“I Don’t Know If You Trust Doug”
May 27th, 2017
Topic on sports radio.
Will the Bucs keep Doug Martin or will they let him walk?
It’s a subject we likely will not know the answer to until the end of September.
This week, Tom Krasniqi and co-host Ronnie Lane of WDAE-AM 620 discussed the Martin subject, and Krasniqi sees the entire situation to be grim if not “risky” for Martin.
“I don’t know if you can trust Doug, I really don’t,” Krasniqi said. “When the preseason ends and he goes away, and you are not allowed to have contact with him for three weeks until Week 4, how is he going to handle himself until then? And will he still be on the team until then? So there are many questions that need to be answered.
“I think they are going to keep him around. He’s an insurance policy if [Jacquizz Rodgers] or Jeremy McNichols or Peyton Barter or these guys get injured or are ineffective, then I guess they could turn to Doug at some point. … There is a lot of risk involved there.”
Joe can’t really argue with anything Krasniqi said but one element it seems Krasniqi didn’t factor is Martin’s bloated $5,764,706 salary for 2017 (which Joe might add grows each of the next two seasons if the Bucs keep him), per Spotrac.com.
So Team Glazer would pay a part-time player who doesn’t play special teams $5.7 million?
Remember, Alterraun Verner, who was a part-time player but did play special teams, was tossed overboard? Why? Because of his projected 2017 salary of $6.5 million. If the Bucs keep Martin, he is due to make $6.7 million in 2018.
Unlike Martin, Verner was never popped for (the wrong?) PED. Unlike Martin, Verner never had to serve a league-mandated suspension. Unlike Martin, Vernon was a model of dependability as he missed but two games in three seasons (the only games he has missed in his seven-year career). In the last three years alone, Martin has missed 13 games and he surely will miss at least three games this fall.
The only logical reason Martin sticks, Joe believes, is what Krasniqi suggested: insurance.
To hear the full conversation about Martin, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
May 27th, 2017 at 12:14 am
You know it’s a slow media day when Joe is posting articles on the opinions of TKras. But in all seriousness, I feel like we are keeping Doug. Hopefully we restructure a deal before his return against the NYG.
May 27th, 2017 at 1:11 am
Can’t count how many times have highlighted something he has said. If he says something interesting Joe will write about. And this is an important subject.
Or would you prefer Joe bore you with underwear football? Have plenty of that to write about, but Joe doesn’t want to chase away readers.
May 27th, 2017 at 1:19 am
Money is money, it pays bills and feeds you. Desire, ambition, and integrity cant be bought. He messed up and he knows it. Now its up to him. It all boils down to where his heart is. Im hoping he makes the right decisions and can be a beast once again for us.
May 27th, 2017 at 2:09 am
What Joe seems to forget is that Verner was paid millions of dollars to replace Revis. He wasn’t paid to play special teams. Verner never contributed anything to this team like Martin does when he’s healthy. Going on about Verner’s “dependability” is comical. There was nothing dependable about him as a corner.
Joe also seems to forget that the Bucs can afford to keep Martin and don’t have any salary cap issues. The ball is in Martin’s court, and we’ll see if he’s worth that price, but you don’t just toss aside quality players. If and when Licht decides to toss Martin, I trust it will be a thoughtful decision. Not this half baked sports journalism logic.
May 27th, 2017 at 2:15 am
Verner was paid millions because he was a Pro Bowl player who somehow got on the open market. Whoever he signed with was going to pay him millions.
Kind of hard to make any type of play when you’re watching the game from the sidelines in street clothes.
“Your best ability is your availability.” — Bill Parcells.
May 27th, 2017 at 2:24 am
Agreed MadMax… The Bucs are in position to let Martin, once again, prove himself. I can’t help but think of how good Martin’s game is when he’s right and the Line is blocking. He is a tremendous back when healthy with some help. Now with his substance problems coming into plain sight his inconsistencies make more sense. It’s up to Doug. I think the team knows his talent, we have him under contract so why not give him the chance to redeem himself.
May 27th, 2017 at 2:33 am
Verner was garbage. Martin was something.
May 27th, 2017 at 4:10 am
Martin is at his best in contract or prove it years. With his contract being voided this is practically a contract year. He needs to show up this year or he likely will never play for another team again.
Im excited to see if we get the 2015 DM. Damn what a boost that would be
May 27th, 2017 at 5:02 am
If the Bucs really want to make the playoffs this year and if they believe Martin is clean, I think you keep him this year. He is a top 5 back some time. I don’t see how you let that walk when you are under the cap and trying to win. 2018 is another story. Wouldn’t hate the Bucs to get him to take a pay cut, though.
May 27th, 2017 at 5:39 am
Keeping him on the roster and paying him his current contract numbers do NOT go hand in hand. I can see them hanging on to him but only if he restructures…
May 27th, 2017 at 5:40 am
@Joe … “Or would you prefer Joe bore you with underwear football? Have plenty of that to write about, but Joe doesn’t want to chase away readers.” Joe, your pieces on these last few days of OTAs have been great, and I’d personally love to get more tidbits on how the team is looking (even if it is ‘underwear football’).
Doug Martin’s situation is what it is. It’s been hashed, rehashed, and re-rehashed throughout all the sports media, but the bottom line is that no one knows how it’ll play out at this point, probably not even the Bucs. Obviously a lot can happen between now & Game 4, and keeping Doug as an ‘insurance policy’ (at least for now) is reasonable.
May 27th, 2017 at 6:07 am
Tcras is annoying.
Tries to hard to be funny.
May 27th, 2017 at 6:24 am
The Bucs don’t have to restructure. If they restructure, they lose their leverage. I can see a scenario that he gets the contract money this season and the Bucs keep him on for the next year before he becomes as cap casualty the following year. I know EVERYONE thinks this is crazy. I see this as likely as him being cut, barring any setbacks from drugs, as him being cut prior to week 4. He is basically on game to game contracts the way I understand it. He can be cut now for any reason and everything after is voided. No player would ever sign such a deal so there is value in this flexibility. If they chose to demand a restructure now, he’s not going to just sign a 1 year deal for league minimum without fully exploring options with other clubs.
Do you “trust” Martin to be your primary back? No, it isn’t necessary. If he turns into 2015 Martin you ride that back until he quits producing again, then cut him.
Do you need to trust him may be the better question.
Consider this was a perfect storm offensively last year:
1) Mankins Retires, Sweezy injured, Hawley’s knees give out, Cherilus looks like he’s playing one year too long
2) Vincent Jackson, all but retires, ASJ goes, ASJ, Louis Murphy has a setback. Cecil Shorts who is emerging gets his leg destroyed with 4 games left leaving Adam Humphries as our solid #2 receiver.. until he gets a concussion in that same game. At least he came back
3) Martin pulls a hamstring in the second quarter of week 2, an injury which by most accounts never quite healed. Sims proves he is what he is, an unreliable feature back, Rodgers emerges as a solid back (he did produce 2-100 yard games, but he will never take a game over) Barber can be summed up by saying he had a 44 yard run late versus the 49ers.
Now for 2017, Martin does not need to be the feature of the team. The Bucs will be able to run off of the pass rather than pass off of the run. No way a team can just focus on a couple of looks. The Bucs HAD to out execute the other team on every offensive play. What Evans, Brate and Winston did last year was just an inclination of how good they can be together. Now, add DJax, Howard and Godwin to the mix, with the possibility of McNichols. Marpet to Center a healthy Sweezy (go rewatch Cable’s break down of Sweezy on youtube, Joe posted it last year) Howard as a true blocking Tight End.
With all of these factors, Martin can be looked at as a bonus. Not as a necessity.
May 27th, 2017 at 6:32 am
I certainly wasnt stating they should try to restructure NOW. If come the end of TC or his suspension, they decide he is their guy, then do it.
May 27th, 2017 at 6:49 am
Joe, why would the Bucs pay Martin his full salary and not restructure? Martin has NO leverage so you offer an incentive deal with a low base: win-win. No other team is going to give him a better deal. And like others have already said, its like Martin is in a contract year. I think he could kick butt this year
May 27th, 2017 at 7:54 am
“Remember, Alterraun Verner, who was a part-time player but did play special teams, was tossed overboard? Why? Because of his projected 2017 salary of $6.5 million. If the Bucs keep Martin, he is due to make $6.7 million in 2018.”
One huge flaw in your point…
…the Buccaneers have not even come close to spending their money this year. In fact, they have been very conservative spending-wise.
I suspect they are preparing for the big contracts that start next year…and since none of Martin’s contract is guaranteed now, every year is a prove-it year…they can easily afford to keep him this year and if they don’t need him next year, they can release him or trade him without penalty.
Say, for example, he stays this year and after his suspension, he produces pretty well, but so does Rodgers or McNichols (Barber will not be with the team). Then Martin will gain trade value over this season.
If a team feels he will produce, they will pay him $6.7 because they know they can release him if he doesn’t pan out.
So not only is every year a prove-it year, but he now has a trade friendly contract. All he has to do is gain value.
THAT’s why Licht would be an idiot to release him after his suspension. The Bucs have to spend money anyway, and his is the least amount of risk this year.
May 27th, 2017 at 8:00 am
Harry in Costa Rica Says
“Joe, why would the Bucs pay Martin his full salary and not restructure?”
I can answer that.
Remember when fans were shouting for Martin to get his contract, but Joe, me and a few others said they would be better off franchise tagging him?
If I recall the franchise amount was $11.5m. The benefit would have been another prove-it year.
Because Martin’s screw up voided ALL guarantees in his contract, all years are like a Franchise Tag at HALF THE COST through the entire length of the contract. Making every year a prove-it year.
Doing a restructure would include new guarantees.
By keeping it as is, the Bucs can search for a new franchise RB (if they don’t already have one) and release Martin after any season.
May 27th, 2017 at 8:04 am
Not to mention that restructuring would remove the “prove-it” year element.
May 27th, 2017 at 8:10 am
@Buccaneer Bonzai
The original deal signed was really only a 2 year deal, the Bucs there was no dead money after the second year and could walk away. I don’t think they will try to restructure because there is 3 game checks missing already. And he is an insurance policy!!!!! And if one of the other RB are not performing or hurt drug martin will play this year but will be replaced next offseason!!!!!!
Remember kids, Don’t do DRUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!
May 27th, 2017 at 9:35 am
“Verner was garbage. Martin was something.”
———-
Did you miss last season? Or year 2 and 3 of Doug’s career? He’s been both great and garbage, but more garbage than great.
May 27th, 2017 at 10:16 am
Hahahaha the notion that Doug Martin won’t start is truly laughable. We have a bunch of scrubs on our team at running back and a first round pick who has proven he can perform. Who would you start?
May 27th, 2017 at 10:18 am
The Joe’s are just digging through the depths of the internets, pulling any article written by someone stupid enough to give up on Doug Martin, as to not look as stupid themselves come Oct
May 27th, 2017 at 11:07 am
Let’s go Doug! The NFL needs to be more realistic on drug policy instead of blowing out of proportion minor offenses.
May 27th, 2017 at 11:38 am
By far the worst radio show on 620. I don’t care one bit what those guys think.
May 27th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
620 WDAE is irrelevant. Sirius is where the real NFL talk is. I hope Doug comes back and rushes for 1000+. Stay positive! GO BUCS!
May 27th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
‘m going down down baby your street in a Range Rover
Street sweeper baby, cocked ready to let it go
Shimmy shimmy cocoa what
Listen to it pound
Light it up and take a puff, pass it to me now
May 27th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
He can’t hear you Westernbuc but I can, Verner was a big money mistake, he just wasn’t that guy! I think when we waited so long to pick a running back in this years draft, everyone should have known Doug will be a Buc this year! BUILD A WALL BUT NOT IN MEXICO …..dumb ass!!
May 27th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Martin layed down on this team, 3 out of 5 years.
Owners and coaches tend to frown on guys that get their money, then quit on you.
I hope Martin is clean, and wants to make a mends. I saw his apolgy speech. Want to believe it was sincere.
If he can regain their trust- restructure his contract-to where it is heavily incentive based.
Ya earn it. Potentially lots of it- if you are doing your best.
IF he regains their trust
May 27th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
If he messes up again – he’s gone. That’s a given. If he does what he needs to do – both personally and professionally – then Doug is a talent you want on this team if he can stay healthy. Its not that hard Geez.
This will play out until Sept and the Bucs will make the final decision about what to do regarding Doug Martin just before he comes back from suspension with as much time and information as possible under their belts.
May 27th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Hawaiian buc
Come on about last season. I rather put up with Martin smoking crack than Verner on the roster. Imo.
May 27th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Pickgrin Says:
“This will play out until Sept and the Bucs will make the final decision”
Tune in tomorrow when the janitor at One Buc tells us what he thinks about Martin’s chances of being on the roster in October.
I can’t wait…
May 27th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
“…Vernon was a model of dependability as he missed but two games…” – Joe
Tell me you are Joking. Alteraun Verner was/ is a total scrub Every year he was with us. This dude was not a good player for us, Ever.
The fact that you would write that he was the model of dependability is laughable.
Doug Martin has been a top 5 running back twice in this league.
Choosing to keep him around this year would not guarantee him coming back next year.
If Doug Martin looks good in preseason, he will be returning week 4. You can bet on that.
May 27th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
@tnew: excellent post.
There is NO “restructuring” Martin’s contract for less cheese without first putting him on waivers. A contract can be restructured for equal or more $$$ without putting the player on waivers. Not for less.
The projections of Martin not the #1 RB are just silly. There are lesser back behind him. Rodgers is serviceable but has never taken over a game in his career and scares no one, Sims had one decent season and was worse than Martin last year, Barber has had ONE “splash” play against a horrible defense and McNichols is a complete unknown.
May 27th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
@Capt. Tim: since when are injuries considered “laying down” on your team?
May 27th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
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