Expect Hiccups
May 26th, 2017
May be a learning curve. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Yesterday, Bucs right guard J.R. Sweezy spoke publicly for the first time in damned near a year. Sure, he spoke about his back, sort of.
Sweezy’s Tampa Bay return (debut?) is what has pushed the Bucs to push Ali Marpet to center after starting only at right guard since he came into the league. So Joe asked Sweezy his impressions on Marpet relocating and how tough that task that may be.
Sweezy believes Marpet will run into obstacles but has all the confidence in the world he will master his new position.
“Center is right behind the quarterback [in that] it is a hard, hard position,” Sweezy said. “You have to be very smart. And Ali is very smart, football smart. I think he will adapt well.
“Like anything, it is going to take a little time. He has already making jumps, leaps and bounds getting better. He is already making calls and I believe he will continue to do that he is where he needs to be.”
If the Bucs had to move a guy to center, at least it is Marpet — and at least Marpet will be sandwiched by a veteran beast on his right and maybe the most underrated player on the Bucs, Kevin Pamphile, to his left.
Joe isn’t worked up about this move. It’s been in the works for months if not years. Joe remembers folks being uptight that the Bucs would start Marpet, from Division-III powerhouse Hobart College. That turned out just fine.
May 26th, 2017 at 9:03 am
I love experiments
May 26th, 2017 at 9:07 am
If #93 says Marpet will be a dominent center, I believe Marpet will be a dominent center.
May 26th, 2017 at 9:12 am
I got a virus last week that wiped out everything on my computer. Thankfully I had backups of most things…but all of my bookmarks are gone.
Otherwise I would show where I had Marpet on my wishlist before he was drafted…and how I wanted him at Center.
Though, I admit…I was/am skeptical of moving him after he became a pro bowler at guard.
May 26th, 2017 at 9:12 am
As with any new position…..
I’m not really concerned with Marpet.
May 26th, 2017 at 9:36 am
If rookies can come in and start day one it will be just fine for a vet switching over. He doesn’t have experience at center but he has game experience
May 26th, 2017 at 9:52 am
exactly people questioning this move are just underestimating ali
May 26th, 2017 at 9:54 am
Division III Hobart disguised him just enough for us….he’s a beast and people who know how saw that.
May 26th, 2017 at 10:27 am
Its just a lot of what ifs on the OL that scares me for this year
May 26th, 2017 at 11:20 am
love the move….who’s the RT?…..Benenoch?….I hope it aint Dotson….GO BUCS!!!
May 26th, 2017 at 11:21 am
I don’t know Joe, I think D Smith should be consulted first. According to him guys can’t be shuffled around on the line.
May 26th, 2017 at 11:31 am
Lol tdtb
May 26th, 2017 at 11:32 am
Marpet will be just fine. Its..Easy Money Sweezy and his..money back I’m worried about.
May 26th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
“Joe remembers folks being uptight that the Bucs would start Marpet, from Division-III powerhouse Hobart College”
LOL – “folks”. My remembrance is that Joe was a leader of the worrywart pack regarding a D-3 rookie starting at guard in 2015. Multiple articles by Joe leading up to the start of the season expressed exactly that concern.
May 26th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding!
How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?
May 26th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
A “Wall” reference, nice!
May 26th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Too many new & “moving parts” to feel comfortable about the unit that notoriously requires the most time to gel. A lot of statistics will be over-come if they are successful & a lot of statistics will be fortified if they’re poor.
Why did we draft NO O-Lineman?
Hope I’m wrong.
May 26th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Middle of that line is going to friggin maul people this coming season if they all can stay healthy. I simply cant wait!
May 26th, 2017 at 11:18 pm
I have Faith in Marpet. This kid is destined for greatness.
Think the league will start giving Donovan his due. Strongest LT innthe League. Think he might be an All pro this year.
Pamphile is a rock, and only getting Better. Hope they leave him at Left guard, he works well with Donovan.
Sweezy is an angry mauler when healthy. If that back holds up(fingers crossed), then our line just became greatly improved.
I really believe that Demar Dotson will have a fierce battle with Caleb Benenoch and Leonard Webster.
Cole Fardner will be a starter in the next couple of yeats. Gotta put on about 25 pounds of Muscle/Butt
May 26th, 2017 at 11:24 pm
I like the move I think it’ll be good in the short term and absolutely amazing in the long term.