“Turning Passion To A Paycheck”

March 6th, 2018

Cash on the brain

It’s rare to hear NFL players talk about money — and it’s rare for reporters to ask questions about money.

Frankly, it seems the media is scared to go there for some reason.

It’s odd considering how salaries are made public and the NFL desperately wants fans thinking about the salary cap and related free agency wheeling and dealing.

General managers don’t even like to discuss cash, though Jason Licht said last year that Doug Martin was a guy who might need a carrot in front on him like he had in 2015. It was one of many red flags on Martin that were brushed aside.

Anyway, that brings Joe to the present and a new Instagram video of Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. The Bucs offensive linemen entering their contract years and the pair is seen pushing each other in a weight-pulling race, sort of an individual tug of war with a sled full of weights. Smith won the contest against a visibly beefed up Marpet.

It got the attention of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, who posted the video (seems like he shot it) and expressed his love for the work.

Marpet responded online with the following comment: “@alimarpet took a L in this one but it’s cool ! Just working turning our passion to a paycheck but never losing that passion while doing it.”

Joe thinks this is glimpse into Marpet and Smith being well aware they are in contract years as second-round draft picks who haven’t earned a ton of money yet. They know they’re poised to be among the NFL’s highest paid players if they have good 2017 seasons.

Yes, Smith bashers, he will be paid big-time if he stays healthy for a fourth consecutive season. There’s always huge demand for even average starting left tackles, and the Bucs’ brass is confident he’s markedly better than average.

As for Marpet, he’s missed significant action in two of his three seasons. If that happens again in 2018, he’ll get a fragile label that will drive his value way down.

Keep grinding, men.

37 Responses to ““Turning Passion To A Paycheck””

  1. GhostofSchiano Says:

    If we could sign one of the two premiere FA Centers and Sitton, Barber and Rogers could easily gain 100 yards a game.

  2. ghostofSchiano Says:

    Dotson – Sitton (or Norwell ) – Jensen (or Richburg)- Marpet- Smith

    Love to see the running lanes from that crew.

  3. Jason Says:

    After the fiasco from last year I don’t trust the Bucs brass on anything.

  4. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Marpet looks SWOLE

  5. webster Says:

    @ tmax and joe

    Did you see that the bucs and raiders are talking about a trade of mccoy or was talking about it. Mccoy is available

  6. darin Says:

    Donovan Smith is great, just ask him.

  7. AlteredEgo Says:

    Oh…I thought this was going to be about ukuleles

  8. tmaxcon Says:

    webster

    i did not see that. If true, it would be the second greatest day in buc history behind the firing of the one dimensional dungy.

  9. JB Says:

    Ali would have kept playing in 2017 if the Bucs were in a playoff race. They shut him down bc he’s their best OL. He’s getting an extension sooner than most think.

  10. Mike Johnson Says:

    Our O line will be even better this upcoming line. Not worried about them in the least. Its that GD Defense and pressbox Smitty I’m worried about!

  11. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    @webster
    Link or it didn’t happen

  12. Pickgrin Says:

    Marpet missed 3 games in 2015 and 5 games in 2017. 8 games missed out of 48.

    Not an ideal ratio obviously but not enough to hurt his value much if any.

    If Ali misses 2 or 3 games in 2018 I doubt it will change the way he gets paid.

  13. AlteredEgo Says:

    ME Goat…there is a link on JBF somewhere today from Pro FB weekly…with the story/option/hypothesis

  14. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    @webster
    Apologies
    I just saw it. I would rather get a 2nd in next years draft, this draft is DoDo for edge rushers and next year is loaded.
    It is concerning that they would trade our ONLY Defensive line piece for a 2nd round pick.

  15. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Thanks altered

  16. tmaxcon Says:

    Mike Evans GOAT

    any time you can get a 2nd for a fragile career loser you pull that trigger bucs can replace mccoy off the scrap heap not to mention getting is sorry arse out of the locker is the only hope bucs have of winning.

  17. SB Says:

    @Webster.. They are NOT in trade talks. BSPN Insider wrote an article that it Should happen. Here is a re-post from an earlier thread I was on.
    _____________
    This is stuck behind a pay wall over at BSPN. I thought I would post it for you guys. It is about trades that should happen this off season

    _______________
    4. The Oakland Raiders send a 2018 second-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for DT Gerald McCoy.

    Defensive tackle is a big question mark for the Raiders. McCoy, who turned 30 last month, remains a front-line player at the position. He is signed through 2020, with base salaries between $10 million and $13 million, and only $500,000 of proration remaining, all in 2018.

    Tampa Bay could use its early picks to revamp its defensive line, with an emphasis on outside rushers. There was some question among execs whether McCoy would command a second-round pick at age 30 and whether the Buccaneers could comfortably part with him.

    Buffalo could be another logical destination for McCoy. Tampa Bay could conceivably ask for defensive end Jerry Hughes as part of its return for McCoy. Hughes is scheduled to earn $7.35 million in salary and bonuses for each of the next two seasons. Sending receiver DeSean Jackson to Kansas City for Dee Ford was another suggested trade to help the Bucs’ pass rush, despite doubts over whether the Chiefs would be interested in Jackson at this stage.

  18. webster Says:

    Licht learned under belichick. You get rid of a player one year early when he is worth something instead of one year too late where he is worth nothing. A 2nd round pick is great value. You can package that pick with a 4th rounder and move back into the first round. Who said it had to be an edge rusher you use it on. Cornerback is still a need. A defensive tackle like tim settle would be a good pick up etc

  19. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Yeah, Licht needs to make some moves. But I doubt the glazers would condone this

  20. WutdaBucisthis Says:

    @SB
    …DAMN YOU!!! I got so excited thinking he was gone. Lol thanks though big homie

  21. webster Says:

    @ sb

    What i read said there have been rumblings of five trades that involve big name players. It said each trade mike sando touches on is either proposed, vetted and or he heard rumors about. I dont know which side this one falls under but make no mistake, where there is smoke

  22. webster Says:

    @ mike evans

    The glazers do not tell the gm who to trade. They do not get into the affairs until it is time to fire the coach and gm

  23. Mike Evans GOAT Says:

    Webster
    That’s the way I read it also

  24. SB Says:

    @ Webster……Imo this is Smoke Screen season. I see no way that the Bucs let McCoy go unless they fail in a “Contract Yr” for Licht and Koetter. No way are they getting rid of their best DLman. They HAVE to pair him up with a good Edge rusher though or they are looking for new jobs next yr. IMO I think they Should trade him to a team that has a chance to win a SB. Dude is way to talented to waste it all here on a team that makes boneheaded decisions yr after yr by not getting him even One good player next to him. He deserves to Win.

  25. SB Says:

    Just did a search……all of the rumblings are generated from the BSPN article I just posted.
    https://247sports.com/nfl/oakland-raiders/Bolt/Gerald-McCoy-trade-to-Raiders-labeled-as-possibility-by-NFL-executive-115905900

  26. Seminole bill Says:

    PUH-LEASE move Ali back to guard.

  27. bojim Says:

    Damn! Ali’s huge!

  28. SteveK Says:

    Studs working hard!

    Can wait to draft Nelson and put him in between those two. What a triumvirate! This Buc Fan can dream.

  29. LakeLand Says:

    Will Ali Marpet get paid like a OC or OG? The highest paid OC is Brandon Linder at $10.3 million. The highest paid OG is Kevin Zeitler at $12 million.

  30. BucEmUp Says:

    The only issue on the offense was the running game, I have no problem with the oline, just build through the draft and don’t freak out.

    Defense is the worst in the league. Has been for two years outside of five really lucky and opportunistic games.

  31. SB Says:

    What SteveK just said…..Assuming Chubb is not available.

  32. SB Says:

    @BucEmUp….
    Lost to the Patriots by 5. ( Three missed FGs, one PAT,)
    Lost to the Bills by 3 (Two red Zone possesions with FGs instead of TDs)
    Lost to the Packers in OT.
    Lost to the Panthers by 3. ( Offense sh!ited away numerous opportunities(

  33. SB Says:

    Forgot about losing to the Falcons by 3 in week 15. Point is “Worst Defense in the League” is coupled by an Offense that is Plagued by inconsistency and can’t keep the Defense off the Field. Plenty of blame to go around here.

  34. SteveK Says:

    Retaining Doug Martin signing Swaggy Baker. Sitting out the Calais Campbell sweepstakes are the main issues for the 2017 5-11 record.

  35. SB Says:

    I would agree that all of those are factors SteveK. However, being 25th in Red Zone efficiency and a Horrible kicking game the first half of the yr lost us a couple as well

  36. SteveK Says:

    SB,

    The kicking was wretched and the red zone hurt us most without the presence of a RB1.

  37. richbucsfan Says:

    read the Bucs have multi-millions to spend on FA…am I the only one to think that regardless of how much is left in the salary cap theoretically, the Glazer’s may not have the money to spend…just a thought