It Is Rodgers’ Time
August 31st, 2017
Bellcow (for now).
If anyone is guessing who will tote the rock while embattled running back Doug Martin serves the three-game balance of his four-game suspension to start the season, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter let the cat out of the bag this week.
On Tuesday, Koetter was asked if the running attack will be a committee responsibility until Martin returns, Koetter left little doubt.
“I don’t think so, necessarily,” Koetter said. “I think we will have a role for the guys that are up and ready to go in Miami. I think it will sort itself out pretty clean, provided we stay healthy here through the next week.”
So who will that be? Jacquizz Rodgers of course. After Martin was hurt in Week 2, and Charles Sims was dreadful filling in for him before getting injured in Week 4, the Bucs called upon Rodgers and he pretty much saved the season with a strong performance on Monday Night Football at Carolina against the Stinking Panthers.
Had the Bucs lost that game, they would have been 1-4 and who knows how the season would have ended?
If Rodgers runs the ball like he did before and after he was hurt in Week 7 last season, it is unlikely Koetter will want to fix something that is not broken.
August 31st, 2017 at 8:33 am
What’s the chances the Buccaneers keep Doug Martin? Worse than 50/50?
August 31st, 2017 at 8:38 am
With the way Doug was running in the preseason, I think it’s a strong bet the Bucs keep him.
Look, Licht already said Martin is the type of person who needs a carrot. Coming back from a 3-game suspension and not guaranteed anything is the exact “chip on his shoulder” “carrot” *insert whatever here* Doug apparently needs to give 100%. Do I like this? Hell no. But it’d be foolish to trade or dump Doug now, only to see him use that chip on another team and rush for another 1400 yds.
Now, AFTER this year? That’s another story.
August 31st, 2017 at 8:51 am
Not sold on any of the RB’s to be honest. Too many one dimensional or not developed skill sets. I’m all in for drafting a stud this year. I’m thinking that not having a player in the backfield that can’t scare the defense is going to hold this offense back a little bit this season.
August 31st, 2017 at 8:51 am
Seems all pundits and critics are high on Martin; the only naysayers live on this board.
August 31st, 2017 at 8:54 am
Whether this team is 3-0 or 1-2 when Doug returns, he will be the main RB on this team this year unless winning DK wants to teach him a lesson, he is the best back on this team, period.
August 31st, 2017 at 9:03 am
Rsrq
And so if Quizz is averaging over 4 yards per carry…is blocking well to protect #3 and the team is 3-1 you’re going to bench him because of your Doug love?
It’s not just about messages sent to Doug…how about the rest of the team. That would be a hard pill to swallow if a guy is doing his job and he still gets benched.
Doug has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over his career. If Quizz runs for 4.2 you wanna bench him?
August 31st, 2017 at 9:28 am
It’s not about being a naysayer. Name one statement Licht or Koetter has made over the past few months that would lead you to believe Doug Martin will be the starter week 4. You can’t. We *all* know Ezekiel Elliott will be the starter when he comes back from his suspension. There is no RB competition in Dallas. Jason Garrett has openly talked about having a plan for Elliott’s return. Jerry Jones has openly backed him. Where are the similar statements regarding Doug Martin from the Bucs decision makers?
August 31st, 2017 at 9:28 am
Stpete
Yes benched Rogers
August 31st, 2017 at 9:28 am
hopefully doug just relapses before season so he does not give the team the option for him to screw them over AGAIN!!!!
August 31st, 2017 at 9:51 am
I just hope we can find some sucker to trade for Drug Martin. He can never be depended on again. Period. Seems to play best for personal gain. Drug Martin first, team, somewhere down the list. No sympathy for druggies. BuBye.
August 31st, 2017 at 10:03 am
BTW Just so there’s no confusion. I think at this point we keep Doug. As DK has said you can never have enough good players.
I just do not get the DM excessive love here. He’s a hard runner…with no speed..who constantly got hauled down from behind even in his two great years.
If our line plays well…Doug or any of our backs should fare pretty well.
Again though before you all give up on McWeapon…I get that for this season but long term you should really look at his fellow BSU Alum…Jay Ajayi.
He went from appearing in just nine games…187 yards…3.8 yards per carry in his rookie season two years ago to 15 games…1272 yards…4.9 yards per carry last year.
Patience grasshoppers!
August 31st, 2017 at 10:50 am
I do not want to see Rodgers or Sims or even Barber on that field tonight. Great opportunity for Hansbrough and Mc Nichols to see what they have. I feel the same about Fitzpatrick (who completely sucks, I know). Sefo should get a whole game in because if Fitz goes down we could be in big trouble down the road.
As an aside- Kwon was suspended for 4 games after we won 5 of 6 and were in a playoff position 2 years ago and there was no talk of cutting him, Jude did this and no talk of cutting him, but people love to bag on Doug-Yes he let our team down but dude had a problem. If he is straight, the man can play. Only trading for Shady would change my mind on dropping Doug, there is nobody else out there.
August 31st, 2017 at 11:03 am
The problem, which is something many forget, is that Doug Martin only showed up on the field when money was on the line. If players’ stats was a stock you were investing your money into you want to put your money into stocks that are on the rise. Kwon, Jameis, Marpet, Evans, Hargraves, ect… their stock is rising. With Doug Martin his stock chart is up and down.
In stocks, and in life, the best predictor of future performance is past performance. Over the scope of Doug Martin’s career the one good season is followed by two bad seasons. He had a good season in 2015 followed by a bad season in 2016. Past performance dictates he’s likely in for another bad season. He’s saying all the right things now and presumably doing all the right things so why didn’t he do the right things before? There’s no reason to believe it’s going to be different *this* time. Flashing a little in pre-season is irrelevant.
August 31st, 2017 at 11:03 am
JJBucFan just told yall whats up.
DM is a good dude. Not great like you want him to be. But the guys worth keeping even past this year.
Think about this too. If we do indeed make the playoffs. He will be hitting 14 15 and 16 game with somewhat fresher legs. Should be advantage DM vs the other guys.
August 31st, 2017 at 11:26 am
DM is the best RB on this team right now, we are not talking about who is not on this team. He may not be the fastest or the biggest, but he has more on tape success thank any other player on the current roster.
Do I sit Rogers when DM returns if he is averaging 4.0 yards a carry, maybe not right away, but I do see what the man I am paying all this money can do. Remember DK likes splash plays, the ones that get you 12 – 15 yards on a single play and I am not just talking about screen passes, DM has shown that running ability more than any other RB on this roster over his career. He didn’t forget how to run or break tackles. I am a Bucs fan so I want to see the TEAM succeed. I just think the best team has DM on the field.
August 31st, 2017 at 11:59 am
The key to Martin success is health.
In his three “down” years, in each of them, he was hurt and missed many games, and was rarely 100%.
Why do the haters never mention that relevant stat? Why do the haters never mention the abysmal OL play in 2016 that not only stopped the Bucs ground game, but about got Winston killed??
If there is a knock on Martin it’s he’s injury prone.
I once again watched and charted every Buc 2016 offensive play yesterday.
What did I find?
1) When Martin was in the line-up, the passing game clicked because the box was stacked to stop the run.
2) When Martin was NOT in the line-up, the box was rarely stacked, the passing game sucked but the running game looked OK.
It all makes sense. Stop the running threat of a 1400 yard RB, and force Winston to beat you through the air, or stop the passing game, and take your chances with a lesser back hurting you. I like Rodgers, he was a fine pick-up and change of pace back, but he strikes no fear in any DC.
You can hate Martin, but you cannot hate facts.
Going forward in 2017, injuries to several TE’s & WR’s aside, there is no way a DC can either routinely stack the box or drop 7 into coverage without suffering consequences.
The only way I can see how a DC can stop the Bucs offense is with a monster, pure pressure pass rush with some run blitzes mixed in…and some luck.
I predict Martin stays and has a big year…IF he stays healthy.
August 31st, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Pablo says to cobraboy the reason why Doug Marrtin was injuted is because he did not take conditioning seriously. Spending late nights partying and doing recreational drugs will do that to a person.
August 31st, 2017 at 1:33 pm
DM is starting Week 4 vs NYG and it is his job unless he gets hurt. Period.
August 31st, 2017 at 1:58 pm
@ Pablo: This may shock you, but as long as the NFL has been in existence, young, wealthy, healthy, athletic men have always stayed up late partying, ingesting all manner of substances, abusing their bodies and go through NFL seasons without injuries. Some are in the NFL Hall of Fame.
In the larger picture, refined drug testing is relatively new.
I could tell some stories…
August 31st, 2017 at 2:28 pm
No Cobraboy! That does not fit the narrative. Apparently, if you haven’t heard, Doug Martin is the SOLE reason we did not make the playoffs last year!
Here’s a fun FACT for those with their heads still in the sand:
DOUG MARTIN WOULD STILL BE THE UNQUESTIONED STARTER GAME #1 IF NOT FOR TESTING POSITIVE FOR “PED’S”.
He was, and still remains the best running back on this roster. I like Quizz, but he is not going to be your “bell-cow” RB through 16 games. And the thought that week #4 they’re just going to bench Quizz to give Martin the starting gig is ignorant. He’ll be brought in gradually then re-establish himself.
August 31st, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Youd have to be a damn fool to.flat out cut doug martin. Only an idiot would consider that move. Thats my take on the situation. I like Rodgers but Martin needs to be running.come week 4
August 31st, 2017 at 4:00 pm
I keep hearing “journalists” opining that if the Bucs are doing well after 3 games and Rodgers is playing well, Martin gets cut.
If that happens I will readily admit I had no idea what I was talking about. But if he does NOT get cut, will these same “journalists” admit *they* didn’t know what they were talking about?
Because cutting Martin would almost be player personnel malpractice.
Remember the good old days when alleged football geniuses said McNichols was Martin’s slam-dunk replacement, because, you know, college stats equate to NFL performance, so we were told.
I, for one, will be very surprised if McNichols makes the team. I’m not so sure, based on what I saw in HK, he has what it takes between the ears to play in the NFL. I’m not sure he loves football. I’m not so sure his attitude shows passion for the game. And frankly, I’m not so sure he’s that talented.
August 31st, 2017 at 5:20 pm
This website is the only one questioning Doug Martin. It’s a confusing approach to be so outspoken about one of our best players but I assume there will be some form of “I was totally wrong” around week 6 from this site. Doug Martin is a star in this league and he will run wild, despite you
August 31st, 2017 at 5:44 pm
When the Bucs have Evans, Jackson and Godwin on the field with Martin, the defenses will have to choose – stop Martin and watch Jameis shred their secondary or play the pass or blitz and then watch running game move the chains – there’s too many weapons, but without Martin, teams won’t respect the run as much and Jameis will have to hurry because of pressure. This is why Martin’s talent is important.
And rooting for a guy to relapse is sick – you need to re-evaluate your thinking t-max- you don’t have to be a fan of Martin, but what you wrote is f’d up