“He Was A Small-School Guy”
March 25th, 2019
Alex Cappa was a hot topic at the NFL Owners Meetings today
Man, Bucs rookie guard Alex Cappa had a hell of a learning curve last year.
First, the poor guy was stuck watching Caleb Benenoch perform his job.
At least Cappa learned what not to do.
But Cappa also was coming in as a player from Humboldt State, a long way from Division I college football. Bucs fans hoped the late third-round pick would be the next Ali Marpet, the pride of Division III Hobart, but Cappa wasn’t close.
However, general manager Jason Licht was all positive about Cappa today at the swanky Arizona Biltmore resort, the site of the NFL Owners Meetings.
“He was a small-school guy. Not every small-school lineman can come in and perform like Ali Marpet. I mean, it’s a rarity,” Licht said of Cappa. “But, you know, he’s really smart, really tough, and I know he’s getting a lot better, stronger this offseason. I have confidence in the person.”
Licht added on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he looks forward to competition between Cappa and newcomer veteran guard Earl Watford, who started nine games for head coach Bucco Bruce Arians with the Cardinals in 2017. Watford, 28, was a backup in Cleveland last season.
Joe is rooting for Cappa. He was supposed to be a nasty, high-effort anc capable player. It just didn’t happen for him with limited reps. Maybe this is the year it all clicks.
March 25th, 2019 at 5:28 pm
The only way this team gets any better, is for the O-line and Cappa to show up as an above average unit that can run block!!
March 25th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
I hope he is right
March 25th, 2019 at 5:43 pm
I believe
March 25th, 2019 at 5:43 pm
Licht needs to stop reaching in the draft and go with known commodities that have lots of tape against quality opponents. These so called diamonds in the rough picks are great for well established and successful teams but not a team like the Bucs who seemingly need first day starters to compete.
March 25th, 2019 at 5:45 pm
Rookie out of D3 school should have zero expectations his first year. Patience.
March 25th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
Blaine Gabbert to the Bucs?
March 25th, 2019 at 5:51 pm
He went from playing against DE’s that were 215 soaking wet and fans expect him to come in the league and dominate grown nfl veterans D lineman.. the joes are guilty of this too. Stop having so much high expectations for rookies as long as some of us been fans we know how the story usually plays out for us. Yes other teams get rookies who come in and make immediate impact but that’s rarely the case for us. Can’t call him a bust after one year but most commentators on this site will call him just that. Have patience people let this coaching staff work!
March 25th, 2019 at 5:53 pm
What Licht didn’t tell us is that he is better suited as a DE…..
I would like to thank Joe for doing separate articles on Licht’s comments…..they could have all been placed into one larger article but this breaks his comments down into different categories of interest.
That way posters comments aren’t all over the lot.
Good job…..
March 25th, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Well Well , Licht apparently disagrees with Bucco Bruce !!! Licht also got away with almost ruining a # 1 draft pick !!! No One with any competence puts the # 1 overall pick behind two rookies lineman with one of them being a division 2 guy !!! He got really really lucky Winston made it through that season. No one in their right mind does that !!! We aren’t talking about Joe Thomas or some other projected all pro in the top 5 or 10 picks !!! Plus they had Top 5 cap space which makes it more more entertaining!!! Uncle Bruce , Save Me !!!
See these bozo moves are happen even when some fans don’t even know it !!!
March 25th, 2019 at 6:04 pm
It’s impossible to win in the nfl with a crap gm
March 25th, 2019 at 6:08 pm
An old lineman can get stronger, improve technically, and learn his reads and responsibilities. What you can’t coach into a guy is want to, and nasty. This is also why I worry about D Smith.
March 25th, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Draft (RG/C) Elgton Jenkins – in the 2nd or 3rd Round, and don’t worry about it.
LT Donovan Smith
LG Ali Marpet
C Ryan Jensen
RG Elgton Jenkins
RT DeMar Dotson
March 25th, 2019 at 7:06 pm
If this guy ends up being good enough and catches on, I think he will be not only be a treat to watch, but perhaps a fan favorite type. If that nasty comes to fruition, watch out (no Nightclub will be safe)!
March 25th, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Licht Weight got cute with a trade up yet again…doesn’t seem to matter though. He doesn’t appear to be accountable for anything. Employment seems guaranteed…
March 25th, 2019 at 7:42 pm
Jean Lafitte Says:
“Licht needs to stop reaching in the draft and go with known commodities…”
Yes, at least in the first 3 or 4 rounds. And No 2ND ROUND KICKERS!!
March 25th, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Cappa did not have functional strength to compete last year but showed promise. Hopefully he worked his but off this offseason. Several scouts last year saw the same thing as Licht.
March 25th, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Jameis always struggled against 3/4 defense I’m pumped to see us move to one
March 25th, 2019 at 8:37 pm
We’ll soon find who can ball and who can’t understand a playbook with the coaches running two practices simultaneously. None of your draft picks will have the coaching excuse especially Cappa and Noah Spence since he played 3-4 in college
March 25th, 2019 at 9:03 pm
He will be better than OK in a couple of years
March 25th, 2019 at 10:16 pm
Cappa had ZERO muscle mass last year.
If he’s working out like an NFL guard now, he should be fine
March 25th, 2019 at 10:55 pm
Cappa will be a beast. He just had to see what he was up against, and has been preparing himself this off season.
March 25th, 2019 at 10:57 pm
LUVMYBUCS Says
“Draft (RG/C) Elgton Jenkins”
I would not be opposed to that…but I strongly doubt we will take an OL guy before round 5 this year. I have nothing I can prove it with though. Just a gut feeling.
March 25th, 2019 at 11:17 pm
I think it was smart to let him learn his rookie year. We don’t need to rush to judge a player after one season. And now that we have quality coaching let’s see how he looks this year. Colleges redshirt players for a reason. Cappa got his redshirt year now let’s see what he can do.
March 26th, 2019 at 7:47 am
Cappa needs a hair cut and start fresh with that–hope he is getting nutrition, weight room and drills during his offseason, when he was in college he used to go out in Arizona somewhere to an o-line school/camp. Anyway–would love to hear more about what/how these guys train in the offseason.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:01 am
firethecannons Says:
“Cappa needs a hair cut”
—————–
Ridiculous take.
…and yes I definitely agree that Cappa can come on strong, this year.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Cappa this is your year.