“He’s A Pro Bowler”
September 22nd, 2016
Massive respect for the pride of Division-III Hobart, the Bucs’ second-year right guard.
A guy who knows all about guards across the National Football League has big words for Ali Marpet.
Joe’s talking about four-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy. No. 93 hopped on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night and fielded a fan question about the toughest offensive lineman to face on the Bucs.
McCoy went right to the pride of Hobart College, 2015 second-round pick Ali Marpet.
“We call Ali Marpet a blocking machine,” McCoy said. “I think he just lives to block. I think if he had kids, he’s not going to buy them pacifiers or diapers, he’s going to buy them gloves.
“I am [talking Pro Bowl]. I said it. I think he’s going to be in the Pro Bowl. I don’t know if it’s going to be this year or next year, but it’s going to happen.
“He’s that good. Because he loves what he does and he goes 100 percent regardless of how he feels. I’ve seen his progress from our first rep going against each other to [Wednesday’s reps], when we were going against each other in pass rush. And he’s a completely different player and he’s improving every day. And I’ve just seen what he does. Even when we went to Jacksonville [in preseason], I got a lot of buddies over there on the [Jaguars’] D-line. And they were like, ‘I don’t know who No. 74 is but he’s good.’
“He’s got these grippers. Man, when he gets them hands on you it’s over. So I do my best to keep his hands off me. But Ali, definitely, I see a future Pro Bowler when I look at him.”
Encouraging stuff for Bucs fans, and it’s really no surprise if you watch film of games. Marpet stands out as stronger and nastier than many of his peers.
Will Marpet make a Pro Bowl? Well, considering all the politics involved, Joe will say Marpet has no shot for quite a while until the Bucs start winning games.
However, a good start would be the O-line standing tall against the mighty fronts of the Rams, Broncos and Panthers these next three weeks.
September 22nd, 2016 at 11:39 am
Mongo love pro bowl!
September 22nd, 2016 at 11:40 am
Now here’s a player we can be glad that Jason Licht paid a 3rd and 4th rounder to move up for.
At least we got a good player out of the Barron trade as it was that 4th round pick that was used to move up for Marpet.
September 22nd, 2016 at 12:03 pm
I’ve been saying this about the draft for a long time (but I thought it was to get Kwon). The objective of the draft is to acquire players who can help the team get better either on or off the field. People around here cry and whine that Barron is making plays for St. Louis as a LB and that Lovie couldn’t figure out how to use him. It doesn’t matter. We got a really good player out of the pick which improved the team. I’d rather have Kwon Alexander over Mark Barron any day of the week.
All that being said, I hope the Bucs didn’t miss out on an opportunity over the past two years to acquire something, anything, for Mike Glennon.
September 22nd, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Marpet for president. I’d vote for him.
September 22nd, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Monster mitts, indeed. That drink can in Marpet’s hand looks so damn small.
September 22nd, 2016 at 3:38 pm
he’s a good player but I want to see him get some pay back from Aaron Donald…GO BUCS!!!
September 22nd, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Ali has been a real monster these last two games but his revenge comes on Sunday. That’s his real test. Fingers crossed.
September 22nd, 2016 at 4:37 pm
Ali is a STUD olineman. Great pick!