Doug Martin: I Can Catch
June 12th, 2014
When rookie running back Charles Sims was drafted in the third round and, almost immediately, Bucs coach Lovie Smith stated the main reason was for Smith’s pass-catching abilities, many began writing obituaries for Doug Martin’s days with the Bucs.
While we know now the reason for drafting Sims was both for depth and to give Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford another toy, the wake of the draft has seemingly left Martin with the tag that he cannot catch the ball.
That was news to Martin.
“I think of myself as a complete back,” Martin said. “Catching the ball out of the backfield and pass blocking are a big part of a running back’s game in this day and age. It is definitely something I like to take credit for. I was running some deeper routes but I also had the swings and the checkdowns, crosses, flats. We have a lot of that this year and we also have other things in store.
“I’m real anxious. I just want to go out and play like I did my first year here. I play because I love it.
“Last year? We don’t like to mention a thing about last year. Nothing went our way last year. Being out six or eight games, that was hurtful for me. You can’t get frustrated. You have to keep pushing and keep plowing away. Hopefully holes open up. Some did [last year], some didn’t. They stacked the box.”
Lovie has said early and often Martin is his bellcow back. But like in Chicago, Lovie wants diversity in his backfield. Joe thinks this is just smart. You keep Martin on a pitch count and instead of running him into the ground and out of the league in three years, you keep him around for another five or six.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Well… You lead all RB’s in drops since your rookie season and didn’t play most of last season. And Lovie knows this……. Yikes!
June 12th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
I truly believe Martin would have been traded if we could have recouped the first round investment.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
I see Martin being the feature back, but being spelled by the other backs to keep him fresh. I could see him as a bell cow if they make the playoffs. Saying that, it seems to me that Tedford is the type of OC who is good at keeping the opposing defense off balance & running different personal in and out is a part of that.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
I would not be surprised if Martin was the one spelling the starter and closing out games. I think the importance of being dynamic is more important in Teford’s offense. But as we have not seen the offense yet this is just merely speculation.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Doug Martin is the bell cow.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Martin is our number one back until its proven he isn’t. I would like to see some two back sets with Martin/Sims or Martin/Demps or Sims/Demps.
I also believe that there won’t be much stacking the box against us like the last couple of years because of our recievers & TEs. This, along with more creative playcalling should help our running game!!!
June 12th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
If this is a real “team” …who cares who runs what and when with whom…. to coin a popular phrase…JUST WIN BABY!
June 12th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I think Tampa fans give up on players that have shown their potential far too soon.
Martin was not at risk of being traded and he WILL be the starter. The entire team had issues last year, aside from GMC, Jackson and David. The doesn’t mean every player is on the bubble.
You are the same people who gave up on McCoy. The same who want to dump foster. The same who want Clayborn gone.
It’s one thing if a player never flashed potential ring a season, but all of those guys have.
And yet, you back the one player whose only impressive stat is his low interceptions.
Cayborn? At the start of last season he was an up and comer. Mason? He has improved every year. Martin? Like many RBs, he had a bad second year…but he had a great rookie year.
And yet. Here you are saying he should be toasted, demoted.
Stop. Recognise, for once, the off season hype on new players playing “underwear football”. There is a reason guys look good in the off season, then blow during the regular season.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I always thought the Muscle Hamster could catch too.
June 12th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Ryan Baker, the leader on our team for drops is probably V. Jackson. (also the leader of being caught from behind)
June 12th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Everyone looks good until they put on pads and start getting the slobber knocked out of them. All the talk about Sims is great, but he’s never played a down of pro football. We know Martin can play superbly, as he has in the past. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves anointing a third round pick as a replacement for a guy who has shown brilliance in his so far brief career.
June 12th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Newsflash, every single player on this roster not named GMC or LVD was wearing a price tag this offseason.
It could still happen too.
June 12th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
@ Bonzai
“And yet, you back the one player whose only impressive stat is his low interceptions.”
McCown??? 🙂
Seriously though I agree with your take on Martin
June 12th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Catching is only part of it..running crisp routes and having a larger catching radius is where Martin fails. Hopefully he can improve his route running. Running straight out and turning around is not good route running.
June 12th, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Well this will be interesting. As Ryan Baker points out, Martin is very bad about dropping passes. So it is possible Tedford may lean to Sims, since he would possibly be the more versatile back. But regardless of who starts and who relieves the starter, the two of them should make a kick a$$ tandem.
Now, can the Oline run block? That is the bigger question….
June 12th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
quess we will have to wait and see.
Man, you guys are either bored or have nothing better to do.
Me too i guess, ha ha
June 12th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Martin can catch the damn ball, period.
June 12th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
This is the exact reason I didnt like the 3rd rd pick. Lovie justified the pick as if we didnt already have a complete back. Considering lack of depth at other positions I just cant be okay with that pick.
June 12th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
If defenses stack the box, you must be flexible enough to audible to pass plays and make them regret it. Last year, with Freeman going mental and Glennon thrust in there all green and rookieish, I don’t think Schiano had much trust in their ability to switch to the right, or at least a better play, so we would usually stick with a play call that had no chance. I think Lovie has much more trust in McCown. Also though, I think sometimes Martin hurt himself last year dancing around in the backfield trying to hit the big play instead of just hitting whatever daylight he could find for positive yardage. Taking what the defense gives you works in the passing game and rush game.
June 12th, 2014 at 8:20 pm
He was decent his rookie season (49 catches I think) catching the ball, but last year he seemed like he was 50/50.