Which Doug Martin Shows Up?
July 27th, 2015
Which Doug Martin shows up Saturday, the stud rookie or the ineffective veteran?
Yes, today the Bucs rookies checked in to One Buc Palace and their fancy hotel. Sorry, Joe can’t get excited about guys making no less than six-figures (if they make the final-53) checking into a posh hotel.
Alas, the excitement cranks up more than a notch later this week, Saturday to be precise, when training camp starts.
One key puzzle is which Doug Martin appears? Will it be the Muscle Hamster ,who looked like a sure-fire stud as a rookie Pro Bowler? Or is it the injury-prone running back that looked more like The Great Lumpkin?
That was the discussion recently when Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus welcomed Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune to the SiriusXM Fantasy channel.
Mike Clay: Doug Martin, 3.7 yards per carry the last couple of years and only three touchdowns since that big rookie year. How do you expect this backfield to sort out this offseason?
Woody Cummings: It is a great question and one of the really great battles to watch as camp unfolds here. You know, I think the Bucs have been encouraged from what they have seen from Doug Martin in the offseason program. He is in tremendous shape. He looked like the old Doug Martin, but again, he’s not getting hit. He is just playing against air so to speak. Can he do it when the lights come on again? I think he feels he can because he is healthy. And let’s face it, what has hurt Doug Martin more than anything is a lack of good health. He has been hurt the last two years. He has been dealing little injuries. He’s not a big guy. Call him “The Muscle Hamster” all you want. He doesn’t seem to be a guy right now who can deal with a lot of injuries and kind of fight that stuff off. Let’s face it: He didn’t have an offensive line that helped him at all. And I don’t think the Bucs were committed to the running game, either. Certainly last year they weren’t. And, I think that hurt. So there were a lot of things working against Doug Martin. Right now it seems like everything is working for him. He has a much better offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter. He has a team a team that will be far more committed to running the football. He should have a slightly improved offensive line. We will see. But he is healthy. And if he is healthy and he is confident – he certainly has an incentive as the Bucs decided not to pick up his fifth-year option – he has reasons to go out there and play hard.
The first thing Martin has to do is keep his damn head up and look for daylight. While Cummings may be correct in that the offensive line is slightly better, that offensive line stunk worse than a backed up septic tank in the middle of July. So “slightly better” means not quite as putrid.
The offensive line will be key to the Bucs overall on offense, not just Martin, not just the running game. If there are no holes, than Jim Brown would have a tough time running the ball. If the line struggles, then offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter better have a bunch of three-step drops for “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, or he’s going to get maimed.
July 27th, 2015 at 11:38 am
One thing is for sure I’m staying far away from Martin in my fantasy league.
Joe, have the Buccaneers announced which days in training camp are open to the public?
July 27th, 2015 at 11:45 am
martin is running scared. hopefully the mental aspect of his injuries are behind him.
July 27th, 2015 at 11:55 am
Doug Martin got half of his yardage in 2012 in 5-6 games, he struggle to get yards in most games. Maybe we will see the 2012 version again, get big numbers in some games and get none in other games. The Bucs should use all of their backs this season ,unlike just running Martin in 2012.
July 27th, 2015 at 11:58 am
Martin remains a question mark along with the O line, I’m thinking Doug recovers the exclamation point to some level.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:09 pm
What held back our running game last year? Our poor passing game! Defenses were able to play the run all game until Mccown made them adjust. However, Mccown never made them adjust. You can blame it on Mccown not executing. Or you can blame it on Arroyo play calling. Every pass seemed to be a five+ step drop follwed by a Mccown sack and/or interception. It had a ripple effect through the oline and the ruunning game, which then affected the defense by constantly leaving them on the field. The oline. The lack of a running game. The floundering defense. It all falls back on the quarterback and the o.coordinator.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
LargoBuc
NO it all fails back on the coach who has final say on all coaches and players. Lovies mistakes and gifting of starting jobs is the reason the season was lost. simple as that….
July 27th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
If Dirk Koetter turns this offense around, he may well be our HC in a couple years.
Joe, I know it’s not your job to do what I’m about to ask, but I hope you’ll take it to heart.
I have been a Bucs fan since their inception, thanks to my late father. While I was a fringe fan as a kid, upon becoming an adult I seriously embraced them. I’ve lived through their losing seasons leading up to the Dungy years.
Social media has really made it hard to live with the losing these days. I think that is mainly because people spew hate and negativity (as have I from time to time as well) and when you see it so much, it affects you.
The last 2 years have been steadily getting harder to remain a Buc fan (or a football fan in general). Don’t get me wrong, I love this team. But seeing them do so badly so much of the time is like watching my own kid take a beating. This off season, I nearly walked away.
On one hand, I am tired of all the negativity from the fans and the media. It makes it hard to believe in my team.
On the other hand, there is the matter of being told things are good when they are not. We’ve had the wool pulled over our eyes for years.
A great example is Mike Evans vs Michael Clayton. In Clayton’s case, he had the good year and sucked after that. Right now, Evans has not proven he will not do the same. Not yet. So it’s hard to believe until I see it. I don’t believe in giving props until they are earned.
And yet…
…I hate being negative.
So…here’s my request…
Can you help me believe again this year?
I’m not asking for hype. I want you to be real. But please give us reason to hope as well.
For example, “The Countdown: 20 Worst Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years” is an interesting read, but it’s also slanted toward negativity. It focuses on the bad.
And we haven’t seen the counter to it. “The Countdown: 20 Best Buccaneers Personnel Moves Of The Past 10 Years” would be just as interesting. Not all the moves have been bad.
Sure, given the results in the ten years, it would be a challenging article to write, but all we do is focus on the bad. There HAVE been some good moves.
GMC, David…Vincent Jackson…the moves are there.
So some positive articles would be great. Especially a series of them.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I’m sure some people will say “What good moves?!” But they are there. We’re just so accustomed to focusing on the negative (including me) that it’s hard to see the light through the trees.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
And please bring back THE OPTIMIST.
He hasn’t written anything since December.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
There’s only 1 Doug Martin. Take away 4 big games his rookie season and you’ll easily find the guy that we should all expect to show up this season. I’d like them to bring in Ray Rice and let him compete.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
@bonzai I feel your pain brother! Nobody hypes the bucs better than joe in the offseason he gets me talking trash to people like the bucs are on the cusp every year. I’m with bonzai I want something positive based on the reality of what’s going on and not the what ifs.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
BUC BONZAI
it is why I hardly ever wrote here, or anywhere any more. The so called fans are just so filled with negativity and hatred for things. It’s annoying and just takes away the fun of it.
I read stuff. Make an occasional comment but not like I used to.
I also try to be optimistic.
Why bash a QB who no one knows what he will be one yet?
Why bash a proven coach who has done a lot with defenses and bad QBs in the past yet just got here with an atrocious roster?
I dont get it. My guess is it is the ADHD genereration. They have no patience. I understand it’s been years, but the last 2 hired didn’t work so now they have a new regime. Give it a couple years. Be optimistic and hopeful.
July 27th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
@ waterboy
I agree… Sign RAY RICE!!!
Also sign Gallette!!!
You should of signed Incognito but its too late… Good for Buffalo and Rex Ryan…
Let’s not lose out on signing two All Pro players because of the lame ass PC police…
July 27th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
@BucBonzai
After reading your post I’m not as paranoid. LOL I was worried that some of the more “realistic” posters were tiring of my daily doses of optimism.
Nobody knows how this season will turn out. Injuries will play such a huge or is it Yuge part in every team’s season and we’re not exactly deep yet.
But this team is clearly not the same team as the 2014 Bucs. We’ve been through all the changes from OC to QB to OL to more reasonable FA signings.
We don’t talk much about character or attitude but I like the attitude of the the 2015 Bucs so far. Again although I was a Mariota supporter I am ecstatic by Fameis performance so far and he’ll make sure that attitude remains great.
It’s all good BucBonzai. 10-6 baby!
July 27th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
BTW BucBonazai
You are what your record says you are. The 2015 Bucs are 0-0.
The 2015 Bucs ARE NOT the 2014 Bucs!
July 27th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
I still don’t understand all the pile on Doug Martin. How was the poor guy suppose to run behind that offensive line? People are saying Sims should maybe be the starter Sims was just as awful running the ball and it is not his fault either. All the Bucs RBs were getting smacked in the backfield how were the suppose to have a decent year?
July 27th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
D-Rome:
Training camp schedule released couple of months ago.
July 27th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
@BucBonazai
I think that we are thinking the same thing, While a “positive” articles are just not where the Bucs are at this point, It while take time to get back to that!!!
In the meanwhile there is nothing to stop some articles of being informative!! that is why I have been proposed the ” Paper Bag Etiquette ” series!!!
Once we have donned the paper bags on our head, How do we drink beer??? What do we do when/if it rains??? Do I bring an extra one for someone next to me???
These questions must be answered!!!!
July 27th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Can we use plastic bags with no holes instead? Inquiring minds want to know.
July 27th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Be sure to bring something to tie off the plastic bag at the neckline if things get too ugly.
July 27th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
@WS99: Sort of like when McKay was asked about the execution of the offense.
LMAO
@Buc Bonzai:
Sports like politics or any “natural” system will have ups and downs, and with this will come many different opinions, and different explanations for the perceived outcomes. It is absolutely why these boards are so common and so popular. So I may think your favorite player is a bust or a bum, and vice versa.
And even when there is overwhelming uniformity of opinion, there are still a few outliers. I even use this analogy with my patients: “The plan to take over Iraq was an overwhelming success with very few casualties, but to the mother of a soldier returning home in a flag-draped coffin, that plan sucked!”
As to your comment about getting away from it all from time to time, That is undoubtedly a wise decision and probably very healthy. My wife is actually happy that I read JBF so much, because it keeps me from getting so upset on some of the political boards and stories. LOL. Here I can just laugh and SMDH, which happens quite often, but it’s all good. I will probably order a new jersey with “tickrdr” on it, so if any of you see me at the games, come by and I’ll gladly buy you a beer.
tickrdr
tickrdr
July 27th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
@WS99: Sort of like when McKay was asked about the execution of the offense.
LMAO
@Buc Bonzai:
Sports like politics or any “natural” system will have ups and downs, and with this will come many different opinions, and different explanations for the perceived outcomes. It is absolutely why these boards are so common and so popular. So I may think your favorite player is a bust or a bum, and vice versa.
And even when there is overwhelming uniformity of opinion, there are still a few outliers. I even use this analogy with my patients: “The plan to take over Iraq was an overwhelming success with very few casualties, but to the mother of a soldier returning home in a flag-draped coffin, that plan sucked!”
As to your comment about getting away from it all from time to time, That is undoubtedly a wise decision and probably very healthy. My wife is actually happy that I read JBF so much, because it keeps me from getting so upset on some of the political boards and stories. LOL. Here I can just laugh and SMDH, which happens quite often, but it’s all good. I will probably order a new jersey with “tickrdr” on it, so if any of you see me at the games, come by and I’ll gladly buy you a beer.
tickrdr
July 27th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Doug started to get better the last couple of games last year. I dont even think we should count last year thou. Besides our star players like McCoy and Evans, not anyone else had highlight reels of play. The team sucked. The Oline was the worst, but it did land us Jameis. Now ai think everyone starts fresh. Better players, better coaches, and more depth. Lets see what we got this season. I hope Doug does good. I hope he is back to rookie form, but I also want to see another RB this year in C. Sims. We didnt get to see why he was so heavily drafted as he was hurt too. Rainey is decent, but im excited to see what Martin and Sims can do this year. D. Brown is a big back we have been lacking. Alit of the elite teams got big backs, if this guy does good he may take James spot.
July 27th, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Like most NFL teams we’ll have running back by committee. Perhaps Martin on 1st and 2nd with Sims on 3rd. We’ve heard what a threat Sims is as a receiver but can he also pass block?
Meanwhile with Rainey joining that trio we have some decent backs but nobody to scare the other team.
What disturbs me most is that we are missing a “beast mode” RB. Whatever happened to Mike James? Is he really that bad? He has the size to go into beast mode.
July 27th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
@stpetebucsfan
what the Bucs have is “least” mode, as they are all are below avg, running backs!!
July 27th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Realist
LOL I do not see any all pros in the backfield either but the league is littered with teams that had success with no name RB’s.
Your the Realist. WTF happened to Mike James? Is he really that bad?
Meanwhile this means Koetter will have to use Fameis and his plethora (how’s that two bit word for a sports blog?) of receiving threats and perhaps take us to the promised land through the air. I personally would LOVE that. I do not like “pounding the rock” and totally depending on the D.
I can read the posts next year when the Bucs go 10-6 largely with an aerial attack and decent defense. The Lovie haters will post…he got lucky…it wasn’t his plan he was FORCED to do it by a. The Glazers b. Koetter c. No running back d. all of the above.
If the Bucs win ten we can only know one thing for certain. Lovie will get NONE of the credit.
July 27th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
@st petebucsfan
as I heard on the street, Mike James is not great when the offense starts to audible on offensive pass protection. and they are not high on his non-explosion, he will always get the hard three yards with no expectation to take it to the house!
July 28th, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Depends on the o-line.