Trading Martin = Playing Martin
November 23rd, 2014
Darn good chance Doug Martin is active and playing today against the Bears.
His ankle is in good shape. He practiced all week. He sounded happy and ready on his radio show. And there’s motive.
Some rumors of the Bucs entertaining trading Martin before the late-October trade deadline were legitimate. And Joe suspects those won’t disappear this offseason.
Martin’s expensive fifth-year option on his contract won’t be exercised by Tampa Bay. That wouldn’t make sense. So next year would be the final year on his deal.
Bobby Rainey appears to be a better football player, and Charles Sims is the apple of the regime’s eye.
If Martin can fetch a draft pick, then he’s likely a goner.
But to command value, Martin is going to have to have a good game, something he hasn’t had more than a year.
He’s got to show something real on the field through the final six games. Joe’s unsure whether Martin will get that shot today in the rain and slop in Chicago, but he might. If not, he should get plenty chances at some point.
Trading Martin for anything meaningful will require Martin performing. Nobody’s going to pay handsomely for his ancient (2012) performances.
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:16 am
Agree entirely…..we need many players and lots of picks to get them….4 running backs aren’t necessary and Martin should have some value.
I am still very puzzled by his decline.
One thing he does have going for him in a trade…..he hasn’t been charged with murder, rape, domestic violence, drug posession, PEDs, DUI and most importantly hasn’t whipped his child with a tree branch!!!
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:32 am
Play him if he can contribute. Don’t play him to increase his trade value. Let’s go win this game.
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:40 am
I will not be excited to hear that the bucs traded our former 1st round selection for a 5th or worse a 6th round pick. But at least the “rockstar” is not here anymore so we won’t have to hear how he “fleeced” some real NFL GM
Off topic for Joe! I was running errands yesterday afternoon, and heard on local sports radio Ira Kaufman total seal club the former GM. Did you hear this Joe? I thought I hated the pop-star!
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:44 am
Keep Martin for the full term of his rookie contract…he has not lost any RB ability…except running behind…rather into the behinds, of the MISERABLE OL…he has no trade value relative to what the Buc used in draft position to get him….”cheaper to keep her” as the saying goes
November 23rd, 2014 at 9:54 am
@rastamon
he is the highest paid RB on the team, but he is the #3 running back, that does not play special teams. I think we all know what happens in this situation! other teams will low ball the bucs for him, because it is a trade for low or cut him and get nothing!
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:11 am
Agreed @Realist…I want them to trade him especially if we need him to move up to select a QB.
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:15 am
He would be a Patriot and Allpro in about 15 seconds. They love recycling our garbage.
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:20 am
I would be surprised if they play him much. Off the injury no sense testing the heck out of it unless he really explodes on a few.
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:23 am
If bobby Rainey is the better back them why does he have ZERO trade value, he’s going the same thing in the run game everyone is doing…. Absolutely nothing and I think it’s a Tampa thing because he’ll get traded and play like the probowler next year. He’ll be no different than blount, talib, zuttah or anyone else lovie let go but I’m on with it as long as Rainey isn’t a feature back, Sims has more upside than the two of them combined
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:26 am
Martin has THE most boring radio show I think I have ever heard.
As much as I used to like his play, he appears to be finished, as a great running back.
Bobby Rainey seems to be so much better, and we have Sims, who can really catch the ball.
One has to wonder WTF has happened to Doug Martin, who seemed to have so much promise of being a great NFL Back.
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:29 am
Martin still has value, he just has’nt been able to get fully healthy. I say keep him also.
November 23rd, 2014 at 11:31 am
Martin if traded will be a 5th or 6th, the high draft pick will be VJ could be a second round pick with additional low pick!!!
November 23rd, 2014 at 11:51 am
If Martin plays well keep him if not dump him for 6th or 7th rd pick. Money not an issue were like 7 million under cap now and will probabably add 8-10 mill next year. You need 2 proven backs and Simms is unproven.
November 23rd, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Y’all need to chill the f out about Martin; he didn’t just forget how to run!
November 23rd, 2014 at 1:45 pm
I still like Martin, NOBODY could have run the ball in the games he played. As bad as this offensive line is they were even worse at the beginning of the season. He can still be great lets give him a fair chance.
November 23rd, 2014 at 1:48 pm
JOE,
If he finishes the season on a high note, why on earth trade him?
November 23rd, 2014 at 1:53 pm
The Bucs braintrust is not nearly as high on Martin as many fans are. They did not draft him; they did draft Charles Sims. Joe is sure you can do the rest of the math here.
November 23rd, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Yea but Joe they need two solid backs anyways, not to mention Simms hasn’t proven anything yet.