Which Doug Martin?
October 12th, 2017
That Doug Martin. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
As Joe pointed out earlier this morning, the Bucs offense may not be as bad as we think it is.
And for the offense to take the proverbial next step, it may just need that Doug Martin.
You know, that Doug Martin? Joe will let winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter explain.
“If we are getting the Doug that we’ve seen at his best – and he did look good the other night in the 25 snaps that he got – it gives you an explosive back, a back that can turn a four-yard gain into a 12-yard gain and once a while a 12-yard gain into a 50-yard gain. Next to that turnover thing, as we always say, explosives [are] the next biggest thing.”
Yes, in the brief time he played before he was gassed, Martin, sans the ugly attempts to catch a ball, looked like the boom Martin, not the bust Martin.
Joe sure hopes what we witnessed last Thursday night is the Martin we can expect for the next 12 games.
October 12th, 2017 at 6:18 am
Health is the key.
“Boom” Martin is Doug when he is healthy.
“Bust” Martin is Doug when he is injured or playing hurt.
I believe #22 is completely healthy (and motivated) – so there’s your answer.
October 12th, 2017 at 6:23 am
With the benefit of hindsight, looking back, he tells us immediately which Doug we’ll have. Bad Doug doesn’t have good preseasons and good Doug doesn’t have bad preseasons. He’s had a good preseason and a good start to his season. He’s good Doug this year. Doesn’t hurt that he has a carrot!!
October 12th, 2017 at 6:26 am
Joe,
Martin is dedicating the season to you.
Go Martin!
Go Bucs!!!
October 12th, 2017 at 6:38 am
Look man, for me it’s not that we have a “bad” offense. It’s just really painful seeing Winston miss wide open guys and leave so many points on the field. He’s got to start connecting.
October 12th, 2017 at 7:55 am
Missed throws, drops, choppy play calling first 4 games – when Martin hit the field he looked three times quicker than Rodgers- night and day- but if we don’t clean up the first three it won’t matter – have to get more consistent!!!!
October 12th, 2017 at 8:12 am
The run-game is THEE most important aspect of any offense. You can argue till you’re blue in the face, but it’s true. We all opined that having all these weapons might lead to the very issues we thought; too many targets, not enough footballs. Koetter is trying too hard to force the issue as is Jameis. Chemistry will happen organically. Having a steady run-game will kick the door open downfield.
October 12th, 2017 at 8:34 am
Well said, Bucsfanman.
As I said elsewhere…Martin needs a fullback that can lead block (like Lorenzo Neal did for Dunn) and make short yardage. Not only will this improve the run game, but it will serve to keep Martin healthy…and if he goes down what do we really have?
At some point this season, we will face a head-hunting team. You know, that team that goes out of their way to injure players, even though no one wants to say it out loud.
If Martin is the biggest producer in the running game, he’ll be targeted. A lead blocker that is worth his roster spot will plow the field for him. And that aint Luke Stocker.
October 12th, 2017 at 8:39 am
The Bucs had no threat in the run game the first 3 weeks, easier to control the pass when you can play 8 guys in coverage
October 12th, 2017 at 9:07 am
I’ll say it before and i’ll say it again….
DIRK…DONT ABANDON THE RUN!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 12th, 2017 at 9:41 am
Luke Stocker, A.K.A. “Teflon Man”. We just can’t get rid of him! Truthfully though, the guy must be doing something right.
Bonzai- I’d like to see that FB too. I think this offense is just a little too pass happy for its own good.
October 12th, 2017 at 9:52 am
What ever happened to weapons for winstons? Why dm is the most coveted offense player on this site?
October 12th, 2017 at 10:41 am
Secretly Isbits is wanting Doug to fail and we all know it. Hes been ragging on him all off season and the entire season. I hope Dougernaul goes off this Sunday, go Bucs!!
October 12th, 2017 at 10:58 am
This game will be interesting for the Bucs run offense, as the Cardinals are giving up only 3.3 YPC.
October 12th, 2017 at 11:20 am
Being mentally healthy should go a long way. His most recent troubles were not his first, and certainly played a role in his struggles earlier in his career.
October 12th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Bucsfanman Says
“Bonzai- I’d like to see that FB too. I think this offense is just a little too pass happy for its own good.”
Yeah.
You know, I have a brother in law who complained that his marriage was ending and he could not save it. Yet he refused to go to marriage counseling. And in the same breath, he was claiming to have tried everything he could think of. Clearly he wasn’t.
The Bucs complain about having no running game. They have a decent offensive line now, but yet they refuse to use a good lead blocker. If they are not going to use a proven method to increase the run game, are they really doing all they can?
I just don’t get it. They have Antony Auclair on the roster, who has played fullback. They could be using him.
October 12th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai
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Antony Auclair was a glorified big WR in Canada last fall… what makes you think he can possibly be an effective FB?