“I Respect The Hell Out Of It”
September 13th, 2023
Retired Bucs Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet talks about his former brothers.
The opening-day Buccaneers looked like one hell of a well coached team.
The bar was set high and Todd “Big Balls” Bowles needs to maintain the standard.
Retired Bucs guard Ali Marpet was a co-host on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week and found himself gushing there about the Bucs coming into Minnesota’s loud dome and not falling victim to presnap penalties or shoddy communication.
Marpet was in awe.
“I respect the heck out of it,” Marpet said.
“I feel like the rhythm that you talk about as an offense is so elusive, especially with so many new pieces. … And then also on the road, right? Like from a communciation standpoint, you take that for granted but like that’s a huge factor. When you have so many different pieces, you’re trying to feel out how each other plays, how you communicate — and you can’t even really communicate. That just adds to the difficulty, so it makes it all that much more at least impressive.”
Also on the team radio network, offensive coordinator Dave Canales gave himself and his unit a virtual pat on the back after playing so cleanly for their first-time playcaller in hostile conditions.
Joe was damn impressed, too. The Bucs were a well-coached and unified bunch. No excuse for a step backward in Week 2.
September 13th, 2023 at 2:22 am
We should all calm down a bit, the Bucs were trounced in yardage about 2-1. The Bucs won due to three Viking turnovers, one of which was a botched snap. It’s good to have a win and anyway you can get it. This over jubilation should take a breather, it’s a 17 game season.
Mike Evans also dropped a bomb at the Vikings’ 10 yard line and an easy short catch. That’s football. Bucs beat a good team on the road in a hostile environment. That has not happened since last opening day. That’s a reason for jubilation. Go Bucs! –Joe
September 13th, 2023 at 3:37 am
Then a home game against another bad NFC North team should be a walk in the park, right? Your biggest improvement should come between week 1 and week 2. Let’s see what happens.
I’ll be a bit skeptical of this team until the offense and Baker efficiently move the ball early in the game. The offense can’t sleep walk until halftime ever week and expect the defense to keep them in it. That Vikings game looked almost identical to every game last season, and usually you lose those games.
It was a tale of two halves, so let’s hope they can start coming out early like they did late last week.
September 13th, 2023 at 3:58 am
It’s not just what Joe said, but it’s the fact that this coaching staff had so many rookies, udfas, and 1st year starters playing significant rolls on this team, looking like vets. This team has gotten better and better since the 1st preseason game. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, If Bowles can win 10 games with the Jets, he can easily do it with this squad. Go Bucs
September 13th, 2023 at 4:25 am
It was a tough fought close win. The game could have easily been lost. The offense had to contend with amazing crowd noise. New coordinator. New offense. New qb. Switched up Oline. Head Coach on the hot seat. First game of the season. The team needed a confidence boost to solidify roles and confirm they could win. A win that says the systems put in place work and the effort was worth it. This was an important win not just for Mayfield, Bowles and Canales but for the whole organization. This win showed the improvements over last year. The defense was getting pressure. Running backs actually had holes to run through. Penalties were at a minimum. They kicked a 57yd field goal. Rookies played well. Lots to build on moving forward. I expect Canales to make adjustments on offense to keep improving. Not an impressive win. But saw lots of good things.
September 13th, 2023 at 4:27 am
Hear Ali’s name again was another reminder to me that his absence last year was just another brick on the wall of things that went against us prior to the season starting, and it just seemed to continue.
However, in looking at what happened to the Jets, their fans, and Rodgers (who I actually feel bad for), I should never complain in the slightest about getting three years of not one missed start from Tom Freaking Brady and a Super Bowl title.
September 13th, 2023 at 4:46 am
The Bears Wore sure gave a dour recap of Chicago’s implosion last week. They didn’t sound very hopeful for a rebound here in Tampa. They merely mentioned that last time we played the Bears lost 38-3. That was in 2021.
September 13th, 2023 at 5:21 am
The descrepancy in yardage is more about running an offense with a first time play caller that they have never ran against a seasoned excellent d coordinator. Once they got going it was a lot different. Can’t wait to see how they progress. Canales was so impressive once again to listen to yesterday in the radio. If Baker ends up being that guy and signed after the season, we need to make sure Canales is part of the marriage and not bolt for a HC job Bowles really impressed me Sunday also but he is long in the tooth. Hopefully we do what it takes to retain Canales here and he can be the coach in waiting much like Bowles was when Bruce was here. All the time he spent in Seattle and the way he talks about his guys gives me the vibe of someone that is more about building something long term than bolting for the first opportunity. Time will tell
September 13th, 2023 at 5:52 am
Richard , Get off my lawn! Always has to be one guy to try to poo poo on a positive article.
September 13th, 2023 at 6:23 am
@Joe. Correct on Evans. He needs to make those catches he dropped, and I would include the one he was frantically asking for a penalty on, he had a chance on that but couldn’t collect himself in-time as the ball was reaching him. Baker had some passes early that you wish were better thrown, but all and all, his deep ball was there, and at the very least gave Evans a chance. We were fortunate…Evans was fortunate to be able to make up for those misses. The difference between playoffs and/or no play-offs will be Evans and Godwin making those tough catches.
September 13th, 2023 at 6:41 am
Riverboat Todd
September 13th, 2023 at 6:49 am
You have to be impressed with no false starts in that dome. Joe, replace the blowhard Beckles with more Marpet. One was a pro bowler, the other just a headline grabber. This was a hugh win. We’ve been worrying about how the Bucs would move forward, or would they even move forward. They are, and they’re doing it with what they got, and they’re doing it the right way. Keep up the good work boys, go Bucs.
September 13th, 2023 at 6:52 am
Honestly I was pleasantly surprised. If this is how the Bucs will play, then they are a definite contender. Really great coaching. Tough play on defense. They were seriously into devastating the Vikings with their collision-type tackles. What more can be said about Mayfield? To be sure, I remain concerned about Goedeke. But, it is just game 1. Sunday’s coming. Perhaps they blow out a really bad Bears team.
September 13th, 2023 at 6:53 am
Missing at least 2 false starts and 2 holding calls from #76 also helped with that win! Never has the saying addition thru subtraction been ever truer than that, well actually getting rid of the greatest turnover machine of all time and adding the GOAT is the best one you catch my drift.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:18 am
@Ruchard, listen here Dick…lol. For once we didn’t have a turnover on offense, that problem now plays for the Chiefs. Second, that’s very impressive given how.loud it was in that place I wouldn’t have expected such a good game given how little they could communicate. Also, yes Jefferson burned us…THE FIRST HALF! Our HC made the adjustments and we shut him down!
September 13th, 2023 at 7:23 am
1-0 is all that matters at this point enjoy the W
September 13th, 2023 at 7:30 am
Richard – who the you know what cares about yards? Does the team with the most yards win?
I am pretty sure that the team with the most points wins.
You treat the turnovers (i.e., “takeaways”) as if they were something that just happened, that the Bucs defense had nothing to do with them. It is absolutely true that turnovers prevent points, and often times result in points for the team that CREATES THE TAKEAWAYS.
And then of course, the Bucs offense did NOT turnover the ball.
The Bowles haters have all come out with the same crap you did, crapping all over the Bucs win as if it needs to be asterisked, which is utter BS.’
A win is a win is a win is a win. And in sports, the ONLY thing that matters according to the man for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named, is winning.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:47 am
Good post Duane, you do have to realize most of these negative posts are from trolls who probably had the Vikes in their fantasy pools or took the Vikes on some of their weekly wagers online. Speaking of trolls, I wonder if Peter King is enjoying all the messages he is probably getting from Bucs’ fans!
The truth is that Tampa Bay was the better coached team, made the key adjustments at the half and the players wanted that win more than a Vikings team that looked like the Bucs often did when they would lose close games pre-Brady. The scoreboard, when the clock ticks to zero, tells who won the game not the total number of yards. Stats are for losers except for those in the win column. Go Bucs! The nay sayers are actually an advantage, providing lots of bulletin board material to get the guys amped up! Just win baby!
September 13th, 2023 at 7:49 am
For all the supposee ‘gifte’ the Bucs got from Minn, lets not forget the gift TD that the officials handed them on ridiculously bad pass interference call. That’s at least 4 gift points right there.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:49 am
Defense throttled them in the 2nd half. Vikings couldn’t run the ball to begin with, and Jefferson was a missing person in the second half. Mayfield seemed to somehow make every important play. I could deal with a few months of this
September 13th, 2023 at 8:22 am
Should have move wirfs to the left side last year.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:00 am
That PI call on Izzie should cost that referee his job straight up. It was absolutely awful. Dude should be looking for a job this week. It was that bad.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:16 am
I ignore trolls like Richard. Plus, there was an earlier comment from some yahoo named Brandon who insulted central FL football fans. Said we were a bunch of rubes. Really? Glad to hear it from an actual rube. I am so looking forward to the game next week. It will speak volumes about the entire Bucs organization. As a loyal fan who suffered through decades of woeful, double digit, record setting, losing seasons, I am hoping that Licht, Bowles and Canales will prove the exact opposite is finally coming true. Go Mighty Bucs Sunday!!
September 13th, 2023 at 9:18 am
Some people with the name Richard are called Dick. Facts.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:57 am
@Richard: Those are called ‘TakeAways’ our Defense IMPOSED ITS WILL and took the ball. Your vikes didnt just turn it over. Go look at the Izien INT and the hit White and Hall put on the TE. Thats BUC BALL BABY!! You qb/center exchange was bobbled and thrown off by our defensive assault. Nice try but w no Cook and average kirk there will be no 13-4 this year.
stay off of other teams boards or troll better kiddo.
(Tired of this hogwash lets OWN our boards this year fans)
September 13th, 2023 at 9:59 am
The game against the Bears will tell us a great deal. Emotionally this is a difficult spot for the Buccaneers. The Bears crapped their pants and they will be very determined. This is the NFL where the difference between winning and losing is a few plays a game and talent differences are slight. The Buccaneers are not good enough to assume a win over anybody. Remember last year’s losses at Carolina and Pittsburgh.
September 13th, 2023 at 10:45 am
Thanks to the fiasco called Sunday ticket on Youtube, I missed the whole 2nd qtr. Then I saw the rest of the game and was amazed! They came out in the 2nd half and I saw what you all saw. They looked co-ordinated, determined and (most important) capable. Several big plays like Godwin’s fantastic catch. I don’t expect to see a better one this year anyplace!
Backer looked like I hoped he would.
Many of you have commented on 2nd half adjustments. We never seemed to do that last year. BIG DEAL!
September 13th, 2023 at 11:39 am
Damn! The ONLY negative I can see in this game is style points. The turnovers were not just turnovers…takeaways and great plays also count! It’s not always a turnover because the offense makes a mistake…sometimes…believe it or not the defense actually deserves a little credit!!!! But here at JBF Nooooo
So a new OC goes up against a veteran highly respected DC in his loud house with a NEW QB, a totally retooled OL and still needing a solution for a running game. Canalas/Mayfield were outmatched the first half with clever disguises and blitzes that kept Mayfield from getting into a rhythm or comfort zone.
It takes a half…the team and the QB look bad…they regroup and replan at half and BOTH the OC and QB look great!
Damn you guys can’t even give a rookie OC…a QB new to the team and an OL with 4 of the 5 playing new positions and one of them a rookie making his NFL debut with a bad back in a LOUD stadium some freaking credit and instead wish to focus on the time it took to get some chemistry…
I mean JEEBUS…it took the team and entire HALF to get they spit together…but they do EXACLTY that and yet whiners still complain. At some point I’m wondering if this team could call a demo and walk across the water of Tampa Bay if people would be impressed?
September 13th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
They definitely looked well coached. Very few penalties, didn’t see people looking lost, or mishaps on special teams… All somewhat expected when you have as many young players and rookies on the team as they do. But it wasn’t happening.
Breakdowns on assignments happens, but that’s different. That’s a matter of reps.
September 13th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
As someone once said, “If they see me walk on water they will say I’ve forgotten how to swim”. Some fans! Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Very interesting to see how the Vikes respond tonight and could tell us a lot about where we stand
They didn’t look anything like a 13-4 team against us
September 13th, 2023 at 12:55 pm
How does 245 of offense equal well coached?
Since when?
SMDH. This place is so used to losing that we barely squeak out a win getting three TO’s and a nice offsides on a FG attempt….that a crappy game means we have turned the corner or bowles has…please people. Come on man.
September 13th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
We won the game on the ROAD with new pieces almost everywhere its was a good all around effort from everyone it doesn’t matter how we got it we got the W! Yall be hating man!
September 13th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Only stat that matters is what’s on the scoreboard.
September 13th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Doesn’t trust Tom Brady to go for it.
Trusts Baker Mayfield to go for it.
This should be interesting. I expect hijinks to ensue at some point.
September 13th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
“How does 245 of offense equal well coached?
Since when?”
I thought I answered this earlier but AGAIN. SINCE taking a TOTALLY retooled offensive line into a loud homes stadium of a playoff team from the previous year with a QB that most had written off, a NEW OC and an HC that 3/4 of the posters here do not respect.
DESPITE all those challenges the Bucs managed to create offense when they needed it.
Some definitions for you “OPTIMISTICBuc”. Perhaps you speak English as a 2nd language.
OPTMISITIC- “hopeful and confident about the future.”
PESSMISTIC – “tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.”
You are obviously entitled to your opinion but it loses respect at the very beginning with your absurd moniker! There is NOTHING optmistic about you!
Here’s another definition for you.
TROLL – Trolling is when someone post or comments online to deliberately upset others.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Love the nickname Joe, it might just be your best yet. Let’s hope Big Balls Bowles let’s em hang low at home
September 14th, 2023 at 4:02 am
Merriweather and Izien are jacked.
They both look like legit NFL players.
Hayes has some really weak and small arms.
Hayes needs to hit the gym harder.
Izien? NFL body.
Merriweather? NFL body.
Hayes? Needs a “redshirt season.”
But thank god we found Izien!
He’s what I’ve always wanted in a nickle!