Calling Pro Bowl Doug Martin
December 4th, 2016
Is it time to feature Jacquizz Rodgers?
Joe will not back off holding Doug Martin to a high standard, one he failed to meet again today in San Diego.
Martin entered the Chargers game averaging a sad 3.0 yards per carry this season. This afternoon, Martin churned out just 45 yards on 17 carries before limping off in the third quarter.
Yes, Martin can pass block.
Yes, Martin has had some explosive catch-and-runs this season, including a 23-yarder today.
Yes, Martin had a Mike Alstott-like touchdown run at the goal line today.
However, Martin is not playing to his superstar $8 million salary, not even close. He’s nowhere close to being the Pro Bowler he was in 2015.
Does anyone think the Bucs’ offensive line forgot how to run block? Joe doesn’t think so.
Look at Jacquizz Rodgers, the Bucs’ leading rusher. He returned from an injury today and had been steady all season before that. Rogers was a monster late in today’s game, bowling over tacklers to close out the game.
Rodgers finished with 29 tough yards on seven carries.
Martin must deliver more if the Bucs are going get to the postseason. And Lord knows January football will require a ground game, especially with the Bucs’ fresh pile of injuries at receiver.
Or, maybe the Bucs decide to hand the ball to the guy who’s the better running back this season: Rodgers.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:53 pm
Absolutely spot on Joe ! Got to give Rodgers more touches based on how performance today and previously this season !
December 4th, 2016 at 8:53 pm
Martin is a part time player at best. I’d like to see more Rodgers and Barber
December 4th, 2016 at 8:54 pm
I honestly want to see Jaquizzy Rodgers carry the rock…….he just looks better.
It just drives me flipping crazy how he dances before hitting the hole / line.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:55 pm
The screen to quizz was play of the game
December 4th, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Joe this was the first game in recent memory I can remember our Oline getting beat like it did today.. There was nowhere to go, they were stacking the box and beating us up the middle on down 1 all game. Jacquizz didnt have a lot of room to go either, but he had fresh legs in a late game situation.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
The lack of production says it all, please start someone else at RB.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
He just doesn’t have the speed and explosiveness he had last year, weather thats due to injury or what not time will tell but he sure isn’t the same guy. I like Doug, he’s a great guy but watching him this afternoon was frustrating.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
I wanted to tag him, but no…
…that said, stay with him. He is still our best.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
I’ve been saying it for a while now. Doug Martin has got to go. Good luck trading his contract though. So many better, cheaper running backs out there. Doug runs as if he’s looking for a defender to run into.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:58 pm
I’m sure he’s playing hurt. Hammies take a while. Now if this were McCoy, Joe would be telling us what a man Gerald is for playing hurt.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:59 pm
More Barber IMO. Less flashy, probably more reliable at getting a couple positive yards rather than this ridiculous crap where Doug is getting dropped for a loss.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:59 pm
The TTdifernce this year is that teams we play are stronger against the run.
December 4th, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Misguided frustration over the run game. San Diego was 6th best run defense heading into the game, and man-handled the O-line. Doug still doesn’t look 100%, but he doesn’t deserve blame.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Chargers have 5th ranked run defense, lay off Doug. You’ve never liked Doug, just admit it Joe.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:02 pm
“lightningbuc Says:
December 4th, 2016 at 8:58 pm
I’m sure he’s playing hurt. Hammies take a while. Now if this were McCoy, Joe would be telling us what a man Gerald is for playing hurt.”
-=———————————————————————–
Ha ha ha ha………………this is so true
December 4th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
You guys are nuts. Doug did not have much room to work with, plain and simple.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Spot on, @Leighroy
They had people swarming at the line of scrimmage all day to stop the run. I’m surprised Martin and the other backs got as much as they did. They dared Jameis to beat ’em with the pass. So he did!
December 4th, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Martin was agonizingly bad today.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Martin runs like a Webble
December 4th, 2016 at 9:09 pm
As soon as Rodgers started getting run the offense looked better. Hard to make a case for a player who is getting badly outplayed by a street free agent signed after the season due to injury.
Feature Rodgers and you’ll see better a better result. Hopefully Martin feels better after the game, it’s good to know that his wallet isn’t hurting today.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:10 pm
This means WR, RB, S, T, DE remain needs on this team.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I didn’t see any holes at all until San Diego had Given up. No one was getting anything in the run game. I don’t understand how Joe can’t see that
December 4th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
the run block was horrible today and most of the season… you can’t get far when it’s 2 and 3 defenders in your face the minute you’re handed the ball
December 4th, 2016 at 9:12 pm
There was one play where Martin saw the wall of defenders froze and just stopped moving his legs altogether before being crushed for a 3 yard loss. Like your Pop Warner coach probably told you, keep those legs moving!
December 4th, 2016 at 9:12 pm
And for the fantasy football crowd, Douggie exceeded his projected points total. So surely this is a feelings argument Joe is making and not a facts argument. LOL–Joe
December 4th, 2016 at 9:12 pm
Hard to get on Doug when he’s hit in the back field and the play calling is so predictable
December 4th, 2016 at 9:13 pm
If I’m coaching, I’m going with Rodgers. He’s been lights out and he started this win streak for us.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Maybe it is good to have more than one running back who can actually run, Sims is good at catching and then maybe running after that. But when Martin or Rodgers line up, they both can run, and maybe catch stuff. So I am down and happy for both these dudes being on the team. True Martin should play at a higher level, but together they are getting the job done.
Kill bodies, GO BUCS!
December 4th, 2016 at 9:28 pm
I thought Martin reinjured his hamstring before leaving the game. The Chargers were tough against the run. Doug is a big part of our RB tandem talent, we need his energy going forward.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Chargers were ranked 6th in run d. With as up and down as this line has been I can’t fault doug
December 4th, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Blocking seemed to be the problem today more than Doug, though I’ll grant he looks nothing like he did last year.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Maybe it’s a combination of all of the above? OLine’s run blocking hasn’t been all that sterling this year. Martin’s not breaking tackles near the line like he was last year it looks like. Play-calling (runs) for when Martin’s in there have been very predictable all season IMO. Put it all together and 3 yds per carry is probably about right. Jaquizz seems to have a better initial burst right now and better drive once contact is made (he’s averaging a much better 4.5 yds/carry). Even Peyton Barber is averaging better than Doug (4.1 yds/carry). Maybe Martin’s hamstring still isn’t at 100%.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Have to play the hot hand
December 4th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
been saying all year Martin is grifter…know who else needs to get the ef off this team…weak a** Luke Stocker…for the life of me I don’t know how keeps a roster spot missing so many games to “injury”…two players i could care less if they weren’t on the team…
December 4th, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Joe,
I knew this article was coming and once again I have to disagree. The play Martin made at the goal line should tell you all you need to know about what he means to this offense. No other running back on this roster has that ability. I for one do believe the o-line forgot how to run block. I didn’t think they were great last year but with the loss of Mankins, they are definitely worse all around. Also, Comparing the runningbacks by YPC is so misguided. When you come in as a backup running back you are supposed to have fresh legs and it’s pretty clear that the defenses don’t key in on the run. We should pray to God that Martin is healthy enough to finish out the season. All I know is that we are 5-0 in the games that he has completed. Take him out of the picture and everyone gets worse.
December 4th, 2016 at 9:58 pm
I disagree.
When Martin is in the game, DC’s stack the line because what he *could do* and *has done.”
The running game isn’t necessarily how many yards you grind out (although that is a big deal.) IT also how you make the other team focus on one area of the offence, how you draw LB’s inching forward instead of dropping quickly.
Martin makes the play-action work.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:03 pm
The OL got whipped today. Where exactly was Doug supposed to run? He is vital to Jameis in pass pro and out of the backfield. It’s not a coincidence our PA game has increased since Doug has been back in the lineup. The fact you & fans keep wanting him benched is crazy. If he has a clunker next week vs a crap Saints defense, (and the OL isn’t garbage) then having Quizz start is something to consider.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:03 pm
I get it. The running game matters. But is there really any perceptible difference between Doug Martin and Rodgers or hansborough or (you fill in the blank with whatever MASH unit RB that’s filled in)? Mitigating factors notwithstanding, we are what we are with respect to the running game. Deal with it.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
I can see your point Joe but to me he looks to be getting better each week. Also he appeared to leave the game with an injury.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
By the way, on the Bucs first drive of the game the announcers noted that the Jameis Winston has 11 TDs and only 1 INT off of play action. That alone should tell you how much opposing defenses are selling out to stop the run this year. We need Doug in there when healthy.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
Disagree. I saw Martin get hit in the backfield repeatedly today. That’s not his fault. Kudos to Rodgers for running out the clock on the last possession but he got nailed as soon as he took the handoff on his first carry too. O-line is pass blocking very well but i bet they would be the first to tell you that the run blocking hasn’t been as good as last season.
December 4th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
draft dalvin cook
December 4th, 2016 at 11:01 pm
I did not see anyone mention an important thing about the running attack that happened in the first series. We lost Stocker…
He is huge for our run game.
December 4th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
I dont know, Joe. Seemed like just about every time Martin touched the ball today he was hit behind the line by multiple defenders. I think hes doing what he can, the holes just arent there.
December 4th, 2016 at 11:37 pm
Am I the only one that thinks his vision isn’t what it was last year. A lot of times today there was not a hole up the middle and most of the time instead of moving to the left where there was usually a hole he ran into the back of his own guys.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:33 am
@cometowin2 I hear you but Doug didn’t just forget how to run. I think a lot of it has to do with getting into a rhythm with the O-line. After he watches this tape I think he’ll see that there are times that he can be more patient & if he is fully healthy (which I don’t believe he is) he’ll have the confidence to bounce outside if the hole closes up quickly. I feel like he can always make the first man miss & once he gets to the second level he’s so strong that he has to be gang tackled. Another thing that has held him back in the past is running with his head down. I expect him to continue to improve and I like the fact that Koetter is not abandoning the run like he has in the past. It’s clear that he understands how important it is. To suggest as Joe has that we bench a healthy Doug Martin is insanity at its finest. Not to take away anything from the other backs but you act as if Jacquizz was busting out huge chunks of yardage. Go back and watch the film.
December 5th, 2016 at 1:08 am
Everyone wanting Rodgers to get the carries bc they remember him getting 100+ yard games must’ve forgot that it was taking him nearly 30 carries to get those 100 yard games.
The OL has been pretty abysmal this year in run blocking. Constantly getting beaten on the LOS.
December 5th, 2016 at 1:17 am
All you smoking crack if you think that little guy can be a featured back! Joe I’m done with this site you bout as dumb as some of these non football people in here!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 4:49 am
@Dizim Amen. Joe- I suggest that you go watch closely how other O-lines run block around the league before you claim that there’s nothing wrong with ours.
December 5th, 2016 at 5:35 am
@wesley, Great point and you could count 8 in the box in most of our packages ( hence pretty good work by Jamies on several play action passes to Shorts, martino and especially the long one to Brate). Its a team game and a team win. Today Martin did what we needed him to for us to win. Be thankful and enjoy the win. We could have Melvin Gordon and have lost the game. Go Bucs!
December 5th, 2016 at 8:16 am
What the Bucs record when Martin has played the full game? Check it out..
December 5th, 2016 at 9:15 am
I guess Doug gotta BLOCK and RUN the ball at the same time!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Warthog is spot on , it’s that simple !!!