“Yet To Be Determined”
May 18th, 2017
Latest on Doug Martin.
Perhaps the most direct comment on Doug Martin’s status with the Bucs was spoken this afternoon.
While local Bucs reporters were busy interviewing assistant coaches, transcribing quotes and publishing stories at One Buc Palace today, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter did a spot on ESPN’s NFL Live hosted by Wendi Nix.
The full question about Martin and Koetter’s answer is below, word for word.
Wendi Nix: Doug Martin will miss the first three games of the season. Coach, what’s the plan at running back?
Dirk Koetter: Well, we have a deep group of running backs. I mean, mainly due to injury last year we had to play a lot of guys. Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims, Peyton Barber are all guys who played for us last year. Then, we drafted Jeremy McNichols in the fifth round out of Boise State. So, we will be going somewhat with a running back by committee. And then it is still yet to be determined what is going to happen at the end of Doug’s suspension. But Doug has sure done a good job up to this point with our offseason program.
Of course, folks will immediately latch on to Koetter’s quote, which Joe featured in the headline. Joe’s no different. That quote jumped out.
But was Koetter referring to Martin’s status with the team or his status as far as a pecking order when it comes to running backs? Either could be the appropriate answer.
Look, Martin has a substance issue of some sort as he checked himself into a clinic (allegedly) in December after getting popped in a whiz quiz. This is a serious medical issue. No one — not someone named “Glazer,” not Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, not Koetter — knows if Martin might have a relapse, or if after going through a rehab process he would even make the team.
Joe hates to type the following: relapses happen.
Joe thinks Koetter is being bluntly honest. To pencil in Martin on May 18 as the No. 1 back once he returns from his three-game suspension is at best premature — so is considering him a lock for the roster come October.
May 18th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
I don’t think there’s any more reason to hammer this issue anymore. It’s pretty clear that the plan is for him to be with the team unless he has a relapse or in some way fails to perform… which is what I believed the plan would be all along… because it’s the most rational approach.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
To further the yet to be determined, what if quizz or sims or whoever the starting running back is has a great first three games? I think it is smart of Koetter to not pigeon hole himself in this situation. Kind of how the whole romo fiasco went in Dallas it was pretty much understood that Romo would be the QB when he got healthy until Dak was playing so well creating a question that lingerred over Dallas almost until the playoffs
May 18th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
All the cards are in the Bucs hand!!!!!! Head Coach Koetter will get a great look at the running back stable thru training camp, preseason and 3 games into the season!!!! If the backs look good then it is cut/trade option for drug martin!!!!! Or if they are not getting the job done or injuries then its drug martin waiting in the wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No decision until the 12th hour, unless a trade partner comes knocking!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
I have nothing against Doug accept his limited talent. He’s simply not a game changer. But if he’s rushing for 100 yard games behind a solid OL at the end of this season that’s fine by me…although I hope it doesn’t happen.
It would be far better for the Bucs if we could just get on with the passing of the torch. There is no reason to not believe McNichol has a chance at being a better pass receiving, pass blocking RB than Doug who rushed for exactly the same yardage per carry as Doug did in his Boise career.
IF…McNichols is the real deal it’s FAR better for the Bucs than if they end up being forced to use Doug. It’s nothing personal…just biznesss.
Much better to complete the transition at RB now…move on and hopefully McNichols is up to it. IF…IF..McNichols is as he appears and does like his best friend down in Miami and turns out to be a solid runner…that is the best possible outcome from the Bucs perspective.
I get that it’s not the best from the perspective of Doug Martin “fans”…I’m sorry for their upset….but I’m rooting for McNichols bigtime…not out of dislike for Doug but what’s best for the Bucs.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Also premature to count him off the roster like the Joes have as well
I’d say it’s RB by committee even when Martin comes back then Koetter rolls with the hot back
May 18th, 2017 at 4:20 pm
@Stpetebcusfan
what is the harm in holding onto drug martin and then maybe find a trade partner for 6th rounder with escalators that could go as high as a 3rd rounder!!!!! Or even use drug martin as injury insurance?????
And once the 4 vert offense gets going, there will not be a “consistent” 100 yard rushing RB in this offense!!! Its 2017 and its a high flying NFL now!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Really believe he’s untradable right now, barring some team being desperate.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Realist
I’m fine with your plan. As I said if he’s rushing for 100 yards per game behind an improved OL at the end of the year….all’s well that ends well.
I just think it will be better if McNichol can simply win the position outright or at minimum platoon with Quizz.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
@joe
yes, right now, Totally different thru preseason and the first 3 games!!!!! Its a long shot to trade drug martin to a team that has major RB injury during that time!!!
But you will no chance to trade him if you just cut him now!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
@Realist … “All the cards are in the Bucs hand!!!!!!” At this point in the season, yes Realist!!!!!!! But what if we approach game 4, Doug has had a GRRREAT training camp, and say only one of our other RBs is producing worth a hoot. Surely the Bucs would opt to keep Martin at that point, and wouldn’t even think twice about paying him what his contract calls for. Advantage Bucs (they get a promising RB), but also advantage Martin (he gets his job back … and his money). Win – Win!!!!!!!
And StPete, Martin’s rushing left a lot to be desired last year, but his receiving out of the backfield was quite impressive actually … Caught 14 out of 16 passes (87.5%), better than Barber (83.3%), Rodgers (81.3%) or Sims (75.0%). Actually all four of them make nice checkdown options for Jameis.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
So, how did the positive drug test exactly affect the contract?
Are the guarantees already gone? Or, do they have to waive him with no repercussions? Is the contract $ the same, but not guaranteed? Or does this force renegotiations (if they still want him)?
Joe, can you enlighten us?
May 18th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
What the heck Realist? Do you even think about that wacked idea before you spitballed it here?
The Bucs would never do their own players like that. They are smart enough to know if they want to keep Martin or move on during final cuts. There not just going to play a game and hold a players career in the balance then up and drop him 4 weeks. Which leaves him umemployed with other teams set at RB. I don’t think this team operates in the business of treating their players like disposable trash.
That idea is a recipe for disaster because not too many A list players wanna come play for a franchise that treats players like that. They want to come to a franchise where they get treated like V-Jax did.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:01 pm
@Love and warrick dunn
Because his contract is a base salary, means he would have been paid $7,000,000 split it for the 16 games of the season. He is suspend three games which means he does not get that money and the Bucs will not have to pay it. His real number if they keep him is around the 5,500,000 for the rest of the season!!!!!!!!
But the Bucs can just walk away also because he was suspended due to a clause in his contract and they can wait until week 4 to tear up the contract and drug martin will be a free agent at that point!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 5:10 pm
D.R.
That’s still a small sample size for Doug’s receiving but I won’t quibble because everything I’ve read gives Doug credit for working very hard over his career to improve his receiving skills. But he’s still no McWeapon who is as good at running routes and as natural a receiver as WR’s.
If McWeapon can run like his bud down in Miami Ajayi we are golden!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
@jimmyjoke
The Bucs paid drug martin TOP dollar for a RB and he let them down, You heard the coaches, “its not a decision that we have to make right now”!!!!!!
He put himself over the Job!!! This is the Tampa Bay Bucs, not the “do what is best for drug martin”!!!
Don’t get suspended and they won’t get “treated like that”
May 18th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Yup. Guarantee, that is singular..
Bucs can cut him with zero salary cap penalty.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:13 pm
When do they they have to make a decision on whether they renegotiate his contract?
I feel like a lot of (good) teams would be interested in Doug. Not sure they’d trade for him but the Lions are going into this season with squat. Eagles just signed Blount,who I believe benefited tremendously from padding his yards in the 4th quarter against gassed defenses, to complement a bunch of small fries.
I think you have to wait til the preseason to see whether it was the hangover from the injury last year that zapped Martin of his ability to break runs or if he’s washed up.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:17 pm
StPete, I love competition. The more, the better. Back in our day, sued to be a saying ‘Cream rises to the top’. Not used much anymore, but still true. nothing I’d love better than for ALL of our RBs to just run roughshod over every team we play this year. Doug may have only had 2 good yrs out of 5, but … that’s 2 more than McWeapon has had at this point in the NFL. Only time will tell, but I for one hope you’re right. Would love to see that type of performance out of Barber also.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
Yeah Realist I get that. And they do have time, you are right about that. They have until final cuts.
You don’t keep a player beyond that if you don’t prepare to play him. If they cut him 1 hour before kickoff Week 4, as you suggest, then they have just ruined his chances at playing next year. If they are that upset about his suspension they should cut him now……this team is not classless enough to punish a player like that, and thank god they aren’t.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
@jimmyjoke
You are wrong!!!!! He ruined his chances to play next year because he is suspended for 3 game!!!!!!!!!!
How is it classless???? is it classless to trade a player????? Is it classless while he is gone that the coaches find good RB’s already on the roster?????? You know how drug martin avoids all that????? Don’t get suspended!!!!!!
And if a potential free agent is asking and worried about why the Bucs Cut a suspended player for party drugs, then we don’t want that player!!!!
The real answer is we need/want players that want to win divisions!!!!! To play in Playoffs!!!!!! Not drunk at the club slurring their speech!!!!! If that is what they wanted jfro-6 pack would still be here!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 5:37 pm
Yeah Doug Martin hurt himself. He did put himself in jeopardy. Nobodys arguing you on that.
And I’m not saying it’s classless to trade him. When you said they might cut him after the season opens is what is classless. That’s just not going to happen bud so calm down. Like I sadi if they are going to cut him they will do it on or before final cuts…..not after.
I understand where cutting him 4 weeks into the season makes sense from some standpoint. But you are not factoring in the player in your idea. They are going to drastically hurt any chances Doug has to redeem his career. It would be a horrible way to treat any player and it’s not the way the Bucs do business…….You do know players talk don’t you? Why would any good player want to play for a GM that’s treats players like this?
Yeah Doug Martin hurt himself and may have cost himself a job here. Our staff will have plenty of time to see Doug and will make a firm decision on his status before or during final cuts, at the appropiate time. Jason Licht is running a football franchise, not slinging dented cars on Armenia.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Not to mention that if they keep Doug they are going to let him know what they expect. So what are they going to do lie to him?
Or are they going to be honest and tell him to stay in top notch shape incase they get an injury……..but if they don’t get an injury they will just up and cut him.
Your idea is childs play at its finest hahaha
May 18th, 2017 at 5:42 pm
the only thing more laughable than counting on doug martin are his fanboys here that think he is great. he’s barely good and the most unreliable back on roster both character and on field. you need to look up great if you try and lable an unreliable bum with a few good games and more bad seasons than good great. it just does not add it…
May 18th, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Well tmax, Doug does have more talent then anybody else we have. I guess that’s why some fans exxergate
May 18th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
jimmyjoke says:
“Why would any good player want to play for a GM that’s treats players like this?”
2 reasons!!!!! #1 Cash!!!!!! #2 a chance to win!!!!!!!!!!
and you don’t win with players that get suspended for party drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you wait until every last option is not available before just throwing something away!!!!!
Maybe week 2 some injury happens and another team comes calling and pulls a dominik and gets fleeced for a third and a performance based pick later!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 5:54 pm
Hey Muchambo, we just got Desean Jackson and perhaps he talked to V-Jax who was treated excellently here………now if you fast forward a year and Desean talks to a Doug Martin who got screwed over by the Bucs he goes to another team.
You don’t step on a players career and think it get you anywhere…….well, it does get you somewhere……… it gets you a pissed off locker room. That will take care of your #2 reason
May 18th, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Our GM ain’t screwing over Doug Martin Realist, just face it.
And no I’m not saying he wont never cut him. It’s just not going to happen 4 weeks into the season.
The Bucs are to smart to think that destroying careers of players will get them anywhere.
You’ll lie and deceive and ruin Martins career all for a 3rd rounder??? Is there an NFL GM app you are getting good at?
May 18th, 2017 at 6:01 pm
JimmyJack
it’s a business not a kiss arse group hug to keep players happy. that’s how teams stay in the basement. You perform or get replaced. screw their feelings and screw the personal stuff it’s irrelevant. be the best at your position until they find someone better. that bs loyalty crap lives in fantasy land with Tattoo… do your job. results matter if your feelings get hurt toughen or jump off a damn bridge and do society a favor. any business that makes any decisions based on feelings is doomed to fail…
May 18th, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Why would ANYONE expect Martin to be penciled in as the #1 back in May?
I would be more worried if Koetter said “Yes, Martin is the guy and the others are fill in or situational players.” THEN I’d be concerned about Koetter’s sanity.
How do you keep a guy on the straight and narrow path? Build self-imposed guardrails…
May 18th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
@jimmyjoke
no one’s lied to him!!!! The Head Coach put it best “And then it is still yet to be determined what is going to happen at the end of Doug’s suspension.”
The end of drug martin’s suspension is week 4!!!!!
And who are all these free agents going to believe??? The Franchise QB that want to win and go to the playoffs, or the oft-injured, drug suspended RB that has not won while here??????
If it happened to multiple players I could see your point!!!! But he might just get ASJ’ed if the other RB’s are looking good!!!!!!!! Once again it is an option!!!!!!! just like trading him in week 2, or even starting him week 4 because rodgers got injured!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
If a trade has not happen by mid Sept., Licht will probably offer Doug a “Sweezy 2017 contract” with a pay cut and incentives. If DM signs it great, otherwise he might be on the streets before the 4th game. Licht will save money for future contracts starting this year with DM.
Go Bucs!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Yeah I agree tmax. Be the best until you find somebody better. For you to suggest that the Bucs cant figure out if they have somebody better by the end of training camp is ridiculous. Your talking like they are a pile of morons that don’t know how to evaluate their own players.
And yeah its a business. It’s considered a business by the players too….don’t you know that?
Believe it or not these players actually talk amongst themselves and discuss what its like playing for their teams……….In the case of Doug Martin they would absolutely be jerking his career around if they held him for 4 weeks with an intention to cut him. Treating players like that has consequeces…….And that’s a fact, Jack.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:13 pm
So Realist…….When the Bucs follow through with your plan please tell me how it goes down.
You do know they will actually speak to Doug personally, don’t you?
So what are they going to tell them when he is not on the final cuts? Are they just going to bold face lie to him and tell him they cant wait til he gets back on the field and tell him to stay in shape?
Or are they going to be honest and tell him they are only holding his career in limbo, just in case something happens to the other backs they would rather keep over Doug?
This is where your idea veers off the road buddy. Just face it Realist…..it is a very unRealist idea. And it wont never happen.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:16 pm
@jimmyjoke
what is drug martin going to tell all those potential free agents???????
Man Tampa is great, you can get injured, do drugs, get suspened, let down the whole team, and they will still pay you and treat you like a king!!!!!!!!!!
or the other 52 guys on this roster that will say that this organization is serious about winning!!!!!!!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 6:17 pm
He made a huge mistake..OWNED it. Checked himself into rehab ( reportedly) without being told he had to. The man obviously is an admitted addict..addicts come in all forms , no one even pro athletes chooses to be an addict. Granted they do choose to take the drugs, but im pretty sure its not the plan to become addicted and have it ruin their life. Congrats to Doug for admittance and for getting help, but once your an addict, you are always an addict. The chance for relapse will always be there. Hopefully he has stong faith, strong support group ( teammates\ family\ friends) to be there for him. I think that is only way he is cut from this team, if he relapses , or doesnt seem to look as if he can still contribute, and from sounds of things he looks like the best rb we got. I’m pulling for him to turn this around and make it a positive instead of a negative. People can see that it is possible to clean up n beat the drugs instead of the drugs controlling the life. Im sure the brotherhood on this team is genuine and they all have his back. This is deeper than football for Doug Martin, and I for one am pulling for him and praying for him. Also BELIEVE he is a talented back and will play great in his return. GO BUCKS ! STICK CARRIER!!
May 18th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
JimmyJack
if the bucs win the players will come simple as that all that screwing over players and being harsh is totally irrelevant if the organization is winning.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
You say its an option and it is. But your only looking at the pros and not one con………and they are more cons then pros and they are also more severe.
And you say players will listen to Jamies more, which is probably true. Of course if he gets bent about the way they treated his RB and blocker he may be telling other players to try to go to Philly since that will be where a pissed off Winston would go to.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
and to be very clear martin has ZERO trade value. he is too unreliable and only the tampa fan boys have selective memory pertaining to his poor performances. injury history, drugs, more bad games than good games, nearing thirty absolutely no value. does not mean a team wont jump at the chance to pick him up but there is no trade value there big difference.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Look Realist, if you feel the Bucs made a grave mistake by signing Martin that’s a totally separate argument.
This franchise is in a place where they abolish mistakes, fix them, then move on.
They aren’t screwing over players careers cause your bent out of shape about it. Grow up man and get over it, your idea aint happening.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:25 pm
yeah tmax, winning teams will always be attractive for free agents. That’s why screwing over Martin would be a huge mistake.
I mean I’m just assuming here but my guess is Martin has friends in the locker room……..These guys aren’t going to be too keen on the idea that they held Martin 4 weeks into season(4 weeks in which he could have found work) only to up and cut him for no apparent reason like yall suggest.
Your ideas suck and they wont never happen.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:29 pm
@jimmyjoke
I am only going by what the Head Coach and GM have stated!!!!! And that is all options are on the table!!!! I know that they will look into every available option no matter how remote!!!!! And I do not think that cutting/trading the Tyrone Biggums of running backs in week 3 or 4 will affect any available free-agents for the Bucs!!!!!
And I know that JW3 will not be bent about it!!!!! Now drug martin no playing hard, getting benched, getting injured, and getting suspended, That is what he was bent about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 6:42 pm
You’re just having a kneejerk reaction. But you obvisously don’t understand the consequences.
The good thing is we have a GM who would never operate like this. It seems pretty obvisous that our management is pretty upfront and honest with their players. Sometimes the truth hurts but when they are honest and the players know exactally whats expects they earn respect and trust…….Of, course gaining talent is what builds a team but so are player relations(yeah that’s actually a thing bro).
Your foolish idea could only be akomplished with deception and lies. BecAUSE if they were to tell Martin the truth after final cuts they they were holding him hostage with the intention of cutting him, he would probably rip up his contract.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Can you imagine if it were Lovie who was asked that question?……he would have given one of those coy answers with that $hit-eating grin.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
You expect these guys to go out there each week and sacrifice their bodies for your team then you have to treat them like men. I’m sorry that you guys dislike Martin so much that you feel he should be treated like dirt but if the team were as angry as you are with Doug he would likely be long gone.
May 18th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
@jimmyjoke
I don”t know where you made up this , only they can lie to him scenario???? You just tell drug martin that he really left the door open for those suspended games, and that he will have to earn his roster spot back!!!!! And work hard because those other RB are working hard to keep those roster spots and the best get to keep those spots!!!!! That is the truth and drug martin cannot complain about that!!!!!!
And how do you not respect a coach and gm that says that, when the rest of the team has been “sacrifice their bodies for your team” for 3 weeks and then drug martin comes waltzing back in the locker room??????
Everyone on that roster is treated like a man!!!! But you also have to act like one, or you get ASJ’ed!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
I didn’t make anything up. I asked you the question twice already and you refused to answer me. Since you didn’t answer I did.
Q:What are the Bucs going to tell Martin they expect of him after he makes the team(under your scenario where they are only keeping him on the team to cut him, unless there is an injury)?
Don’t know why you wont answer Question. To me there are only 2 answers.
#1-Be honest and let him know they are planning on cutting him…..Which will probably make him ask for cut or rip up his contract.
or
#2-Completely BS the guy and lie to him and tell him he is a big part of their plans.
So tell me? Is there so other way they could handle this situation that I’m too dumb to think aboout?
May 18th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
So your way to tell Doug is to tell him he has to earn his roster spot during a suspension and while he is not with the team? How is that possible Realist?
May 18th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Sounds like your changing your tune because your whole thought on the matter was to hold onto Martin throughout his suspension with the sole intention of trading him or cutting him.
May 18th, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Nope, there is the option that one of our RB gets injured during the first 3 weeks as well, Or if they are not performing well!!!!! Then you tell drug martin that he is on a short leash, that he must practice hard and play well because playing time is not guaranteed!!!!!! That he needs to fly straight to win back the trust of the MEN who have sacrificed their bodies while he was suspended!!!!!
You know, The Truth!!!!!!!! These are all options and both the Head Coach and GM have said that they will look at all options!!!!!!!
Head Coach Koetter ” And then it is still yet to be determined what is going to happen at the end of Doug’s suspension.”
now read that line 10 times until you get it!!!!!!!!
Its 7:25 that means I just told you what time it is!!!!!!!!!!!!! Twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Oh I see so your idea is that they tell him they want him to stay here in Tampa for no money and no job. And are they also going to tell him that he is not allowed to get a job with another team in need? because that’s what he will be wanting to do at that point.
What are they going to say? That they are going to use his contract to hold him hostage and then in week 4 if something happens in our backfield then they will consider giving him a job? This would be god awful for the orginazation.
Then what if we do need like……..like in case we get an injury as you said. Are they going to then demand that Martin put on a uniform and play at top level. Your whole scenario is funny dude. If they said that to Doug he would want nothing to do with this team.
May 18th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
I will legitmetly be surprised if Doug Martin isnt our stater come week 5-6. I like Quizz but I’m just not sold on him being a full time starter. I think this is Doug’s Ride, and he’s still got the keys.
May 18th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
We can go back and forth all night realist. But at the end of the day the Buccaneers are going to have to bone up and be upfront and honest with Martin.
If they are going to keep him here only in case somebody gets injured and will cut him otherwise they are going to have to flat out tell him that. At that point Doug would have to ask the team for a cut. He is not going to stay here and rot while he could have a job for another team and make money. Theres no denying they will have to tell him this Realist and there is no way Doug is going to stay under those terms.
May 18th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
May 18th, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Can you imagine if it were Lovie who was asked that question?……he would have given one of those coy answers with that $hit-eating grin.
that grin and his bs answers took 5 years off my life
May 18th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
This league dose not wait around for anyone. Just ask Alex Smith. All up in his feeling right now over Reid drafting Mahones. I totally agree with Tmax words and side wit Realist!!! on this debate… Good back and fourth tho.
May 18th, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Cash and a winning program are what free agent see. They may talk amongst themselves but if those factors are in place an agent could give a d@$! about what went down wit DM. I recall Randy Moss not wanting leave NE,at the podium almost in tears because he wasn’t willing to take less money. All I’ve seen is free agent signing after free agent signing in the aftermath of RM.
May 18th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Yea NFL players understand this is a business and players get cut all the time. Doug Martin screwed up and now he has to face the consequences of that. On a side note what would bucs realist do if his exclamation button broke?
May 18th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
@pabucsfan
I go thru keyboards by the case!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Week four is going to get embarrassing around here for some
May 18th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Players get cut mid season every year for various reasons and it doesn’t mean their careers are ruined. If they’re talented they will get a chance somewhere else. He’s made millions lol I think he’ll be ok regardless of what we do
May 18th, 2017 at 9:43 pm
I think there’s a lost-cause-support-group syndrome in us bucs fans, and I say that with all due respect to the optimists as I had also been there in the last 15 years, hoping in seasons and promising players and projects. When they brought Lovie back I was going around crazy with super bowl talk with a cover 2 defense. But about Martin, this had already happened before. Doug had a second chance already. You can make all possible excuses for him, but once he had another successful season he relaxed again. Whatever drugs were involved I don’t really care, he has let the team down before. This is relapsing. Last season with the bucs on National TV and leading the division, he chose to not be committed to the group’s needs. He was selfish and acted as if he was above the rules. I don’t care about the money he would get payed. As little as I contribute investing in this organization, I’m not paying him. But ladies and gentlemen, let’s not forget, the game of football is based on the achievements and mistakes of a group as a whole, it’s based on trust and commitment to an idea that will take all the team to victory over adversity. Last December, Martin was letting his team down just at the precise time he was needed the most. In the fourth quarter against th Dallas Cowboys on Prime Time. The bucs, even then, had a chance to get home field advantage after beating them and other games playing out their way. Everyone else had to lose basically. Nothing like that happened, not even wild card and I won’t blame Martin about it, but he didn’t show up to help. He was averaging 2.6 yards and had obviously something else than the playoffs on his mind by then. It was this contract, that he already knew he was going to lose. I don’t feel any sympathy tbh.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:54 pm
These comments will be fun to look at week 8. Either way
May 19th, 2017 at 1:50 am
Jimmyjack, his career is not ruined if he gets cut in week 3. Players get cut and signed mid season. If doug never gets signed again it’s on him for his poor past performance, NOT THE BUCS!
If you suck at work 3 out of 5 years then get busted for drugs, is your employer going to keep you around because they’re worried about your career?? NO!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what kind of world you think this is man. The nfl (Not For Long) is a business.
Your points make absolutely no sense at all. I mean really, you’re scared about a player complaining to new free agents about being cut for drugs?? Or that the locker room will be pissed he’s gone?? Did you even think the locker room might be pissed at doug for getting suspended?? How can you blame the organization over the player in this case??
May 19th, 2017 at 7:43 am
Enough of this Joe. Shut it down now! You know, I know, we all know that Doug Martin is starting week 4 or Jason Licht would have gotten us a running back from free agency to compete