Working On Second Level
August 8th, 2017
Martin found a flaw.
Last year one reason Joe was so frustrated with Doug Martin was it appeared he lost any and all vision.
More often than not, Martin would just duck his head as he got to the line of scrimmage, trying to bowl over linebackers. When/if he actually kept his head up, there was daylight to run to.
Instead of getting six or more yards, Martin was stopped for a two-yard gain. Maybe.
Well, it seems Martin saw the same thing Joe saw.
In training camp this summer, Martin looks like a different back. He physique is different and it seems he has rediscovered a burst. Today, Martin broke through the line of scrimmage for a huge gain up the middle, and juked defenders as if he were Darren Sproles. That’s not the first run Joe notice Martin actually looking, well, nimble.
So Joe asked Martin this morning if he changed his style. No, he said, he’s trying to repair a flaw in his game.
“No, it is something I saw and I analyzed myself,” Martin said. “I realized I needed to work on my second-level work.”
It was nothing coaches brought up to Martin. He said he noticed it himself while watching tape this offseason of his runs. He wasn’t getting the job done on the second level, he said, and Martin noted that was a goal of his this training camp.
“Before we get to OTAs I like to look back and see what I need to work on,” Martin said. “As a player, you want to keep improving. You are never perfect.”
Well, that’s good that Martin noticed the flaw. Now we will soon see what he does against a team with a different colored jersey, with pads on and not play tag-defense like the Bucs are doing in camp.
If Martin somehow finds his past successful self — he’s very much a boom or bust running back — this offense could be otherworldly.
August 8th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Joe, I wasn’t really paying attention as I first turned on my radio today, but did I hear that Spence is injured and expected to be out 6 weeks?
August 8th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
The book is out on this guy. He didn’t need to look at game film to get better, he needed a carrot. He needs to be signed to one year contracts every single year. When he’s playing for his job, he’s outstanding. When it’s just a filler year, he’s trash. We’ve seen it over and over with this dude.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Joe is typing at One Buc Palace and that’s the first he heard of anyone not named “Jacquies Smith” who is out for weeks.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Patrick I agree with you 100% idk if that’s going to happen but he definitely only produces when he has something to prove. From joes writing still seems to me like it would be a mistake to let him go for this year at least
August 8th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
@ Bonzai…. D@mn I hope your wrong… Been holding my breath waiting for that to come out.. if true and its his hand… talk about selfish and stupid.. :/
August 8th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Oatrick – He is on something better than one year deals, he’s on a contract where he can be cut at any time, yet if he performs like an All-Pro he gets paid like one. It’s a win-win for both sides – Martin only gets his money if he performs, and if he does perform he gets paid well, and team doesn’t need to worry about losing him.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
His second level agility was absolutely ridiculous in 2015…please recapture that.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Would make this unit otherworldly indeed.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
H3ll, if takes a huge carrot.. So be it.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:31 pm
If Dirk doesn’t insist on running Martin up the middle on every single first down play for the entire first half, and going into the 2nd, then he has better stats for those that only care about about that. Opponents were putting 16 guys in the box and it made no difference, Dirk would still run the exact same play straight up the middle – and worse after doing that over and over, week after week, he would almost never then mix it up with a playaction pass – nope it was Martin up the middle, stuffed for -1.
Anywho I wrote this before but the only issue I saw with Martin was that he wasn’t making the first guy miss as often, but there were plenty of those -1 yard plays where he had to break a tackle or two in order for it not to be a -3 yard play. There’s only one RB in NFL history that I saw that could take all those loss plays over and over again and then still put up good (or amazing) numbers – and that was Barry Sanders, and with as much as I like Martin he’s no Barry Sanders or anything close. Then again no one is.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
i would like to take that carrot and beat him over that thick ass skull of his, for being selfish and unproductive last season and putting himself and his team in the position they are in now, due to his lack of judgement and the suspension looming over his head like a big hungry ugly ape. i do not feel sorry for carrot cake and molly too, now the bucs have a decision put trust into the man who has shown an obvious pattern of play per season, one up, one down, one ok, one miserable yada yada yada, or move on, i for one would like to step away, and go with the backs we have, and maybe a diamond in the rough, MCnichols, it certainly can’t be worse than it was last year.
August 8th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
To add to what Munch said, he had defenders meeting him 3 yards deep. His off-season work coupled with better O-line play should translate into better rushing overall.
August 8th, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Weird cause Joe was telling us Doug looked bulky. That big 85% chance Doug ain’t a Buc looking sillier by the day 😉
August 8th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Joe’s last sentence is the deal.
If Martin plays his 13+ games this year with the capability that he displayed just year before last in 2015 – this offense is going to be scary good.
August 8th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Make them all sing a song Doug …it’ll make me happy!!!
August 8th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
I think we will see martin alot in the preseason. If they think he is in for a big year, or if they are still thinking about cutting him…it makes sense to play him alot….if u know what i mean. Unless of course his salary is guaranteed for injury. Go Bucs
August 8th, 2017 at 3:04 pm
I am on my last bit of patience with Martin but I have to agree with Rod. Koetter can’t run him into the stack on every first down and expect him to be successful. There is a degree of responsibility that lies on the coaching staff for unimaginative play counting that contributes to Doug’s lack of production. Having said that, both Rodgers and Barber had over 1 ypc > than Doug last year.
August 8th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
what sucks is he didnt play in the 2nd to last game last year then was suspended the next day. Its like the bucs knew but that game didnt count for the 4 game suspension. I wish he was only out 2 weeks instead of 3 this year. This guy is an all pro when he is focused. I wouldnt trust him longterm , but on a 1 year deal he is gold
August 8th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Joe has a change of heart I see. But the last sentence is why I would prefer dm over anyone of our backs
Change of heart? This post has nothing to do with heart, or Martin’s reliability, durability or bad film last season.–Joe
August 8th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
(Jim Mora voice)
Second level?
Second level?
First we have to keep him from getting hit in the backfield less than 43℅ of his carries…
August 8th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
You know why Martin’s head is “Up?” Because he’s keeping his eyes squarely fixed on that not fully guaranteed anymore “carrot”, hoping his “refocused” efforts keep him here at his current contractual rate.
August 8th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Cobraboy nailed it!
Most runs stuffed at or behind the LOS in the league in 2016!
August 8th, 2017 at 5:37 pm
Yes Joe
It kinda does have everything w change of heart. From u. Our rbs r never going to be Dm level or potential to be. Rogers Sims and barber don’t break open unless it’s the 49ers pooooor defense. I have no faith in a good run game w the roster we have only dm has good potenttial. 2 out of 5 years of 1000 yards is better than 0 from the rest of them.
August 8th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Joe Says
“Joe is typing at One Buc Palace and that’s the first he heard of anyone not named “Jacquies Smith” who is out for weeks.”
Whew. I must have heard it wrong then.
August 8th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
mike n Says
“I wouldnt trust him longterm , but on a 1 year deal he is gold.”
Every year left on his contract is a one year deal now. No more guarantees.
August 8th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
It’s like you guys want Joe to constantly lie about players and never write what Joe sees (case in point, Noah Spence being “quiet” in camp) but write what you want players to be, as if Joe is writing about ghosts.
Joe saw Martin with some good runs this camp, including yesterday with a run he may never have seen Martin make before. Just so happened Joe had a chance to talk to Martin as he walked off the field today and Martin, as always, was kind enough to answer Joe’s questions.
You prefer Joe write (inaccurately) that Martin has been garbage this camp and never had more than a two-yard run? Or pretend Martin is going up against the 1999 Ravens and is running at 15 yards a carry?
And if Martin’s lot with the Bucs is so secure, how is it just days ago, the guy calling the shots on Martin’s future with the Bucs said for the record he is not guaranteed a gig.
What do you want Joe to do, not write about Martin at all but become a fiction writer?
If you want a fiction writer, you may want to use another source for Bucs information.
August 8th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
No I want Joe to Joe.
U bring the goodies that’s rare and it’s a God send so no I don’t want fake news
I’m all for Dm and was giddy with this story. Interestingly, this is the most positive post info on Dm this whole off season on the site. I get it there are no guarantees. No guarantee’s in life period. No guarantee this offense is as good on paper. But I’m optimistic. I’m optimistic that Dm will be the best back in nfc south.
We as fans are always lied to about status of players anyway from any source. We always here postive u know standard answers. I wish a coach will say. ” Yes, DM better be fighting for job or else Browns he will be” then we as fans have a better understanding/insight.