Koetter Talks Doug Martin (Again)
September 30th, 2017
Unknown status.
If the Bucs are counting on Doug Martin to be the cavalry and ride in to rescue the dormant Bucs running game, Martin may not show up until after Thursday’s game against the Belicheats.
Why? Winning Bucs coach noted last night while appearing on “Late Hits,” co-hosted by Jeff Rickard and Gil Brandt, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he no idea what to expect when Martin’s four-game sentence is served come Monday.
(Martin was hit with a four-game suspension near the end of last season. He served the first game in the final contest of 2016.)
Koetter was asked point-blank by Brandt if the Bucs were banking on Martin being dressed for Thursday Night Football and Koetter confessed he isn’t sure.
Gil Brant: Dirk, for the Patriots, you will get Doug Martin back at running back, right?
Dirk Koetter: Well, that’s a complicated situation. It is complicated because when a player is on suspension, he can’t be in the building and you can’t have any contact with him. So, the first time we will see or talk to Doug will be Monday. So it would be Monday for a Thursday night game when he walks in the building. So, yeah, that will be something that will be an interesting storyline next week.
It is a real possibility, if Martin is back, he won’t be in game-shape.
Martin hasn’t been on a football field, unless he was working outside of One Buc Palace on his own, since his suspension began Sept. 4. That will be a full four weeks without putting on a helmet or drilling a blocking sled much less getting hit.
If Martin returns, could he get himself into football shape in a span of but four days? And if so, how many carries could he reasonably expect to have? Running in sandbox or on a treadmill or on a high school track is a far cry from scrimmaging football.
Friday at Bucs practice, Koetter told Joe that a potential logjam on the roster may or may not prevent Martin from being part of the team.
September 30th, 2017 at 4:08 am
Yawn.
This is just gamesmanship from Koetter.
Martin will be back and starting for the Pats game.
GoBucs!
September 30th, 2017 at 4:25 am
If Martin really is committed to making a statement this season and get himself another NFL contract anywhere he should have been doing something during the suspension to stay relatively in shape and ready to contribute. Perhaps one of the Joes know if the muscle hamster was spending any time at some place like Yo Murphy’s ASPI or the IMG academy???? If he has not, well that is very telling and goes a long way to add fuel to the garbage fire concerning the Bucs doing almost nothing to fortify the running game…..
September 30th, 2017 at 4:31 am
I noticed that you stil heavily emphasized the word “If” but it sure seems to me like you have realized Doug is coming back. Can we admit it was absurd to give him a 15% chance of coming back? It was crazy talk from day one. He is as good as RB gets… in Tampa, not Minnesota
September 30th, 2017 at 5:02 am
Agree Wright in Minnesota, ‘just gamemanship’. Confident that Martin will be in uniform for Thurs night’s game, however, I don’t expect him to get more than 10-12 carries, probably early in the game, when the horses up-front are fresh. Pats aren’t all THAT great at stopping the run … given up 390 yds on 76 carries in 3 games this year (an average of over 5 yds per carry).
Chiefs beat them (42-27) by using a solid run game between the tackles (18 runs-105 yds) and great short passing game (25-for-27 for 190 yds). Even with their high-flying offense, Pats can be beaten … but not if Bucs play the game they played in Minnesota. Play design & selection will be critical against the Pats to keep Brady & company off the field. We’ve got the weapons to do whoop ’em, but not if our OC calls another game like he did against the Vikings.
September 30th, 2017 at 5:23 am
I get the vibe from Joe he doesn’t want Doug to play. I can tell you this much without Doug our season is over. No running game will only get you so far.
September 30th, 2017 at 5:52 am
Huh, I mentioned this factor in another thread. Another thought is depending on Martin’s conditioning, and his injury history I would imagine they won’t rush him into action. If he starts Thursday it will likely be more for show than to carry the load at RB
September 30th, 2017 at 6:45 am
Pretty sure he will be in game shape . It seems like a good kid.
He messed up and knows he can’t do it again or he is gone
Can’t be any worse than what we have seen so far.
If sims get more touches than barber this week , I may run out on the field.
September 30th, 2017 at 6:46 am
Doug’s career along with $5.7M this year alone is on the line. You honestly think Martin didn’t do everything in his power to stay in top shape the last 3 weeks?
For an aging RB, not taking hits for 3 weeks after a long, hot TC and preseason and coming in with “fresh legs” could be an actual advantage for Doug as opposed to assuming he won’t be in “football shape”.
Martin will be welcomed back by everyone on the team and is likely to immediately be restored as #1 RB and carry the running load vs NE on Thursday night.
15% chance – LOL. One of Joe’s most ridiculous takes ever….
September 30th, 2017 at 6:59 am
After two weeks of not playing we consider a player “rested.” But after 4 weeks we consider him “out of football shape.” I wouldn’t agree with that. It was nearly a month for the Bucs starter before the Bears game, and they’d not played a full game since the past season. So from that persecpective, especially if Martin has been running and doing own drills (and no reason to think he’d not be given all that has happened and expectations) I think he will be fine. And…a question is will he be better than Quizz or Sims or Barber. The real issue here overall is how ready will the rest of the Bucs be who ARE playing this weekend.
September 30th, 2017 at 7:11 am
We whiffed on not signing Matt Forte.
I swear,
any GM’s and coaches are too subjective and loyal.
They get emotionally attached to players so they don’t replace them.
Matt Forte should have been brought in 2 years ago.
Cordarelle Patterson should have been signed. Best KR in the NFL and a great deep threat.
McCourty should have been signed as our legit #3 CB.
But instead, because of loyalty and sentimentalism,
we saved jobs for draft picks and old players.
Like Ryan Smith, McClain, and Jaquizz Rogers.
Look- all three of these guys are good men and good players.
but why not sign superior players?
Why not build teams that look like All-Star teams?
Matt Forte, McCourty, Dontari Poe, Cordarelle Patterson should be Bucs right now.
Why didn’t we invest all of our salary cap money?
Don’t talk to me about future contracts. I am only talking about signing more players to 2 year deals.
September 30th, 2017 at 7:30 am
You would think that Martin could have found a college or semi-pro team to practice with…..but nonetheless….he will play.
September 30th, 2017 at 8:16 am
Koetter is selling wolf tickets. If the Bucs lose to the Giants and with his play calling anything is possible, Doug will be back with a king’s welcome! Pure gamesmanship!
September 30th, 2017 at 8:43 am
It just shows you the awful shape this team is in, if we have to depend on Doug Martin to save us.
All these recent injuries show us one thing, we have no depth, none.
September 30th, 2017 at 8:46 am
LOL, teacherman thinks the Madden football is real. If you want a player you should just have him.
September 30th, 2017 at 8:59 am
Doug walks in building, some from joe Bucs fans head will blow up like Clayton Bigsby at KKK rally.
They been saying Martin won’t be on team since last season and have t got off soap box on every Podcast. May have to eat crow
You’re not a very good listener, or you have comprehension issues. –Joe
September 30th, 2017 at 9:10 am
@ touchdown
Yea, i got my early morning laugh at his comments as well. Teacherman aka kevin hart. When is your next stand up special? Why dont you work into your act that calais campbell, dalvin cook, kareem hunt, joe hayden, abouye, tyrelle pryor, khalil, brandin cooks, JPP. Fyi…..i thought forte was injured.
September 30th, 2017 at 9:25 am
I’m assuming Doug Martin has stayed in good shape, but that doesn’t mean he is in “hitting shape.” He probably isn’t, unless he hired a bunch of players to tackle him in drills during his time off (unlikely).
My guess he will see a part time roll his first game back.
September 30th, 2017 at 9:50 am
When we signed J. Rodgers to play RB, he was not even on a roster. Nobody was too concerned about his conditioning. Martin was just a few short weeks ago, a full participant in training camp and preseason. I am sure he is still in good shape. He also ran pretty good in his opportunities in preseason.
Since Jeremy McBong did not make the team and we did not sign any RB free agents, I am fairly certain Martin will be back. He knows the playbook, is fresh and hopefully hungry to prove his worth.
Martin and Rodgers will share the load toting the rock.
Now if we can survive the plethora of injuries on defense, maybe we can be competitive.
September 30th, 2017 at 10:05 am
As I said yesterday. The bucs have zero choice. They have to bring him back. The only thing that would change that would be signing another veteran who is better. There ain’t one out there.
September 30th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Pickgrin
Agree completely. Doug comes in bruise free and with the freshest legs on the team. It should be all good.
September 30th, 2017 at 10:31 am
There’s an 85% chance I’m going to be lmao
September 30th, 2017 at 10:35 am
Doug Martin?…the savior?
What did Martin do last year?
how many 3 and shorts and he couldnt convert
the 2016 oline (Marpet/hawley combo)is superior to our 2017 version
You guys waiting for martins continuous tripping himself and falling
we need te short passing attack with rbs and OJ Stocker to replace the running game….this is the new NFL normal
“I get 1 catch per game because Koetter told me im a rookie beast blocker”
OJ Stocker
September 30th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Douggieeeee!!!!!
September 30th, 2017 at 11:21 am
Joe,
You surprise me by your non-ending witch-hunt against Martin. I do hope that one day you reveal what led this personal vendetta. First, there’s no witch hunt or vendetta. Must Joe think every player is in the best interest of the franchise?–Joe
Obviously Kletter has to say this to keep a fire lit under his other RBs in what is a much needed game again the Giants. What? Why would professional running backs need a fire lit? If that’s the case, then the Bucs are in deep trouble.–joe
Having said that, I’m sure a rusty Martin might’ve been able to crack 2.0 ypc against the Vikes.
September 30th, 2017 at 11:22 am
The BUCS made a few mistakes this year already, not drafting a rb in the second round and not drafting a de. But the biggest mistake will be not bring Martin back. I will start Martin in Thursday night gamedue to the other backs are running no way soon
September 30th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I am predicting a run away game for Doug Martin in his return. Yes..and against the Pats!
September 30th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Joe seriously???? Have you seen any of our running backs light the world on fire in the first two games? Ofcourse not. Its easy to say you can nab a running back in the 5th round who is just as good as Doug Martin well not so fast we tried that and it failed. Without Doug Martin we are one or two Jameis interceptions away from a loss. Jameis needs the play action like Noah needed the Ark. Like it or not this year Doug Martin will either be the spark that saved our season or the dud that ruined it. It may not be fair but we need him to play well, very very very badly!!!!!
We won 9 games with Martin playing like crap last season and Jameis having half the weapons he has now. Please. Spare Joe the nonsense. –Joe
September 30th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Haha. Unless Doug’s injured he will for sure be dressed and take a good amount of snaps.
September 30th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
When he get’s back I think both him and Jameis are gonna get everybody pumped in a pre game speech for a Thursday night game against Tom Brady and the multi Super Bowl champs.
September 30th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
He was on a football field this pre season…..A LOT!
September 30th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Considering Doug Martin has SUCKED far more than he has been productive counting on him is absolutely insane. Bucs are finished until the losing culture is changed and that can’t happen until the career losers gmc, Matin, dotson are eliminated. They show far more passion celebrating loses than playing on game day. Proof is that the team is forced to rely on two extremely young players to motivate and lead. Thank God for Jameis and Kwon.
No Kwon no defensive heart…. Lvd and gmc good not great players who do not know how to win and are proven to be mentally weak and career LOSERS
October 1st, 2017 at 1:04 am
JOe you question my listening (play back podcast, went from wont be on roster to 10% chance)and comprehension, yet others are responding on comments and hearing similar comments. (witch hunt)
I agree with you in frustration about Martin performances or lack of when nothing is on the line for him. I think he lacks vision when running and that why he misses the whole or adjust and tip toes at line. That being said he is more threat and must be game planned for than any other back.
we dropped the ball hear, bucs should have brought Peterson in at least to see how he fits. Also failure to address in earlier rounds of draft, when they drafted this Boise St. RB we all said WHO, WHAT ??