Alex Cappa has been ‘dominant’ for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Cory Kinnan
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alex Cappa in the third round in last year’s draft, a year later he looks to be running away with the right guard job.
Heading into the 2019 season, quite possibly the biggest question mark left on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster could be found at the right guard position. Fast forward to the eleventh day at camp, and Alex Cappa is being called “dominant” by his quarterback Jameis Winston.
Last season the Buccaneers’ offensive line was well below average, failing to even muster four yards per carry on the ground. Caleb Benenoch was the starting right guard last year, and Bruce Arians’ first move as head coach was to move him to tackle upon his hire.
During free agency, the Buccaneers added journeyman lineman Earl Watford, drafted by Arians with the Arizona Cardinals, to compete for the right guard job. This was about the only move made by Tampa Bay to address the offensive line as they did not select a single offensive lineman in the draft.
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Just a little over a month ago, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported the Buccaneers were not pleased with Cappa’s development, in his second season after being selected in the third round of last year’s draft, after the team signed offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus. Now in the third week of camp, and Cappa is blowing the coaching staff and his quarterback away.
Watford and LeRibeus have not even been given a chance to win the job as Cappa started with the first team and has not looked back. If Cappa can become the missing piece to the Buccaneers’ overwhelmingly expensive offensive line, then running backs Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones will have their fair share of lanes to run through for once.
Cappa may only see a couple of drives on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but going live against a talented defensive front will be a great first test for him. For now, the second year guard is running away with the right guard camp battle and wowing in the process.