“Expanded Role” For Jacquizz Rodgers
December 7th, 2016
This should shake the feathers of Doug Martin fans and legions of fantasy football players.
Jacquizz Rodgers returned from a foot injury last Sunday and played well in San Diego. In fact, he closed out the game hammering the ball on the ground to run out the clock — after Doug Martin limped off the field midway through the second half.
Rodgers finished with seven carries for 29 yards, plus a catch and run for 21 yards. All year long, he’s been more effective on the ground than Martin. He’s also an excellent pass-blocker like Martin.
So would the Bucs dare make a major change at bellcow running back?
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked about Rodgers today at One Buc Palace. Monken praised Rodgers for his work Sunday and said he expects an “expanded role” for him this Sunday against the Saints.
Was the comment a tip-off that Martin is hurt and Rodgers will step in? Or is Rodgers going to get the 1A gig against the Saints with a healthy Martin playing No. 2 back?
Interesting decision for Dirk Koetter, especially with Charles Sims expected back Sunday.
There is no time to play games with egos and measuring salaries. The Bucs are in a real playoff run. May the best running back play.
December 7th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Hard to say this but at the point, until Martin is healthy, Rodgers is the better back.
December 7th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Martin’s vision & timing have been pretty off this year. Looks like a few runs he’s just running into the blockers instead of letting the hole develop and then hitting it hard
December 7th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
we need doug fully healthy….until then pound the rock with quiz and barber…would love to see dirk get creative and use sims in the slot with quiz in the back field….kill the saints with sims jet sweeps and screen passes….GO BUCS!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I could care less who starts or who gets more snaps…..we are very fortunate to have a healthy corps of RBs…..we need to pound NO with the run and keep the ball from Brees…..rest our defense…..run & play action. With our receivers depleted, we need our running backs.
Martin, Rodgers, Sims & Barber…..that’s a very good crew.
December 7th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I’m all for Rodgers and Sims having expanded roles and I am not one of those who hates Doug Martin.
The fact is when Doug is in the backfield, defenses tee off vs. the run. Rodgers not so much. Having Doug back there helps Jamies on play action passes. There is no question about this.
December 7th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
If Martin doesn’t play I don’t think we win Sunday. Fingers crossed that he is healthy enough to go.
December 7th, 2016 at 4:01 pm
Bout the time our RB’s come back we lose WR’s. Would love to see #3 have a full arsenal. Winston had turned chicken sh*t into chicken salad.
December 7th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
I would say martin is still knocking for the rust and trying to find his groove….its not easy trying to get going after sitting out almost half the season while the defenses are in mid season form….
rest up martin…stay patient…block out all the noise….GO BUCS!!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Like you said Joe, it’s no time for “ego’s”. We are in a PLAYOFF PUSH. Best back should play, simple as that. Having said that, though, Doug martin should still see his fair share of touches to keep New Orleans guessing
December 7th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
@Sanfran…I hear you….martin and ayers returned vs the bears and we haven’t lost since….granted martin hasn’t provided much production but he does impact the game…with him in the game, it tends to open up the play action….GO BUCS!!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
When healthy, all things equal, DM is the best back on the team.
The issue has been his health. He just doesn’t seem like he’s back at 100%.
December 7th, 2016 at 4:35 pm
3 back set? That could be fun.
December 7th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Rotate Martin and Rogers and put Sims in the Slot. You could have them all on the field at the same time. Rogers and Martin blocking while Sims runs a crossing rout.Great set-up for play action while Evans and Shep stretch the field. Options abundant, while setting up the run. Go.Bucs
December 7th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
I say equal touches for Rodgers, Martin, & Barber and then I heard we’re gonna be using Sims as a slot receiver which sounds perfect. Add Huff to the offense as well and we have a few dynamic playmakers out there.
December 7th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
I’ll be surprised if Martin sees much action. The rest of that mentioned crew have proven their effectiveness, so that is reassuring. Anxious to see Sims make an impact also. Go Bucs!
December 7th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
I’ve liked Rodgers since he was at Oregon State…played well for the Falcons…surprised to see him on the street. I guess the Bears were too talented already. 🙂
December 7th, 2016 at 5:01 pm
My guess for Huff would be kick returns ( sorry Smith…you’re not good at it…yet ) and bubble screens like the one’s thrown to Humphries…tough to come into the fold this late and be a major contributor.
December 7th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
he’s earned it. doug looks like he’s working alot harder with the ball in his hands but getting less out of it. For whatever reason, Rodgers is doing a better job locating running lanes.
i noticed last week that Dirk had doug and rodgers in the backfield at the same time once or twice. i’m betting chuck sims is out there in those formations sunday and we run a few more of them
December 7th, 2016 at 5:31 pm
I don’t know if anybody mentioned this but I’d put both of them in the back field mix it up. Make it more unpredictable.
December 7th, 2016 at 5:36 pm
I am hearing Demar Dotson has a concussion, and that Chris Conte, Evan Smith, and Luke Stocker both practice LIMITED today. Michael Ghoulston is not even showing up on the injury report. Odd to hear about Dotson. First we’ve known.
December 7th, 2016 at 5:38 pm
It makes sense to play Rodgers over Dougie. Rodgers is fresh and Doug is hurt. Let Doug get healthy and we will have a full complement of backs should we make the…… P word….
GO BUCS!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Right with you here ERIK “I say equal touches for Rodgers, Martin, & Barber and then I heard we’re gonna be using Sims as a slot receiver which sounds perfect. Add Huff to the offense as well and we have a few dynamic play makers out there.”
Go Bucs!
December 7th, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Suspect that Martin’s still not 100% … hamstrings always seem to linger for some reason. Plus having Stocker pretty much out last week (1 snap) probably hurt our run game, early on especially. Guess is that our OLine will do better run-blocking against the Saints DLine than they did against Chargers, Seahawks & Chiefs. Still, sure do hope Stocker is back at 100%.
One thing I find interesting is that when the Bucs control the time-of-possession we win … held true every game since our win in Carolina Week 5. Our average TOP since then has been well over 34 mins in our wins. Guess is that’s been critical for our defense: fewer snaps result and that keeps them fresher. Appears to be working beautifully.
December 7th, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Until Martin is 100%, I think Rodgers is the better back. Rodgers hits the holes faster, and I think he gives us the best chance to win. Putting Sims in the slot forces the Saints to respect his speed.
December 7th, 2016 at 7:37 pm
Rodgers has looked really good when given the chance to play, but so has Martin. Martin’s numbers aren’t great but he’s doing a ton of work to pick-up 1.5 yards when Dirk has him running into the middle of the defensive line on every 1st down. Dirk has to mix it up a little, they’re nowhere near as predictable as they were early in the season, but I still don’t get why the Bucs setup the play action for seemingly half the game, then when they want to throw on 2nd and short and 3rd and short, they go into shotgun – what was the point of repeatedly running up the middle if not setting up play action passes?
For Sims just use him in his proper role as a 3rd down back and receiving back – don’t ever put him back as the primary back again. He’s a great great RB in his role on 3rd down and being a receiving back, but as starter, he was terrible.
December 7th, 2016 at 7:38 pm
Yo I just watched dirk kotter interview few moments ago and I swear I’ve seen it a couple times already in pass but he is a dick to that female reporter I feel like lol what’s up with that I don’t have a problem with it I just think it’s funny lol.
December 7th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
We need more bellcow, baby!
December 7th, 2016 at 7:57 pm
I think Doug and Quizz complement each other well enough especially if they kept Barber active for beast mode running.
They should just work Sims exclusively with WR’s this year and get him as comfortable as quickly as possible given how thin we are at WR.
December 7th, 2016 at 8:06 pm
What’s going to happen when the Bucs trade up next year for Dalvin Cook? Whatever Jameis wants.
December 7th, 2016 at 8:29 pm
I don’t see the bucs trading up for a RB. They just resigned dougy. Unless they find a trading partner for Doug I don’t see it happening.
December 7th, 2016 at 8:33 pm
Cook and Walker baby !!!!!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 9:24 pm
Using a 1st rounder on a RB when you have last years #2 rusher in the league under contract, that’s moronic. The Bucs don’t have anyone outside of VH3 that should be on an NFL roster as a starter playing corner or safety, if they don’t spend a bunch of picks fixing that – or wisely spend a bunch of FA fixing it, then this team isn’t going very far, certainly not when Winston only has NFL caliber WR playing for him.
December 7th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Martin is the bell cow back, he’s the more seasoned more veteran back. His running TD was beautiful this weekend and his pass blocking against the likes of Boza was game-changing.
I’ll remind you that Smith’s long run should have been a holding call… on Dotson none the less.
December 7th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
I moved Quiz into my no.2 RB position based on this. Of course I have David Johnson in my no. 1 so he always makes enough points to carry the other if he has a bad day. 🙂
December 8th, 2016 at 8:46 am
All four of our RBs can help out w/oline blocks. Looks like Dotson will be out–concussion–so we’ll need it. They also can catch the ball out of the backfield. Good cos I hope they give Sean Payton a MAJOR headache with his defensive play calls. GO MIGHTY BUCS SUNDAY!!