Bucs Beat: Marpet tries to get used to the speed 
Ali Marpet, with coach Lovie Smith, has just gotten a taste of what playing in the NFL is like. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: June 14, 2015 TAMPA — The transition that rookies have to make going from college to the NFL is tough enough. That transition is proving to be doubly tough for Bucs second-round draft pick Ali Marpet.In addition to attempting to make it in the NFL after playing his college ball at Division III Hobart College, Marpet is also attempting a position change from tackle to guard.In both cases, speed is the aspect of the transition that Marpet is finding most challenging.“Everything happens a lot quicker (at guard),” Marpet said. “As a guard, you have a 300-pound guy on you right away, whereas at tackle you have a little bit of space to work with and you can be a little bit more patient.”The Bucs are only working out in shorts and shirts right now. The pads won’t go on until training camp begins. Still, Marpet said he already has noticed how much faster thing happen on the field at the NFL level than in college.“Absolutely, there are some freaks out here,” he said. “Everybody is extremely quick. But it’s nice to get the first taste of it here at OTAs so that when (training) camp rolls around I have had a little bit of practice against them.”Pickoff playMiddle linebacker Bruce Carter led the Cowboys with five interceptions last year. The Bucs are hoping for a repeat of that performance this year. They’ll get it, Carter said, if he can remember to carry out one of the fundamentals aspects of the trade.“Being in position to make interceptions (is important) but the main thing is, you’ve got to catch it,” Carter said. “A lot of guys will have great jumps on balls, and some of them are gifts, but a lot of times guys think about the end zone before they catch it. So my tip for that is, make sure you catch it first and then do your thing.”One player who seems to have that part down is strongside linebacker Danny Lansanah. Lansanah ranked second on the Bucs with three interceptions last year, including two that he returned for touchdowns, and according to Carter, he’s at it again this year.“Danny’s been our interception master all OTAs,” Carter said, referring to the Bucs’ offseason workouts. “He’s a great player, a guy that has a lot of experience on our team and a lot of leadership. I’m excited to play alongside him.”All’s wellOne of the goals coaches set for their teams during offseason workouts is to get through them injury-free. So far, and with only their three-day minicamp standing in the way of a six-week break before the start of training camp, the Bucs have achieved that objective.“Nobody is full strength,” coach Lovie Smith said last week when asked for a health update on his team. “We have some bumps and bruises, but there is nothing major that is going to stop guys from missing significant time when we come back.”Draft pickIt was only two years ago that the Houston Texans spent their second-round draft pick, No. 57 overall, on a safety out of South Carolina named D.J. Swearinger.That’s one reason Smith is so excited to have Swearinger on the Bucs’ roster after the defensive back was claimed on waivers.“He’s a smart football player, he plays the run, and he has good instincts,” Smith said. “We feel like we picked up a draft pick by getting a player like that.”[email protected](813) 259-7979Twitter: @RCummingsTBO
