“I Didn’t Really Understand It”
November 22nd, 2016
Doug Martin talks to Joe
Yes, Joe’s been very hard on Doug Martin, wanting the Bucs’ big-money running back to revive his Pro Bowl self.
But Martin is thriving in ways that don’t involve rushing stats. And Martin and Joe discussed them in Kansas City after Sunday’s win.
Go watch the film or listen to Dirk Koetter rave with huge adjectives. Martin is pass blocking like a beast since returning to the lineup against the Bears.
He’s picking up blitzes inside and outside. On one play Sunday, Martin literally took out two Chiefs pass rushers, driving one guy into the other.
Let’s not forget that Martin stands 5-foot-9.
Martin wasn’t always a stout pass blocker. In fact, he was pretty bad for a while. But this season has revealed a new Doug Martin.
Joe asked what’s caused the change.
“You know, coming into the league I was run-minded, ‘Run, run, run.’ But as, you know, I grew up and matured, I understand that being a running back requires running the ball and pass-blocking,” Martin told Joe. “Pass blocking is fun to me; I like helping the big guys out.
Joe asked if pass blocking was always fun for Martin. He laughed.
“I didn’t really understand it or have a good feel for it, but now I do and the linemen love me for it,” Martin said. “And I love them for blocking. It’s kind of like a give and take.”
If you ever catch video of the weekly dining out event held by Bucs offensive linemen, you’ll see that Doug Martin is always there. He’s part of the O-line team.
There’s a tight bond there, and Martin is happy to bring his lunch pail and block with authority.
Martin’s 2.8 yards per carry this season and red-zone invisibility is troubling, but Joe maintains hope it will turn around.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Because $hitty OL play and bad play calling has nothing to do with it. Those outside pitches yesterday killed his YPC. Add up the losses on that play. On one he fought through 3 hits to get back to the LoS.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:05 pm
You’re boys at ProFootballFocus say he’s been one of the best pass blocking RBs in the league over the past couple seasons.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Not surprising that Stocker and Martin coming back has equated to two of the better games that Jameis has had.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Agree w RO, those tosses were terrible, Doug running sideways is a disaster. What about some draw plays out of spread formation w Jameis in shotgun, better choice than sweeps.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Yeah we really need to ditch the toss until we can block it up better. That play seems to be a guaranteed loss each time we run it.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:43 pm
@R.O. & Ed – do we have any analysis that’s been done to see if those toss plays were done as a means to set up something later on in the game? I feel like the game had a very deliberate vibe to it. Like the offensive coaching staff had a very well orchestrated plan of attack. I can’t believe that they would keep beating their head against that wall just to do it. I don’t know for sure, but perhaps there was a play action toss that came later on that those plays had been building toward. Worth looking in to.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:50 pm
It’s just too bad he can’t block for himself, because it seems like defenders are getting through the line on every run play.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Martin was stuffed just as he received the ball…..that’s a product of run blocking or play calling…..it seemed that KC was in our huddle sometimes.
Now a fake toss left and quick pass right will work very well.
November 22nd, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Damn guys – we walked into Arrowhead and beat their a$$. Chill. The Chiefs are damn good.
November 22nd, 2016 at 1:57 pm
I like when Martin is utilized as a receiver. He is very effective when he catches the ball in space and pick up the extra yards. The bubble screens to Adam Humphries need to be taken out of the playbook.
November 22nd, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Bubble screens to Humpries are almost always money of anything we should do more of it. Go to bed
November 22nd, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Martin ran north and south last year..he must get back to doing so this season. Quiz Rodgers was doing just that before Martin came back. Our oline is in the top half of the league in my opinion. We have some beast run blockers, and all it takes is a little crease….hit the hole hard doug when its there…while going north and south and keeping the pad level low!
November 22nd, 2016 at 8:33 pm
That was an awesome play where he blocked two rushers. It was something you don’t see every day from any back. He had a better game against the Chiefs for sure.
November 22nd, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Yeah @Doc, idk what Ur talking about. The screen to hump almost always picks up 7 to 15 yards. I don’t think that we should use it more often tho, unless dirk can find different ways to dress it up so teams don’t key on it.
November 22nd, 2016 at 11:44 pm
That was easily Dirk’s best Head Coaching performance this year. Not only did he dial up some great play-calling, he out-coached Reid in every way.