No Need For Doug Martin To Play
August 27th, 2013
Joe loves Bucs running back Doug Martin like the next guy. What’s not to like? Cool dude. Great back. Can catch, and oh, can he run.
The perfect package.
Well, maybe not so. Joe has already touched upon Martin’s bangs to the head, which should be concerning if not worrisome. The way the NFL cracks down on concussions, and how Buffalo Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb may have had his checkered career finished because of concussions, hits to the head are not to be trifled.
Add to that the fact that — with rare exceptions — running backs simply don’t last long in the NFL, Joe wholeheartedly agrees with the very likely possibility Martin, a Pro Bowl running back, won’t touch the ball in the Bucs’ preseason finale with the Redskins Thursday.
Martin seems to be OK with that, as he talked about playing and not playing today.
“I practice full speed, I practice [at] game speed and that’s all I need,” Martin said. “The starters aren’t going to play, so we’ll ease our way into the regular season and get this season going.”
It would be a criminal waste of felony proportions if the Bucs were to use Martin Thursday night and he got his bell rung. Again. There is simply no logical reason Martin should touch the ball Thursday night, unless he is fetching a loose ball for a ball boy.
If Martin goes down for any length of time, folks, this Bucs squad will be in a world of hurt.
August 27th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
lol Joe, rest easy, there’s no way hes playing Thursday night.
for whats its worth I like our group of RBs behind him though.
August 27th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
HELL NO….don’t even let him get near the sidelines…..stay off the excercise bike and absolutely no charity basketball games.
August 27th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
I like our running backs to. I say keep all 4 and run run run this year. That is clearly the strength of our team, at least that is how it appears. Hopefully an improved defense can keep us close.
August 27th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Unrelated to the topic but the Lions let go of kicalicious! This guy has talent and looks as though the Buc’s could use one…
August 27th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
@ Couch Fan
You hit the nail on the head….the defensive improvements should keep us much closer in games & we can use the running game even more. If we keep all the backs we need to consider replacing Lorig with Hillis or Leonard….or we need to use him more.
August 27th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
Doug is a stud RB, no need for him to play Thurs.
He seems like he is ready to erupt this year, can’t wait !
August 27th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Unless our offensive line can pull their shite together, it will be tough yards for any of our backs, including Martin.
August 27th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
DM22 has nothing to prove. Keep him fresh for the games that matter.
August 27th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Doug Martin should be wrapped in bubble wrap and sitting in the Four Seasons in NYC patiently awaiting the Jets game.
August 28th, 2013 at 4:35 am
I rebuke even the thought of this becoming an issue for Martin in the name of Jesus.
Speaking great things over him.
August 28th, 2013 at 6:29 am
I hate to be a contrarian, however, I need to see Martin put up similar numbers in year two before I anoint him a stud RB. Maybe the sudden demise of Cadillac Williams is too fresh. Like Martin Williams’ first season was on the strength of a handful of really good games. Martin needs to put up big numbers against teams like the Saints, Falcons and the like this year.