Alex Cappa off to a good start at OTA’s

Head coach Dirk Koetter is the type of coach, like many, that doesn’t read too much into “underwear” football — that’s football with no pads. When the team selected offensive lineman Alex Cappa in the third round out of Humboldt State, they clearly saw something in the Division II prospect. Cappa fit the mold in terms of nasty, physical and tough lineman that Jason Licht was looking for all off season long. Koetter has already seen that in Cappa, but isn’t reading too much into it and feels as if Cappa will be even better in full pads.

“Back to the Ryan Jensen question, there’s a handful of guys on both sides of the ball that are going to play better in full pads than they play how we’re playing right now,” Koetter said when asked about Cappa being a “Brawler.”

This time of the year, especially for the rookies, it is extremely important for them to learn and familiarize themselves with the playbook. It’s a whole different experience than college. That is one thing the coaching staff has been impressed with about Cappa up to this point.

“As far as picking it up and being a sharp guy, being the right kind of guy, he’s off to a good start”, Koetter said.

Center Ryan Jensen also echoed what Dirk Koetter had to say and is impressed in what he sees in Cappa and his work ethic.

“Alex, he’s a smart football player. He’s in his playbook all the time,” Jensen said. “Every time I walk into the meeting room, he’s been in there for five or 10 minutes already going over the day’s install and stuff like that. He’s really into it.”

The Buccaneers are hoping to strike gold with Cappa and hopes he develops into the next Ali Marpet. If the team can get that type of player, I would recommend them taking a Division II player every year.