Bucs Guarantee Doug Martin $15 Million; Max Value Is $42.5 Million
March 9th, 2016
Jason Licht and Team Glazer have made their bet
So the official numbers are in from NFL Network.
Did the Bucs really get a good deal? The reality is the Bucs have gambled about $3.25 million to save about $10 million over the next two years.
So what the hell is Joe talking about? Well, the Bucs could have slapped the franchise tag on Martin and paid him roughly $11.75 million this year, effectively another contract year for Martin. If Martin was average, bad or hurt in 2016, then the Bucs could have walked away. If Martin was great, then they could have franchise tagged him again for about $15 million in 2017.
But the Bucs passed on that dice roll and, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, have given Martin $15 million guaranteed in his new contract today.
The deal is a “$7.25 million average over three years,” with a “max value of $42.5 million.” But officially, it’s a five-year, $35.75 million, which means there are significant incentives in the contract.
So Team Glazer is gambling on Martin, and Team Glazer didn’t have to do that. They could have given him a prove-it deal and guaged whether Martin could hold up for another season.
Joe’s all in favor of gambling. But the Bucs didn’t have to. Remember that if Martin isn’t the same running back he was last year.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:47 pm
He’s worth it.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Come on joe. It’s easy to say “if” for every signing. This game is a business and you as a business owner knows that you have to gamble and stop using “if” so much.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Joe, I can’t agree here. You are spending an extra $3.25M so you don’t need to worry if he has another good season. Also, you have continuity don’t have all the contract distractions again.
Doug needs to live up to this contract to keep getting paid. Our nut takes him to almost 30 years old.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
We are already out of the Vernon sweepstakes. Apparently we low balled him right off the bat, and it’s between the Giants and jaguars now.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
I could give 2 sh!ts if we got a good deal. It’s not my money number one, plus I’m sick of being near the bottom of the league in spending. I’m also tired of us giving big money to crap from other teams who don’t even want to be here. Doug is our guy and he wanted to be here. I’m glad the deal got done, but I still don’t see what took so damn long. Now get going and sign a couple DE’s.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
15 guaranteed with incentives is a fair deal for both.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Joe, are you still trying to justify using the cap on him? Give it up. That is why Jason Licht is the GM and you and the fan are not.
March 9th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
This doesn’t depend on Licht or the Bucs…..it depends on Martin…..I think it was a very good gamble…..he likes it here…..he’s clean, a fan favorite….well liked by his coaches & teamates……a very hard worker with a great team attitude.
I don’t think any of that changes with money……
We are sending a message….like with GMC/LVD…..you stay a Buc!!!
March 9th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Just say NOOOO – to the ideas of GM Joe
March 9th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Joe’s logic is so stupid. We have doug locked up for 5 years at 35 mil. You just talked about franchise tagging him TWICE. For a total of 27 mil for 2 years.
Im glad joe isnt a GM. We’d be stuck with manziel and paying 27 mil for a rb for 2 years.
Joe’s take on the whole doug martin situation has been maddening to me.
-The accusations of doug only being good for his contract year. And will suck for the rest of his career.
– saying all running backs automatically suck before the age of 30.
– saying we should have franchised doug martin.
And even now that doug has signed on to a very team friendly deal. He still pushes that we should have franchised him for the next 2 years and paid him 27 mil guaranteed. So much fail in one posts. I just can’t take it anymore.
You’re misrepresenting Joe’s work. Joe is happy Martin signed the deal, ecstatic, in fact. Just keeping reality on the forefront.–Joe
March 9th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Tagging a player like Martin is the best way to assure he’s unhappy.
If he does perform under the tag then it’s mainly for other prospective teams the following year.
This was a good move assuming Doug gives it 120% in 2016.
He worked very hard for this and he’s also a good down-home kid.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Some times you need to show good faith in a player and reward him for what he’s done. Other players see this. They see that this team will reward you for good play. I’m all for this. Even if Martin isn’t the same back. Betting on players shows you have confidence in them
March 9th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Back-stabbers rejoice!
March 9th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Well I’ll be a Monkeys A.. The Bucs finally did the right thing. They did something..RIGHT. The man is worth 7 mil a year Buc fans. I betcha initially the Bucs wanted to give about 3 to 5 mil. They..PAID THE MAN!!! Now we have that vital cog in the offensive machine still here. We missed on Mario Williams though. He’s gonna play with a chip on his shoulder for the Dolphins.
Not sure whats left out there. Just don’t do to much bargain basement hunting taking other teams leftovers. All of the good ones are gone cept Vernon. Be nice to get a good offensive lineman though.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:06 pm
I kinda nailed it.
Stanglassman Says:
March 9th, 2016 at 12:43 am
Doug had 3 carries last preseason, why say stupid negative stuff that makes zero sense?
The guy had a great rookie year, the next two he dealt with injuries, no OC and help with QB and OL play, once that got sorted out he had another outstanding season. I don’t get why so much hate from the so called Buc fans. The man deserves at least 7 million a year with 15 mill guaranteed.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Because the Bucs motto has always been..Lets get something..for nothing. They love shopping at the 99cnts store for bargains. But for some bargains..you gotta pay!
March 9th, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Personally love the idea of giving Martin a 5-year contract. Will he be here all 5 years? Maybe, maybe not, but … Doug now has some great incentive for the next couple of years at least to perform at a very high level. Other than that, Bucs can just walk on the remaining deal it looks like. Really only about 2 years worth of money is guaranteed, and the rest ($7 mil a year) will serve as a great incentive to continue performing like a top RB.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Get over it joe, this made sense.
If Martin is healthy and Marcus Arroyo isn’t calling our schemes, he should be damn productive for us.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
@ Buc1987: I said PAY THE NAN you should be rejoicing, Licth is still on the clock!! DOUGI GOT HIS, with no team discount!! Let’s go Licth sign a significant free agent other than your own BACK-STABBER!!
March 9th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
What a stupid move. If he would’ve had a productive career throughout, it would be totally different. He was almost cut last offseason. People seem to forget that. Now that he is paid, good luck.
Joe talked about gambling. This is a risky deal. I would wager his numbers will be closer to the 3.5 YPC rather than 4.9 of last season. Plus we are wasting a very good RB in Sims.
Much rather would’ve used that 7 million toward a guy like Schwartz, Gipson, Sean Smith, or Danny Trevathan. Hope we don’t waste the rest of our money.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Joe ur math and logic just don’t work out on this imo
Say we franchise him at 11.75 and he dominates again. We are looking at 9-10 million a year deal for 3-4 years at least if not more with an ever rising cap.
In reality the 3.25 extra risk in terms of guarenteed pay (extra because the 11.75 tender was still a risk in that sense) could end up saving us 15-25 million easily (think 50-60 million over 5 years when you include the franchise # and a bigger subsequent 4 year deal)
Not only that but the cap hit is more manageable this year; and we have established ourselves as a team that doesn’t cave to contract demands
March 9th, 2016 at 4:36 pm
At least its more of an incentive based contract. Rather than guaranteed money. Maybe that will be enough motivation for him. God, I hope.
Lamar Miller is only getting 6 million and he is 2 years younger, very little wear n tear, and more versatile. Feels like we got had…
March 9th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
15 guaranteed (over five) is better than 11 and then possibly the market going up on a great year. he has a great year…and he’s maxed out on the buccs terms, not his. he has a bad year(s), gets hurt, etc. we can let him walk and it wont effect us financially capwise. there’s incentive for doug to still perform, and it make sense. paying him 11.75 per mill in an offense in which hell likely see even less carries is silly, rather than spreading it out in a cost effective way.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
in hindsight, the murray fiasco in philly turned out to be a huge blessing to the buccs…not having to pay him that type of money.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Joe, I think if they really thought it was a gamble, they would not have made a deal.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
@Joe
you could also look at it as 3.25 million bonus for his great year if it makes you feel any better.
March 9th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Joe, Since you admitted to cracking one open first thing this morning, I think you should take a break and let the brain get some fresh blood. Obviously you hit it way too early, often and hard to think clearly the rest of the day. shut the site down till tomorrow haha.
I envy your job buddy I really and truly do.
March 9th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
It’s good deal for both sides. If Martin is to get injured they can still bring him back one last time, if he bombs again after that they can cut him. If he’s productive then both sides again win in that Martin is locked up and is making good money for a NFL RB. The Bucs meanwhile aren’t really locked into a 5-year deal so they can use Martin so long as he’s productive – and when healthy Martin has been very productive. Nothing bad with this contract at all, the Bucs and Martin both did well.
March 9th, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Well, at least thats out of the way. Set records this season Dougie!!
March 9th, 2016 at 5:08 pm
I’m just happy to get something out of free agency even if it means just keeping one of our own. Vernon signing with the Giants pains me though. I guess we are simply not going to be active in free agency….again.
March 9th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
I agree I wanted the tag on a prove it deal. They must really feel he is sincere in wanting to stay and shape and play hard for this city. Hopefully thats the case
March 9th, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Fantastic deal. They get the best 3 years and if he is still going strong and not injured, they get 2 more.
Win
Win
March 9th, 2016 at 8:26 pm
Martin has almost 3800 career rushing yards. He has proven himself already. 2 years from now he will probably be our all time leading rusher. Both sides got a good deal.