Martin “Likely” To Make Deal
February 8th, 2016
Don’t expect RB Doug Martin to carry the load next year for another team.
It seems a no-brainer. With the pending NFL free agency dinner bell set to ring in five weeks, the Bucs should re-sign Doug Martin.
There are potholes in this road, though.
The Bucs have the hammer. It is the franchise tag. And no less an authority that Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian said in December the tag is a possibility because general managers do not mind paying for production, Polian told listeners on SirusXM NFL Radio.
And if a guy doesn’t produce under a franchise tag, well, it’s only for one year.
So perhaps because the Bucs have all the leverage in this case, NFL insider Adam Schefter believes the Bucs and Martin camps are inclined to get a new deal done.
Tampa Bay and Doug Martin are likely to figure out a deal that works for both sides, which would take one of the top running backs off the market before he gets there.
Again, the Bucs have the franchise tag hammer, which must be exercised between Feb. 16 and March 1. But keep in mind, the Bucs have to be smart about this. After the 2017 season, Martin turns 29. We all know what happens to running backs not named “Adrian Peterson” when they turn 30.
Father Time is an unforgiving soul. Signing Martin to a deal sounds great, but not if it is a long-term contract with Team Glazer getting stuck for millions to a running back whose cruel history suggests will begin to slip not far down the road.
That’s why the franchise tag, which Joe has been told could be $11 million a year for Martin, isn’t such a bad idea (see Polian’s quote above).
February 8th, 2016 at 6:43 am
Joe’s I am extremely disappointed that you guys didn’t have a super bowl open thread. I feel like everyone missed out including JBF. Would have been lots of clicks lots of comments. And Von Miller’s showing last night just reiterates the need for the bucs to draft Noah Spence.
February 8th, 2016 at 6:48 am
Jimbo i am disapointed as well. With Cam showing the true pouting cry baby no class unsportsman character most of us knew he was it would have been good. Cant wait till next year when they come to town so we can rip on him!
February 8th, 2016 at 6:59 am
This is going to get interesting. Coach Koetter is the one who wanted Doug back in 2015, and Doug was awesome. But, he did have 2 sub-par seasons in between the 2 pro bowl seasons. Man, I would like Doug back at the right price, this could get tricky
February 8th, 2016 at 7:47 am
HIRE JIMBO Says
“…Von Miller’s showing last night just reiterates the need for the bucs to draft Noah Spence.”
I want Spence as well. He’s the first player on my wishlist this year.
February 8th, 2016 at 7:49 am
Franchise tag Martin. He’s already said he doesn’t mind. However, I fully expect a deal to get done.
What I have doubts about is Licht’s ability to add proper incentives and milestones into the contract in order to protect the Bucs if Martin either does not perform or is injured.
February 8th, 2016 at 7:53 am
3 years…..18 million should do it.. with 12 guaranteed…..or 2 years with a team option for a 3rd for 7 mill a year….14 guaranteed.
February 8th, 2016 at 9:01 am
No more than a 3 yr deal, after that the production will decline. If we can get 3 more good years out of the dougernut I’m good with that…
February 8th, 2016 at 9:04 am
i like the thinking behind a 3 year deal with most of the guaranteed money in years 1 and 2 as insurance. Given the fact RB are so devalued at this point I highly doubt given his injury history another team will throw stupid money at him. He is basically a 50/50 player 2 good years / 2 bad years.
February 8th, 2016 at 9:20 am
@tmaxcon
Good point on the 50/50 thing.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always felt contracts should be structured by games playing as starter, with milestones providing bonuses. Give a good signing bonus, but avoid as much guaranteed money as possible. This would be a good year for the bonus.
February 8th, 2016 at 9:56 am
Either tag him or make him sign for 5 million or less. RBs have no value for a reason once they get close to 30. No more than 3 years tops. I personally would let him go cause 11 mil is a lot for a RB. Sims and either a FA or drafted rookie would be the cheaper n better route IMO. We have too many holes to spend just over 1/5th of our budget on a RB.
February 8th, 2016 at 10:10 am
Now that the NFL season is officially over, it’s time to turn our attention to the 2016 season! The combine, free agency, mini-camps, etc. I hope the Bucs resign Martin quickly, so they can focus on adding playmakers to this team in free agency and the draft. We need OT, DE, WR and DB help.
Joey Bosa in the draft!
February 8th, 2016 at 10:26 am
whether free agency or draft the bucs need talent NOT local feel good stories or choirboys… Real football players. Too many times we as fans get caught up in the story and not the facts. Louis Murhpy is a great example. Ok player but instead of settling for a local feel good story go get a more talented player that is more diverse. I am not picking on Murphy but there is a reason he has moved around so much and starts the season on the couch half the time. If louis murhphy is anything better than your 5th receiver you need help. We need to stop settling for mediocrity or letting side stories trump talent. It’s a vicious business and not everyone’s favorite player is good enough. Licht needs to get the best possible / available player at every position stop hanging our hats on nice stories and local guys. no one on the bucs roster should be untouchable with the exception of lvd, kwon, evans and winston. If any position can be upgraded via a trade or free agent pickup the bucs owe it the themselves and to us fans to do so.
February 8th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Pay the man! Sign him to 4m a year with escalators as incentive. 1mil for 1000 yards, another milnfor 1500, and a mil if he leads the league in rushing. Let his performance dictate his pay.
February 8th, 2016 at 5:44 pm
4 years – $25M – $12M guaranteed – includes a $5M signing bonus as a thank you for a great job last year and goodwill towards future max effort.
Dougie gets his $10M this year and the Bucs get the option of having his services for the next 4 years at a fair price and with little risk beyond next year’s guaranteed $5M salary.
Sounds like Joe thinks spending just a hair shy of half that full contract amount (and all of what would be guaranteed) in ONE year (guaranteed) is somehow a good idea… SMH
BTW – Estimated value of a Franchise tag for a Running Back in 2016 is $11.871M. It was $10.93M in 2015