“In The Right Places”
October 29th, 2020
Alex Cappa
No, Tom Brady and Bucco Bruce Arians are not the only architects of our Buccaneers’ roster.
General manager Jason Licht has plenty of fingerprints on it, as well.
And one guy not getting talked about much represents a hidden draft steal by Licht. The GM traded up in the 2018 draft to select the No. 94 overall pick, Humboldt State left tackle Alex Cappa. He’s now a second-year Bucs starting guard on one of the most successful offensive lines in the 2020 game.
Joe’s seen improvement in Cappa and asked Bucco Bruce Arians about him yesterday.
“Yeah, he’s improved a bunch. He got a lot stronger and bigger, you know, in the right places,” Arians said. “He’s playing powerful in the running game and he and Tristan [Wirfs] are a force over there on double teams. His pass protection has really improved. Just great communication between all five of those guys right now – is at a really high level. The Giants, they got a bunch of different looks that we’ll have to worry about, look at and communicate. Communication will be huge this week.”
Think back. Arians arrived at One Buc Palace, looked at Licht’s offensive line and said, ‘Hey, we’re good.’
The Bucs proceeded to finish last season with the third-most points scored and their total yardage ranked third in the NFL. This year, they added Tristan Wirfs at right tackle and the line’s efficiency is extraordinary.
Joe’s really proud of Cappa. Not a lot of dudes out of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference are holding down starting gigs in the NFL.
TAMPA TWO rolls on with Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks and JoeBucsFan.com Sage columnist Ira Kaufman. It’s clear what they’re talking about on this latest production from The Identity Tampa Bay.
October 29th, 2020 at 7:12 am
It has been so long since a Bucs Offensive Line was lauded, I think back when the Dougernaut/ musclehamster was racking up yards in 2015. If they keep Giselle away from the laundry like Baldy said, and continue to run the ball. Then there is no reason other than injury that they will not make a deep run in the Playoffs if not at least represent the SB. The Bucs are the current measuring stick in the NFC. And it all starts with the foundation of a solid offensive line. Bravo Bucs. GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 7:47 am
He’s nasty.
…….. but what does that really mean Joe?
October 29th, 2020 at 7:47 am
I agree August 1976 that the Bucs right now are the ‘current measuring stick in the NFC’. Some very solid teams in competition, but our Bucs are firing on all 11 cylinders right now. And yes the key IMO is in the trenches. Weaknesses like not being able to effectively block on offense or pass-rush on defense are hard to overcome.
I admittedly wasn’t too high on Cappa last year, but he’s obviously worked his tail off to get stronger & better. Huge kudos there to him. I’m still trying to figure out though what’s changed on our OLine between last year & this year besides the addition of Wirfs. Cappa raised his game up a bunch, and so has Donovan IMO. Marpet’s as steady as they come, but Jensen looks like he’s taken a more pronounced leadership role this year. And ever since Logan Mankins retired, that’s what I think our OLine has been missing. Of course, maybe most of it has to do with expectations … such as what’s expected blocking for Tom Brady? Nice to see it finally coming together in any event.
October 29th, 2020 at 7:47 am
..and a super good guy with fans too
October 29th, 2020 at 8:06 am
Glad to hear our coach is taking this game seriously as well as the whole team one hopes.
October 29th, 2020 at 8:38 am
Awsh -noooo doubt. It’s because Joe is fixated on any running back other than Rojo and every defensive lineman. We are hold not have Wirfs or White. 2 key players in our success this year.
In BA I Trust!
October 29th, 2020 at 8:40 am
I remember when everyone thought Rojo, Alex Cappa, and a few other Licht drafted players were busts… now they are strong contributors and important pieces of the puzzle. Licht deserves lots of credit for seeing potential when many of us did not!
October 29th, 2020 at 8:48 am
as ive said before, the problem was coaching and scheme not players and talent…..
the right scheme and player development by the coaches has rojo,cappa,edwards, davis all playing great….
nice work licht….
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 9:08 am
It really is amazing to think back what Cappa looked like when he first got out there til now. I can’t remember watching any other OL man with move improvement in such a short time.
October 29th, 2020 at 9:24 am
Having good coaching helps. It also helps if a young player is willing to listen to his coach and then get to work.
Any thoughts about the job Joe Glibert has done for the past year and a half? Anybody? It seems as if our OL is much improved. Better discipline and better communications.
October 29th, 2020 at 9:51 am
Cappa needed time to get used to the speed of the NFL and better understand what the Defense was trying to do to him, and of course, he needed to get stronger. I would say things have slowed down for him and he isn’t getting fooled anymore, and he is stronger as well, so mission accomplished Cappa!
October 29th, 2020 at 10:47 am
Two large dudes from small colleges tearing it up! Here’s to Marpet and Cappa.
October 29th, 2020 at 10:49 am
gotta give harold goodwin credit….he’s the oline coach and run coordinator….
GO BUCS!!!!
October 29th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Licht was pretty bad at drafting his first couple of years but it has been very good recently. I’m wondering if the scouting department has been overhauled in the last few years.
October 29th, 2020 at 12:15 pm
He also told Jameis to bulk up (confidence in the o-line for sure)
October 29th, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Definitely see 4 of the 5 current starting OL being here as starters for at least next few years. Donovan Smith depends on his contract demands. If he is going to want anything more that 8 Mil a year, Bucs will let him leave and they likely move Wirfs to LT next year and draft another rookie RT or use Haeg as a fill in for a year!
October 29th, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Cappa does not surprise me at all. Watched him at Humboldt for 4 years on and off the field. Smart, hard worker and also a great guy.
October 29th, 2020 at 6:03 pm
“he put on weight in the right places”
Exactly!
He thickened up his lower body.
October 29th, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Stomp the N.Y. Midgets on Sunday
October 29th, 2020 at 10:19 pm
Excellent job Jason period. Sure you can’t hit a home run every swing but, you held the ship on course through heavy gales. Come on you scalawags, give J-Light his due respect. Jump in that pool. You’re strategy is working. Just saying……….
October 30th, 2020 at 1:16 am
“The bouncer”- Mike Mayock
October 30th, 2020 at 6:54 am
Cappa from “ The Golden Triangle”
October 30th, 2020 at 6:57 am
I happily admit to missing on Cappa- did not think he was going to be strong enough to hold his own or quick enough against the penetrating DT – he’s not perfect, but has been reliable and looks much thicker in just one off season
Oh and having Wirfs instead of old man Dot next to him
Has not hurt either