“The Girth And The Size You Need”
August 31st, 2021
Alex Cappa
Alex Cappa was a project. Tristan Wirfs was a specimen from the football gods.
A guest on the Booth Review podcast on Buccaneers.com, assistant head coach co-offensive line coach Harold Goodwin dove into this reality.
“He’s matured over the last couple of years getting bigger, stronger himself,” Goodwin said of Cappa, his starting right guard. “And you can see it start to play out in each and every game he plays that he’s getting better and better. … But there was a little bit of transition for him, more so than Tristan, just from the physical standpoint of having the girth and the size you need to excel at this level.”
Man, general manager Jason Licht must fist-pump in his office four times a day when he thinks of his offensive line.
Joe wonders whether Licht calls up a member of Team Glazer randomly and barks, “You like that O-line, Glazer?”
Licht scored gems in Round 2 of the 2015 draft, nailed his Super Bowl center in free agency. Grabbed Cappa out of Humboldt State in the third round a few years ago, and pounced on Wirfs after many teams passed on him. Oh, and then there’s the impressive James Madison University backups in Aaron “Super Bowl” Stinnie and Josh Wells.
Indeed Cappa was a developmental player when he was drafted, a guy built more like a tackle than a guard. But Licht knew he had a guard who just needed time.
Joe would not be surprised if Cappa has a beast of a contract year this season.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Cappa is one of Licht’s best finds, even if he overdrafted him — and if the guy turns out to be a good player, then he didn’t overdraft him I guess.
But Cappa, coming out of college, was not at all impressive. He wasn’t very strong, was slow, had one of the worst combines of any drafted player. Most sites, if they even commented on him, saw him at best as a 6th or 7th rounder. So Licht paid a huge premium taking him as early as he did.
BUT, Licht was right, and based on production, the Bucs got a value. It’s why I didn’t question the lineman they took this year, seemingly much too high compared to the ‘experts’ and considering they were going to move him from tackle to center. Seems extremely risky and an overpayment. But Licht has more than earned the benefit of the doubt, in particular on offensive lineman.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:21 pm
We can give Licht 100% credit for the entire Oline….not the coaches….Licht…
Now when it comes to Devin White, JTS, Antoine Winfield, Davis, SMB, Edwards…Shaq….Vea….I’ll throw some love Todd Bowles’ way.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Nice that something good came out of Humboldt State, other than high-quality, hybridized marijuana cultivated by the Ag grads.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:37 pm
After reading the title I had to double check that this was a football site and not that hub site that I have to delete everytime I’m done with it.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:38 pm
Are you telling me that the OLine is going to be BETTER than they were last year?? UNDEFEATED!!!
August 31st, 2021 at 4:42 pm
“The Girth And The Size You Need”
_________
OMG, I’ve got a tattoo just below my bellybutton that says the exact same thing.
😉
August 31st, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Cappa had the attitude and toughness, but was a bit light in the lower body and needed to bulk up and add strength. He has definitely done that, and the game has slowed down for him too so he knows what he needs to do out there to be successful.
August 31st, 2021 at 4:59 pm
The Girth And The Size You Need
Check yo stats!
August 31st, 2021 at 5:02 pm
We went from one of the worst olines five years ago to a top 3 oline this year.
August 31st, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Has anybody seen NDog ? @Joe When are you gonna spill the beans and tell us his alter username ?
August 31st, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Just read where the Patriots released Cam Newton, thus giving the starting gig to Mac Jones. Lions also released CB Desmond Trufant after 1 year with them (bet he wishes now that he’d stayed with Atlanta).
August 31st, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Like when Kakarot turned Super Saiyan, took a little time, fighting, self reflection and maturity then 💥💥💥 he got that golden hair do and became a real NFL guard. Thanks to Mr. Licht
August 31st, 2021 at 5:37 pm
Joe says:
Man, general manager Jason Licht must fist-pump in his office four times a day when he thinks of his offensive line.
Joe wonders whether Licht calls up a member of Team Glazer randomly and barks, “You like that O-line, Glazer?
Lol! excellent material here for the avid Bucs fan! Joe–you can write! Rereading and getting yet another laugh!
August 31st, 2021 at 5:38 pm
Defense Rules – Everything you hear out of Boston media says Cam was washed up last year, and hasn’t looked any better. He has no arm left, no zip, no accuracy. Sounds like injuries took their toll. The Pats tried to claim Cam just didn’t know the offense last year, but as stated, he hasn’t looked any better this year — that’s what I hear anyways. Then, obviously, the kicker is Mac Jones looking good and being the better player. I guess Cam wasn’t taking it as well as they’d like. The team and media still like Cam, but the is saying he’s washed up — and the offense with Jones is different, so there’s no need to keep a slaking Cam around.
With as much as I dislike Gabbert, if Cam has no arm left, he wouldn’t be an upgrade. Not that Arians would breakup with Gabbert, he LOVES Gabbert. LOVES HIM! Not that I’m down on Arians at all, I just find his love of Gabbert strange.
August 31st, 2021 at 5:44 pm
What about Ali Marpet?
August 31st, 2021 at 5:50 pm
Trufant would be a nice addition if he’s healthy and willing to take a minimum contract. He was a mess last season due to injury, and he’s at an age where some CBs deteriorate fast.
August 31st, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Joe knows nothing of girth or size! JK, Joe
August 31st, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Newton is toast. Injuries have destroyed his shoulder and altered his mechanics. At this point I don’t think he’s even a quality backup QB. If he wants to extend his NFL career he’ll have to change positions to either TE or FB.
August 31st, 2021 at 5:56 pm
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Bruce ❤️ Blaine
August 31st, 2021 at 5:58 pm
“The girth and size you need.” – well…don’t let anyone tell you that size doesn’t matter, because it does.
August 31st, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Tampa Bay kept only 10 newcomers.
Six of seven draft choices made the team, with only seventh-round selection Chris Wilcox getting cut. Kicker Jose Borregales, who handled the kicking duties in the preseason finale at Houston with Ryan Succop unavailable, made the team as an undrafted rookie.
However, Succop, defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh and offensive linemen Nick Leverett and Earl Watford are on the COVID-19 reserve list and exempt from the roster. So the Bucs will have to make corresponding moves for any of those players they activate.
The Bucs announced they waived Wilcox, offensive tackle Jake Benzinger, receiver Cyril Grayson, safety Javon Hagan, outside linebacker Ladarius Hamilton, offensive guard Jonathan Hubbard, tight end Tanner Hudson, receiver Travis Jonsen, cornerback Herb Miller, tight end Codey McElroy, outside linebacker Elijah Ponder, defensive lineman Benning Potoa’e, defensive lineman Kobe Smith and offensive lineman Brandon Walton.
They released tight end Jerell Adams, quarterback Ryan Griffin, cornerback Antonio Hamilton, linebacker Joe Jones, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, receiver Jaydon Mickens and running back C.J. Prosise.
They waived/injured offensive tackle Brad Seaton.
They placed receiver Justin Watson on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
August 31st, 2021 at 7:52 pm
That’s what she said.
August 31st, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Buc fan…
Davis was drafted under Mike Smith
August 31st, 2021 at 9:06 pm
Some of our recent drafts have been amazing. Things turned around after 2016, which was the last time we really blew a draft–every single one of those 2016 players was a BUST, none bigger than Aguayo.
September 4th, 2021 at 1:58 am
In my best Michael Scott voice:
“That’s what she said”