“Turning Passion To A Paycheck”
March 6th, 2018
Cash on the brain
It’s rare to hear NFL players talk about money — and it’s rare for reporters to ask questions about money.
Frankly, it seems the media is scared to go there for some reason.
It’s odd considering how salaries are made public and the NFL desperately wants fans thinking about the salary cap and related free agency wheeling and dealing.
General managers don’t even like to discuss cash, though Jason Licht said last year that Doug Martin was a guy who might need a carrot in front on him like he had in 2015. It was one of many red flags on Martin that were brushed aside.
Anyway, that brings Joe to the present and a new Instagram video of Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. The Bucs offensive linemen entering their contract years and the pair is seen pushing each other in a weight-pulling race, sort of an individual tug of war with a sled full of weights. Smith won the contest against a visibly beefed up Marpet.
It got the attention of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, who posted the video (seems like he shot it) and expressed his love for the work.
Marpet responded online with the following comment: “@alimarpet took a L in this one but it’s cool ! Just working turning our passion to a paycheck but never losing that passion while doing it.”
Joe thinks this is glimpse into Marpet and Smith being well aware they are in contract years as second-round draft picks who haven’t earned a ton of money yet. They know they’re poised to be among the NFL’s highest paid players if they have good 2017 seasons.
Yes, Smith bashers, he will be paid big-time if he stays healthy for a fourth consecutive season. There’s always huge demand for even average starting left tackles, and the Bucs’ brass is confident he’s markedly better than average.
As for Marpet, he’s missed significant action in two of his three seasons. If that happens again in 2018, he’ll get a fragile label that will drive his value way down.
Keep grinding, men.
March 6th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
If we could sign one of the two premiere FA Centers and Sitton, Barber and Rogers could easily gain 100 yards a game.
March 6th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Dotson – Sitton (or Norwell ) – Jensen (or Richburg)- Marpet- Smith
Love to see the running lanes from that crew.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
After the fiasco from last year I don’t trust the Bucs brass on anything.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:09 pm
Marpet looks SWOLE
March 6th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
@ tmax and joe
Did you see that the bucs and raiders are talking about a trade of mccoy or was talking about it. Mccoy is available
March 6th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Donovan Smith is great, just ask him.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Oh…I thought this was going to be about ukuleles
March 6th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
webster
i did not see that. If true, it would be the second greatest day in buc history behind the firing of the one dimensional dungy.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Ali would have kept playing in 2017 if the Bucs were in a playoff race. They shut him down bc he’s their best OL. He’s getting an extension sooner than most think.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Our O line will be even better this upcoming line. Not worried about them in the least. Its that GD Defense and pressbox Smitty I’m worried about!
March 6th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
@webster
Link or it didn’t happen
March 6th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Marpet missed 3 games in 2015 and 5 games in 2017. 8 games missed out of 48.
Not an ideal ratio obviously but not enough to hurt his value much if any.
If Ali misses 2 or 3 games in 2018 I doubt it will change the way he gets paid.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
ME Goat…there is a link on JBF somewhere today from Pro FB weekly…with the story/option/hypothesis
March 6th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
@webster
Apologies
I just saw it. I would rather get a 2nd in next years draft, this draft is DoDo for edge rushers and next year is loaded.
It is concerning that they would trade our ONLY Defensive line piece for a 2nd round pick.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Thanks altered
March 6th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Mike Evans GOAT
any time you can get a 2nd for a fragile career loser you pull that trigger bucs can replace mccoy off the scrap heap not to mention getting is sorry arse out of the locker is the only hope bucs have of winning.
March 6th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
@Webster.. They are NOT in trade talks. BSPN Insider wrote an article that it Should happen. Here is a re-post from an earlier thread I was on.
_____________
This is stuck behind a pay wall over at BSPN. I thought I would post it for you guys. It is about trades that should happen this off season
_______________
4. The Oakland Raiders send a 2018 second-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for DT Gerald McCoy.
Defensive tackle is a big question mark for the Raiders. McCoy, who turned 30 last month, remains a front-line player at the position. He is signed through 2020, with base salaries between $10 million and $13 million, and only $500,000 of proration remaining, all in 2018.
Tampa Bay could use its early picks to revamp its defensive line, with an emphasis on outside rushers. There was some question among execs whether McCoy would command a second-round pick at age 30 and whether the Buccaneers could comfortably part with him.
Buffalo could be another logical destination for McCoy. Tampa Bay could conceivably ask for defensive end Jerry Hughes as part of its return for McCoy. Hughes is scheduled to earn $7.35 million in salary and bonuses for each of the next two seasons. Sending receiver DeSean Jackson to Kansas City for Dee Ford was another suggested trade to help the Bucs’ pass rush, despite doubts over whether the Chiefs would be interested in Jackson at this stage.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Licht learned under belichick. You get rid of a player one year early when he is worth something instead of one year too late where he is worth nothing. A 2nd round pick is great value. You can package that pick with a 4th rounder and move back into the first round. Who said it had to be an edge rusher you use it on. Cornerback is still a need. A defensive tackle like tim settle would be a good pick up etc
March 6th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Yeah, Licht needs to make some moves. But I doubt the glazers would condone this
March 6th, 2018 at 7:10 pm
@SB
…DAMN YOU!!! I got so excited thinking he was gone. Lol thanks though big homie
March 6th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
@ sb
What i read said there have been rumblings of five trades that involve big name players. It said each trade mike sando touches on is either proposed, vetted and or he heard rumors about. I dont know which side this one falls under but make no mistake, where there is smoke
March 6th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
@ mike evans
The glazers do not tell the gm who to trade. They do not get into the affairs until it is time to fire the coach and gm
March 6th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Webster
That’s the way I read it also
March 6th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
@ Webster……Imo this is Smoke Screen season. I see no way that the Bucs let McCoy go unless they fail in a “Contract Yr” for Licht and Koetter. No way are they getting rid of their best DLman. They HAVE to pair him up with a good Edge rusher though or they are looking for new jobs next yr. IMO I think they Should trade him to a team that has a chance to win a SB. Dude is way to talented to waste it all here on a team that makes boneheaded decisions yr after yr by not getting him even One good player next to him. He deserves to Win.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Just did a search……all of the rumblings are generated from the BSPN article I just posted.
https://247sports.com/nfl/oakland-raiders/Bolt/Gerald-McCoy-trade-to-Raiders-labeled-as-possibility-by-NFL-executive-115905900
March 6th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
PUH-LEASE move Ali back to guard.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Damn! Ali’s huge!
March 6th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Studs working hard!
Can wait to draft Nelson and put him in between those two. What a triumvirate! This Buc Fan can dream.
March 6th, 2018 at 7:55 pm
Will Ali Marpet get paid like a OC or OG? The highest paid OC is Brandon Linder at $10.3 million. The highest paid OG is Kevin Zeitler at $12 million.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
The only issue on the offense was the running game, I have no problem with the oline, just build through the draft and don’t freak out.
Defense is the worst in the league. Has been for two years outside of five really lucky and opportunistic games.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
What SteveK just said…..Assuming Chubb is not available.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:27 pm
@BucEmUp….
Lost to the Patriots by 5. ( Three missed FGs, one PAT,)
Lost to the Bills by 3 (Two red Zone possesions with FGs instead of TDs)
Lost to the Packers in OT.
Lost to the Panthers by 3. ( Offense sh!ited away numerous opportunities(
March 6th, 2018 at 8:29 pm
Forgot about losing to the Falcons by 3 in week 15. Point is “Worst Defense in the League” is coupled by an Offense that is Plagued by inconsistency and can’t keep the Defense off the Field. Plenty of blame to go around here.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Retaining Doug Martin signing Swaggy Baker. Sitting out the Calais Campbell sweepstakes are the main issues for the 2017 5-11 record.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
I would agree that all of those are factors SteveK. However, being 25th in Red Zone efficiency and a Horrible kicking game the first half of the yr lost us a couple as well
March 6th, 2018 at 9:08 pm
SB,
The kicking was wretched and the red zone hurt us most without the presence of a RB1.
March 7th, 2018 at 5:50 am
read the Bucs have multi-millions to spend on FA…am I the only one to think that regardless of how much is left in the salary cap theoretically, the Glazer’s may not have the money to spend…just a thought