Licht: “I Feel Confident About Our Discussions So Far With Doug”
February 22nd, 2016
Hope for justice got a boost yesterday.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht joined Bleacher Report radio on SiriusXM and was upbeat on contract talks with Doug Martin and his agent.
“We really like Doug. I feel confident about our discussions so far with Doug,” Licht said.
Joe sure hopes sanity prevails and the Bucs do what’s necessary to have Martin toting the rock on opening day.
Dirk Koetter, on his first day in office, loudly said he wants Martin back.
America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, wants Martin back.
And considering the Bucs keep saying they want to build through the draft, it’s only natural to make sure Martin, one of the 2012 first-round picks, returns.
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Pay the man! don’t get cute and let him test the market, he might not come back. do not break up something that is on the verge…..
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:12 pm
I think with Dougs wanting to stay and the Franchises massive salary room, it’s insane to think there would not be a good compromise on a front loaded contract.
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:18 pm
I don’t understand the “Front load” a contract for DM2!! He just had his best year in a contract year! A incentive laced deal would be a better way to got to keep the carrot in front!!!
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Doug Koetter, on his first day in office, loudly said he wants Martin back.
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Have to keep that 1 2 punch combo in the backfield
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:45 pm
@thebucsrealist Don’t you think every GM would rather do an incentive deal with every player? Players want that guaranteed $$$$!!!!
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Franchise tag Martin so if he doesn’t perform next year let him walk
February 22nd, 2016 at 1:54 pm
I’m not usually condescending or overly vocal, but this hesitation over Martins contract is really getting under my skin. Give him what he wants and move on. Why keep the fans, the press, the other players and most of all Doug up in the air. We have the money, we have the need, and Doug has the support and admiration of so many fans. They say Licht is sharp, but by delaying this he is acting as if stupidity were a virtue.(and that rant is not because my last name is Martin and I wear his Jersey)
February 22nd, 2016 at 2:05 pm
PaBucsFan Says
“Don’t you think every GM would rather do an incentive deal with every player? Players want that guaranteed $$$$!!!!”
Say what you will about Mark Dominick, but he managed to get players to sign without the guarantees. Or close to it. That’s why the cap was “mostly” under control.
@martinii
Here’s the thing…Martin hasn’t proven anything yet. So he was the second best RB in the league THIS YEAR. He hasn’t proven an ability or drive to maintain that.
Because of that, there is risk. I don’t really care for Jason Licht overall, but he should be weighing risk vs reward. If Martin gets his deal and goes on IR in the 4th game. or takes the money and decides he can stop trying so hard, then regardless of the cap room THIS YEAR, it is a horrible situation.
The contract will affect the team for 2-3 years at least. Consider that when deciding we have room THIS YEAR.
THIS YEAR isn’t the only year to consider.
February 22nd, 2016 at 2:08 pm
No matter what, Martin will not walk. He will not test the market. He’d be franchised first. And Martin even said, he’d be okay with that…so he would not have an attitude about it.
These media guys stating “intend” to let him “test the market” are talking out their rear ends. They have no secret info. They know they won’t be called on it so they make stuff up.
February 22nd, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Martin doesn’t want to signa deal before the FA period begins, he wants to wait on see what others players are going to get. let’s say Martin signs for 5mil a year and L Miller goes out and gets 7mil? But what happens if Miller goes out and can only get 4 mil, then what does #22 get?
February 22nd, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Even if Doug stays we should invest in a rookie back if Doug goes down we are going to need some help
February 22nd, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Doug Martin already said he wants to hit the “jackpot” this offseason so a lot of speculation about exactly what that means because RBs don’t get the massive contracts they once did. A “jackpot” contract for a RB right now would be something along the lines of the one Philly gave Demarco Murray last year. But I doubt Licht wants to invest that in a position that isn’t as important in today’s NFL as say a premiere pass rusher or legit no.1 corner. All I keep hearing is “give him the money he earned it! He earned it!”. How is that? People are quick to forget about the 2 injury riddled sub par seasons he had after his rookie year. Granted the talent on that offense wasn’t anything to boast about but either way he’s had 2 good years and 2 bad years under his belt. So why pay a 27 year old back an absurd amount of money when you can easy get a productive back in the draft or free agency. People seem to forget that the NFL has transitioned into a running back by committee league. You no longer need one lead back to win or have success on offense. Prime example, look at Denver and Carolina. They didn’t have any stud backs on their team and look where it got them. Name of the game now is get a QB that can win and guys to protect him. On the flip side get guys who can get to the QB and defend the pass. I rather Licht take that money and invest it into an edge rusher that we desperately need or upgrades in the secondary opposed to giving it to Martin. Don’t get me wrong I love the guy and I think he really improved and bounced back this year. But it’s nothing to get a RB to play the first 2 downs and have Sims come in on passing downs. Almost every team nowadays are using a bigger early down back and having a speedier pass catching back on third downs. If Martin decides to come back and sign with us that’s great for us and the continuity of the offense. But, if he doesn’t there are plenty of backs coming out in the draft this year I wouldn’t mind having. I see a lot of comments about we have the cap, we have the need at RB, we have this and that. Just because you have the money now doesn’t mean you should make a bad investment now. It’ll affect you down the road when you do need that cap space. And with more pressing need on the defensive side of the ball I say if he wants Demarco money then let him walk. Tampa already said they’re not tagging him because that means he’ll be earning about $10mill+ this year. No need to pay a RB that kind of money. Sure up the offensive line even more and we’ll be all set. Look at Dallas. They turned old ass injury prone McFadden back into a legitamate starter again. Address and focus our attention on the defensive side of the ball. Defense wins championships!
February 22nd, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Licht: “I Feel Confident About Our Discussions So Far With Doug”
Translation – we are still a ways apart – but not so far apart that it won’t get done.
Licht would not have said this if he wasn’t confident that a deal will be reached before free agency starts. So there’s nothing to worry about. And its obvious DM will NOT be franchised – there’s no need to keep bringing that up because it ain’t gonna happen. If Martin’s demands were so high that the Bucs would have to consider franchising him – then Licht would smartly let Doug test the market.
Jason’s comment pretty well verifies all of that the way I read it.
4 years – $25M with 1/2 that guaranteed in the 1st 2 years. Book It!
February 22nd, 2016 at 6:20 pm
@Chyno1
neither team produced much offense from their running game in the super bowl and it hurt them both.If Carolina had been able to run then Cam Newton wouldn’t been exposed to the beating he received. Now I agree with your two running back idea.Our two running backs complement each other.It is definitely not broken with 2400 + yards between them so don’t fixit.
as for defense if I had to bet one I would agree with you,but the rams beat us with a great offense and a middle of the road defense.
its the right combination that gets you to superbowl.
February 22nd, 2016 at 7:31 pm
An incentive based contract means martin will have to work hard for his money. But that also means he has to be a selfish player. If you base his money off production he will be pissed if he is sitting in the fourth quarter of games. Or he will take it easy so he doesnt get hurt on blocking plays. You make him be a selfish player.
If you give him a front loaded contract with a big signing bonus. He can play all out and not worry about getting injured and not getting paid he can be a team guy because he knows his family is being taken care of. And if you front load it, yes, he will get paid up front. But he still has to earn thise last 2 years. Which makes it incentive to stay helthy and stay productive.
Say he signs a 4 year deal 28 mil total. 4 mil signing bonus, 6 mil base salary all 4 years. Guarantee the first 2 years. Then the last 2 years are basically team options, with not much of a cap hit if he gets cut after 2. so it is basically an incentive contract. Because if he doesnt hold up o end, then he loses out on 12 mil.
February 22nd, 2016 at 11:36 pm
@Chyno1
Speaking for myself…if you want me to read your comments, please, please please hit enter a couple times every few sentences to separate into paragraphs.
I couldn’t get more than a couple lines into all that.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one. 🙂
February 22nd, 2016 at 11:42 pm
@Trubucfan22
I see your point…but that puts all the risk on the team then.
Really, the main question I have is what was his motivation in suddenly coming to camp in shape on a contract year…when he could have done that every year.
What happens during the season happens…but motivation is everything. He didn’t KNOW the oline would be good. As far as we knew, it would take a year or more to get good.
What was his true motivation? No one but him knows. So we have to guess. I like Doug, and I prefer to think the best of him…but business is business. He waited until his contract year to get in shape…and injuries had NOTHING to do with that.
In fact, one could argue that had he gotten in shape sooner, he may not have been injured as easily. That’s why there are questions as to whether the Bucs should give him a big contract or not.
#motivation
February 23rd, 2016 at 7:57 am
For everyone saying doug doesn’t deserve a big contract because of the two injured seasons sandwiched in between two pro bowl seasons check out a articles bucs nation put out. Those seasons are not as bad as u think. Especially 2013 when he got injured after 6 games. Before that he was having a decent season averaging 76 ypg. So check the stats haters. It’s not always about yards per carry. And don’t forget about the HORRIBLE offensive line he ran behind in 2014! No RB woulda been productive in that situation. Not even AP.