Can He Do It?
June 18th, 2017
Closing in on record.
Yes, Joe fully understands the Doug Martin drama emotionally splits Bucs fandom right down the middle.
That’s fully understandable and Martin’s current unknown status for 2017 is not the subject of this post. The focus is Martin, if he does return to the Bucs, isn’t far from a franchise record.
Per multimedia maven Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, if Martin returns and has a monster 2017, a Bucs record could be in jeopardy.
Most notably, Martin enters the 2017 season with a (very) outside shot at ending it as Tampa Bay’s all-time leading rusher. I know hopes are high for Martin to have the kind of season he did in 2012 and 2015, but he would need 1,731 rushing yards in 2017 to pass James Wilder…
Smith also points out that even if Martin were to have blah year, he very well could surpass Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn to move into second place for franchise rushing marks. To do that, Martin would need 862 yards.
Joe will just say this: If Martin does return and runs for 1,700 yards, Joe cannot see how the Bucs do not make the playoffs. If Martin is racking up that kind of yardage, that can only mean the Bucs are winning games. A lot of games.
June 18th, 2017 at 10:05 am
1700 in 13 games good luck bro
June 18th, 2017 at 10:16 am
He could get few more games if u know what I’m saying Guzzie;))))
June 18th, 2017 at 10:18 am
Not happening.
June 18th, 2017 at 10:31 am
I can see him rushing for 1000-1,100 yds in 13 games, but that’s it.
June 18th, 2017 at 10:37 am
It just shows how pathetic the offenses have been over the years especially under the one dimensional Dungy that a part time unreliable POS is near any record. Martin can not and should not be counted on. NEXT
June 18th, 2017 at 10:46 am
1700 in 15-16 games doable.
Martin having that kind of year would be extra sweet to see him break records while stumping all over Mr. Deflated and company in the Super Bowl. Oh Yeah!!!
People don’t hold yourself back! These are not the old Bucs!!!! This is a Bad A$$ Team!!!! Your thoughts can not jinx this team. Set your self free to express your passion for our beloved Bucs!!!!!!! We bleed Pewter and Red!!!
There is a new sheriff in town!!!! Bye, Bye Mr. Deflated and Gran Pa’ Billy Cheat!!!
Go Bucs!!!
June 18th, 2017 at 10:48 am
1700 yards in 13 games puts him in at almost 2100 yards in a full 16 game season.
That just a bit too much to expect in my humble opinion. I’d LOVE to be proven wrong though!
June 18th, 2017 at 10:51 am
Says alot when not even fairly consistent and STILL closing in on the team record
June 18th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Martin has a huge chip on his shoulder right now….and history shows that when you have that you get big results out of a player. To cut him before the season knowing that would be plain stupid.
WITH THAT SAID, Jaquizz Rodgers looks like he is in terrific shape. The guys calf muscles are like freiking bowling balls. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them have split duty right down the middle but if one of them gets hurt we don’t want to rely this year on a 5th rounder coming off surgery, Twinkle toes Charles Simms or barley average Payton Barber. Doug stays a Buc for 2018.
June 18th, 2017 at 11:09 am
While I agree that his past failures make him suspect, I disagree that we can never trust him to carry the load, ever again. Make him prove it, & go with him as long as he does…dump him when/if he stops…simple as that.
June 18th, 2017 at 11:10 am
First things first! Get back to camp in same condition you left! One day at a time!
June 18th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I’m curious were people calling kwon a druggie after his 4game “energy drink” suspension?
June 18th, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Our 5th round draft pick put up better numbers than Doug playing for the very same school.
With Ajay’s breakout season for Miami there is no reason to ignore the chatter about Boise State being a running back school. Some smaller schools do that…have a run on a position.
No reason McNichols can’t be the third in line of Boise backs who blow up.
June 18th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
BTW for those looking for breadcrumbs or clues…Do we suspect that an HC in the NFL might have his best connections at the school where he got his start as a head coach?
Think Dirk has a few friends left in Boise? Think Dirk perhaps knows more about McNichols than most? Just sayin’. Don’t write this kid off so early.
June 18th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Leave Doug Alooone!!!
You’re lucky he even suits up for you..Bastards!!
– Chris Crocker (commenting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
June 18th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Good point TBAD.
I expect Martin to run hard.
I hope he keeps his eye on the prize and doesn’t do anything stupid on his vacation.
June 18th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Why would Martin have to “return to the Bucs?” He’s aleady ON the team, right? smh.
Wilder was the best weapon overall the Bucs had while he was around, and I expect Jameis and company will pass a LOT more so I doubt Doug breaks any all-time records. I fully expect it’s realistic that he stays on the team all year. There is that supsension for three games though, so I’d be surprised he runs for 800 and some change.
June 18th, 2017 at 10:16 pm
sad that drug martin could pass good guys dunn and alstott
June 19th, 2017 at 12:29 am
He goes away for three weeks in September. No one with the Bucs. *No one* knows if he will come back
June 19th, 2017 at 12:40 am
To the best of Joe’s knowledge, Kwon did not have to check himself into a rehab clinic to get clean.
June 19th, 2017 at 7:44 am
Adrian Peterson, who I think we can all agree is the best, only got more than 1700 yards two times in his career…and both years were full, 16 game seasons.
It ain’t gonna happen.
However, if…IF he stays healthy and produces, he could get 900-1,300 yards in 13 games.
I can see him getting 1,000+ not counting post season, but only if one of the other RBs doesn’t unseat him during his suspension.
Will the Bucs keep him this year? Well, I think that’s a strong possibility. Especially when looking at the money side of things. The Bucs have not spent a lot this year (no need to; at least it doesn’t feel like they have spent much). If they cut Martin, would it drop them below the cap minimum?
I haven’t looked at the numbers, but depending on what happens from not to the final cuts, money might be the biggest indicator.
For example, if Evans is given a new deal, then cutting Martin is more like financially. Though, personally, I would rather wait on giving Evans a deal.