Questioning Doug Martin’s Rookie Wall
November 7th, 2012
Yes, Joe believes in the proverbial “rookie wall,” the fatigue that hits many rookies playing full-time in the NFL. However, as Doug Martin is now on pace for 300+ carries and 40+ receptions, Joe is wondering how changes in the NFL might be affecting the reality of the “wall.”
The NFL is softer than ever thanks to new labor rules. The Bucs only practice once a week in pads (and that’s more than a lot of teams.) Training camp is softer and much more pad-free — two-a-days and three-a-days are ancient history. League rules have taken away a lot of late hits and piling on of running backs that were once commonplace.
Joe’s not sure what it all will mean for Martin, but Joe knows that the “rookie wall” isn’t what it once was, and it’s not the same thing many former-player analysts keep talking about.
Throw in that physical training and therapy methods are better than ever, plus the increasing pressure to win, and Joe’s not sure Greg Schiano really has plans to limit Martin’s carries in any significant manner. Joe envisions more of a common baseball pitcher’s scenario, where Martin keeps rolling until the Bucs either are forced to preserve him a little for the playoffs, or just shut him down completely if they fall out of contention in December.
Schiano lives by the one-game season mantra, and it’s clear that winning on the back of Martin and building the confidence blocks of the new regime is more important than preserving the stud rookie.
Joe has no problem with it, and it’s an interesting debate.
November 7th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
D-Rex is a beast, simple as that.
November 7th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Schiano was not a winner at Rutgers until he got Ray Rice. He rode him non stop throughout his College career. He will do the same with Doug Martin, and why not ? Martin is still young, and running strong. As long as it continues, I don’t see Schiano quitting his use of Martin. Welcome to Schianoball:)
November 7th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
The rookie wall for Martin will be the extra men defenses put in the box to stop him.
Play-action.
Freeman to Mike Williams or VJax touchdown.
Win win for Bucs fans.
November 7th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Get Blount into the mix for more than just a couple carries
November 7th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Espo seriously? I mean….seriously? Smdh
November 7th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Martin has fresh legs – he can rest in the off-season. Keep running until he begins to show fatigue and when there’s a good lead and the opposing defense is sucking, mix in Blount as the closer.
November 7th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@espo
Why give Blount more carries when D-rex is putting up huge numbers? If Martin keeps doing his thing, let him. Blount has been more of finisher this year rather then actually being involved in the running game through out the whole game. Also, when I’ve watched Blount carry the ball this year which hasn’t been all that much, he looks like he doesn’t hit the hole hard enough. Maybe to much dancing in the backfield? I’m not sure, but he just hasn’t been productive this year when he does get his chances. BTW, since Martin hates his usual nickname that everyones calls him, and hes winning over the hearts of all Bucs fans, I think its time for a new nickname.. D-REX!!! hes a jacked mother f****r with short arms, I think he’d like that nickname.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
I’m as concerned about the Sophomore slump as I am the Wall. I think coaches and players will react differently with a year of film to watch.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
The article was about hitting a rookie wall. Mine was simply a suggestion to avoid it. I wanna run Muscle Hamster into the record books as much as anyone, but don’t think we should ignore our other beast.
November 7th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
D Rex hates pushups ha
November 7th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I think Joe has a good point about less practice trauma but is the Wall physical, or psychological?
November 7th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Our other beast? You mean that guy who’s 250lb and dances in the backfield for 1 yard? Blount sucks.
November 7th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I would compare it to a car’s age and mileage. 8 games, 800 yds, 300 carries, no wrecks or dings. It’s a vette-viper-cobra hybrid. I would say we’re in pretty good shape and its gonna be a fun cruise.