Breakout Year For Doug Martin?
September 3rd, 2014
Doug Martin could return to his previous bellcow self this season.
When the Bucs’ new brass, Lovie Smith and Jason Licht, took over in January, they pored over tape of their new players and weren’t overly impressed with the man affectionately known as “The Muscle Hamster,” Doug Martin.
L&L loved how Martin ran the ball. Catching the ball? Eh. They thought perhaps Martin was overrated.
Think not? Well, take Charles Sims as evidence.
Lovie wasted scant minutes after selecting Sims in the third round before he told media how the Bucs were looking for a pass-catching running back.
Joe’s digging revealed, from a trusted Bucs suit, that Tampa Bay thought Martin was just fine catching the ball in the flat or on screens. Downfield? Not so much.
In short, the Bucs wanted Martin to prove he could catch downfield. Now, with Sims out with an injury, and another prominent backup, Mike James, dinged up in the preseason, it sure appears that Martin will be that bellcow he has always been.
Martin may get the ball so much this year, Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune believes this may be Martin’s best season.
Running back Doug Martin is back — And he might be better than ever. The Bucs always knew Martin could run the ball, and nine months after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, he proved he can still do that exceptionally well. But he also proved himself to be a much-improved pass catcher. If the line can open holes for him, Martin could replicate his rookie season and gain nearly 2,000 total yards again.
Therein lies the question: Can that offensive line improve that much? Sure, the addition of guard Logan Mankins helps, but will Mankins be the panacea to what had been a porous offensive line, specifically up the middle?
With blocking, the Bucs ought to be able to do a lot of things. That is, again, if they can block.
September 3rd, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Doug already had a break out year…….
September 3rd, 2014 at 1:50 pm
@Joe
You might want to change second to Third round in the 4th paragraph
September 3rd, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Not mess in with ya just helping!
September 3rd, 2014 at 1:52 pm
“third” round
September 3rd, 2014 at 1:54 pm
With blocking, the Bucs ought to be able to do a lot of things. That is, again, if they can block.
Well nobody can fault that assessment. There are those of course who believe McCown to be incompetent. I’m not one of them. But I certainly realize he is not the kind of QB who can carry a team by himself. I don’t think L&L expect that from him.
But will all the offensive weapons available and the fact that McCown is not a bad QB if not the star people want, I couldn’t agree more. IF the line blocks the Bucs will have a terrific offense to go with their expected outstanding defense.
I’m looking for 10 wins this year. IF the Bucs can block!
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Funny. Really funny.
Where is the trade Martin mob hiding now?
James hurt. Sims out. Rainey looked awful in preseason.
James is healthy.–Joe
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Carolina vs Tampa
Tampa, first possession……Carolina & the rest of the world expecting Martin up the gut…
No, no…..no…
Play action to Martin and hit Evans deep…..
Then Martin can be a “Bell Cow” with playcalling like that
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Exactly!!!
Martin was at his best when the passing game was an actual threat. No running back (aside form AP) can shine in a run only offense.
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:21 pm
ABSOLUTELY LOVE your play call TBBF
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I thought James’ shoulder was still an issue. My mistake. I do hope it stays that way.
That said, keeping Lane may prove to be a very good move for the Bucs.
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:25 pm
1200 yrs rushing 800 yrs receiving.
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Why open up this article with a question mark? Anyone who thinks we’re a question mark at running back is not level in the head or making up things to talk about, with or without Charles simms he was gonna be the man
September 3rd, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Martin will be the backup, until Sims comes back, then Martin will back up Sims and relieve Sims later in games!
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:11 pm
That pic looks like an underfed female cow. A bull with a bell around his neck would better represent Martin.
September 3rd, 2014 at 3:39 pm
always amuses me when people throw out lines like “the best season of his career” when the precedents are a player’s rookie year and an injury-shortened 6-game sophomore campaign. barring injury, if this isn’t doug martin’s “best year”, there’s a word for that – regression. and if nothing by his 4th season can’t match up to his rookie year, we call that a bust. or michael clayton. whichever
September 3rd, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Pick6, Martin was going to see his numbers drop anyway because of a planned lighter workload.
If he gets 1000 yards on the ground and 300+ receiving next year then he’s a bust?
September 3rd, 2014 at 8:22 pm
You guys are WAY UNDER for Douggie
THIS is the breakout year with 2000 all purpose yards – The Matt Forte of the NFC South.
Besides I took him in my Joe Bucs Fans Fantasy League……
September 3rd, 2014 at 9:50 pm
Joe
Like how you threw an EH in your story for us Canucks.
September 4th, 2014 at 12:28 am
🙂
September 4th, 2014 at 2:14 am
Martin will be the backup, until Sims comes back, then Martin will back up Sims and relieve Sims later in games!
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lol…Sims hasn’t even played a down in the NFL. I hope he’ll be great, just like Martin. You do realize our offense last year went up against the number two defenses (metrically) last season, right? Factor that in with injuries on the o-line and Glennon (sorry Glennon Mob) and you had no where to run.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Ya I highly doubt someone drafted in the 1st round will back up someone drafted in the 3rd round and the guy is hurt and never played a NFL down. Sorry for the run on sentence, but I can go on and on. The Bucs are happy to get C.Sims, but D.Martin is proven.