The name Ali Marpet might not ring a bell around the NFL, but it should. Marpet could and should be mentioned in the same class that includes players such as the Cowboys’ Zack Martin, the Eagles’ Brandon Brooks, the Panthers’ Trai Turner, and the Saints’ double threat of Andrus Peat and Larry Warford. However, the Bucs record this year wasn’t what one would call great, and unfortunately, a winning record matters when it becomes time to pick players for the Pro Bowl. Take a look at what happened to the Bucs Mike Evans, for example, who had a Pro Bowl year, and he made it only by default.

Marpet, out of Hobart College, was drafted in the 2nd round [61st overall] in 2015. He was the first Division III player to be selected out of the 100 players in an NFL draft since 1990 when the Seattle Seahawks selected Ferrum College’s running back Chris Warren with the #84 pick. At the NFL scouting combine in 2015, Marpet stood out among offensive linemen posting the fastest 40 times at 4.98, fastest 10-yard time at 1.71 seconds, and the second-best time in both the three-cone drill at 7.33 seconds and 20-year shuttle at 4.47. He also ranked 5th among offensive linemen in the 225 repetitions with 30.

Marpet started his 2015 rookie year at right guard finishing as the number 12th best run blocking guard in the NFL and graded as the best in the league for week 8.

Fast forward to 2017 Marpet was moved to center when starting center Joe Hawley went down to injury. With Marpet on the field, the quarterback was sacked only 4.5 percent of the time on passing downs versus over 9% with Marpet out of the lineup.

Going into the 2018 season, then Head Coach Dirk Koetter moved Marpet back to left guard after the signing of former Ravens center Ryan Jensen. On October 9th, 2018, Marpet signed a well-deserved contract extension worth $54.125 million dollars with $26.8 million guaranteed. He has earned respect from the Bucs fans and players for his physical style of play, level of excellence, intelligence, and communication skills on the field. He has served as team captain and together with Donovan Smith helped recruit Ryan Jensen as a free agent.

Ali Marpet might not be a name the people around NFL knows yet, but the Bucs know, and their fans know it. It’s a name that definitely looks like it could end up in Canton one day alongside Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks; to me that’s a great group to be in.

Opinion Editorial: If there is one thing that we as Bucs fans can all agree on, it’s that Carl Nassib has earned a spot on this team due to his performance on the field last year. With a new coaching regime, there is going to be plenty of roster attrition.

In Bruce Arians introductory press conference, he is quoted as saying, “If you can’t play hard, you can’t play here.” I hope he takes that seriously. There are certain players who stick out like sore thumbs in both practices and games due to lack of effort. I Hope he takes that seriously. However, he is not going to have to worry about that when it comes to Carl Nassib. He Works his butt off, and that is extremely evident.

In limited playing time, over the course of playing 15 games and only starting in 9 of them with the Bucs this past season, Nassib amassed 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 6.5 sacks, 29 total tackles (22 solo and 7 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, and 14 QB hits.

This man deserves a spot on this roster, he deserves to start, and he deserves to get paid. From Bucs fans everywhere and all of us here at Bucs Life News, Carl Nassib, you are a beast, keep on bringing it every single play! Go Bucs!

Opinion Editorial:

After seven Pro Bowl selections in nine years for Antonio Brown during his tenure with Steelers, and now it seems he wants out of Pittsburgh. It would seem to be a no-brainer for teams lacking a talented number one wide receiver, but that leaves the Steelers thin at the wideout position. Luckily for them, the Bucs have a diva of their own who also wanted a trade.

We still do not know if Bruce Arians can persuade DeSean Jackson to stay and play out his contract in Tampa. Jackson had already put his home in Tampa up for sale and made it known that he can’t play nice with Tampa QB Jameis Winston. I think he would fit in well in Pittsburgh with Big Ben.

If Adam Humphries hits free agency, then it would be wise to hang on to D-Jax, at least for the upcoming season.

The big question I have is; What is Jackson’s trade value at this stage in his career?

Also, can Jackson replace Antonio Brown’s production?

If Pittsburgh throws a day two draft pick at us, then I’d say yes trade Jackson. Can DeSean catch 90 balls or even 80? If Mike Tomlin thinks he can, then we should pull the trigger at any solid offer made! Jason Licht should seriously consider any solid trade offer that comes across his desk.

*Disclaimer: No one is saying trade AB for D-Jax.

Chris Conte, you know him, and you don’t love him. In fact, you probably hate him. You know it, we know it, and he knows it. He’s without a doubt one of the least favored players on the Buccaneers roster. It wasn’t just the Bucs fans who weren’t fond of him.

His original rise to infamy began immediately with the Chicago Bears after he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Fans there never cared for him and eventually, after Lovie Smith was hired in Tampa, he found his way south, and he and Bradley McDougald found themselves on the “Least Athletic Safety Duo” list.*

It’s been downhill ever since.

*Per Pewterplank/Fansided:

The Bucs’ duo at safety of Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald is one of the league’s least athletic. That certainly is not the case with Peppers, who wowed with his athleticism and instincts regardless of where the Wolverines lined up him.”

There was even a meme floating around with his face on a wanted poster for being the worst safety in the league.

Last year, Conte spoke about the last eight years of consistent onslaughts. People saying that he’s gotten zero respect from the time he entered the league. Despite the fact that on paper Conte’s numbers actually rivaled fellow safeties like Tyrann Mathieu. But that would never matter.

The draft situation in 2018 did not help him at any point. After Derwin James wasn’t drafted and the selection was used DT Vita Vea, Conte love was at an all-time low. Nothing he did was ever going to be right. He was the “anti-James” for all intents and purposes. Nothing could be worse for him.

Then it happened. In week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chris Conte went head-on with TE Vance McDonald and received “the stiff arm for the ages.” Conte, after taking a terrible angle on the tackle and McDonald getting the best of him, came out of the game with a knee injury. The Knee injury placed him on IR for the remainder of the season. Rumors had it that he already had the injury and played with it anyway.

Fans rejoiced over the injury, even though it put the Bucs in a very tough position. With the roster cuts and transition into Todd Bowles new scheme, Conte could find himself in the Buccaneers uniform for another year, but this will be much dismay of many fans. Justified or not, everybody hates Chris.