Passing Game Opens Up Run Game For Martin
November 4th, 2012
Now Joe was always of the mind that a solid running game opens up a passing game.
This came true for the Bucs two years ago when LeGarrette Blount was wilding against defenses and all of a sudden, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman blew up.
So Joe was of the mind that the past three weeks when Doug Martin began running so much better, the passing game followed.
But to hear Bucs offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah talk on the Bucs radio network, it is the Bucs passing game that has allowed Martin to begin to run wild on defenses.
“We have two tremendous weapons on the outside [in Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams] so it keeps a seven-man box and allows us to do what we do,” Zuttah said.
Very interesting but it makes sense. Defenses are not going to put eight men (or more) in the box because Jackson and Williams will torch defenses one-on-one.
Zuttah, who started at left guard last year but started 2012 at center, moved back to left guard to replace injured Carl Nicks for a laudable goal.
“Coach just told us this is the best chance for us to win,” Zuttah said. “We just have to keep getting better and pick it up for the guys who aren’t here.”
Zuttah just raved about the play of Martin.
“Dang, you just give him a little daylight and he can find the crease, it’s amazing,” Zuttah said. “He’s so much fun to watch.”
As far as being in a wild card race with a 4-4 record at the halfway point of the season, Zuttah said the team can still grow.
“We are a team that is learning how to win together so we will keep at it.”
November 4th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
“Very interesting but it makes sense. Defenses are not going to put eight men (or more) in the box because Jackson and Williams will torch defenses one-on-one.”
How many times have we seen Free hit those routes right up the sideline placed perfectly over the defender? Free is playing with a ton of confidence and the rest of the offense is feeding off of him…and Doug makes those little dumpoffs pretty exciting too 🙂
November 4th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I’ve been saying for a while that its a passing league and we should attack as such and it will open up the run game. I love it when a plan comes together.
PS, Blount should officially be 3rd on the depth chart and not even sniff playing time. Ward should be the change of pace back.
November 4th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
I do not understand why people are complaining about Blount
November 4th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
People are complaining about Blount because the of the fumble that was caused by Freeman handing the ball off to Blount’s shoulder. Its obvious at this point that Martin is the better back but Blount is still a very viable back up.
Running backs are prone to injury by the very nature of their job and it only makes sense to have a starting caliber running back as a back up.
I think Blount is getting shafted because he comes in for one or two plays every other drive and never has a chance to really get going. I think if we needed him for a long period of time he would be more than serviceable.
November 5th, 2012 at 6:00 am
I agree West Coast….
November 5th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Just to put this game in prespective, NFL.com is reporting that the 50+ fattasy points that Martin put up are the TOP ALL TIME fantasy numbers ever produced by a rookie. In addition he has the #3 numbers put up by all players, all time. The article is on the website if you want the exact numbers & who he’s in the company of. Still, I’m impressed, & I don’t do fantasy football.