RB Rotation Secret Unearthed?
December 1st, 2017
Source of crush discovered?
Yeah, Joe has been down on Doug Martin for over a year. Why? Every shred of evidence suggests he is done as an NFL running back.
Last year, Martin was dead-last in yards-per-carry average at 2.9. This year? Same thing. He hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in a game in two years. And, of course, he leads the NFL in drops for a running back.
But when Martin isn’t dinged up or suspended, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter goes to him time and again. It drives Joe crazy, not because of any loathing of Martin, but because the Bucs have better options for running the ball.
Joe understands Koetter is a loyal guy, but c’mon.
Peyton Barber seems to have a better chance of moving the chains than Martin. No, Barber is not Barry Sanders. Shoot, he’s not even Kareem Hunt. But as Koetter is known for saying, “Our guys are our guys.” Well, why doesn’t he use one of his guys (more often)?
When Barber came to the Bucs last year, his biggest drawback was his poor blocking in pass protection. Last thing the Bucs need is for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, to get lit up. So Joe understood why Barber didn’t get a lot of work.
Then, Joe came across a piece of information that may have solved the riddle. And Joe has to give credit where credit is due, to the well-trained orangutans at the PFF tribe. They claim Martin has yet to miss a block in pass pro this season. No other running back is perfect in blocking the pass rush.
So it hit Joe: Barber can run somewhat better but can’t get on the field because he can’t block. Martin, who looks as if he is in his final month as a Bucs running back, can’t tote the rock any longer but he can sure block. Still.
So it seems Koetter weighs the talents of a running back being able to block very, very heavily. Maybe too much so.
[Disclaimer No. 1: No, Joe does not “hate” Doug Martin. He’s actually one of Joe’s favorite interviews. Martin has always been very professional with Joe.]
[Disclaimer No. 2: What Joe does “hate” is non-production.]
[Disclaimer No. 3: Joe really, truly wishes Martin would run for 500 yards the rest of the season because when/if Martin breaks loose, it usually means the Bucs win.]
[Disclaimer No. 4: The only agenda Joe has is for the Bucs to win. ]
December 1st, 2017 at 8:06 am
What about the Concussion protocol Martin is under Joe?
December 1st, 2017 at 8:08 am
Remember Cadillac Williams, y’all? His last year here was only productive as a pass protector. Should have traded Doug’s dope sniffing arse when we had the chance.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:12 am
Joe I agree that Martin is part of the problem but watching other teams run the ball their RB’s aren’t getting hit in the backfield and their offense line is able to move guys off the ball.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:22 am
While the answer to everyone is yes, the Bucs could use a upgrade at running back!!!! But to say there are better options behind is dead wrong!!!!!! The Bucs do not have any running backs that have had a 100 yard game this year!!!!!! DM22 is 3.2 rushing yards per attempt, while Joe’s guy has in 88 carries is Peyton Barber at 2.9 rypa!!!!!!!!! btw JR32 has a bucs leading 3.6 from 60 attempts!!!!!!!
Are all these RB bottom of the league????? Sure wish Joe would look into the “real” problem!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2017 at 8:28 am
Anyone with eyes knows what the real problem is with this running game. Baffling how nobody wants to talk about it. O-Line coach should have been fired weeks ago unless Koetters play designs are THAT bad that line calls (assignments) don’t even match the play calls which might be why our RBs are getting hit in the backfield 85% of the time, just a thought. After 4 weeks this ish should have been fixed.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:29 am
^made up stat and probably exaggeration BTW
December 1st, 2017 at 8:39 am
Of course Joe we know you don’t hate Doug. It has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the horrific run blocking. Even your guy Barber can’t run behind these guys. It is all Doug’s fault. We understand.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:42 am
Two years is long but last week the same stat for the lions has been since 2013 with no 199 yard rusher and they have won more games than us in that time.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:51 am
This was a R.B. deep draft, we could’ve up graded in the first four rounds. We were told our O line was going to be great, added no F.A., or draft picks. Who’s fault is that? I’ll tell you, his name starts with meat, and ends with head. Weather it’s Koetter, or Licht their love affair with Martin, and Sims has been baffling.
December 1st, 2017 at 8:59 am
Maybe Marpet isn’t yet making the proper line calls consistently? Moving him to center was the major change this year, along with the addition of Sweezy.
December 1st, 2017 at 9:03 am
Martin is not the issue, run blocking is the issue. Last game Martin would have went off if he didn’t get injured.
December 1st, 2017 at 9:20 am
@Realist … “btw JR32 has a bucs leading 3.6 from 60 attempts!!!!!!!” Actually Realist, Charles Sims is our leading rusher as a RB with a 4.4 YPC average. Of course, we won’t mention that Fitz beats all of them out with a 5.2 YPC average.
And Joe, I’m wondering why the word “hate” is in quotation marks in Disclaimer 1. Is that supposed to indicate that you really “like” Doug Martin? Almost looks like you’ve been taking word-smithing lessons from Bill Clinton.
December 1st, 2017 at 9:23 am
He was averaging 4.5 yearsa a carry last week before his concussion…
December 1st, 2017 at 9:53 am
Bucs should lose Martin and Sims this off-season so no reason they shouldn’t draft a running back in the early and later rounds, they need a fresh stable of backs and no one on this roster is worthy
December 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
Dm is garabe
Dm fanboys just give it up. Dm is going nowhere and the nfl lied to us and said dm smoked drugs. No the drugs smoked HIM and it shows.
December 1st, 2017 at 10:15 am
Where do all of our non-running plays and non-able to pass play usually start? The Oline, we have had this same issue since Coach L. Smith came back to Tampa. Who has been the Oline coach that entire time? Offensive line coach George Warhop. Has he done anything with our Oline that we should be afraid to cut bait with him? Has our Oline been dominate at any point in his tenure? How is it that our Oline cannot ever get any push after the snap, no I am not talking about being pushed into the backfield that happens almost every play. I am speaking of moving the guy in front of you back 2-3 yards. I watch our Dlinemen get this done to them every single game, series after series after series. It can be done, so why have we not figured out how to make this happen on our Oline to opposing teams Dlines?
Do Oline coaches teach this, do they work on this daily? Or is our MO snap the ball and shuffle your feet backward not forward?
Go Bucs!
December 1st, 2017 at 10:27 am
This is a joke right?! “Better options”?! This conversation has become an absolute joke.
Anyone watch the game last night? Does Alfred Morris ring any bells or remind you of anybody? Same size, same age, same style, and same speed! What’s the difference between the two, production wise? I’ll give you a hint, it has to do with blocking.
There is nothing more to discuss on this issue unless you’re a troll.
“Better options”!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea, OK. In next year’s draft perhaps!
December 1st, 2017 at 10:47 am
Joe,
I could’t disagree with you more about Doug Martin. For the first time I actually hope that the Bucs let him go after the season.
If he decides to continue playing he will go on to prove just how wrong you are about his ability.The fact that he has remained a good teammate, never complained about play calling or the constant lack of run blocking just tells me a lot about his character.
I have the feeling that you will get your wish after this season, Joe. But I for one, will always be a Doug Martin fan for the effort and energy he brings to each play, and will continue to follow & support him once he leaves the Bucs.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:07 am
“[Disclaimer No. 2: What Joe does “hate” is non-production.]”
Ok sure but the ratio of negative Martin articles vs Negative Oline runblocking articles from Joe is probably like 10:1 or greater. Hence why readers get tired of Joe’s martin talk
December 1st, 2017 at 11:10 am
All this hatred and agenda against’ Doug Martin is giving me a headache.
Just kidding. He sucks. There is nothing about his play over the past two years that doesn’t suck. All this nonsense about the blocking, I mean, didn’t the Bucs start two rookies in 2015? That offensive line was arguably worse.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:11 am
I am a big Doug Martin Fan. I guess I am still impressed by many of his runs during his good years, but now I concede it’s time for change. Too many injuries and not enough production. I think Doug’s career is over.Unlike the 2017 draft there are not nearly as many top RB’s available and the few that are will go in a hurry. I see nothing in FA and we all know that our absolute main focus this year is Edge rusher. Quiz and Sims are not the answer and Barber is still an unknown IMO. Jason has his work cut out for him this offseason. Should be interesting.
December 1st, 2017 at 11:41 am
The 2015 OLine was our best and most productive group up front in the last 5 years.
Martin was a 1400 yd rushing All Pro behind that line and Sims averaged just under 5 yards per carry on 107 attempts.
Marpet, Smith and Dotson were all part of that line.
The difference? Logan Mankins!!
December 1st, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Someone please look up the definition of “hate” or “hatred.” Joe is so sick of how this word is abused and misused. This is such bullsh!t!
Hate/hatred means a vile dislike if not wanting to see someone assaulted or worse. That cannot be further from the truth.
Joe doesn’t know how many times he has to type there is zero hatred for Doug Martin. Please read the disclaimers.
But if someone wants to ignore the English language and believe Joe wants evil to befall Doug Martin, fine, so be it. If that makes you feel better.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Joe was hoping the 2012/2015 Doug Martin would reappear. It’s not. 🙁 Father Time is undefeated. He can sure be a bastard.
December 1st, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Joe does not have “hatred” for DM22!!!!!!! Though some say that he does have, “animosity”, “bitterness”, “loathing”, “revulsion”, “malice”, and “repugnance” might be better “feelings”!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite though, is when it comes to the O-line……”silence”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why make stuff up? First, Joe has already shared the disappointment in Sweezy and reported what Anthony Becht said about his lacking flexibility. Second, Joe has written plenty about Donovan Smith, acknowledging he’s had rough outings but Joe was confident he would bounce back. And he did against Atlanta. And Joe has shared others’ negativity about the line. There is no dispute that this is a good pass blocking line, which is a big part of their job. And we will see very clearly this Sunday what the running game looks like without Mr. Martin, just as we did against the Giants and Bears.–Joe
December 1st, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Uh, Joe. Read the next line in my original comment. I was kidding!
December 1st, 2017 at 5:44 pm
Waterboy Says:
December 1st, 2017 at 8:12 am
J0e won’t blame the oline. Or playcalling.
It’s 100% Doug’s fault. Even when other running backs are just as unproductive, it’s still Martin’s fault.
December 1st, 2017 at 10:13 pm
Dud Martin is done.
Our every other year RB is toast.
He screwed us.
Dump him.