Can Doug Martin Get An Early Edge On Blount?
July 10th, 2012
Update 12:55 p.m.: Per Joe’s afternoon communication with the NFL, rookies reporting early can begin on-field practice with coaches the day after reporting to their teams, including padded practices.
For reasons unclear, the NFL is allowing rookies to report to training camp long before veterans and there is a wide range of reporting dates. Some teams are taking advantage of the extra time with their youngsters; some aren’t.
The Bills, for example, had rookies report yesterday.
The New Schiano Order, per NFL.com, will have rookies report July 18, fourth earliest in the NFL. Bill Belicheat is next with his rookies reporting July 19, but many teams are waiting another week before having their draft picks get rolling.
Of course, Joe is not suprised that the New Schiano Order wants its youngest Buccaneer Men in early. And it has Joe wondering whether Doug Martin will be able to parlay this extra time into gaining an edge on LeGarrette Blount.
Rookies already had more 2012 OTA time than veterans under the new labor agreement, and now Martin will get more time “in the building” to impress, and to absorb the Bucs’ playbook and bounce stuff off fellow rookie running back Michael Smith. Yeah, it’s not training camp practice, and perhaps Martin officially will be limited in what he can do with coaches, but it still represents extra time to shine and learn that Blount won’t have.
The early reporting is a huge advantage for all the Bucs’ rookies, and Joe’s glad to see Greg Schiano seizing the opportunity.
July 10th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Im to the point where I just want a dominant running game for the Bucs…. I don’t care who is starting or whatever as long as they are used right and it is effective!
July 10th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Bringing in rookies early is one of the best moves for teams I’ve seen in recent times. In the past, rookies had to play catch-up at the start of training camp just learning the basics. Now, rookies get all that out of the way before camp starts. An edge? More like placing them on equal footing.
Up until now, OTAs have been all about on field teaching and some film watching. Training camp is where the game plans begin being taught in detail. If Martin gets exposure to it before Blount, it will give him an edge…since both have to learn a new game plan.
I’m hoping Martin acclimates quickly and beats out Blount. We already know Blount is very good. If Martin beats him out, it can only mean good things for Tampa fans.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Don’t see it as an advantage at all. Why sports media geeks have to think one has to beat out the other is nauseating. As long as both runners are affective the Bucs win and the fans win. Blount has tape and some of the best runs the NFL has seen so saying Martin might get the advantage is pretty silly. What’s the point?
July 10th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Martin’s fantasy stock is rising as well due to his versatility. Blount having this level of competition will serve the Bucs best.
Nothing will be prettier than watching the Falcon’s secondary trying to put an pissed off Blount on the turf.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:25 am
LGB is now officially the “red headed step child” of this franchise. Like Ernest Graham before him, the coaches have no investment in him. He will be relegated to the 4th string.
Like Cinderella, the ugly step sisters, will always be pushed forward. LGB will be kept hidden in the basement. If in the preseason, he’s given the ball, it will only mean that they are shopping him around for a future 6th round pick.
I say that they should keep him, as an insurance policy for when the step sisters break down.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Joe here,
@Brad – Ulultimately one guy will be the go-to guy. Schiano himself talked about having a bell cow back. There will be plenty of carries to go around, but somebody’s going to be the No. 1 running back. All that matters is wins, but you have to at least admit it will be an interesting competition to follow and analyze.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:37 am
This competition will be good for both players are great for the running game!
July 10th, 2012 at 10:38 am
D. Martin has gained a lot of weight it appears. that’s a devastating sign that a hamstring injury is coming (see: Brian Price’s Rookie Camp). L. Blount’s stats are neck and neck with Bo Jackson’s. Had the Bucs used him more last year, they’d probably be even. Blount is a modern day Earl Campbell and will Ball Out this year and so will D. Martin if he can stay off The Injured Reserve List.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Off Topic Question:
If Zuttah struggles at center and Faine is still unsigned, do the Bucs bring him back at lower cost?
July 10th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@ Pete…. I think the Bucs should and will.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I agree with Dini’s Bicep.
I think it is Blunts spot to loose or keep.
And, Oregano, there is a huge difference between Blount and Graham. Graham NEVER had the potential fans thought he did. He was given opportunities and did not make the best of them.
I think Blount will be the starter at the beginning of the season, just to keep Martin working toward a goal. If Blount uses that time to solidify himself, he’ll remain a starter.
However…if Blount can learn to block and catch, I would not be surprised to see him moved to Fullback for an Alstott-type role.
July 10th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
@Dutcher I disagree with you on Graham. In 2007, the year graham started he had 898 rushing yards (4.0 avg) with 10 TDs to go with 324 recieving yards. He had the ball in his hands for 271 snaps, accumulating 1200+ all purpose yards, with only 1 fumble. That sounds like making the most out of your opportunity if you ask me.
July 10th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Whether it is Blount or Martin, I am completely excited to see our new guards in action. I expect Nicks and Joseph to straight maul defenders.
July 10th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I don’t care what anyone thinks about who should start when the real bullets fly.
Except for Coach Schiano of course. I think it’s clear both Blount and Martin will get their opportunities to run behind our much improved O-line. It’s up to them and I’m quite sure both will make the team and contribute anyway.
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
And how do you get the avatar from gravatar.com to this site????
July 10th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Compare graham to Blount last year – Graham was better especially vs common opponent.
Martin is the starter, blount the backup.
Comparing Blount to Bo Jackson and Earl Campbell is one of the most idiotic things ever said.
Both Heisman trophy, first round, hall of fame running backs – Blount was a part time college player, undrafted, cut, a fumbler, a part timer and now the team traded up into the first round to improve the position by supplanting him.
Sure, identical situations. Muscle hamster is the future.
July 10th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Thomas2.2 Can you make the comparison of running styles without bringing in every aspect of their football lives? I was just wondering because you make it seem like that cannot happen.
Onto the actual topic at hand, I think it will be as much about who is the lead back as it is about how to best use these two talented backs. Certainly Martin is a more well rounded back as seen in his career at Boise and Blount has more experience to go along with the peaks and valleys of his game. The great unknown is how much better can Blount get in his first real offseason with the team and Mr. Byner teaching him.
The biggest challenge from a coaching point of view is how best to use Blount, and keep him fresh. He has big play and wear down the defense abilities that Martin may not do as well, especially at this level and time in his career.
July 10th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Provided both are healthy, Martin is your bell cow. You don’t move up into the first round and pay millions of dollars to a guy to take less reps than anyone else. I’m not saying Blount won’t be good, I’m saying Martin will be that much better. Personally, I really don’t care whom it is. You need at least 2 good RB’s and we at least have that much. Blount may get a veteran couresty start or two, but expect Martin to take over quickly. Very quickly.
July 10th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Of course he cant. Anytime he hears anything good about someone he hates, he just has to interject himself and spew some sort of garbage proclaiming you are wrong and the person sucks beyond a shadow of a doubt
July 10th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Blount is a proven NFL back, Martin is not.
The NFL is not Boise State. I hope Martin does great in Tampa, but in my mind, Blount is the starter.
Schiano may talk about one bell cow back, but to me it is just posturing.
Having 2 different backs will give opposing teams nightmares to prepare for.
July 10th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning,
I have a feeling Martin will be the starter, but I could easily be wrong and you could be right. However, I would like to make one little correction on your comment that the NFL is not Boise. Not sure if you know this, but Boise beat Oregon in back to back seasons. They are every bit as good as some of the big time schools, but many people who don’t get to see them just don’t realize it (even though Boise whips big time schools year after year after year).
July 10th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Everyone is forgetting Blount is a very special and rare back. He has great size and speed and tough to bring down. We drafted Martin because he has tremendous 3rd down ability and will compete for carries with Blount because if you want to run the ball you better have 2 backs that compliment one another. And @2.idiot Blount wasn’t drafted because he punched a player in the face and missed the season then got in a mother fight in training camp where he was cut and here we are, 1800 yards later
July 10th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Well one thing Thomass you are definately one to know about “the most idiotic things ever said.”
July 10th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Frankly, even before the draft and continuing today…..
I am so high on Doug Martin that I need Visine and a large bag of Doritos.
I prayed we’d get him and we did. You guys can debate all you want to about RB 1 and 2 or RB 1A and 1B but when this guy hits the field it’s going to get real. He and Blount are a perfect compliment of sizes and styles.
Martin is a details guy who won’t blow you away but does everything exactly how you want him to (he is one of the most malleable players to come out in years – dude didn’t pick up a football until high school). Blount is a raw athlete who occasionally can make things happen you didn’t know were possible. Martin is a guy who keeps it close and Blount is a guy who puts games away.
Is one better then the other? Some would argue that but I think both need to coexist to win a lot of football games. I just think that as Martin gets comfortable we are all going to be treated to a guy who pulls out his lunch pail every week and gets his work done. No excuses. No complaints.
July 10th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
I’m actually beginning to enjoy Thomas 2.2 negative posts. I know… I’m throwing gas on the fire and adding more fuel to his fire by posting this comment. LMFAO…
July 10th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Martin is the starter based on (cap)ability alone.
Blount is still a very good back, just hand the big man the ball and watch him go.
July 10th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@thomas.. Although you are the most annoying blogger in Buc history, I at least thought you had some knowledge of football. If you can’t see that Blount, if coached up, will be a top back in this league then your just an idiot. Just because he went through a short spell of fumbling (see Alstott, see Tiki Barber) that doesn’t mean he can’t improve. This guy has raw talent and with the right coaching will be a complete back. It’s amazing with the terrible coaching he had that he was still a highlight for NFL films. You don’t win the player of the year and have highlights on ESPN for two years unless you got something and he definetly does. It’s amazing how your crowning glory is waiting for coaches and players to fail and you stand up and see I know stuff.. What a joke.. You will be wrong about McCoy and Blount. Then we won’t hear from you till you have another player to bash.. With you wanting to be so right all the time you should go after Biggers.. That one you might win by bashing his play and his future.
July 10th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
I like what Blount brings and hope he can get better, really contribute to this team by being hitting holes on short yardage more efficiently, blocking more effectively and catching the ball. He does have a runaway train style that once he gets going is exciting, effective and pumps up the entire team.
But to compare him to Bo Jackson and/or Earl Campbell is absolutely ridiculous.
Those guys were extremely rare RB’s, in the Jim brown category when healthy.
Had to type that, just had to.
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 10th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Only thing “rare” about Bo Jackson is he was a football player who could swing a bat too! After watching him and seeing his 3 yrs of football with the Raiders, it didn’t matter if he hated on the Bucs for drafting him(or tried drafting him).
Now Earl, he was totally a RARE beast of a RB!
July 10th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Earl Campbell was one of the greatest to ever play the game, no doubt.
But before he was hurt, Bo Jackson was amazing. He ran will incredible speed and power and made it look easy. His shortcoming was hurting that hip in a freak tackle.
As for shunning the Buccaneers? THAT bothered me too, for a long time.
Had the ownership been different at that time it probably would have ended better for us, who knows?
My point anyway, was that LeGarrette Blount is no Bo Jackson or Earl Campbell.
Not yet, not be a long shot. Is that a rip on him? Hell no, who is?
Killing time before it all starts in a little over two weeks!
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 10th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@brad, maybe the most annoying blogger currently, The all time most annoying is gone. I wont say his name but it rhymes with dim.
July 10th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
It pisses me off when I set aside time to respond to criticism and my comment gets vacuumed up and never posted.
There was nothing edgy about my response, there is no rhyme or reason to it. Many times you guys ask for a response, I try, and Joe’s machine filters it, and I get pissed and shut it off.
July 10th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Thanks Drew. I have found merit in a comment or two of yours. I have sensed a return to reality even with Hawaiian lately. Probably due to humility from being SO wrong about his coach of the year being fired!
July 10th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Is this the only story we’re gonna get today? (the MORTv news was broke yesterday)…
I know it’s the NFL’s downtime but WTF? Can’t we get something else besides the whole Martin vs Blount crap?
Sorry, just fiending for some more Bucs news!
Joe advises you to breathe easy. –Joe
July 10th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Blount is a modern day Earl Campbell?? Houston oiler running back or some strong arm robber???
July 10th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Blount has Tape, Martin has Hype! Blount has film down as a proven successful runner, a really good one at that. He also showed the deficiencies in his game. Most of which can be coached and taught to correct. I believe with a full off-season for the first time in his career and his natural talent, plus proper coaching. The sky is the Limit for Blount and he still very well can be a STAR.
Martin has all the hype coming out of college but has not played a single down in the NFL. He has tons of potential and very well could have some stardom on him also. But this is NFL and anything can happen year in and year out. Still he is in a very good situation by being selected by the Bucs.
The competition is great for both runners and only good things can come of this. The value of having two “Starting Caliber” RB’s is so great and a perfect insurance policy.
With the these 2 and the speed of Mike Smith add in a Threatening Wr Corp, Plus the “Great Wall of Tampa” leading the Way or run game/ Offense will nearly be unstoppable.
My hope is just that every one clicks this year. We can have all the talent in the world, But they have to work as a TEAM if they want to make a run anytime soon!
July 10th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
I hope we use all 3 Blount, Martin, and Smith like the Saints, The Giants, or The Panthers. a 2/3 Back system can be very potent. All 3 of these guys pose threats in their own ways.
Blount has the power and hard to tackle prowess.
Martin can break off a home run hit from anywhere on the field.
Smith brings serious speed and shiftiness ability.
It actually fits and compliments them very well and very hard to plan a defense for.
July 10th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
What happened to Capt.Tim?
July 10th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
@Thomas,
Why would I be humiliated for being wrong about Raheem? So what? At least I don’t run away like a little girl when I’m wrong, like you do. I’ve supported every coach we’ve ever had, and will continue to do so until they are gone. I’m smart enough to know that even the worst coach knows more football than all of us combined.
It’s funny to me how you pretend to be this enlightened individual who is so much better than the rest of us, when in reality its the exact opposite. You are the poster child for the armchair quarterback, who thinks he is knowledgeable because he reads a lot on the internet. Think about it, you spend a huge portion of your life b!tching and moaning about the Bucs (insert the ridiculous response that you are very positive about many Buc players). Why spend so much time doing that? I can’t imagine that making you happy.
You claim to like Schiano, so just be happy he’s the coach. Why do you insist on putting other members of the organization down with each and every post you write? What’s wrong with just saying “I like Schiano and think he will be great for the Bucs.”? Why do you have to follow that with a slap to Dominik and/or Raheem? Do you not realize how old that gets? Are you smart enough to understand that repetitiveness becomes very irritating after a while, and people stop listening to you and taking you serious after a while? We all know that you are going to post on every article that even mentions GMC in any way. It never fails. You just continue repeating the same stuff over and over and over and over.
July 10th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
“It pisses me off when I set aside time to respond to criticism and my comment gets vacuumed up and never posted.
There was nothing edgy about my response, there is no rhyme or reason to it. Many times you guys ask for a response, I try, and Joe’s machine filters it, and I get pissed and shut it off.”
———-
Waaaahhhhhhhh, waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! Oh no, Thomas is pissed! Watch out Joe, you’ve got a pissed off commenter. Be afraid, be very afraid.
July 10th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Hawaiian….
Seriously, do NOT tell him.
It’s enough that it’s working enough of the time……for now.
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 10th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@ hawaiian
ahahahahahaha. i needed a good laugh today. thanks.
July 10th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
I actually liked ONE of Thomas’ posts this week…it was the least negative post I’d ever seen him post.
And I agree that Martin is the future starter…I just think going into training camp Blount will actually have the edge. Will he work hard enough to keep it? He have the opportunity.
July 10th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Doug looks like a hampster in that pic. That ball looks huge in his arms.
July 10th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
A proven 1000 yard rusher will be gone after this year. I look forward to the posts this time next year bashing the front office for not securing Blount. Paying him minimum wage will not cut it. There is a lot of talent there that has never been utilized. Campbell never set the league on fire with receptions (less than 1000 career yds I believe). I’m not comparing Blount to Campbell yet but I also think a lot of talk has been made about a running back that has never carried the ball in the NFL.
July 10th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
@1976buc,
I think that mainly depends on the type of season Blount has. If he has a season similar to his rookie year, we will pay him. We have proven that we will pay our own, even though many haven’t deserved it (Clayton, Black, etc.). We have the money to do it. As cheap as many claim the Glazers are, we really haven’t lost too many of our own due to being outbid. However, if he has a poor season or causes any trouble in the locker room (which I don’t believe he will), then he probably will go somewhere else. Regardless of who starts, he’s going to get an opportunity to carry the football and be a key contributor to this team. He’s a very good runner and I fully expect him to be here for a while. At least I hope so.
July 10th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Martin has a lot of talk about him because he was picked in the first round, and he has been compared to Ray Rice. That comes with the territory of being a first round pick. Part of the fun of the offseason is to set unrealistic expectations for the incoming rookies.
July 10th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
I don’t really care who is carrying the rock so long as the running game is a force to be reckoned with.
July 11th, 2012 at 12:51 am
Thomas, I know your pain. It has happened to me a couple times after long posts. I believe this link may fit how you felt when it happened. I know it fits for my experience with the spam filter.
http://www.newwaveinstruments.com/humor/misc/computer_grief.htm
July 11th, 2012 at 1:01 am
I’d rather have my posts spammed every once in a while then not have this site at all. This is the best Buc’s site on the web, hands down. I do however wish the video interviews the “Joes” did would come back. I always enjoyed them.
Well, after three consecutive posts by myself, it appears that spam filter is a necessity lol
July 11th, 2012 at 11:08 am
I’m glad no one is comparing blount to Earl Campbell since there is no comparison ,but maybe ed cambell or campbell chicken noodle soup minus the chicken of course. Martin is the best onthis team and training camp wil prove it.Can’t wait, let the competition begin
July 11th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
@buc4life: Not sure of your logic there. Blount is 6 inches taller, 30 lbs heavier and has the same 4.55 speed as Martin. Martin has never played a down in the NFL, had mediocre games in college against “worthy” opponents, is overweight and missing practices already with hamstring problems. He has potential yes but he is no 1000 yard rusher in the NFL either. Just saying. Blount has had moments of greatness with not so good coaching. I think we have yet to see his peak and cannot wait for the competition to start.
July 12th, 2012 at 9:02 am
A running back with the ball in the wrong hand doesn’t show good fundamentals. Running right and the ball is in the left hand. He needs work from Schiano to get this problem solved.
July 12th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
@Hacksaw There is no right or wrong hand to carry the ball with outside of sweep plays which generally requite the player to carry the ball in the back hand.