Can Doug Martin Help The Defense?
March 31st, 2016
Angry
Some coaches and personnel suits love making leaps and overblowing the impact of superior players, but some guys do make everyone around them better.
Take America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, he lifts a program with his drive, energy and game-day focus. Who could forget 3rd-and-19 against Atlanta last year? (Assist to professional loafer Adrian Clayborn)
But that kind of inspiration is almost expected from a strong quarterback.
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley recently took things a step further on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He thinks his expensive new free agent running back, Chris Ivory, the AFC leading rusher last year, can help his defense. Why? Bradle said it’s because Ivory is such a “violent runner” that he “brings that mindset to the whole team.”
The concept is interesting and it made Joe think of Doug Martin immediately. Martin’s 2015 game film was stunning because of how hard he ran — over and over and over again. Martin sought contact and had a punishing drive that never relented.
General manager Jason Licht spoke last week about how Martin ran “angry” last year, and Licht told NBC Sports Network that he talked to Bucs offensive linemen about Martin regularly and the team was feeding off him, though Licht didn’t specify defense like Bradley did.
Regardless, it’s obvious that Martin was running his ass off while the Bucs defense was playing “flat” too often. Perhaps this year’s head coach and staff can unify the team more and create a more competitive spirit between both sides of the ball.
March 31st, 2016 at 11:44 am
Martin was running his ass off all the way to a big contract
March 31st, 2016 at 11:48 am
Great story Joe. I’m thrilled that we have Douginator back, along with a young improving OL and of course…perhaps the best young QB in the league.
The attitudes of #22 and #3 are exceptional and clearly the offense was inspired. You add players like Marpet and D Smith to the Oline and our offense seems to at least have a good attitude this fall.
How about the D? We already have seen LVD and GMC…great players…not infectious leaders who make everybody else accountable. Kwon in his second year…perhaps.
Which leads me to this question. Does anybody know much about Wilkerson other than his physical prowess and big numbers?
What kind of person is he. Could he maybe bring the Sapp like fire that just isn’t in GMC’s charachter? I know too little about Wilkerson to know of his possible “effect’ on the mind set of our D. Anybody wish to take a stab?
March 31st, 2016 at 11:56 am
an edge rusher with multiple moves can help this defense. I miss the glory dayz
March 31st, 2016 at 11:57 am
@Guzzie- I ain’t hatin’! Go get your money, he deserved it.
This is why the running game, yeah I said it, is so important. It’s a mindset. How it didn’t translate over last year is beyond me. Don’t give me the “it was scheme” argument either. It’s about want-to and there were players on defense who just didn’t. I mean, if it gets me jumping off the couch, surely someone on the sidelines should be foaming at the mouth!!! Don’t you think?!
March 31st, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Not hating either just trying to be funny
March 31st, 2016 at 12:14 pm
@stpete…Wilkerson has that sapp like attitude…big mo is a true leader among men…last year when Sheldon Richardson was acting a fool(2 incidents in a week and a half span), todd bowles let the captain handle it…that captain was Wilkerson…richardson admitted that big mo sat him down talked to him and encouraged him to do better…after that you didn’t hear a pep from Sheldon…big mo also has that “no friends between the lines” attitude that gmc lacks…Wilkerson can always be seen mixing it up with olinemen after the play…not to cause a penalty but to say,” here im here all day and im the bully on the field”….that is the type of attitude that this defense lacks…not selfish immature penalties after the play, but someone who plays the game nasty and relentless from whistle to whistle…big mo imo is a combination of a sapp/brooks type leader…someone who will get in your face if your not performing or costing the team(sapp) and someone who will lead by example and treat you like a man(brooks)…if there is any way licht can make this happen he has to do it…that would certainly change the culture because Wilkerson is all about winning…GO BUCS!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Thanks for that info Bucboi!
Now I really want Wilkerson!!!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 12:45 pm
@stpete…no problem…I always enjoy your post…GO BUCS!!!
March 31st, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Bell from Detroit runs just as hard. I know he’s been battling injuries but I think he is a FA now.
March 31st, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Oh geez – here we go again with the inability to post.
March 31st, 2016 at 4:29 pm
So why does the above show up – but I can’t post what I wanted to say? I copied and pasted after the 1st failed attempt as you suggested Joe.