scheme of the Browns. He rarely saw […]