Muscle Hamster’s Secret
October 18th, 2015
Doug Martin gets loose against Jacksonville. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
It began in training camp, where Doug Martin ran like a wild man. So much so that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht was scared by the defensive front and ran out to sign defensive tackle Tony McDaniel.
As it turned out, it wasn’t so much the defensive front not getting the job done, but Martin being a different player. Even national scribes have taken notice, like Mark Sessler of NFL.com.
@MarcSesslerNFL: Doug Martin easily one of the most improved players from 2014 to ’15. Haven’t seen him run w/this acceleration since his Bucs rookie year.
Joe again asked Martin the same question about the reason behind his resurgance, and Martin claimed it was as simple as health.
“Last year I had a couple of nagging injuries,” Martin said. “It was a knee and then an ankle. It was a lot of things. This year was a new slate.”
Martin also said a big reason for his results is the offensive line breaking open holes for him to exploit.
Fair enough, but one wonders if a contract year is unseen motivation? If not, it is one helluva coincidence, and we all know Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences.
Still, the season is young. Hobbled the last two seasons, it will be interesting if Martin can withstand a beating for another 11 games.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
If he continues to run well the rest of the season then I’d offer him a modest contract with incentives, definitely wouldn’t overpay him… And if lovie is still our HC next year..then we may have our lottery ticket to Fournette!!
October 18th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Its pretty crappy to keep perpetuating a nickname that Martin despises Joe. Why do it? How about some respect? Especially now that Doug is showing himself as one of our best players when healthy.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
I’d rather have Dalvin.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:40 pm
Martin has been very good! I agree with Joes wait till the end of the season, see how it goes, then make a decision on him.
October 18th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
MSN Sports 8/26/2015
“Doug Martin and the NFL had an odd exchange on Twitter in which Martin requested the NFL stop using the nickname “Muscle Hamster.”
October 18th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
RB is a position where we are rich in talent. Dougie goes down and in comes Sims, Sims goes goes down and in come Rainey. And Bobby Rainey looks awesome as a kick returner.
And while we’re speaking of injuries, why is ASJ so prone to injury?
October 18th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
i feel like that happens when a player is more talented than coached. he tries do things he hasnt been trained to do.
Also, steroids make muscles and joints more susceptible to injury.
but im sure none of our guys are guilty of anything like that.
October 18th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Moving from Seattle to Tampa. From a physical condition stand point, of playing in the elements. Would be challenge for anyone. Expecting Tony McDaniel’s – to be a key member. Of the – improved run defense, in the 2nd half of the season.
October 18th, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Most people generally don’t like their nickname. People don’t pick their own nickname. Martin should embrace his nickname because it’s a cool one. I guess the word hampster implies small and midgets don’t like to be called shrimps, dwarfs or little people.
October 18th, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Joes, why don’t you all have some respect and ditch the nickname that Doug doesn’t want.
I know you guys get off on horrible nicknames that you think are funny, but this one needs to stop.
Thanks!
Siege this!
Go Sucs!
October 18th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
I’m being subjected to watching Miami @ Tennessee. I had to shut the game off, because Mariota sucks THAT bad that I can’t even watch it!
October 18th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Yep ’87. I came to JBF to see if anyone was talking about the Tenn game. They’re making the Phins Def look like world beaters. There are those MM fumbles no one wanted to talk about.
It’s the only game on most Tampa TVs, I wonder if Super Sam is watching?
October 18th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH was that a pick 6 by Mariota?
YES…YES it was!
October 18th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
87
We def picked the wrong guy.
October 18th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Wow, Mariota is really, really, terrible. He is hobbled by a knee injury and cannot play from the pocket. He doesn’t see the field, and cannot feel pressure so the Dolphins have sacked him several times. He’s fumbled twice and just threw a pick six. He just does not have Jaboo’s talent or sense for the position.
October 18th, 2015 at 3:15 pm
I love how the announcer says “I’m really impressed with Mariota today. I was livid pissed when he said it, because that’s not what I was seeing. THEN the pick 6 about 30 seconds later…
I’ll take Jameis all day long and twice on Sunday’s. Assclown Mariota Clingers!
October 18th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
I’m not sure Martin didn’t want out his rookie contract also. Why put miles on your body for minimal money. Get to the second contract as fast as you can.
October 18th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Will someone please tell Campbell that “it takes time” to win ball games. Also need you to tell Maddon and harbaugh the same thing. Please and thank you.
Mariota can’t even beat Jameis in TO. Just saying if you gonna do it then do it BIG!!!!
October 18th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Is anyone watching the Mariota meltdown?
October 18th, 2015 at 3:55 pm
I think it’s safe to say that we can remove the gold jacket off of Mariota. He played like a rookie. Go figure.
October 18th, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Mariota’s knee got rolled up on during the game. He’s been gimpy and tentative since then.
October 18th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
No one told Todd Bowles that “it takes time”? What is going on here?
October 18th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
And mccown is hot garbage too!!!
October 18th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
McCown threw that pick up for grabs late, what was he thinking. Mariota looked dazed and confused. Detroit getting their first win put the Bucs ahead of Chicago in the playoff race.
October 18th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
DB55 … “And mccown is hot garbage too!!!”
Through his first 5 games he only completed 68% of his passes for 1,200 yds, 6 TDs and 1 INT. Absolutely terrible I know.
You seem to have this thing for picking on other teams’ QBs (like Mariota?) before ‘the Fat Lady sings’ as they used to say. Jameis and Marcus went 1-2 for a reason: as in ‘the teams that drafted them both did really bad last year’. Both are rookies and will play like rookies. In time, both will become very good QBs is my guess, because they both have talent and good leadership skills.
October 18th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Martin should live with the nickname. No ones given him a new one and I think Muscle Hamster is kinda cool. Makes me think of those hot rod rat cartoon characters. “Rat Fink”.
October 18th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
You could very well be right DefenseRules about both QB’s becoming good pros, but at this point of their rookie seasons, each is exhibiting the part of their respective games that drew criticism before the draft. Jaboo can be careless with the ball and throws too many picks, and MM cannot throw downfield from the pocket. As a Bucs fan, I am happy we took Jameis after watching MM’s last two games.
October 18th, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Hey Joe, Do u think Martin Has earned the Right to have a Different Nickname? I Personally like MightyMouse :)~
October 18th, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Drules
It’s called sarcasm I’m directing it to all the bums who talked soooooooo much ish before the draft and after week 1. And to all the “real fans” that talked so much junk about mclown last season. Not sure if you’re new but yea just rubbing it in for all the haters.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Drules…I said it before the draft and I’ll stick by it. Mariota will be a bust and riding the pine in 3 years. Check back in 3 years though. Still too early to tell. If the WR is not wide open, he doesn’t complete the pass. Same thing with his Oregon gimmicky flash card offense. The WR has to be wide open by a mile.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:21 pm
And NO he was not touted as having great leadership skills either. I have NO idea where you got that from.
October 18th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Hey Mariota Clingers…you wanted THAT to play for OUR team??? The fumble machine??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfResyFrqlM
October 18th, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Haha i love it. Give it to em 1987
October 18th, 2015 at 7:57 pm
No one should have to be terrorized by the media or fans. I think Martin should refuse to give any interviews or answer questions with any media who insist on calling him a nick name he has requested to not be used. I am even fine with him punching in the face anyone who has balls to say it his face. Although I doubt many people would. They will just hide and do it behind his back.
October 18th, 2015 at 8:03 pm
dream…his o-linemen used to call him that at Boise State. I doubt he would’ve punched them in the face for it though.
October 18th, 2015 at 10:04 pm
Shy of injury, resign him and pay him.