“The Ringer Was Off”
December 16th, 2015
Details, Ali, Details.
The little things in life can mean so much.
A couple of neat little nuggets came out of the Buccaneers Radio Network chat with mauling rookie guard Ali Marpet last night.
Marpet revealed that on Day 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft, he was hanging out with family and friends in his basement watching the draft and hoping a call would come to make him a professional football player.
Marpet explained that his agent advised him there was a chance he would be drafted in the second round. So Marpet was ready and his good friend was in charge of holding and guarding his cell phone — the phone that would accept a call from an NFL team.
But after the draft started, even after eventual teammate Donovan Smith was selected in the second round, Marpet explained, he and his buddy realized the ringer on the cell phone was off.
What an oversight!
Joe wonders what would have happened if the Bucs eventually called Marpet a few times before turning in their draft card and got voice mail over and over. Might they have gotten cold feet on the Division-III guy who was a big gamble to begin with?
Regardless, Bucs fans know the happy ending.
As for the phone call, Marpet said on the line first was the Tampa Bay scout who Marpet said was one of the initial pro scouts ever to visit him at Hobart College. Next, Lovie Smith was on the phone.
Marpet says he was so amped up and excited that he has no recollection of what Lovie said.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Luckily The Realist has the conversation on file!!!
Lovie: ” Hello, is any one there??? this lovie with the Bucs”
Ali: ” I am here mr. smith, are you drafting me???”
Lovie: ” yes. do you want to play defensive tackle??”
Ali: ” NO, I am an offensive lineman!!”
Lovie: ” well that is very disappointing!! Here talk to Licht of somebody, cause I no nothing of offense and offensive line!!”
Then in the back ground you hear lovie saying he needs better talent for defense because his cannot coach any one up or devise a scheme to make the talent look any better!!!!
December 16th, 2015 at 9:45 am
Great coup Realist. Never thought of it that way, but I bet Marpet would make a great defensive tackle. He’s got a nasty streak that the Bucs could use anywhere on the field.
December 16th, 2015 at 9:51 am
@TBR: Still trolling, I see. Please take your childish agenda somewhere else.
It’s sad: You took the time to post a lengthy stream of nonsense for a website whose posters can’t stand you because you have shown that you’re a lousy fan.
Where were all of your posts on the weeks we win? Not. To. Be. Found.
People like you are what’s wrong with this fan base.
December 16th, 2015 at 10:21 am
@Piratic – I don’t know that you can say that TBR is a bad part of the fan base. He’s what’s wrong with the internet. Trolls like TBR and ISIS need to be at the top of Trump’s hit list when he starts shutting the internet down.
December 16th, 2015 at 11:02 am
@ The Realist
Point blank:
1. Is there anything Lovie can do to change your opinion of him? Win a Super Bowl in how many years? Or will no amount of success change it?
2. Name who should have been hired in 2014 instead of him.
3. Name who should be hired now instead of him.
I’m not even saying Lovie is a great coach but, some people just love to bitch but don’t actually have a solution. Do you have anything constructive?
The team isn’t perfect, but, I like where it’s headed overall. If Lovie can’t get them over the hump, he will eventually be Dungy’d. And, the next guy takes us all the way.
December 16th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
About time the kid has a better photo on your site. He has earned it!
December 16th, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Great pick up. Looks like 2015 was a hit draft. If Kenny Bell had worked out it would have been an A++.
December 16th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
@ChessMaster: Exactly.
The GM and his Scouting Department have a new way of evaluating players, and it’s already paying dividends.
December 16th, 2015 at 7:54 pm
He’s a smart guy. He learned early to ignore Lovie Smith! Everything he says is either something he has already said 400 times, completely wrong or an excuse. Simple as that. What is that a f*%#in catch phrase? STFU
December 16th, 2015 at 10:36 pm
That pic has been up before and is a good one. Man I appreciate Ali Marpet, a big strong good looking kid. This guy has success written all over him.