Phrase Of 2017: “Coach’s Decision”
December 24th, 2016
New catchphrase coined.
Every year there seems to be a catch phrase in pop culture. Or, as the young-uns would say, a meme.
(Joe is such a geek he pronounces meme, “MEH-me.”)
Once it was “Where’s the beef?” Another year it was “Wass-up!”
The Bucs have a jump on the calendar year 2017 with their own catch phrase.
“Coach’s decision.”
From Bucs suits all the way down to players, any mention of Doug Martin’s benching today when Joe spoke with Bucs types at the Superdome in New Orleans was met with the same phrase.
“Coach’s decision.”
Was Martin benched? You be the judge: A Pro Bowl running back signed to a massive contract (some $8 million this year alone) who is mightily struggling with a ghastly 2.9 yards per carry average, one of the worst in the NFL, is not even active for a critical late-season game in a playoff push. Call it the way you see it (and that’s fine) but it sure smells to Joe like a benching.
Joe spoke with both Martin and several players after the game. No one even hinted that Martin is remotely injured or has any type of sickness. Illness has been blowing through One Buc Palace this week, affecting Mr. Beasting, Robert Ayers, and front office suits, among others.
So if Martin had a flu or some type of viral disease that is easily contagious, it sure didn’t look like it. Joe once spotted Martin sitting on the bench sandwiched by Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers. If Martin had something vile, Joe believes the Bucs wouldn’t have put him on the bench to infect otherwise healthy players.
Despite what some want to believe, Joe smelled this coming for weeks, not necessarily Martin being benched, but his demotion. By a combination of actually watching games and film rather than guzzling beer at a bar, seeing better production of backups, looking at stats, looking at recent Bucs history and — gasp! — actually listening to folks who study film for a living, Joe did the math and the answers were not kind to Martin.
Joe gets absolutely zero joy in writing this. No one — and Joe means no one! — wanted to see Martin rip out a 200-yard game for a win to put the Bucs in the playoffs more than Joe.
Now it will be very interesting to see if Martin is active in the season-deciding game New Year’s Day against the Stinking Panthers.
If he isn’t, that speaks volumes.
Even if Martin is inactive, Joe would be shocked if Team Glazer eats the final year of Martin’s guaranteed contract and Martin doesn’t return in 2017 (Martin signed a contract through the 2020 season this past spring but the soon-to-be 28-year old’s contract is only guaranteed through next season).
Joe is, however, damned confident Team Glazer is peeved to be paying top dollar ($8 million this season per Rotoworld.com) for production they could buy for one-tenth the cost of Martin’s salary.
The NFL, lest one forgets, is a business.
Whatever Martin’s status will be next week, repeat after Joe:
“Coach’s decision.”
December 24th, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Martin has now had three down years, and two up years. The down years all involved some sort of injury. It is not usual his two best years were his rookie year and his contract year. I say give Quizz a contract to keep him around and do a three way competition next Summer. And keep Barber around too. No no no. Don’t waste a pick on a RB, even a mid-rounder. That said, only an idiot would try to simplify this is an either/or situation between Martin and the O line. The reality is Martin, the O line, and his injuries probably all play into it.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:09 pm
I LOVE IT. Yeah, maybe you could argue that they played different D against Rogers but that would have been stupid. Rogers has had some solid games. No, they didn’t … and so we see Rogers much more effective than Martin. I wish Doug would have had a stronger season but he didn’t. Benching him was the right call.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Thank God he was benched as the Bucs finally got some real RBs out there today as evidenced by them running roughshod over the Saints D. What’d they have today – 180, 200 yards? What a bum that Martin is.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:13 pm
Sounds like you’re making stuff up?
December 24th, 2016 at 9:17 pm
This is up there with the Sweezey Swindle….I like Doug and think his hamstring has him hamstrung….he was never a burner…so taking just a fraction off his speed/quickness is a killer.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:18 pm
I really like the writing style of this article.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Let Joe be clear about one thing guys he failed to include in the story:
The effort from Doug Martin is very much there. He’s busting his tail, just not getting results.
He is blocking well, for the most part. Sometimes crushing. He has improved as a receiver out of the backfield.
No, Martin is NOT mailing it in. Please don’t think that because it would be inaccurate.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Thanks D-Rome!
December 24th, 2016 at 9:27 pm
And benching Martin didnt do anything but probably piss the Glazers off. We must of had about 100 rushing yds total for the game. But yea Martin was the problem
December 24th, 2016 at 9:28 pm
Like they were happy before?
December 24th, 2016 at 9:31 pm
“Coach’s decision” may have cost them the playoffs. No one is going to forget that.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
@ Joe maybe not happy but satisfied with improvement. I wouldn’t be happy if I was pissing away 8mil for the guy not even be active. Huff should have been benched if anyone
December 24th, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Huff should have been deactivated*
December 24th, 2016 at 9:46 pm
““Coach’s decision” may have cost them the playoffs. No one is going to forget that.”
—
Rogers was very effective tonight. Not sure what game you were watching. Blame whatever you want but the running game was there.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:47 pm
I can’t say it enough and it frustrates me that this coaching staff doesn’t see it but you got to quit forcing Chuck Sims and go with a combo of Martin and Quiz. Martin is loosening up this season after a huge off season in which he focused on building a home in Tampa which is sad thats his only motivation so you definitely should combo him up with someone more physical Quiz who is playing great ball but needs a complement to him as well. Chuck Sims kills the momentum when he runs and is prone to mess up a few pass plays as well plus he’s just not physical enough behind the kind oline we got. Plus why haven’t we yet Incorporated a Fullback in the running game by the name of Alan Cross. I’m interested in seeing him get touches in our finale against Carolina too. He reminds me of Alstott alot. Go with Martin, Quiz,and Cross in the run game and we beat the Panthers and maybe get some luck and we continue to carry a big Mfn stick
December 24th, 2016 at 9:58 pm
If only we didn’t fire Lovie last year, but this year instead.
We could be trying to get Kyle Shanahan.
December 24th, 2016 at 9:59 pm
Before kick off??? How about do it after the Dallas game and let players have one less thing to worry about. Bad timing.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:25 pm
Is there a scenario now with the Bucs still making it in the tourney?? I can’t find anything other than every site saying we need a lot of help??? Please help I just need a little glimmer of hope!!!
December 24th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Good, hopefully he will make McCoy and David the next coaches decisions.
Biggest game of the season and the invisible brothers did NOTHING!!!
Two biggest frauds in the NFL. Great talent, ZERO ability to make game changing plays and motivate those around them.
Ayers was also invisible today.
Hargreaves when not being attentended to by trainers after being burned was dancing like an a**hole after dropping an interception down two scores with five minutes left.
What about the O-Line and Mr. Inconsistent Winston?
Dougie ain’t the only major problem on the team.
Some pretty sh*tty game management and suspect play calling this year too.
Decent year overall, team over achieved, but dang there is a long way to go!
December 24th, 2016 at 10:58 pm
We need to get these guys in a duel formation. If they’re gonna sit the better RB just because they messed up with the money with the other guy that’s plain stupid. Rogers probably was the better decision today. And when we’re always on 3rd and 1 or on our 1 yard line can we please not try to run it up the gut every time. I’m pretty sure every team knows what we’re going to do and it’s always the same, us losing 3-5 yards.
December 25th, 2016 at 12:06 am
Coach should be fired, he’s damn as it gets
December 25th, 2016 at 12:06 am
Dumb