Marpet’s Mack Rewind
April 24th, 2017
Ali Marpet has been busy in his new role
Tampa Bay could have made a play for Pro Bowl center Alex Mack in free agency right before the 2014 season. And they could have tried to invest in Mack before he transformed the Falcons’ offensive line last year.
Instead, the Bucs have their stud guard studying to be like Mack.
Ali Marpet spoke in depth today at One Buc Palace about the “experiment” (Dirk Koetter’s word) that has Marpet projected to be the starting center when the 2017 preseason begins.
After two years growing and thriving at right guard, Marpet is on the move.
Marpet says he is excited to make the transitions and Joe asked him what center’s he’s been watching on film.
“Alex Mack,” Marpet said. Lots of film on Alex Mack.
Mack played in Cleveland for several years under Bucs offensive line coach George Warhop, who joined the Tampa Bay staff in 2014. It was Warhops, Marpet said, who suggested the Mack study. Ironically, Mack played college ball at “Cal” for ex-Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, and Mack was a big fan of his.
Tedford also arrived in 2014, when Mack had a transition tag placed on him by the Browns. The Jaguars made him an offer but the Browns matched it. In free agency last year, Mack signed with Atlanta and was dominant.
Marpet also told Joe that Mack’s balance is impeccable and Marpet is studying it and hopes to get that good.
April 24th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
I think he could be better than Mack. And all these people fretting over the move are the same people who say we should draft a C and that centers “transform” olines. Well Center is a more important position then RG, and if Marpet can be a dominant C like he was a G then we will have fixed a lot of the O line problems. We still need a rt, but this draft is GARBAGE at the O line position.
April 24th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
I would have rather they had signed a Center, but I am confident that Marpet will make the transition.
April 24th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Study up Ali. Lots of brainwork involved in this transition. I have full confidence Marpet will not only succeed at Center but excel.
April 24th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Marpet is going to be really good at center
April 24th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
I’m so scared guys. I mean if he doesn’t do well he will obviously forget how to play RG and we will have to cut him immediately. SO SCARED
April 24th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Ali Marpet will be fine at C…speaking of fine….have you seen his sister?
April 24th, 2017 at 5:01 pm
If Marpet moves to center..who will be our starting Guards?
April 24th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
All of this is on the hope and pray Sweezy is healthy
April 24th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Tampa Tony you nailed it. Sweezy is the risk that few are talking about. That’s why we need to draft an interior lineman for depth.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Even if Sweezy comes up lame, we move marpet back to G or Evan smith to G and have Hawely as the fill in until next offseason. Or make a trade. Don’t waste high end draft assets on a VERY sub par group of O lineman. Think about it, some claim that Lamp is the cream of the crop this year. Well marpet was a better prospect than Lamp and it was a reach (at the time) taking him the the 2nd. It baffles me how some people just don’t get it.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
If-IF Marpet can learn the Center position
If-If Sweezy’s back holds up
This could be a fast, Powerful lineup
LT Donovan Smith. LG Caleb Benenoch. Center- Ali Marpet. RG JR Sweezy.
RT kevin Pamphile.
Young and talented- can grow together for years.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:22 pm
Its hard not to like Marpet. Small unheard of school. I’m always pulling for this guy. He;s one of my favorites. Now..as for my main man Sweezy? You can stick a fork in’em!! He;s done. label him…THE GRANDMASTER OF THE SPIN!!!!
If you have ever played ball at the HS or college level as I have, you would know..With serious back problems, you cannot survive in the NFL. Not even in college. Well, maybe in college for a couple of yrs. But in the NFL, I’m tellin all of yas, its predator or prey. Sweezy is Prey. Well, not when it comes to the swindle. Cause he made mega millions form the BUCS for doin..Nothin but wearing a floppy hat and smilin!!!..all the way to da bank. My man..EASY..MONEY..SWEEZY!!!