Stay Healthy
August 13th, 2015
Healthiest since his rookie season.
Yes, Joe gets the dreaded question a lot this year. “Who is looking good?”
It’s the kind of question Joe avoids because unless a player is flat out balling, the answer is unsure.
Take Doug Martin. The fourth-year running back looks quicker. He looks in fantastic shape. But then again, the Bucs defense is harnessed. They are not going flat out. They are not blowing people up because what is the point of beating up your teammates in August when you hope to play in January?
The NFL season is long and grueling for NFL players, specifically running backs.
Right now, Martin says he feels like a young man. He explained for the Tampa Bay pen and mic club yesterday that he hasn’t felt this good since he was first drafted.
“The sky’s the limit,” Martin said. “We have a lot of potential going through this year with this team and we have a lot of weapons and a lot of guys with fire in them who want to be successful. I just can’t wait to get out there with them.”
Well, for Martin to be the old Martin, the rookie All-Pro, he needs to stay healthy . And as Joe has asked rhetorically, “What decent running back is pain-free in November and December?”
Come Saturday night, we will find out how Martin does against defenders that are going full-tilt, 100 percent, not pulling up when they have a chance to blast him.
August 13th, 2015 at 8:05 am
2 more days Buc fans!!! Even though it will be a small and vanilla sample size we will have some football to talk about!!!
August 13th, 2015 at 8:15 am
Hopefully Doug is the player he was as a rookie. If we can get things going on the ground it will take pressure off of Winston. Id rather he had a lot of 3rd and 2s than 3rd and 8s!
August 13th, 2015 at 8:54 am
If Martin can run like he did his rookie year and Winston can keep defense honest with is arm how can we not win 10 or more games?
August 13th, 2015 at 9:46 am
Martin has been up and down on the seesaw, initially taking the NFL by storm, then being injured and struggling to recover that form. His age, his recovery and strengthening should position himself to make the impact Buc fans seek. I’m pulling for him big time.
August 13th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Those who have mentally written Doug Martin off are in for a surprise. He looks very very good in camp so far. If Warhop and Koetter can work a little magic and get the OLine playing decently – Martin will have a good year. He seems very determined to show that he is a top tier running back like he showed in his rookie year.
August 13th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
not sold on doug..he looked great during last offseason..i only missed one open practice last year and said everyday,”man doug looks great..he looks faster,quicker and stronger”..but the season came and nothing happened..doug has to improve his vision..i saw too many times last year doug running into the back of the olineman..keep your head up, find a hole and explode thru it!!GO BUCS!!!
August 13th, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Doug Martin will gain over 1,000 yards this season, Bobby Rainey, Charles Sims, Dominique Brown will get the rest. Mike James might be the odd man out. but he will have the chance to make the team. We need that big body of Dominique Brown in short yardage situations.