Challenged
October 12th, 2015
Doug Martin gets loose yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Joe must confess to being caught up in the new age NFL, where passing is the order of the day and the run game has been pushed aside due to rule changes and a lack of five-star stud running backs.
Still, watching a good running game is good for the soul. It restores one’s faith that football is still the greatest sport around.
Yesterday, the Bucs went old school smashmouth football and pummeled the jughead Jags and their previous No. 4-ranked rush defense. In fact, Doug Martin (123 yards, 24 carries, two rushing touchdowns) noted that the Jags’ defense motivated him and his fellow offensive teammates.
“When I saw that – Coach Dirk [Koetter] pulled up the statistic that I guess they are No. 4 in [run] defense,” Martin explained after the game. “When I see that and when our room sees that, we think of that as a challenge. Today we were challenging them and I feel like we were very successful in that area.
“I never doubted myself. Like I said, it’s 11 guys. Eleven guys won the game today. Personally, I just want to stay consistent throughout the season and hopefully get more wins.”
It was the elixir for America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. The Bucs put the pressure on their running backs and offensive line, and off the shoulders of Jameis. Look at the result.
Shoot, Martin was so good yesterday, he even had a Barry Sanders moment, as you can see below.
Best way to bounce off a mob of tacklers? The perfect spin move. Doug Martin…39 yards…not fair #JAXvsTB http://t.co/XmqoA26WQI
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2015
October 12th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Nice play! I also liked the one where he broke th CBs ankles. Ohh that was pretty.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I disagree that we live in a whole new world anymore…were seeing more and more 100 yard games and less 300 yard games.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Only complaint… need corners. Where r u Banks n ATV? Jennings n Jenkins =Jokes
Hooray for Jones, 2 sacks. Nice. KWON is the truth
YO JOE!
GO BUCS!!!
October 12th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Yep. This is the way you play football. As Coach Smith says often: We must be able to run the ball when we want and pass the ball when we want. The offense has to take control of the game when they have the ball, and the defense has to take control of the game when the other team has the ball. Its not always easy to do, but they did a good job of it yesterday.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Jack…sooo Lovie was talking common sense. My 6 year old nephew could have told you all that.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Where is Sterling Moore? He has to be better than Jenkins. Six sacks and our secondary still almost blew it. I know Verner looked bad against Tennessee but c’mon. Jennings dosent have it anymore and Jenkins is just terrible. Really miss Banks right now.
A year ago five games in we were 1-4 and this year we are 2-3 with a division win under our belt. This team is growing. I expect a defensive heavy draft. We need a corner so bad right now. We need someone that can at least compete with an opponents top receiver. Banks has potential. Verner is inconcistent and the “J ” twins are bad.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Joe, I’ve decided that when it comes to game management, Lovie’s an ultra-conservative. I almost cried near the start of the game when the Bucs had driven beautifully down the field and had a 4th-and-1 … then Lovie opted for the FG. They could’ve set the tone for the game right then and there, but he opted for a FG. Those 4 pts left on the table are oftentimes the difference between winning and losing in today’s NFL.
And yet, in other ways he’s a riverboat gambler. Some of his personnel moves (OK, most of them) have been incredibly risky. He’s cut/traded perfectly serviceable players (Zuttah, Larson, Penn for example) who are starting for some other very good teams. And he’s paid premium dollar for some free agents who just make you shake your head. Even drafting Jameis was pretty risky I thought.
Other management things that he does make him look like he’s playing favorites despite their poor play. Jennings and Jenkins starting? Really? While Verner sits on the bench? Doesn’t make a lick of sense.
I just keep shaking my head at the mystery that is Lovie. And yet, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. I hope we give him time to get this puppy up and running properly.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Its crazy how our offense went from a liability to respectable. You could even call them a strength in the running game. Pamphile looks like he’s been playing guard for years! Maybe having a guy like Mankins helped in a way after all, sort of like a mentor for this young group. But I would still keep Pamph in and let him get as much time at guard as possible. This could develop into a good oline over time. And say what you will about Javille, that is not an easy team to run on. You all remember Roy Miller. Very underated vs the run, he was a big factor in Schianos run d back in 2012. I dont know where he lines up in Javille, but he was a darn good 1 tech to compliment GMC. Im impressed.
October 12th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
I got tired of watching our CB’s chasing down WR’s from behind. They can’t keep up. Big weakness on our team and will hurt us in a lot of game situations when a critical stop is necessary. Better teams will eat our secondary alive.
October 12th, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Banks and Verner were injured. When they get back on the field, the cornerbacks will look better.
And as far as the deep passes…as the defensive line gets better at pressuring hte QBs, you’ll see fewer successful deep throws.
October 12th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
I feel the emergence of Charles Sims will only make Martin better.. and vice versa.
Theres nothing wrong with some healthy competition in the backfield. Let these guys push each other.
October 12th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Am I the only one loving Rainey at PR? His acceleration and ability to cut on dimes makes him perfect for this.
October 12th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Nice job Dougie. Great effort and excellent results yesterday. the O-line deserves some credit of course – but Martin racked up some serious YAC yards yesterday.
October 12th, 2015 at 7:55 pm
I really hope they find a way to re-sign Martin. Would be a shame to let him walk in FA.
October 12th, 2015 at 9:07 pm
Agree Dallas, but Lovie has not shown a strong desire to retain talent he inherited. My guess is if he manages to keep the Bucs HC gig next year we’ll see Martin go to another team (Bucs might throw out a lowball dollar amount, but it will be a half hearted attempt), and Lovie’s guy (Sims) will be heralded as the next great bell cow. Sims is looking decent as a receiver, but he’s not a good between the tackles runner (so far).
October 13th, 2015 at 1:28 am
&DB55
The breaking of the ankles run was just plain nasty!