Boom Or Bust: Doug Martin
August 22nd, 2014
Boom or bust for Doug Martin in 2014?
Right now the Bucs are starting to look like a waiting room at a hospital emergency room with all their injuries. And the team hasn’t even played its third preseason game.
Just in the backfield is scary enough. Charles Sims is out at least 12 weeks after ankle surgery. Mike James has a bum shoulder and won’t play tomorrow night. That’s two key players the Bucs had high hopes for in the running game (and passing game for Sims).
Way back at the combine, Bucs coach Lovie Smith stated Doug Martin, himself coming back from shoulder surgery, would be his bellcow. If these injuries to Bucs running backs continue, Martin will have to be.
Perhaps for that reason alone, Mike Clay of BSPN believes this is a boom or bust year for the man affectionately known as the “Muscle Hamster.”
Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entering the 2013 season, Martin had the look of a safe first-round investment. The year before, he had racked up nearly 2,000 total yards and 12 touchdowns en route to finishing his rookie campaign third among backs in fantasy points. Instead, he struggled to one score and 3.6 yards per attempt on 139 touches before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
With Lovie Smith and Jeff Tedford now in control of the Tampa Bay offense, Martin is no longer assured a workhorse role. Charles Sims was selected in the third round this spring, and will be a threat for touches — especially on passing downs — once he returns from ankle surgery. Bobby Rainey, Mike James and Jeff Demps will be in the mix right out of the gate. Martin is only 25 and has shown flashes of elite production, but his pre-injury struggles of 2013 and uncertain workload are legitimate concerns.
Well, Joe’s not sure “uncertain workload” means the guy is going to be a bust. That’s a pretty big reach. Marcus Allen had an “uncertain workload” with the Raiders. He sure as hell wasn’t a bust.
There are all kinds of running backs who share the rock with other talented backs and they are not busts. Joe cannot see how shared workload equals bust here.
Still, the Bucs, even more so, need the 2012 Martin who tore up defenses, rather than the 2013 Martin who was pretty much a non-factor.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:19 pm
And it’s not like the Oline is any better this year. I’m afraid of similar results to last year
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Doug Martin is a good man to rely on, if that’s the case.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Maybe I’m alone on this opinion, but I feel that Martin’s drop in production was a result in our lackluster offensive scheme.
I mean, we started with Josh Freeman, who had an epic fall from grace, only to be followed with a rookie. Defenses were not scared of the qb, nor did they even expect to challenged by the offensive scheme (run, run, pass, punt). Naturally, this means defenses would send 8-9 people down to the box, which is tough running for any Back.
Combine this with Martin’s injury, and yea, he had a rough year.
Sadly, Martin may receive a negative review this year, simply because our OL is sub par.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Why is it that I feel James & to some degree Rainey perform as well or better than Martin when they play.
James in particular seems to pick up tough yards….When we make holes for Martin, he gains.
I believe the key isn’t just the blocking….but creative playcalling that will help our running game.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Certainly a factor. Yet Mike James and Bobby Rainey ran behind the same line.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:40 pm
This is a fantasy article not a real life football article. That’s why a shared work load would mean bust.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:45 pm
I think Dougie will have a good year. Not a great one behind this highschool caliber O-line, but good. He’s elusive and has great vision and speed. And he’s a tough mofo. He’ll be just fine.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:51 pm
If the oline does their job he go for 2k this year. You heard it here first.
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Chef Paul,
Exactly.
August 22nd, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Funny how fans just a week or two ago wanted to trade our RB depth away for draft picks or an OG. You don’t trade critical depth, and what happened with Sims and James is a perfect example of why.
August 22nd, 2014 at 1:28 pm
@FLBID:
good call.
August 22nd, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Agreed that this is a fantasy football related article. I don’t care what Martin’s numbers are as long as he’s helping the team pick up first downs, touch downs, and wins.
August 22nd, 2014 at 1:54 pm
I can’t believe you posted a fantasy football article. You are better than that Joe. Or at least I thought……..Come on Man!!!
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:06 pm
With that offensive line, and i do mean offensive, he is liable to be out for the season by the 5th game.
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:08 pm
If anything hampers his production this year it’s the questionable O line he is running behind. He will get his touches, Lovie has stated multiple times that he will be the bellcow. Look around the league and every team has multiple good running backs. That was just Schiano who thought you could only give it to one running back and hope he stays healthy which won’t happen. The Eagles signed Darren Sproles and nobody is saying Lesean McCoy won’t be the bellcow. The Chiefs give a lot of touches to Knile Davis but of course JC is the bellcow. Every team has multiple running backs to give the good ones a break and bring different skill sets into the game. Relax Doug Martin haters and wait to see him this season
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Anyone who really thinks Douggie is boom or bust is a fool
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:21 pm
I don’t see how there could be any Doug Martin haters as Buc fans. He is one of the best players on the team. He will be bowling for rush gains. He will also be catching balls for gains. I can’t doubt his impact going forward. Go Martin! Go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Well since Dougie was a boom in his rookie year ad a bust last year before his injury, I guess that makes the history books fools
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Everybody is still on the bad o-line thing, Did we not just get a better guard in rishaw or am I missing something?
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Lame article can’t believe I read the whole thing …. Go Bucs Light em up tomorrow !!
August 22nd, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Sophomore jinx last year. He’ll be fine.
August 22nd, 2014 at 4:31 pm
I won’t even give credit to this post by reading it, it’s by far the most idiotic post on your site so far, I hope your making fun of a pathetic attempt to make a name for himself
August 22nd, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Joe Says:
August 22nd, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Maybe I’m alone on this opinion, but I feel that Martin’s drop in production was a result in our lackluster offensive scheme.
Certainly a factor. Yet Mike James and Bobby Rainey ran behind the same line.
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They did – but let me ask you this Joe – if Doug had not been injured and remained healthy for the rest of the season, do you think he would have continued the season with low stats? Really believe that he would not have found his rhythm in that stupid offense and been as productive as Rainey? Mike James was a beast in that game, I would say he was mighty special in that game – but do you really believe Doug would have been crap the rest of the season? Please respond 🙂
August 22nd, 2014 at 5:15 pm
MegaDaveUK:
You would hope so. Again, that’s spin city and guesswork. James and Rainey did (James against the eventual Super Bowl champs). Martin didn’t.
August 22nd, 2014 at 8:02 pm
I guess its Doug Martins turn to be questioned. People forget that Martin started out slow his rookie year also. Then he kicked in and had a fantastic year, just like i think he would have stepped his production after a slow start last year. So lets stop the Rainy and James are better than Doug talk based on a couple good games last year. I will take Doug Martin who produced a close to 2000 combined yards year, over a couple of good games!!!!!!
August 23rd, 2014 at 4:56 am
100% agreement on this article…. that’s gotta be a first for me. If MD (or any running back) is healthy …the more touches he gets the better he plays.