“A Fifth-Quarter” Story

June 7th, 2016

jason licht 0229Guard Ali Marpet’s Division-III-to-second-round-pick story made NFL history. But perhaps Marpet’s deeper football roots are more stunning.

One would think an NFL player would possess a proud youth football history, assuming he played youth football. That’s not the case for Marpet.

Speaking on Total Access on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Marpet explained that played tight end as a kid but never scored a touchdown and primarily was relegated to the postgame game — reserved for the kids who stink.

“I was a third-string tight end. So we had a fifth-quarter that was set out for the players who weren’t as talented as the others,” Marpet said. “So I was the fifth quarter kind of tight end. There’s hope for the fifth-quarter guys.”

Keep in mind Marpet grew up in suburban New York, which his hardly a football hotbed.

Joe this all pretty damn cool, especially considering Bucs general manager Jason Licht touts how deeply his personnel department researches draft picks. They dive into players’ histories going back as far as elementary school. Despite the Division III status, despite playing tight end with the scrubs, Licht boldly traded up for Marpet.

 

12 Responses to ““A Fifth-Quarter” Story”

  1. tmaxcon Says:

    I like Licht… He’s been able to overcome everything but Lovie Smith’s incompetence and pathetic staff of unqualified friends and family. The future is bright for licht now the scrubs are in the cornfields working on the Midwest cursing epidemic.

  2. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    This year’s version’s name is Ryan Smith.

  3. Pawel Says:

    Ryan Smith looks like Jalen Ramsey
    , measirements, no?

  4. DB55 Says:

    Donovan Smith from NY too.

  5. rhenry Says:

    “cursing epidemic” That was funny tmaxcon.

  6. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    The Realist would tell you that Lovie didn’t believe the football game begins until the fifth quarter…….

  7. 813bucboi Says:

    @tmaxcon…if the bucs don’t make the playoffs, lichts future wont be so bright…GO BUCS!!!!

  8. Scurvy Dogs Says:

    @ Pawel

    Their measurables are very similar. I’d never thought to compare the two.

  9. Cobraboy Says:

    I really like Marpet. He seems like just an unassuming regular guy. But stuffed into a nasty ‘tuded NFL body.

  10. Bring bucs back Says:

    I too like Marpet but, he is another Bucs’ lineman that must improve his pass-blocking skills, and probably will.

  11. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    tmaxcon Says
    “I like Licht… He’s been able to overcome everything but…”

    …his own horrible free agent choices.

  12. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    No one has to sell me on Marpet. I was the first to sing his praises here, months before he was drafted.