Future Star
August 18th, 2018
Getting props.
There are reasons to be concerned with the Bucs as the 2018 season crawls closer.
There is the ugly schedule to start the season. There is the three-game sentence to start the season that will be served by America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. There is the very likely predicament that a rookie corner will start and be expected to play like a seasoned veteran immediately against the likes of Drew Brees, Carson Wentz and Ben Roethlisberger.
One positive, at least from the first preseason game, was the play of the offensive line. One reason was the play of fourth-year offensive lineman Ali Marpet.
And Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report believes he is the next star of NFL offensive lineman.
In today’s NFL, versatility separates above-average from good. Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Ali Marpet excelled at right guard for two seasons and then served as a quality asset in the pivot last year.
Marpet came out of Hobart College, a Division III school in Upstate New York, as a tackle, but the move inside hasn’t fazed him. The Buccaneers signed center Ryan Jensen during free agency, which prompts the fourth-year lineman’s move to left guard.
Despite taking on starting roles at three different positions in four years, Marpet’s consistency as a steady run-blocker should pay dividends for a backfield that features Peyton Barber and rookie Ronald Jones. Assuming he’s solid at left guard, the 25-year-old deserves the spotlight as a standout asset among offensive linemen.
Well, as anyone knows, if an offensive line is manhandling a defensive line, it makes work so much easier for a running back.
Marpet is truly one of the feel-good stories of the Bucs this training camp and preseason. Barring injury, Joe doesn’t believe a Pro Bowl appearance would be a stretch for Marpet.
August 18th, 2018 at 12:08 am
Good player but only 1 16 game season played. Let him earn it before labeling great…. buc fan has no clue what greatness is outside of sapp and selmon the rest were/ARE J
just coat tail riding under achieving has beens that never were.
August 18th, 2018 at 12:50 am
Certainly has pro bowler hair style
August 18th, 2018 at 12:51 am
Dude you are freaking clueless as Derrick Brooks was as great as they get. Go find another fan base to annoy.
August 18th, 2018 at 1:08 am
Expecting an all pro year from Marpet
August 18th, 2018 at 2:05 am
If Marpet didn’t play in Tampa he’d have already been a pro-bowler. The guy is a great player and was a great pick by Licht. They need to get him locked up to a new deal, him and Smith, and Kwon, and Winston.
August 18th, 2018 at 2:26 am
“Huge part of the failure of the 2017 season was when Dumb. And Dumber thought moving Marpet to center to add theif JR Sweeney i n the lineup. Gump couldnt admit his mistake and screwed up the whole offensive line. Kobe was the 1st one in the whole tampa area condemning this mistake but was verbally percecuted by JBFs and ridiculed if i was drinking”
“Kobe Fakers analysis and player evauations is strictly based on math, logic and infatuation of Jenna Laine”
Kobe Faker
August 18th, 2018 at 5:56 am
Sounds like from camp observations , he is mauling dudes . And got significantly stronger . Can’t wait to see him and Jensen blow guys up the middle (although sounds like Jensen had some minor injury early )
August 18th, 2018 at 7:25 am
Thank you Ndog! Every comment he makes is totally negative.
August 18th, 2018 at 7:26 am
I do believe the OLine will be a pleasant surprise this year. Same with the DLine Buckner is changing the mindset in a big way.
August 18th, 2018 at 7:47 am
Someone save this article for the archives, godeep didn’t spew hate…..
August 18th, 2018 at 7:50 am
I love “feel-good stories” when they happen to the Bucs as much as any fan because Lord knows that we need them. Still, I just can’t get hyped up over a guard, especially when we’ve been burned at that position so many times over the years. The Bucs once drafted a guard in the first round. I loved Davin Joseph, but the first round?! And, how many free agent guards have the Bucs paid over the years? That cuts across GMs and coaches, whoever has been in charge. The organization’s poor decisions at that position is one of the many reasons why the team is in such bad shape. #PaidFloridaVacation
August 18th, 2018 at 8:37 am
Again, let’s tap the breaks a bit and wait until the real bullets start flying.
August 18th, 2018 at 9:48 am
Pryda
Yeah, he’s enjoying that hair while he can……. doesn’t look like he’s got much longer.
August 18th, 2018 at 10:51 am
Extend him NOW!!!
After the season, he will be signed as the highest paid guard in the NFL!!
Don’t let any more film of him get recorded.
Re-sign him now!!!
August 18th, 2018 at 11:19 am
Let’s see if he can play 16 games this year first before resigning him.
August 18th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Marpet has been part of some of the worst running attacks in Buccaneer history.
August 18th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Part of me hates seeing him move to LG. Let him play RG where he dominated. I hope it works out, but if he isn’t as dominant there, it could help cost Koetter his job.
August 18th, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Brett Says:
August 18th, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Part of me hates seeing him move to LG. Let him play RG where he dominated. I hope it works out, but if he isn’t as dominant there, it could help cost Koetter his job.
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Ali was a left tackle at Hobart. He’ll be fine on that side.