“Your Backup Guard Has Got To Be Able To Play Center”
August 12th, 2015
Backup… for now.
Not quite a full day after NFL Network’s Mike Mayock crowed that rookie Bucs guard Ali Marpet has “Pro Bowl potential,” you could have fooled Marpet with that statement.
Today in practice, Marpet was getting reps at center. Not a shock given that the day after he was drafted, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht mentioned Marpet can also play center.
But the reason why Marpet was practicing at center may be a bit more complex, and that comes straight from Marpet’s own mouth. When talking about playing center with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after practice today, Marpet considered himself a reserve offensive linemen.
“I have been doing mostly right guard but I have been getting some snaps [at center] pre-practice,” Marpet said. “That is something you need to be able to do with only seven offensive linemen traveling. “Your backup guard has got to be able to play center.”
Well now, it’s not a real shock that Marpet believes he is a backup. The original goal for Marpet was for him to work his way into the starting lineup at some point this season. Starting against the Titans was a goal, of course, but one the Bucs throught would be a best-case scenario.
This also explains why Lovie had virgin center Garrett Gilkey start there last year in a game, a game which marked the first time at any level of his life that Gilkey had started at center.
Apparently, Lovie doesn’t like backup centers. He seems to believe a backup center is no different than a backup guard.
August 12th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
He’s humble too. I love the kid.
August 12th, 2015 at 7:43 pm
I suspect what is going on is Koetter realizes that the only reason EDS is starting at Center after a poor showing last year is that it would cost too much to cut him. However, Koeter knows that they don’t have to cut EDS; just move Marpet there (where he excelled in the Senior Bowl) and try EDS at Guard, which is his best position. He is a good run blocker! It would be a WIN WIN.
August 12th, 2015 at 8:23 pm
PRBucFan
Whats good brotha? Hopefully you & yours are well.
Here’s 2 yet another eventful season.
August 12th, 2015 at 8:23 pm
guess mayock and joe missed GMC comments where he’s been eating this poor kids lunch! garbage should drafted the g-tech kid.
August 12th, 2015 at 9:08 pm
Bottom line
It’s Always fun to see so many fans be so negative all the time.
I don’t make predictions on draft picks very often. It is all a crapshoot. But, I wish Joe would make a list of the Marpet believers and those pissed about him.
There is no doubt in my mind he is the best lineman they drafted since Devon Joseph.
August 12th, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Dave count me in on the pro Mongo side bro.
August 12th, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Why can’t ES be the backup center and right guard? We can only hope that is the way it plays out.
August 13th, 2015 at 1:11 am
Lol he’s not actually the backup.
Loosin up kiddies.
And what it is LUV!?!?!
Thanks bro, and likewise.
Cheers to an exciting year!
August 13th, 2015 at 3:52 am
Sounds like Jerremy Zuttah should have been retained, to me.
Who made that call?
Oh…that’s right…Light & Lovie did.