Cappa Confidence
September 2nd, 2019
Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs hierarchy has sort of dug its heels in at right guard.
No, Joe doesn’t believe many Bucs fans’ desperate fantasies of a new starting guard arriving today will come true — just like it didn’t happen when waiver claims were awarded yesterday.
Second-year man Alex Cappa is the guy, just like he was in Preseason Game 1, when Bucs fans were aroused by the starting offensive line’s performance in Pittsburgh. Nobody was crying about Cappa against Miami during a solid Preseason Game 2 performance by the starting O-line.
Bucco Bruce Arians is supremely confident in his coaches, and he’s confident in his evaluation skills. Remember, Arians watched all of Cappa’s game and practice film this winter and decided Cappa had what it took to be a starting right guard as an emerging professional out of a Division II program. That wasn’t going to disappear in a one-half horror show against the Browns.
Arguably the most candid Buccaneer has Cappa’s back, as well.
“I know last year they put him in a lot with Caleb [Benenoch], you know what I’m saying; he was [substituting] back and forth. So he was always looking over his shoulder,” Demar Dotson told JoeBucsFan.com. Now he came in this year and they almost like thrust him as the starting right guard. So I think he’s been doing a good job taking control of that position, man. He’s smart. He’s physical. Man, the sky’s the limit for him. I mean, he’s got a lot to get better at, which we all do. But he’s young, he’s talented, he’s hungry, he’s smart. He’s doing a good job right now, man. So as long as he continues to work, which I know he is, continue to get better, he’s going to be a pretty good right guard in this league. So I’m excited for him.”
Joe’s hardly saying Cappa is a good guard. That’s unknown. Joe’s merely noting here that the team isn’t about to give up on him.
Cappa’s about to get two massive tests against two supremely talented defensive lines: San Francisco and Carolina. Joe’s actually somewhat confident Cappa won’t be confused with Caleb Benenoch after those two games.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:07 am
What Demar said….MAN!
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:09 am
We will see on Cappa……and also Jerald Hawkins’ trade from Pittsburgh…..I am encouraged that we had a good look at Hawkins during our preseason game vs the Steelers……I am convinced we knew we needed to make a trade for him even if he was going to be cut…..knowing another team would take him.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:15 am
Of course they won’t give up on him, Licht moved up in the third round for him. Look how long it took them to give up on Spence. If Bunting was a walk on from E. Mich, which he looks like, he’d have been cut. Not saying Bunting is a bust, just saying from what I saw if he was a UDFA, he’d have been cut. Miller shouldn’t be on the final 53, but since he was drafted, he got in ahead of Lodge, and Johnson, he’s not better then them. Licht has to give his draft choices better chances then in some cases better players.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:16 am
Still waiting on Dumpster Divin’ Jason Licht to deliver serviceable RG/RT combo
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:19 am
Hopefully Call a is as smart as Dotson said, and Cappa will get some early tests in the season. Better have fast nimble feet, good pivots and head on a swivel. But to the point of “giving up on him” or not by this staff, adding someone else at a RG/C capable position doesn’t mean the staff has “given up on him”, just means they want to ensure that position is mailed come week 1. Which they chose not too.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:25 am
After the trade for Jerel Hawkins I like the depth along the offensive line. As far as Cappa goes I don’t think he’s going to continue to play RG. I just think he’s more suited to LT which was his natural position. I think after a few weeks the UDRFA Z. Bailey will eventually win the job. The guy made the 53 out of nowhere and was that player that pushed Spence out the door. Z. Bailey is here to eventually start this season which Cappa couldn’t do last year as a rookie. I think Hawkins will eventually replace Dotson this season but Dotson will get the benefit until he’s injured. Either way I think at some point soon this season the offensive line will shake out like this and expect it soon too. There’s a reason ppl are freaking out about this position group in particular and it’s because they are all simply playing out of position:
LT: D. Smith, A. Cappa
LG: A. Marpet,
C: R. Jensen
RG: Z. Bailey, E. Watford
RT: J. Hawkins, C. Beneoch
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:28 am
We’ll know soon enough….IMO…they are not as bad as they look against the Browns….closer to last year as a whole maybe a touch better
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:35 am
Oan they may even move D. Smith to RT in the future as Cappa learns the game from a personal coach which we now have in J. Gilbert and H. Goodwin on how to play LT and personally I think this may lead to another coach hire along the offensive line. The line is a big problem that I hope is not lost upon on during the early season success that im predicting. I say we start 3-0 with the bad built line we have now but steady development leading toward the above lineup I previously posted will keep the success steady if not they will fall late. Im with tmaxcon on Dotson he’s got to go soon I think if he’s released in midseason when the losing begins then it will send a message to not be complacent like Dotson and previously Gerald McCoy. Notice those are the players that are gone.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:45 am
Cappa “The Toothless Turnstyle” will prove to be a bust.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:54 am
Anyone know about Brad Seaton, OL, that we signed to the practice squad yesterday? He was with the Bucs a couple of years ago.
September 2nd, 2019 at 9:55 am
It don’t matter depth or starters. The season will depend on oline. If they win one on one battles and protect enough for Jameis to throw quick I can see a good offense. Other than that and really a unknown running game. Arians offense will be a question mark. And we might see a 4-5 wins. Jamie’s will struggle just like his Last preseason showing.
Under Arians qbs has seen the most drop backs. Sacks etc. can the oline hold up enough.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:08 am
Dotson sucked just as bad as Cappa in that Brown’s game. Why trust anything he says when he has no legs to stand on?
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:10 am
Not a big fan of Licht these days.
So I’m not expecting anything or much from most of his draft picks.
Cappa is no exception.
Go Bucs Go Cappa
Go Whatever!
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:12 am
Dotson is the real problem it doesn’t matter who you put next to that pansy arse walking penalty machine…. dotson drops to the fetal position before the defender is even near him….watching Dotson attempt to block is equally as painful as watching cancer93 stop the run or lvd try and play a full 60 minutes….
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:27 am
Only in the first Preseason Game did you see Cappa pulling and destroying his target and the running game going well. That is power football just like the Patriots used last year to get to and win the Super Bowl. That is what the 49ers Defense will face in the first game. Don’t be surprised if we use a lot of double TE formations with Auclair next to D. Smith and Auclair will chip Dee Ford just long enough for Smith to pancake little Dee Ford and then coming around that side will be a pulling Cappa at full speed with our RB right on his rear and Cappa will blast the OLB on that side right into the MLB and our RB will run right over their CB and keep going. Eventually the 49ers will have to pull little Dee before he is permanently injured. When they have to bring down the Safety to stop the run then Jameis will throw over their heads with our speedy receivers and the one Safety can’t cover them all. Great Coaching and special scheming makes all the difference. Trust BA.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:29 am
Jason Licht Brain not picking up an experienced G/T like Marshall Newhouse to add depth to our needy Oline is typically horrid decision making by our lackluster GM. Newhouse has started 72 out of a possible 114 in his career.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:38 am
What BA fan said.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:41 am
Cappa is a poor athlete. How he has ever been compared to Marpet, who was incredible at the combine, is beyond me. Zack Bailey is the future RG.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:42 am
Those comments are from training camp
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:50 am
Cappa did not start last year because Caleb had apparently earned his shot, and his coaches were overly loyal to giving it to him. On top of that, being a rookie meant Cappa was a high risk at that stage.
Cappa not starting last year is not a condemnation of his abilities.
And so far as this year, everyone was happy with him until the 3rd game of the preseason. He was doing fine until then. People gave up on him based on one game.
Cappa has the body, strength and aggression to succeed. The problem is all of you expect him to instantly be perfect, and that NEVER happens. Marpet certainly wasn’t. It took a few real games for him to excel.
I get it. The haters and trolls hover in the wings waiting for any negativity to leap on, and then they use that to pound away ate the morale of the fanbase. It;s manipulation of fan emotions, and it stinks. Even more, it stinks that so many fans prove to be fallible to it.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:55 am
My fingers are crossed and expectations are low. If Cappa can develop into an average NFL Guard I will be thrilled.
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:55 am
Then on Defense we will be disguising our coverages and blitzing and twisting on our DL and moving Via around and using Taco and Suh to pressure and penetrate and sending White on delayed blitzes and jamming their receivers and we will get our sacks and there will be turnovers by our playmakers. We will take over on short fields and Jameis will be deadly in the red zone and if they get lucky and stop us we will be kicking 55-60 yard field goals and demoralizing them the way Pittsburg did us in the third game last year!
September 2nd, 2019 at 10:56 am
The point Dotson is making guys is that Cappa is a decent player who is still learning. And is going to get better the more he plays. You can’t just have an all pro at every position. It is the coaches job to give him some help until he starts coming into his own. You guys act like a guy from a d3 school should just come in a dominate. We knew when we drafted him it would take some time. He is good enough to start for us and he will only get better with live reps. So he will be fine come mid season. The line will gel over the first 4 games. And then they will be an above average squad
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:04 am
Cappa’s having to learn a whole new position, so there’ll be a lot of growing pains.
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:18 am
There is a new coach in town if you haven’t noticed and Licht dosent have full control over this roster. He’s never had full control. Coaches are going to have a big influence on the roster. Licht and BA might work out. Koeter and Licht not so much. Alot of fans havent even given them a chance. None of you know whats going to happen. Not me not you not nobody. Everyone has a opinion. And sure as hell don’t make you right.
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:30 am
I hope that my latest toss at the dart board doesn’t suck like most of the other times. If it does oh well I will order more chicken wings and work on my fat gut and try again. Hell I got the stupid owners to give me 5 more years! SUCKERS!
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:32 am
Manic fans are plentiful around these parts. Im glad its a new year new coach and new schemes. Dont go off of last year. Koeter is not here. This is a good football team and im excited to see them in action. BA has arrived with a stacked staff. Thank you Glazers for spending your money to bring in a great staff.
September 2nd, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Ringing endorsement…”pretty good guard”. Ooof. That was the “toughness” year from Licht in the draft, so Cappa throwing around 190 lb waiters was arousing to him. Nevermind asking why the hell he was at Homboldt St.
September 2nd, 2019 at 12:39 pm
A teammate said something good about another teammate get outta here.
September 2nd, 2019 at 12:45 pm
I’m with you 727, excited to have a team and coaching staff to be proud of. We are going to win the majority of the close games and that’s what winning team do. I always come on JBF excited to read about the Bucs and the upcoming season but by the time I finish reading the comments, I’m just bummed out. It’s too easy, lazy even to be cynical this time of year with a new team in staff in place. Do these people really represent the disposition and character of Tampa community?
September 2nd, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Scotty in fat Antonio- Where are you seeing that the Bucs signed OT Brad Seaton in P.S.? I remember the Bucs cutting/adding him to our practice squad a few years back. Last year he was on the Browns P. S. . I can’t find any recent news on the guy, don’t think he’s in the league anymore.
The Bucs do have 2-3 slots open, only filled 8 PS so far. We should fill our international player spot with a AU punter, it’s definitely the way the position is going. To have 5-7 different punts on your tool box is a huge advantage.
September 2nd, 2019 at 3:45 pm
Joe, if you keep showing that picture of Cappa you’re going to get him banned for life from Wrigley Field.
September 2nd, 2019 at 4:39 pm
If Dude would cut that stringy hair and shave off that billy goat beard, his head might not be melting inside his helmet in Florida heat…
Nasty alright, and not in a good way.
September 2nd, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Stanglassman Says:
“Do these people really represent the disposition and character of Tampa community?”
It’s been a long 15 years of Crappa football.
September 2nd, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Stop your complaining, Bucs fans, we were able to obtain two back-up CBs in rounds 2 & 3!?!?
BA Fan, Dilly, Dilly! Isn’t run-blocking easier to solidify? Wouldn’t O-linemen rather run-block, anyway? When the pass protection is suspect, COMMIT to strengthening the run-blocking! This would equal less Jameis and that is a good thing. Perhaps this is the offense that the Bucs didn’t show in the pre-season!
Don’t let pride get in the way, coach Arians.
September 2nd, 2019 at 6:06 pm
DD says,”He’s smart. He’s physical. Man, the sky’s the limit for him”
Smart, physical? I had a standard poodle that was smart and physical but he would fall for the spin move every time.
September 2nd, 2019 at 11:52 pm
in the preseason games I watched, I often saw Dotson get beat and Cappa didn’t know which guy to stop—his or Dotsons. i think replacing Dotson is priority #1.