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Buccaneers: Five players to watch Friday night against the Bengals

By Alan Schechter

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines during their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines during their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet and logo are seen during the second half of their 23-3 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet and logo are seen during the second half of their 23-3 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

4. Ali Marpet

The quarterback may get all of the accolades, but the offensive line is the engine that makes the offense go. No matter what Jameis Winston does, it won’t matter if the offensive line isn’t playing well. On the other hand, the line playing well will keep the team in the game when the rest of the offense isn’t playing so well.

The offensive line wasn’t great in 2016. Football Outsiders ranked the Bucs offensive line 21st overall and 16th in pass protection. That has to change. Part of the reason that the running game was basically non-existent was that there were no holes to run through. Jameis Winston will much more easily take that next step if he has clean pockets to throw from. Development of the offensive line is key.

Ali Marpet will be someone to watch. For anyone who doesn’t know, Marpet is making the transition to center. He not only has to learn the footwork associated with the position, he also has to make the calls for the offensive line. Marpet have an understanding of the offense that is similar to that of the quarterback to play center. How will the line come together around him? Watch early in the game while the first string is in there.

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