“11th Tier” Running Back
July 30th, 2015
A BSPN writer is no fan of the “Muscle Hamster.”
Harsh words from the keyboard of Eric Karabell of BSPN.com. And Joe can’t really argue a whole lot about his findings.
Karabell ranked NFL running backs. You know, the first tier includes Adrian Peterson, second tier includes Matt Forte, and so on.
When it came to the Bucs, Karabell seems to believe his highest-ranked Bucs running back, Doug Martin, shouldn’t even be an NFL starter. Karabell deemed Martin an 11th-tier running back and No. 38 overall.
38. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I’ve been off the bandwagon for quite a while, but there’s no denying he could be the starter and thrive like it’s 2012 again. But I doubt it. Ah, remember that glorious afternoon in Oakland his rookie season? Good times.
Well, the first thing Martin has to do is keep his damn head up. It’s hard to expose holes (the few that were there last year) when you are staring at the ground trying to bowl over defensive tackles. He’s not Mike Alstott for crying out loud.
The second thing Martin needs to do is stay healthy. But you know what, running backs get bruised up. If he can’t play with pain, then he’s not going to last much longer in the NFL. Show Joe a decent running back who is free of pain in November or December.
To be fair, Karabell’s credibility takes a hit when he has Darren Sproles ranked lower than Martin.
July 30th, 2015 at 10:06 am
For a team that doesn’t suppose to be relevant this season their sure seems to be quite a few so called experts weighing in on our roster. I wonder why?
July 30th, 2015 at 10:27 am
What Bucs do yankee media writer like? McCoy?
July 30th, 2015 at 10:35 am
I’d probably take Sproles over Martin….
July 30th, 2015 at 10:52 am
Can’t break a tackle. Can’t pass block. Can’t catch very well. Wasted a first round pick. Wasted another pick to move up in the first round d round d to pick him…
Nice work Mark Dominik!!!
July 30th, 2015 at 11:07 am
I love all the public and media doubt. It’s a nice change from the last few years when most pundits picked the Bucs to be a sleeper team. Players listen to this stuff and I guarantee you they are motivated by it.
July 30th, 2015 at 11:08 am
Funny, he broke lots of tackles, was the pass blocker Blount was not, was the pass catcher Blount was not. Then one moronic wheel route later all of that changed?
July 30th, 2015 at 11:22 am
Ooops I forgot one more….
Can’t stay healthy…
Add that to the list of deficiencies…
July 30th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Here is a serious question for the Joes or any poster out there who might know.
Is there any RB on our roster right now capable of pass blocking?
Perhaps Mike James?
It will be most excellent if Sims or James could pass block well. They figure to be in third down situations and if Sims was a threat to protect the passer as well as swing out of the backfield that would be awesome.
July 30th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Follow up question to above…does the late round Samoan kid have blocking skills? He’s definitely large enough.
July 30th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
If you get the chance Joe ask Martin why he looks at the ground when hitting the line looking apparently at the feet in front of him. I’d like to hear his answer.
July 30th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
When there is no hole you instinctly put your head down to try and create one. Unfortunately after so many times it becomes a bad habit that is very hard to break. So even that one out of five times the o line actually did bloke well the RB’s are missing them.
July 30th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Block
July 30th, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Doug Martin isn’t a lock to make the roster, he gotta show something during the preseason.
July 30th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
“Show Joe a decent running back who is free of pain in November or December.”
2014
Doug Martin
September-November: 86 rushes 251 yds (2.9 ypc)
December: 48 rushes 243 yds (5.1 ypc)
Free of pain, free of Anthony Collins, whatever. Either way, this actually happened.
July 30th, 2015 at 6:55 pm
I gotta disagree w/ all the hate against Martin.
He was injured the last 2 seasons. Oh and btw our o-line was total sh*t! What running back was actually successful last year behind that line? Oh that’s right, none of them!
The last 2 games of the season he was healthy and somewhat productive, even behind that line.
Fix the line and you will fix 75% of what’s wrong with the offense.
July 30th, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Muscle hamster’s fate it tied with the offensive line. When they get better, he will explode.
July 31st, 2015 at 12:23 am
I too hope D. Martin proves everyone wrong, including the Joes. I hope somewhere down the line in the season if Doug is doing good Joes dont write, I knew he could or I always had faith in Doug. Injuries always hit this team and all teams. Doug still is the most productive back on this team and Koetter kept him for a reason. Sure if we had the worst line and you are hurt, you may put your head down and push for a few yards. Also mind you we were going for the chase for Jameis. Like stated the last few games he was breaking longer runs and doing better. You cant name too many names on this team with great stats last year. Not even LVD had a great season. Doug came into traing camp healthy and leaner. I think he will be fine. Just wait and see. Just block for him. The whole team needs to play better.
July 31st, 2015 at 2:44 am
Can we get Blount back? Maybe all our RB’s need is a few blunts with LeGarrette on track. It worked for Bell, just saying.