Martin Unfazed By Contract Issue
May 29th, 2015
Contracts seemed to be a popular discussion around One Buc Palace yesterday.
One was the question about if or when Lavonte David will get a new contract. Another question concerned Doug Martin.
Martin, a 2012 first-round draft pick, has rushed for 952 total yards past two seasons after a Pro Bowl rookie year. Thus, the Bucs did not pick up his fifth-year option and Martin is in the last year of his contract.
When asked if this distracts him, Martin brushed off the notion and claimed he is just as motivated as ever.
“I believe it’s like every other year,” Martin said. “I’m playing for the team. I love this team, I love the players around here and I love playing for the city of Tampa. I’m just going to go out there and play the game that I love.”
When pressed about the subject, Martin insisted he is neither disappointed in the Bucs nor does he feel any undue pressure.
“If I take care of everything in my control and stay healthy, I know everything will come into place for me,” Martin said. “Right now, I feel awesome, feel great, body feels good, mind is right where it needs to be and I’m ready for the season.”
Joe totally understands why the Bucs declined the fifth-year option this month. Joe likes the “Muscle Hamster,” but geez, like with every other position in the NFL, players are paid to perform. And Martin simply has not through the past two years, in part due to injuries.
There is no way the Bucs could have justified picking up that expensie option on a running back who the past two seasons hasn’t even run for 500 yards.
To hear more from Martin, click on the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
May 29th, 2015 at 9:36 am
Many said GMC was a draft bust because he failed to perform and was injured his first two seasons.
May 29th, 2015 at 9:43 am
I hope Martin has a great year and gives the Bucs a tough decision to make. That’s a win-win for everyone, especially since it will likely mean the offense as a whole, and Jameis in particular, also had a great season. Go Bucs!!
May 29th, 2015 at 10:23 am
I predict Martin has a 1000+ yard season next year.
May 29th, 2015 at 10:26 am
Martin, from the penthouse to the outhouse pretty quickly. He has dedicated himself to returning to past form and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pull it off in fine fashion. Go Doug!
May 29th, 2015 at 11:56 am
I’m really pulling for him. He’s still really young without too much mileage; he just needs to re-learn how to have the vision / timing he displayed his rookie year
May 29th, 2015 at 1:52 pm
And LGB has a Super Bowl ring. No Muscle Hamster orgasm for me.
May 29th, 2015 at 2:10 pm
If he can get out the backfield without being hit, I can see another 1k season. Get it started early in preseason, I am just wondering what the training camp depth chart will look like, who knows knowing Lovie
May 29th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Talented young RBs in contract years are prone to have career years.
Schiano may have ran him into the ground the way Chucky before him did with Caddy, only time will tell.
At his worst, he’s better than anything we’ve seen from the guy chosen to replace him. At his best, he’s better than anything we’ve seen since James Wilder. If he’s healthy, I see a year that rivals what he did in 2012. Money is a hell of a motivator, and this guy was an Pro Bowler the last time he had a QB who wasn’t on drugs/Opie.